‘We have no choice’
When Paula Donohoe of Ballyconnell’s Clever Clogs Childcare picks up the phone, she’s in the process of putting the final touches to a letter notifying parents that her facility will be among those set to shut their doors as of a planned national day of protest.
Co-ordinated by the Early Years Alliance, thousands of educators, providers and parents are being actively encouraged to take part a protest march in Dublin next week to highlight the worsening childcare crisis.
“We have no choice. We’ve been left with no other option,” Ms Donohoe tells The Anglo-Celt.
Last year Ms Donohoe was to the fore within the sector to challenge what she described as “chronic” underinvestment at national level, coupled with numerous other factors that have already forced a number of providers to close down.
“All our warnings have fallen deaf ears. So now the time has come. They’ve been ignoring us for far too long and for too many years.
“It is successive Government policies of chronic underfunding, sustained over many years, that have brought this about and has led to a massive crisis in the sector,” she adds, noting how Ireland invests 0.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to the European average of 0.7 per cent.
“What they want is quality childcare delivered on shoestring budget. But that is totally unsustainable in a sector with so many competing demands. It has placed a huge burden on both owners and staff alike and it simply can’t continue,” said Paula.
The Early Years Alliance is a collaborative movement made up of the Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP), the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, SIPTU, the National Community Childcare Forum, Seas Suas and the National Childhood Network.
‘Sums don’t add up’
Teresa Thompson, SIPTU ‘Big Start’ co-ordinator Cavan/Monaghan, states that the “sums don’t add up” when considering the years of under-investment in the early years education sector in Ireland.
“Providers are struggling with increased costs, but are also aware that parents are already struggling with the cost of childcare and, because of this, they really do not want to pass on these increased costs to them. That is one of the reasons they are taking a stand - not only for themselves, but for the parents and also for their staff. Increased Government investment is crucial to ensure sustainability for providers, affordability for parents, a decent wage for Early Years educators and recognition of their profession, but ultimately to ensure quality childcare for our children.”
At the February protest, the Early Years Alliance will be highlighting its Election 2020 demands for the sector. These include the development of a funding model that supports affordable and accessible childcare for parents, high quality for children and sustainability for providers.
The Early Years Alliance is also seeking adequate funding for the introduction of the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour in 2020 as the minimum first step towards a professional pay scale.
They also want the establishment of a single inspection process with a graded compliance system.
Association of Childhood Professionals chairperson, Marian Quinn, added: “The State must accept responsibility and significantly fund this vital public service. We cannot be in a position where impoverished staff are providing the foundation level in our education system. It is inequitable, unjust and immoral. Staff turnover is enormous because our profession is being exploited to meet political objectives. This has to stop.”
Elaine Gaffney is the assistant manager at Krafty Kidz Community Childcare in Ballyconnell and they too are joining the protest. “As a community service and one of the longest established non-for-profit services in the country, the sustained lack of Government investment is of particular concern to us, working with some of the most vulnerable children and families, who require additional support to reach their potential,” said Elaine.
“With demand for our service at an all-time high, the funding simply isn’t there to expand and provide the high-quality early childhood education these children and families need and deserve,” she added.
The protest is planned for Wednesday, February 5, in Dublin.