Pay rises this month for 30,000 childcare and early learning workers

There will be increases in minimum pay across various roles, including early years educators and school-age childcare workers who will see rates increased from €13 to €13.65 per hour

The new deal for workers in the childcare and early years education sectors was agreed after lengthy negotiations through the Labour Court and joint labour committee process. Picture: iStock

More than 30,000 people working in the childcare and early learning sector are to get pay rises this month after a minimum wage agreement was reached.

Under new employment regulation orders, workers will see increases in the minimum rates of pay across various roles, including early years educators and school-age childcare workers who will see rates increased from €13 to €13.65 per hour.

Assistant managers will see an increase from €15.70 to €16.49, centre managers from €16.50 to €17.33, and graduate centre managers from €17.25 to €18.11.

Those working in the sector and union representatives have been calling for an increase in salaries to tackle recruitment and retention issues in creches, preschools, and other childcare facilities.

The employment regulation orders will apply to approximately 33,000 educators and it is estimated that 53% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise.

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the deal will deliver improved pay and conditions, will support career pathways, and help to support the recruitment and retention of staff.

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman with Róisin, Odhran, Chloe, Béibhinn, Cairbre, and Aodhán who were enjoying the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom. During his visit to Bloom, Mr O'Gorman welcomed new data showing a new record of 150,000 children are now benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme. Picture: Maxwells

However, he said he recognises that pay in the sector still remains relatively low.

"I remain committed to supporting further improvements in pay and conditions and aim to do this through core funding which, this year alone, will increase by 15% to €331m on last year’s allocation," Mr O’Gorman said. 

He added: “Improvement in pay and conditions is essential if we are to recognise the important work that is done every day by those who work in this sector.

“It is also essential if we are to improve recruitment and retention and raise the profile of careers in the sector, and it is essential if we are to support the ongoing professionalisation of the sector.”

The deal comes after lengthy negotiations through the Labour Court and joint labour committee process.

The requirement for graduates to have three years of experience before they are eligible to receive graduate lead educator and graduate manager rates will also be removed.

Minister of State Emer Higgins said: “Those working in the early learning and childcare sector provide an outstanding service to infants and children while offering invaluable support to growing families.”

She said the first employment regulation orders for the sector was introduced in 2022 and has been “very successful” in providing stability, better staff retention rates, and improved pay and conditions.

“I would like to thank the members of the joint labour committee and those interested parties who made submissions.

“The early years services joint labour committee is a good example of how effective the reformed joint labour committee system can be when representatives of employees and employers voluntarily negotiate together to identify a mutually beneficial agreement.”