Childcare failure no surprise
THE scrapping of plans by the Government to provide childcare to healthcare workers during Covid-19 due to poor uptake from childcare providers has come as no surprise to one local operator.
Of approximately 5,000 providers, just six signed up to the scheme which would have seen childcare professionals provide services in family homes of essential healthcare workers who have been struggling since the start of the pandemic.
In what was predicted by many Early Years Educators, the scheme failed for a number of reasons including many question marks around insurance, garda vetting and breaks for childcare providers.
One Early Years educator, John Davey from Ballintogher, said it was no surprise the scheme was scrapped and said it could have worked if there was meaningful engagement with childcare professionals while the scheme was being drafted.
“It could have worked, or an alternative could have been designed, if the issues that were identified after the plan was announced, were identified before the plan was announced.”
Just hours before the Government were to announce the launch of the scheme on May 7 th, childcare providers such as Mr Davey received correspondence from their insurers.
“We received an email from our insurance brokers advising that Allianz (the only company currently offering childcare insurance in the State) would not be offering insurance cover in the event of a member of staff or household member contracting the virus.”
Mr Davey said the insurance company stated it had made the Department of Children and Youth Affairs aware of this.
“Despite this, the DCYA went ahead and announced the scheme.” In relation to garda vetting, Mr Davey said though all official childcare providers are garda vetted, that vetting only covers work carried out in childcare settings rather than other locations.
“Each teacher would have had to undergo fresh vetting.” Speaking about breaks, Mr Davey highlighted that under employment law, employers have to ensure that their employees get their breaks.
“However at the same time we were expected to provide one member of staff for one home.
“In a nine hour shift (a 45 hour week) how could both these needs be met?”
Mr Davey said if the Government wanted providers to follow their instructions then they needed to be recognised as having ceased to be private sector workers.
“Children are not an inconvenience to be farmed out so that the labour force can be reactivated.
“They are welcome and valued in settings that should reflect their needs and interests.”
If the phased lockdown exit goes to plan, the reopening of childcare facilities for essential healthcare workers is June 29 th.