Crèche waiting lists soar

Close to 3,000 young children are on crèche waiting lists in Cork with less than 350 places available across city and county according to the latest figures.

Data collected by Early Childhood Ireland has revealed that currently in Cork there are 2,768 children under the age of three unable to access the care and education they need.

The annually collected data revealed there are 534 children under the age of 1 on crèche waiting lists in Cork and just 17 places available for them; 1,124 children aged 1-2 years on waiting lists and 36 places available; and 1,110 children aged 2-3 years on waiting lists and 291 places available.

Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, outlined the crucial role played by early years and school age care in a child’s development. “Early years and school age care is a public good – it helps lay the foundation for children’s futures.

“We badly need more places for children, but any capacity expansion will be hampered unless settings can attract and retain highly skilled and motivated staff whose pay and conditions align with their qualifications and experience,” she added.

According to Early Childhood Ireland, bringing early years and school age care graduates within public sector pay and conditions, in line with teachers, would be transformative.

Ms Byrne explained: “Giving early years and school age care graduates pay parity with their counterparts in primary education would place Ireland beside those countries where there are guaranteed places for every family, lower levels of child poverty, and greater gender equality. It is a social and economic win-win.”

The average staff turnover in Cork stands at 26.2%. Furthermore, an independent review of the early years and school age care system in 2021 highlighted that up to 20,000 additional staff will be required by 2028, but despite increased investment and a new wage setting mechanism, staffing remains a significant challenge. Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the next government to show its commitment to children by setting a date to bring early years and school age care graduates into the public pay system.

“As well as offering deserved recognition for educators, this commitment will go a long way to alleviating the capacity issues the system is currently dealing with, provide greater transparency for public investment.”