Early Childhood Ireland publishes the fifth national Barometer which underlines overwhelming public support for the early years sector.
The research for Early Childhood Ireland’s 2022 Barometer was conducted in January 2022, using RED C’s online omnibus survey.
Every child should have the right to free, high quality and accessible early years care and education.
The education of children under 5 is as important as the education of children over 5
Similar to primary education in Ireland, childcare should be available free to all children
All parents should be financially supported to stay at home with their child for the first 12 months of the child’s life.
Parents should only pay toward childcare in line with their overall income.
By the end of this year, under EU guidelines, childcare staff who work directly with children must be qualified as other professionals such as nurses and teachers. When this occurs, the terms and conditions of their employment contract should reflect this fact.
Ireland currently invests 0.2% of GDP in Childcare. The average state expenditure on Childcare for other European countries is 0.8% of GDP. Ireland should increase its investment in childcare to the UNICEF target of 1% of GDP by no later than 2030.
