Right: Dr Jennifer Sturley

Despite the wealth of evidence to support the importance of early life experiences and the increasing number of families availing of childcare at significant costs, one must question why early childhood has not been prominent in Irish political and media discourse.

The answers to this pertinent question are speculative; the issue of quality childcare is a sensitive one. Parents need to feel empowered in their choice of childcare, they should not feel guilty or fearful that demanding high quality provision may equate with increases in already exorbitant costs. [Despite the increase in the Early Childcare Supplement by 10% this May to €1,100, a significant shortfall remains when compared to average annual costs estimated at €10,000 by the Consumer Association of Ireland, 2005].

However, despite the high costs to parents, the childcare sector is characterised by low salaries, low-level training and qualifications of staff, and a predominantly female workforce.

Training
The revised Preschool regulations, introduced in 2007, unfortunately have no minimum level of training or qualifications specified as mandatory. We need to disband the traditional notion that ‘anyone can mind a child’ and recognise that working with groups of young children of similar ages, meeting their individual needs and promoting their learning and development within an early years setting is a skilled and challenging job, quite different to raising siblings in a home environment.

It is important therefore that as a society, we recognise the value of a highly qualified work force within the early year’s sector and promote and facilitate professionalism- nurturing our nurturers so to speak.

Some of the stories to make headlines in 2007-08 do raise concerns over the quality of provision. Reports such as failures to comply with inspection criteria and a childcare worker who bit a child in order to ‘teach them a lesson’, suggest that children are exposed to a variety of experiences in terms of quality on a day to day basis.

There is substantial international research, most notably a large study in the UK, which has observed a strong link between high level training and qualifications and the provision of effective practice that embraces the care and education of young children.

As a society, we expect highly qualified teachers to work with our children at primary school level; we should expect the same for our younger children considering the exponential growth and development that occurs during this period.

In order to address this, a BA Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education was established in Mary Immaculate College~University of Limerick, and 2007 saw the graduation of the first cohort of students to obtain their degree (43 in total). These graduates, by working with those already in the sector, aim to shape a bright future for young children.

Pay and investment
It is important that the government invests in those working in childcare, so that those with high level qualifications and experience are paid corresponding rates to their colleagues working in primary level education in this country.

In the past, the sector has been substantially funded by European money and although recent efforts have been made to address preschools in disadvantaged areas through the DEIS initiative, the sector as a whole still needs much greater support. Locally, plans for regeneration in areas of need in Limerick city are afoot. It is hoped that the importance of early childhood will be recognised as essential to influencing the process of change for the future in these areas.

I use the word ‘invest’ because it is an investment, the return on which will be wide-ranging and long-term, not only benefiting young children, but the education system and society in general.

Great strides have been made to address the issue of quality in childcare provision and services for young children in recent years however, significantly more still remains to be done, particularly in relation to high level training in this challenging field of education.

The year ahead
I am hoping that by this time next year, we can report on a plethora of positive media attention for early childhood, the launch of the awaited framework for Early learning (NCCA), further financial support for the National Quality Framework, further developments regarding the DEIS initiative, and at a local level, the initiatives that have acknowledged the importance of supporting provision for the early years in the regeneration areas of Limerick city.

Some may feel these aspirations are naive. However, I believe that it would be a deep shame if the progress made to date receded. In the coming year, despite a more difficult economic climate, it is essential that we do not lose sight of our most precious commodities and that we view investment in our youngest children as a very wise long-term strategy.

Dr Jennifer Sturley is a lecturer in Early Childhood Education & Care at Mary Immaculate College ~ University of Limerick.