Problems in preschool education

IMPACT trade union hosted a meeting in Sligo for workers in the early childhood and education sector, with Martin Kenny TD.

The meeting took place last night (Monday) 23rd October at the IMPACT office, Fish Quay in Sligo at 7.30pm.

The meeting had been organised by the union’s Early Impact branch, which represents early education professionals, including childcare staff and workers delivering the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.

Early Impact organiser Lisa Connell said the meeting was an ideal opportunity for a constructive engagement between workers and deputy Kenny.

“We’re delighted that Mr Kenny agreed to take part in this discussion, which is part of a series of meetings we are running across a number of regions around the country.

“The early education sector is facing a very real crisis due to the ongoing lack of investment in the sector, and this is an opportunity for policy makers to dig deeper on the issue by talking to the professionals who deliver the services,” she said.

Ms Connell added that, while the recent budget saw some improvement in state funding, which should be of benefit to parents and families, there is still a very severe lack of investment which Ms Connell said “translates into very low levels of pay for highly qualified early education professionals.”

Ms Connell said calls by childcare providers to reduce qualification standards for employees was not the answer.

“This is essentially a call to drive down wages, and force qualified professionals out of the sector. Parents wouldn’t tolerate a situation where qualification standards were reduced for teachers in our schools, why would they tolerate it for their pre-school children?

“I think this is short term thinking, and will only serve to diminish the educational standards in the crucial pre-school years, where children are learning how to learn,” she said.

Ms Connell said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible, as this is a conversation that could spark really positive change in this crucial sector.”