There’s no job like it - being a parent is a 15-hour-a-day post, so where is the support?

I COULD never hack it as a full-time, stay-at-home dad.

If I had to do it, something would give. You’d probably end up reading about me in the paper. I can just see the grainy photographs as I’m being led away from court.

Either that, or the two boys would go on strike - down their Fisher Price tools and start a dirty protest to get their mother back.

To be honest, I have neither the patience nor the stamina needed for the 15-hour-a-day post. And even if I did, there wouldn’t be a salary big enough to compensate.

There is not a job like it in the world - part chef, part chauffeur, part clairvoyant, part cleaner, part doctor, part educator, part entertainer, part facilitator, part guardian, part psychologist, part motivator, part mediator, part ruler, part tailor and part shopper. And the chances are, all that on just a few hours sleep.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore my two boys Cian and Luke and I consider myself to be a good dad. I don’t skirt too many responsibilities - including the early morning nappies.

But there’s only so many times you can say: Stop that! Get off that! Put that down! Get away from there! I told you that was dangerous! Did I say get away from there! Get that out of your mouth! Okay, get into the corner!

Besides, I’m a firm believer that children need proper stimulation. Seeing a grown man break down and cry hardly fits into that category.

Forget political correctness - I’m not afraid to admit I need my own space. Maybe it’s a survival thing, maybe it’s a cop out, but by the time Monday comes around again, I’m ready to go back to work - whistling and skipping kind of ready.

Not that I have much of a choice. A hefty mortgage and a weekly crèche bill of around €350 means we both have to work. But even if it paid me to stay at home, I’d still need the social interaction.

What I do object to is the lack of options the current system allows me. It’s all or nothing when it comes to looking after the kids. Besides a few days unpaid leave, there’s is no official recognition of the role of the father.

But change is coming down the tracks and the growing public unrest is going to force the Government’s hand. And they’ll finally begin to reward parents brave enough to stay at home with their children.

Who works there:

* 87% are women.

* 23% have no formal qualifications.

* 43% have an award from a private college or an agency.

* 14% have a degree.

* 38% of staff are full time.

What workers want:

* Better pay - in line with nursing/teaching.

* An acceptance that childcare is a profession and a science, or at the very least, a real academic discipline.

* An agreed job title.

* An accepted minimum qualification.

* A register of all qualified childcare workers in the country, just like the nursing register.

* A national union and/or professional organisation to deal specifically with their needs.

What they get paid

Salaries in the sector are just above minimum wage levels. Earnings for qualified childcare workers with two or more years experience are as little as:

* Kerry - €15,000

* Waterford - €13,500

* Mayo - €18,375

* Dublin 8 - €21,666

* Limerick - €19,000

* Clare - €23,000

* Cork - €18,066

* The average salary in community-supported childcare centres is around €18,556; in private childcare centres it’s just €18,556 and in workplace crèches and childcare centres, it’s €19,571.

* A childcare worker with plenty of experience but no qualifications can expect to earn as little as €15,000 in South Tipperary; €15,833 in Cork; €15,000 in Clare and €16,300 in Limerick.

Source: latest data from the National Children’s Nurseries Association.