Category: Press Release

With one in 10 services predicting closure and 92% of early childhood educators calling for the free preschool capitation fee to be raised from €62.50 per week to €75 or over, sustainability is major red flag issue in the early childhood education sector, according to Early Childhood Ireland survey   “Proposed increase in child benefit

Statement from Teresa Heeney CEO of Early Childhood Ireland regarding publication of new childcare report by Minister Reilly in Sligo “We are happy to welcome the general thrust of the report, and its recognition of  the importance of quality experiences for young children and that the state must finally accept its responsibility to invest in

Early Childhood Ireland calls on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to stall expansion of new operators delivering the ECCE scheme until a clear plan has been developed which takes account of current level of oversupply of childcare places, with an estimated 31,500 vacant places nationwide   Injunction to prevent or stall further expansion

Statement from Teresa Heeney CEO of Early Childhood Ireland regarding reports about extension in parental leave to one year “Childcare is a big election issue and we expect to see such kite flying about extending parental leave to engage the electorate, as well as proposals about after school care and a second pre school year.

Early Childhood Ireland CEO urges Minister for Children to restore the €2 cut in ECCE scheme contracts and warns that inspection process in danger of drowning sector Early Childhood Ireland CEO urges Minister for Children to restore the €2 cut in ECCE scheme contracts as part of the Spring Statement being prepared on the economic

Minister for Children tells Early Childhood Ireland conference delegates that increased ECCE capitation and supports for children with additional needs, along with less red tape in inspections are all key priority areas Meanwhile, Early Childhood Ireland welcomes reports today that €100 million will be added to the childcare budget in 2016 The Minister for Children

Statement from Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland in response to leaked Government approach to after school and shifting the service into school buildings Band aid approach to afterschool won’t work “The headlines and leaks we read today regarding Government plans to use school buildings as a solution to afterschool childcare is not child

Statement from Teresa Heeney CEO of Early Childhood Ireland to acknowledge and thank the 65,000 children nationwide wearing their PJs today for Early Childhood Ireland National Pyjama Day in aid of Irish Autism Action Early Childhood Ireland uses platform of National Pyjama Day to highlight serious lack of Government investment to support children with additional

Response from Teresa Heeney CEO of Early Childhood Ireland regarding media reports that a new ‘affordability of childcare’ scheme is being brought to Cabinet tomorrow. “We’ve read the front page report in the Irish Independent today announcing a proposal going to cabinet tomorrow to address ‘affordability of childcare’. “Irish families are paying more than any