Services will suffer unless funding increased says Tullamore childcare provider
The next government must increase State funding for the childcare and early year education sector if the current high level of service is to be maintained, the proprietor of a Tullamore childare centre says.
Childcare providers and early years educators from across Offaly were among the 30,000 people who attended Wednesday's protest march in Dublin calling for the next government to increase funding for the sector so that it can reduce fees for parents, increase pay for educators and supports the sustainability of services.
Regina Bushell, the proprietor of Grovelands Childcare Centre in Tullamore and president of Seas Suas, the organisation representing independent childcare providers, was one those who spoke at the march.
She says that the large attendance reflects the growing frustration of those involved in the sector at the continued underinvestment by the State, while insurance costs and the amount of administration required increases.
Ms Bushell, who employs 120 staff in her three childcare centres in Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar, says that the government has been “talking out of both sides of its mouth” when it comes to the issue of funding the sector. In order for the services to remain sustainable, the sector needs to be properly funded.
“The three pillars are affordability for parents, proper pay and conditions for staff and the sustainability of services Before deciding to close so that staff could attend the march, Grovelands polled parents and 98 per cent expressed their support.
“It was amazing and it was the same story throughout the country. Parents were extremely supportive,” Ms Bushell said.
There is already a “serious staffing crisis” in the childcare sector and this will only get worse unless the government provides the funding need to increase wages, she added.
“You cannot improve pay and conditions for staff, give affordability for parents and achieve sustainability for providers without a massive increase in government funding for Early Years learning and care.”