SIPTU Early Years Professionals’ Survey 2019/2020

Foreword

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.

But if you ask an educator what’s the worst thing about working in the Early Years sector, the response is very different. Low pay and poor conditions mean that educators are struggling to make ends meet and worried about their future. They talk about their lives being put on hold because buying a house or starting a family is financially impossible. Many simply can’t afford to stay in their profession and are either emigrating or retraining.

Until now, the experience of Early Years educators had been told anecdotally. This survey uniquely looks at the working lives and everyday struggles faced by Early Years educators; the results are deeply troubling.

The survey which took place from 6th June – 30th June 2019, reveals a profession living in poverty. Low pay and a lack of basic entitlements predominate. For instance, 84% are unable to cope with unexpected expenses, like replacing a washing machine. Just 11% get paid maternity leave from work, even though 98% of educators are women.

The impact of this situation is threefold. Educators struggle to make ends undermining their quality of life, providers struggle to attract and retain staff, undermining their sustainability and quality for children is undermined as staff turnover rates stand at 25% per year.

This survey will be repeated annually. If the results remain the same, Ireland will have failed educators, providers and most importantly children.

If Ireland is to build a high-quality Early Years sector that supports children’s cognitive and social development, the current situation must change.

In the upcoming budget, the Government has an opportunity to establish a threshold of decency by supporting a living wage for all Early Years educators and address the staffing crisis that is undermining quality.

Foreword by Darragh O’Connor Head of Strategic Organising, SIPTU