Staff shortages remain in early childhood sector
Recruitment and retention of staff continues to be one of the main issues faced by Early Childhood Ireland’s 466 member settings in Cork.
The latest available data shows the average staff turnover stands at 26.2%, the organisation said on Monday as it called on those involved in government formation talks to address these challenges in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
As 22,000 children return to early years and school age care settings in Cork after the Christmas holidays, staff shortages and stark waiting lists remain nationwide, Early Childhood Ireland said adding that the first step is to set a date to bring early years and school age care graduates into the public pay system.
Early Childhood Ireland said all political parties promised to reduce fees and improve affordability for parents throughout the general election campaign however, without addressing the staff shortage, these proposals will not be viable.
Frances Byrne Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, said: “We welcome the focus on access to Early Years and School Age Care for all children, but without proper pay and conditions for staff, there simply will not be enough educators available to care for those children.”
The latest Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey revealed that in Cork there are 534 children under the age of 1 on crèche waiting lists 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.
Ms Byrne added: “Guaranteeing parity of pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates will not only offer staff deserved recognition but also go a long way to alleviating the capacity issues in the system, and ultimately support affordability for parents in Cork.”
According to the organisation, a five-year plan and a new investment target is also crucial to building a system that is of high quality, sufficient capacity, and that is inclusive of all children.
Ms Byrne said: “There is broad political support for increased investment in Early Years and School Age Care. With a new 5-year programme being shaped, now is the time for the incoming government to propose a plan which outlines the level of funding which will be made available each year, along with clear annual priorities.”
Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the next government to build on the progress made in the last five years by putting in place the steps needed to guarantee access to a high-quality, equitable early years and school age care system for every child in every family in Cork.