Rally warns of threat to free childcare year

PARENTS are being warned there is no guarantee there will be a place for their child in September for their second free year of childcare.

Members of the Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP) and IMPACT took to the streets of Cork yesterday, calling for urgent Government action to agree contracts with childcare providers for free childcare provision in September.

Childcare workers taking part in a city centre protest/demonstration on Friday. Pic: Larry Cummins

The two organisations, who work jointly on behalf of early years professionals, stated that the ‘March for Change’ event highlighted the importance of early childhood education and care as well as the vital role that is played by early childhood professionals in supporting children and families.

Marching from the Intreo Centre on Georges Quay, Cork, to the Intreo Centre on Hanover Street, the group highlighted some of the crucial issues currently facing the early years sector.

Childcare workers taking part in a city centre protest/demonstration on Friday 1st July 2016. Eleanor O’Connell and Marian Quinn, Chairperson, Association of Childhood Professionals taking part in the demonstration. Video: Larry Cummins

IMPACT deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan argues that ongoing inaction may see parents who are looking forward to a second year of free childcare provision from September forced to pay.

“Many parents are working under the false premise that there will be a place for their child come September,” said Mr Callinan.

“The reality is that, as things stand, no contracts are in place and there is certainly no guarantee that this will be sorted by the time parents seek to take up their entitlements in just over two months’ time.

“In the meantime, thousands of skilled and experienced early years professionals are being forced out of work for the summer because the Government only funds early years services for 38 weeks.

“That’s no use to parents, who need care for their children 52 weeks of the year. And it is totally unacceptable to the dedicated staff who will either have no income or depend on social welfare this summer.”

Association of Childhood Professionals taking part in the demonstration.
Pic: Larry Cummins

Marian Quinn of the Association of Childhood Professionals said that approximately 4,000 early childhood professionals will have to sign on this summer because they will be laid off or on reduced hours.

“Others will have no income at all because they are self-employed,” she said.

“We need our Government to commit to increased investment and a cohesive early childhood education and care strategy so that the children of Ireland can receive the best possible foundation in life.

“There is a long history of underinvestment in the early childhood sector, which shows a complete disregard for the rights of the child and the professionals working with them.”

Mr Callinan this week wrote to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, to urge her to act quickly on the issues.

“There is an absolute imperative to issue draft contracts to providers immediately,” his letter argued.

“We also seek your commitment that, in future, contracts will be issued in sufficient time to allow for adequate consultation and negotiation of any matters.

“This is vital if uncertainty is to be removed for staff, providers and parents alike.”