SIPTU – The Early Years Union has called on the management of Kent Playgroup Ltd to rethink a decision to end an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme at its facility in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, which is strongly opposed by workers and families which use the service.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Pat McCabe, said: “The Board of Management of Kent Playgroup Ltd has announced that the Rainbow Community Playgroup in Stoneybatter will discontinue its afternoon ECCE session on Friday, 7th February.
“SIPTU representatives wrote to the Board of Management on 28th January indicating that our members employed in Rainbow Community Playgroup strongly oppose its decision and request negotiations on how the service can be maintained. We are deeply concerned by this development which was announced without prior consultation with the Rainbow Community Playgroup manager or educators.”
He added: “Our members are concerned about the future sustainability of the service and the impact on children’s education and their families who are dependent on the facility. We are calling on Kent Playgroup Ltd to immediately rescind its decision concerning the closure of the ECCE service and enter negotiations with workers and the families which use the facility.”
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, said: “The crisis in childcare provision is impacting working families across the country. The major cause of this crisis is that services struggle to attract and retain staff due to low pay. The knock-on effect is reduced services for parents and children. The solution is pay and conditions that reflect the skills, qualifications and experience of Early Years Educators.”
He added: “In the longer term we support the greater rollout of public childcare facilities which would mean that services would be actively planned and developed where the need is the greatest.”