SIPTU Big Start: Early Years Staffing and Pay Survey 2022

Low pay has caused a recruitment and retention crisis in Early Years. This is undermining the sustainability of services, quality for children and accessibility for parents. However, the introduction of a new ‘Core Funding’ scheme offers light at the end of the tunnel by supporting an historic first pay deal for Early Years Professionals. Historically, low pay has been a hallmark of the Early Years sector.

According to the most recent POBAL Early Years Sector Profile 2020/2021, a majority of Early Years Educators earn below the Living Wage of €12.90 per hour, while a Lead Educator with an honours degree earns just €13.21 per hour on average. Unsurprisingly this has resulted in an annual staff turnover of 19%.

The results of this survey show how these rates of pay impact on workers, parents, services, and children. Specifically, the survey reveals how recruitment and retention challenges are undermining the sustainability of services and quality for children. However, there is light at the tunnel. After years of campaigning by SIPTU and other groups, the Department of Children is significantly increasing investment in Early Years to address low pay.

A new ‘Core Fudning’ scheme is due to be introduced in September 2022. This investment will support an historic first pay deal for Early Years Professionals negotiated by SIPTU. A large majority of managers and staff believe that this pay deal, together with ongoing improvements in pay, will address the recruitment and retention crisis.