Sign our petition

To the Government of Ireland

The pandemic has shown us just how crucial Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is for parents, children and the economy. However, the sector is in crisis. Low levels of government investment and a broken funding system have resulted in poverty pay for professionals, high fees for parents and high staff turnover as services struggle to recruit and retain workers. This approach is undermining quality for children.

In Budget 2022, the Government can start the transformation of ECEC by increasing investment and implementing a new funding model so educators are paid a decent wage, childcare is affordable for parents and these essential services are sustainable into the future.

Our demands are simple. Support our New Deal for Early Years in #Budget2022 and deliver quality care and educaton for our children, our workers, parents and providers.

The organisations involved in the ‘New Deal for Early Years’ campaign are SIPTU, National Women’s Council, National Childhood Network, CRANN Support Services, National Community Childcare Forum, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, OMEP Ireland, Further Education Teachers Network, Association of Childhood Professionals, Men In Childcare, PLÉ and SPARK.