‘The sector is broken, underfunded and it’s exploiting those who are working in it’

Childcare providers across Meath are planning on closing their doors for 24 hours next week in protest at what they say is a “crisis” facing the early year's sector. 

Among them is a group of childcare professionals in the Ashbourne area who have come together to form an alliance in the midst of a “huge staffing crisis” which has been exacerbated by crippling insurance hikes, mountains of paperwork, underfunding and over-regulation.

The protest follows the recent news that parents are being forced to travel to other counties to access childcare due to a shortage of places in Meath.

The group who is taking part in a national day of protest on February 5th says the sector has reached crisis point and is resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services. The protest is being organised by the Early Years Alliance, an umbrella group made up of childcare staff, providers, unions and parents.

Siobhan Merrigan from Little Leaps preschool in Ashbourne who came up with the idea for the alliance alongside colleague Grace Mulligan explains why it is so important.

The Ashbourne Early Years Network aims to offer support to those in the sector 

“We set it up in the local community to reach out to each other at what is a particularly difficult time for childcare providers and educators. It is always something we wanted to do but with recent events it has become even more poignant.”

Part of the alliance is Eilish Balfe the owner of Happy Days pre-school in Ratoath, she says underfunding is causing people to leave the sector. 

“We are protesting against over-regulation and underfunding. The free preschool ECCE scheme is going ten years now and in that time we have been given just €5 extra, it went from €64.50 per child per week to just €69.00 per child.  As I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education I receive €82.25. 

“The Government only pay us for fifteen hours a week for 38 weeks so only weeks that children attend, yet it is meant to cover staff wages, rent, holiday pay, equipment, overheads, admin etc. The administration required takes an additional 15 hours roughly a week between reflections, observations, planning, risk assessments and learning journals. 

“There are professionals leaving in their droves. I have been advertising a job since June and I can't get anyone to fill it.

Childcare providers are preparing to protest on February 5th 

“They could be coming into me with a level 8 degree and I'm offering them €11 an hour and it's just not good enough.” 

A further blow came last year when one of the biggest insurers of the childcare sector, Ironshore Europe, announced it was pulling out of the Irish market.  

“My insurance was €1,100 last year and this year it's just under €2,200 it has doubled. It is one thing after another. 

“You are regulated by lots of different governing bodies and all of these departments have different rules that you have to comply with. 

“I absolutely love my job, I feel very privileged to be part of a child's journey because 0 -5 years are the formative years but we are massively underfunded. The Government wants a world-class early years sector and they are bridging that funding gap with our love of the job but it's wearing thin now and we are saying no.” 

Nicola Maguire who owns Little Buddies Playschool and Montessori in Ashbourne is calling for reform.

“We will be closing on the 5th of February to highlight the issues providers and childcare workers are continuing to face in a sector that is broken, underfunded and exploiting those who are working in it and children will suffer as a result.

"The ratio for preschools is one staff member to 11 children.  I don't actually know how anybody works one to 11 because if you are you are just supervising. So we are always operating with higher ratios. We have four adults for 22 children.

“The more parents that are using creches and pre-schools who become aware of the issues the better.

"The Government is trying to have a high-quality service that's reflective of worldwide standards in childcare but they are just exploiting the people who are working in it."