Early Years Professionals Survey 2021/2022

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.

This work is part of the SIPTU Big Start campaign aimed at highlighting pay and conditions for professionals in the Early Years sector and the impact they are having on their living standards, quality for children and the sustainability of services. Each year we have demonstrated that for professionals, the sector is in crisis, with issues around low pay, poor conditions and a lack of recognition of their principal concerns.

Early Years Professionals are nearing the end of their second year working with Covid-19 restrictions, they have made huge sacrifices and operated in constrained contexts to keep settings open in spite of high infection rates across the country, keeping children safe and happy while their parents work.

Last year’s survey really illustrated the dedication and perseverance of professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic and their fears for the future of the sector.