Working parents could avoid quitting jobs as a result of steep childcare costs, thanks to an upcoming measure announced by the Government.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, provided details about the Child Daycare Allowance Amendment Regulations, which were brought on Friday to the House of Assembly.

Speaking at Sweet Pea Nursery in Warwick, Ms Furbert said the location was where “the issue becomes real”.

She told The Royal Gazette how she appreciates the situation of needing childcare and said: “I have two children and I do know what it entails [working and requiring childcare] and there are three years between my boy and girl.”

At the nursery, Ms Furbert explained: “Across Bermuda, parents begin their mornings by bringing their children into spaces like this one before they head to work.

“They leave them with people they trust, in places where children can learn, play, develop routines, build confidence and begin forming the social skills that will carry them forward.

“For many families, childcare makes the working day possible.

“It allows parents to earn a living, keep their employment, support their households and provide stability for their children.

“At the same time, it has become one of the highest monthly costs for many young families.”

Ms Furbert said she wanted to explain the “practical relief” behind the amendments, which come into effect on September 1 for three income categories.

She said: “The first covers households earning up to $65,000.

“The second category covers households earning from $65,001 to $97,000 a year. The third category covers households earning from $97,001 to $130,000 a year.

“The additional support is aimed at families in those income groups who have more than one eligible child in daycare at the same time.

“For the first eligible child, the maximum monthly allowance stays at $900, $700 or $500, depending on the household income category.

“The additional support starts with the second eligible child. For that child the maximum monthly allowance would increase to $1,275, $1,225 or $1,175 depending on the household income category.

“For each additional eligible child after the second child, the maximum monthly allowance would be $1,350, $1,330 or $1,310 depending on the household income category.

“In each case, the allowance cannot be more than the actual monthly cost of the child’s daycare. That means the support is directed to the actual cost families are facing.

“It also means that families with multiple young children will receive a higher level of assistance at the points where the financial pressure is usually greatest.

“This is a targeted amendment. It recognises that one childcare bill is already difficult for many households, but two or more childcare bills can become overwhelming.”

Ms Furbert added: “In conclusion, the Child Daycare Allowance Amendment Regulations 2026 are intended to ease the pressure on families with multiple young children, improve access to childcare, support early childhood development and help parents remain in the workforce.

“It means the support is directed to the actual cost families are facing.

“It also means that families with multiple young children will receive a higher level of assistance at the points where the financial pressure is usually greatest.

“On International Day of Families in May, I spoke about the way inequality can show up in the daily life of a household. It can be seen when a parent works hard and still struggles to afford childcare.

“It can be seen when a family has love, commitment and sacrifice, but limited resources. And it can be seen when a child’s opportunities are affected by pressures outside that child’s control.

“Those realities guide the work of this ministry.

“This is one part of the wider work of the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors to support families, assist those who need help and strengthen our community.”

The payments go straight to the nurseries, which was welcomed by Elicia Hollis, the Sweet Pea Nursery owner, who said: “It definitely helps.

“We see children who would normally stay at home with relatives and not get any development, if it wasn’t for this government finance.

“In some cases — families with multiple children — the childcare costs can be more than their rent.

“For instance there are families who pay $1,500 per child and their rent is $2,300 per month.

“Most nurseries are privately owned and in our case, there are no discounts for the number of children you have.”