Early Childhood Ireland statement on new Learner Fund

Statement from Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland in relation to announcement of Learner Fund today (26th March 2014)
 
“We welcome the Learner Fund announcement today from Pobal and, in particular, the clarification on grandfathering arrangements which we have been advocating for, which acknowledges, values and will help retain experienced people in the early childhood and education sector, which is so important for all concerned.

“We note that Pobal, on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is now inviting expressions of interest from training providers for inclusion on the panel of Approved Trainers and applications from learners for training subsidies for the purpose of the Learner Fund 2014-2015.

“However, it is regrettable and a missed opportunity that the fund is only available to those needing to comply with the Free Pre School Year and regulation requirements and excludes staff working with infants and toddlers for Level 6 training and excludes those working towards level 7 and 8. We hope, and indeed strongly recommend, that this serious omission is addressed in the next round of funding.

“Given the delay in the announcement of this Learner Fund which is long overdue, we are pleased to see the flexibility in the timeframe by which qualifications need to be completed.

“Pobal estimates that 87% of staff in the sector have a qualification equivalent to or higher than Fetac level 5, so the real demand here will be for level 6. Taking into account this  pent up demand across the country and the fact that ‘non contact time’ for continuous professional development is not paid for in this sector, this training programme must be available in the evenings and weekends, in order that staff can access it. Monitoring arrangements must be in place  to ensure that high quality training is delivered which in turn will deliver good outcomes for children.

“The ongoing debate about the burden on parents in terms of paying for childcare continues to be the main talking point and we are top of the European league table on cost.  However, what must be acknowledged is that those working in the sector are at the low end on pay scales, in a sector that demands higher qualifications but doesn’t reward them.  Our members and their staff have little access to continuing professional development and are only paid for the time spent directly with children.  This is something that has got to change and with the Learner Fund announcement it is something that Early Childhood Ireland wants to put back on the national agenda.

“Today Early Childhood Ireland’s Mission of ‘Enabling the provision of quality early childhood care and education in Ireland, with positive outcomes for children’ is more important than ever.  As a society, we’ve got to shift the focus from the cost of childcare to proper investment and a real debate about what we want for our children.”

Ends.