Nearly 46,000 toddlers on childcare waiting lists due to 'stretched' capacity

Demand for early years places across Ireland continues to grow rapidly, according to Pobal, while the capacity of many of its members to provide a space for every child is 'being stretched at an unsustainable rate'. File picture: PA

Up to 46,000 toddlers remain on waiting lists due to staff challenges as early years services reopen after the summer break, Early Childhood Ireland has warned. 

Demand for early years places across Ireland continues to grow rapidly, according to the advocacy group, while the capacity of many of its members to provide a space for every child is "being stretched at an unsustainable rate".

The latest data from Pobal shows waiting lists increased by almost 6,000 children, or 16%, over the past year. The figures include more than 7,800 children under the age of one, over 19,500 aged between one and two, and almost 18,900 aged between two and three.

Pobal’s data also shows early years and school age care settings are losing one quarter to a third of their staff each year.

While the waiting list figures are likely to include families who may have put their children on multiple lists, they still "paint a picture of an unsustainable system", said Frances Byrne, director of policy at Early Childhood Ireland. 

“High-quality early years and school age care can make an extraordinary difference in children’s lives, especially for those experiencing disadvantage," Ms Byrne said. 

"With up to 46,000 children under the age of three currently on a waiting list, the number of families struggling to find a place for their child or reconsidering their own working arrangements because of a lack of provision can no longer be ignored and simply should not be acceptable to us as a wealthy, developed nation.”

Many of the Government’s current plans focus on reducing fees for families which alone simply won’t be enough to increase capacity, said Ms Burne. 

"To resolve the issue of long waiting lists, the Government must prioritise increased pay for early years staff in the upcoming budget — ensuring those providing care and education to our youngest citizens are treated fairly," she said. 

“This would help to stem the tide of qualified staff leaving for better-paid jobs in education and other sectors, with many currently being paid just €15 per hour."

“By prioritising this essential workforce, the Government has an opportunity to fundamentally address the biggest issues in the system for employers, parents, and, critically, for children. 

"Without this, we will continue to lose highly skilled staff and the demand for early years places will only further outstrip capacity in many parts of Ireland.”

Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to name a date to introduce pay parity for early years and school age care graduates; double the graduate premium in core funding; and invest in three in-service days per year for each setting as part of Budget 2027.