Our children are being failed by a childcare system that is simply not fit for purpose. Parents, families, communities, the economy, and childcare professionals are being failed by a model that is broken.
On February 17th, childhood and early-education professionals and students will rally outside the Dáil to protest against the Government’s continued failure to deliver childcare and early education that works for families, childcare workers and, most importantly, children. The rally, organised by the Association of Childhood Professionals, will demand the Government recognises and accepts its responsibility for sufficient funding to adequately resource all areas of childcare and childhood education.
Because of low wages, those working in the sector are subsidising early-childhood education and care, and this can’t continue. The rally will also highlight the importance of early childhood education and care, and the vital part played by professionals in supporting families and children at this key development stage.
There are a number of practical, simple steps that could be put into action to develop a system we can all be proud of:
