A Public System of Early Childhood Education and Care – New Civil Society Alliance ‘Together for Public’ Launches
19th September 2024
A new civil society alliance, Together for Public, which launched today (19th September), called for the introduction of a public system of early childhood education and care to address the crisis in Ireland’s childcare system. Led by the National Women’s Council, the Alliance brings together over 30 organisations including children’s rights advocates, trade unions, academics, anti-poverty and women’s rights organisations.
Speakers at the launch event highlighted the significant impact of the childcare crisis on children, women, families, early childhood educators, and wider society, citing high costs, lack of places, and high staff turnover as some of the issues.
The Alliance is calling on all political parties to commit to a public system of early childhood education and care, similar to our primary school system, in order to meet the rights and needs of children, families and women.
Orla O’Connor, National Women’s Council
Director of the National Women’s Council, Orla O’Connor, said: “Our vision is a system where every child in the country is guaranteed a high-quality, affordable place from whenever families need it.
Such a system would mean that mothers – whether they are working, or in education, or otherwise involved in society – can participate fully in society. Because women are still the primary caregivers for children.
Combined with better paid leave for parents, a public system would be a game-changer for women’s economic equality.
Ahead of the next General Election, childcare has been firmly placed on the political agenda with many parties outlining their ideas and plans. Our alliance now wants to see this translate into real and tangible commitments towards a system change and the development of our vision of a public system in all political party manifestos and the next programme for government.”
Mathias Urban, Director of the Early Childhood Research Centre at DCU and keynote speaker at today’s launch, said:
“The current market model leaves large numbers of children and families without access to early childhood education and care. All young children have a right to education and care, regardless of their background, any additional needs they might have, or where in Ireland they live.
“A public system writes children’s rights into legislation from birth.”
Amy Greer Murphy, a mother-of-three based in Meath, said:
“I had to turn down my dream job because I couldn’t find the childcare to match it. This had a significant impact on my mental wellbeing.
And it’s a reality facing so many women at the moment, turning down promotions or new jobs, or going part-time or leaving work altogether because of limited childcare options.”
Other speakers at the launch event included Gayle Smith, Treoir; Lynette Monk, Manager of a Community Childcare and Afterschool Service; Elaine McQuillian, CEO, Start Bright; Tracey Reilly, Pavee Point. The event was chaired by academic, teacher, broadcaster and high-profile science communicator, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
The Alliance understands the key components of a public system as:
•guaranteeing a place for every child through legislation, starting from whenever parents need it and including school aged childcare;
•not for profit, with all investment directly benefiting children’s education and care; accessible and available to all children, including children with additional needs, children living in rural areas, and children in disadvantaged areas;
•ensuring decent pay and working conditions for early years educators;
•providing flexibility and choice for parents and allowing in particular women and all parents to participate fully in society;
•and combining public childcare provision with better paid and longer family leave, giving parents real choices in terms of caring for their children and work life balance.
Find out more here>>
Main picture – Alliance of 30 organisations calls for public system of early childhood education and care.
