There have been major changes in the Early Years sector since SIPTU’s previous staffing survey conducted just last year. Read the publication to learn more and download your copy of the report.

Low pay has caused a staffing crisis in Early Years. This is undermining the viability of services and quality for children according to managers and owners.

This is the third year we have surveyed Early Years Professionals and reported on their perspectives of pay, working conditions and the future of the sector.

Early Years professionals worked on the frontline in the depths of the pandemic caring for, and educating the children of other essential workers, as well as vulnerable children. We could not ‘reopen’ society without reopening of Early Years services.

Low pay is caused a staffing crisis in Early Years. Educators are struggling to make ends meet while providers are struggling o recruit and retain staff. The solution is better funding and a pay deal.

By significantly increasing investment and implementing a new model, the sector can begin the transformation to a new system that is high quality for children, affordable for parents, pays educators a professional wage and ensures sustainable services.

SIPTU is proposing a major reform of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Ireland needs a systemic change from the current market model to a new public service model. In short, private and community ECEC providers would have the choice of opting into a new ECEC funding system whereby the state would fund the pay and conditions of employees.

In February 2020, 30,000 Early Years professionals and parents marched through the streets of Dublin to demand radical change in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services. They called for decent pay, affordability, recognition and quality of care for children. It was a moment of hope, courage and unity. Then Covid-19 hit.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic Ireland’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector was in crisis. Low pay and high staff turnover were undermining quality for children. Parents were paying the highest fees in the European Union (EU), significantly raising the cost of living and restricting access to the labour force, particularly for women. Since the full reopening of the sector in September, pay and poor conditions have deteriorated for many Early Years professionals which may impact on efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic Ireland’s Early Childhood Education and Care (childcare) sector was under severe pressure. There was a crisis of low pay. Figures released by POBAL for 2018/19 showed that the average hourly rate of pay for Early Years Educators is just €11.44 per hour, over 60% of whom earn below the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour. Early Years managers earn on average just €15.44 per hour.

There is a low pay crisis in Ireland’s Early Childhood Education and Care sector. POBAL’s ‘Early Years Sector

Profile Report 2017/2018’ reported that Early Years Assistants earn on average just €11.18 per hour, (€1.12) below the Living Wage. Furthermore, 43% of honours degree graduates in the sector earn below the Living Wage on an annual basis

High quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services enhance children’s holistic development (including educational outcomes), support families, promote social inclusion, reduce child poverty and enhance future employability. Affordable services facilitate workforce participation for parents; particularly for women.

When you meet an Early Years educator, ask them what they like about their job. No matter how tired they are after a long day’s work; they will light up with passion, empathy and pride. Every day they see the impact they make in the lives of children. For those working in areas of disadvantage that impact can be life changing.

Investing in high quality, affordable Early Years and School Age services has long term benefits for children, families, the economy and society.

Parents, workers, employers, government and child-focused non-governmental organisations all agree that early childhood education and care (childcare) should be high-quality, affordable and accessible.

“The ‘Big Start’ campaign coalition aims to radically transform the Early Years Education and Care sector so that it is high quality, affordable accessible and delivery by qualified professionals paid a decent wage. The coalition is comprised of SIPTU, Barnados, The National Childhood Network, national organisations, academics and early years’ professionals

During the summer of 2001 Congress commissioned Nexus Research Co-operative to carry out a survey to find out how trade union members were meeting their childcare arrangements or childcare needs.

The context for this research is the limited provision of childcare services in Ireland (acknowledged by the Report of the Partnership 2000 Expert Working Group on Childcare, 1999) and more specifically the very limited information available on how working parents manage childcare.