The addition of an extra year of free preschool (the ECCE scheme) was a welcome announcement to families struggling with the cost of childcare.
However, Early Childhood Ireland, the representative and support body for early education and care in Ireland, have concerns that the extended scheme continues to pose significant challenges.
“As thousands of children start their journey into preschool, an extended journey of two years for some of them, we want to remind the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone T.D. and her cabinet colleagues of the problems with the scheme that need their urgent attention in the next budget,” Teresa Heeney CEO of Early Childhood Ireland (ELI) said.
“For the early years educators who are so central in delivering the preschool curriculum, this extended ECCE scheme continues to pose significant challenges.”
According to Teresa, ELI received a high volume of complaints from members over the summer in relation to the increased administration (all of which is unpaid), unrealistic deadlines, problems with the payment system and confusion amongst parents in relation to their child’s entitlement.
Issues with rolling enrolment and a capitation level that is too low to pay a fair wage were further issues highlighted by Early Childhood Ireland.
“The biggest problem is that this scheme does not pay enough to cover fair salaries and the Government already knows this, without further consultation with the sector,” added Teresa.
“Furthermore, it only runs for 38 weeks a year forcing early childhood educators onto the dole over the summer months; or in the case of owners, no income at all. It is very demanding on the administration side and yet pays for zero time input from preschool managers in this regard."
However, Teresa doesn't want to discourage parents from sending their kids to preschool, and further explained how it benefits kids in the long run.
"It gets them ready for starting ‘big school’ by giving them the skills and confidence to make that big transition, through a gentle, home from home preschool / playgroup environment, thus making those first days at primary school much easier.
"That key benefit shouldn’t be underestimated, especially in a month where thousands of families around the country are helping their children take those first steps into preschool."
