Childcare providers in Clare claim Covid has amplified the staffing crisis in the sector.
They’re calling for a basic model of funding to be introduced, to ensure better pay for staff.
Next Monday will see almost all of the remaining health restrictions end and what that means for childcare settings is the end of the ‘play pod system’.
The move has been welcomed by childcare providers, but as the sector moves into the next phase of the pandemic, they’re calling for clarity on continued supports.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is coming to an end in May and a new funding model, which was included in the Budget, is due to begin in September.
But childcare providers are worried about the lack of support in the intervening period.
Manager/Owner of Lifford Childcare Centre, Claire Tuohy says they’ve been working week to week since the beginning of the pandemic.
She’s calling for a basic funding model to be introduced saying there’s simply no investment in the sector.
Earlier this month, the Children’s Minister announced what’s been described as ambitious and wide-ranging reforms for the childcare sector.
These include an overhaul of how the sector is funded, a commitment to strengthen professional development and career pathways for educators and practitioners, as well as supports for improvements in pay and conditions.
The Deputy Manager of the North West Clare Family Resource Centre in Ennistymon says childcare staff are professional, educated workers, who should be compensated accordingly, so that there’s incentive to remain on in the profession.
Martina McCarthy says the sector has been hemorrhaging staff during the pandemic.
