Childcare sector facing worker exodus - Nolan
Independent TD for Laois Offaly, Carol Nolan, has said that workers within the early years sector, who provide pre-school and childcare services throughout the State, are experiencing a collapse in morale and continue to struggle to make ends meet. Deputy Nolan was speaking after she had participated in an online engagement with representatives from the sector.
“If one thing is clear from talking and listening with the early years' workers, it is that the current situation in terms of work and pay conditions is absolutely unsustainable.
"We know from a recent SIPTU survey that 67% of early years educators earn below the Living Wage, and 90% of all professionals struggle to make ends meet. The survey also found that 38% of all early years professionals are actively looking for a job outside the sector; this rises to 44% of room leaders where most graduates are employed.
"We also know from information published in the Pathways to Better Prospects Report that 65% of 3,200 early years professionals do not expect to be working in the sector in five years’ time. If an exodus of workers takes place on that scale then the repercussions for families, workers and service providers will be devastating," the TD said this week.
"I will be raising these issues directly with Minister for Children, Roderick O’Gorman on Thursday and will be demanding that the government clearly lay out what kind of pathway it is going to out in place to address these concerns coming down the tracks.
"It is also vitally important that small early years providers are supported, and that any new system does not impose unsustainable financial burdens on to them.
"I think it is also important to note that while are addressing existing concerns we also work toward introducing greater flexibility around the options available to families who may wish to mind their children at home.
"We should avoid pressing people into a one size fits all approach which does not reflect the reality of what parents actually want in terms of childcare or pre-school education,” concluded Deputy Nolan.