Childcare providers protest in Dublin over core funding
Childcare providers from the north west and around the country are taking their protest over funding to the Dail this morning. The Federation of Early Childhood Providers say they are not prepared to back down as the Early Learning and Care sector faces more closures. It’s estimated that…
Sligo childcare provider warns of challenging times ahead
A north west based childcare provider is warning that providers are facing many challenges in the coming weeks and months due to new funding models, difficulties in retaining and attracting staff along with rising business and living costs. More than 260 childcare providers are expected to close their doors…
Major staff shortages in early childhood sector
Early Childhood Ireland is raising serious concerns about funding as crèches reopen across the north west this week. It’s calling on the Government to double investment in childcare by 2028 and to publish a plan to achieve this in Budget 2022. Its members are also reporting more staffing issues…
Preschool sector facing a major labour crisis in the north west
A preschool provider in Sligo has highlighted the serious labour shortage that the sector is currently battling. Claire Barden runs the ‘Early Montessori Academy and Crèches’ in Ballymote and Collooney. She says the current Covid payments is a factor in a number of those who had worked in…
Preschools services must be kept open to help children develop
Children across the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have started back at preschool today for the first time since Christmas. The first phase of the reopening of the childcare sector began this morning with children in the free preschool scheme. Early Childhood Ireland says around a quarter of its…
New childcare, after-school facility planned for Ballymote
A major boost is on the way for the south Sligo town of Ballymote. It’s the planned opening of a new childcare and after-school facility in what was Fawlty’s public house on O’Connell Street in the town. Sligo County Council has granted planning permission for the change of use of…
Childcare plan for healthcare workers was poorly planned
The Children’s Minister, Katherine Zappone has described regrettable that the childcare plan for healthcare workers has been cancelled. Only six childcare providers signed up for the initiative, out of a potential 5,000. The scheme was due to help nurses and doctors go to work and have their children…