‘I don’t know if there’s a future for me here’ – Early-years student laments uncertain state of childcare sector

Early-years student Chloe Knox (22) will graduate in two weeks, but it is not the time of joy she imagined.

The sector is experiencing major uncertainty, which has not gone unnoticed by the next generation of workers. Many of Ms Knox’s peers are considering emigrating or leaving the industry.

She says there is a crisis in pay, conditions and in recognition for those working in creches across the country.

She had to take on a second job while completing her degree to cover the rising cost of living in Dublin.

“Graduating is meant to be a really fun time, but for me and my friends it’s a little bit scary because we’re obviously not going into an ideal working environment,” she said.

“I’ve had a bartending job while working in childcare. I’ve had two jobs at once because it’s not an affordable sector to work in.”

Ms Knox, who is from Kerry but moved to Dublin for her studies, said “only a handful” of her peers will remain in the sector following their graduation.

Many of them are already planning to emigrate or pivot towards primary teaching.

“It’s a bit of a bleak future,” she said.

“I’m willing to put up the fight, but I can see why some of my friends are ready to leave.

“It feels like a failing fight because we’re getting trained up and realising, actually, I want what’s best for me. And even though I love this job, I can’t afford to do it’. That’s heart-breaking in itself.

“I love working with children. I knew my whole life that I wanted to be some type of teacher and now, to be at this stage where I ask if I can actually afford to be in this career is devastating.”

She said those in the sector are not getting the recognition they deserve as “essential” workers.

“We’re enabling parents to go back to work, to help educate kids. A lot of people don’t realise we are the reason kids know how to put on their coats when they get into primary school. All of those fine motor skills,” she said.

“Early years is about letting them develop their personality, their creativity. That’s such a vital time in their lives.”

She said it is difficult for graduates to see a future in a sector with so much burnout and not enough supports.

“If you can’t make ends meet and you can’t pay your bills, you’re not going to stay,” she said. “I’m so passionate about staying in this sector, but I don’t know if there’s a future for me.

“There’s an early-years crisis right now, whether people realise it or not. Turnover in many creches is high. It’s a pity, because this sector could be unbelievable for Ireland.

“They’re wondering why all of these young people are leaving. We need help. We want to stay.”

Ms Knox called on the Government to “step up”, saying: “Enough is enough at this stage. We need recognition, we need better pay because it’s just too hard.

“It’s not an easy job. It’s not just changing nappies and playing with kids, it’s so much more than that.

“We’re educators. We deserve the recognition that all other educators get. If we’re considered as vital as they’re telling us, why can’t we see that?”

Many of Ms Knox’s peers work second jobs or babysit alongside their regular working hours to help make ends meet.

She said many in the sector are overloaded, with conditions having a knockon impact on their well-being and that of the children being cared for.

“Staff turnover affects a child’s wellbeing,” she said. “We have a ‘key person’ approach for a reason. Child development flourishes with steadiness, routine, with one or two people they know and can trust and create bonds with.

“We also have this approach so we don’t miss anything with the child. If there’s something going on with your child, the educator could be the first one who knows about it.”

She said change has been “a long time coming” and things have reached crisis point, where workers worry about paying their bills while “taking care of these tiny little humans who are so important”.

“It’s not an easy job. It’s not just changing nappies and playing with kids, it’s much more than that... We deserve the recognition all other educators get” Chloe Knox