The topic of childcare has been at the forefront of public discussion for some time and with the general election mere days away, Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to explain a glaring inconsistency within the system - Why does a 15-year-old babysitter earn more than a qualified professional childcare worker caring for and educating a child?
Drawing on the lived experience of a childcare worker from Co. Cork named Patricia Hughes, Early Childhood Ireland have asked compiled three key questions for those running in this year's election including the request for the introduction of a Childcare Subsidy for children under the age of three so that the Government pays some childcare costs while the parents pay the rest.
Further to this, ECI asks if those running can ensure all children have easy access to quality childcare which is run by qualified childcare workers who earn a decent wage and whether the funding for the ECCE (free preschool) will be increased.
Early Childhood Ireland's publication of Patricia Hughes' Facebook post serves to highlight the disparity which exists in Irish society today, with Patricia writing: "It's the work do ot an anniversary dinner. You get the reliable teenager who babysits for you."
"She arrives at 8.30 pm. Your child is already asleep o she sits by your fire and watches your TV. You maybe even left her some biscuits and tea / coffee. You get back at midnight. Everything is quiet, and you give her €15 or more. She puts in her pocket and leaves. Everyone is happy."
Continuing her post, Patricia writes: "Next morning you take your, now wide awake, three-year-old to playschool from 9.30am to 1pm The owner is qualified and well experienced in childcare and has prepared quality, educational, fun, and interesting activities, having bought suitable equipment, furniture, toys, with her own money. It is free for you, which is good. But the government think that fair pay for the owner for the 3 and a half hours is €12.50."
"This does not go into her pocket, as she has to pay qualified staff, rent, heat and light, insurance and all the other costs of running a playschool. There are strict regulations to be met, which are added to each year. Reams of paperwork to be done. She even has to pay €40 a year to be inspected! She loves her work, but this is not right," she insists.
With MummyPages research indicating that the cost of hiring a babysitter for a night can often be in the region of €40 excluding the supply of snacks, drinks and extras, it's no surprise that those in the field are eager to confront the topic head-on.
"We can’t talk about quality, affordable childcare without addressing the issue of sustainability and the fact that the average rate of pay for an early years educator working in Ireland today is €10.27 per hour and having a third level degree will earn an early years educator just €1 extra per hour," they insist.
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