We call on the Irish Government and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to recognise Early Years Educators as equal professionals to primary school teachers by aligning their holiday entitlements with those of the primary education sector.
Crèche and preschool teachers play a vital role in the development, education, and wellbeing of young children. They are required to hold professional qualifications, follow national curricula (Aistear and Síolta), and meet strict inspection standards. Despite this, their working conditions, pay, and holiday entitlements remain far behind those of primary school teachers.
The lack of adequate holiday breaks contributes to:
High levels of burnout
Staff shortages across the childcare sector
Difficulty retaining qualified educators
Lower quality and continuity of care for children
Primary school teachers receive structured school holidays that support rest, recovery, and professional development. Early Years Educators deserve the same respect and protection, as their work is equally demanding, emotionally intensive, and essential for children’s lifelong learning.
We ask the Government to:
Provide funding to enable crèches and preschools to close during main school holidays
Ensure Early Years Educators receive equivalent paid leave
Create a national policy aligning Early Years working conditions with the primary education sector
Recognise Early Years Educators as teachers, not just childcare workers
Equal work deserves equal respect.
Our children deserve well-rested, supported, and valued educators. 

Working in crèche it's a demanding and challenging job. We face immense pressure from parents and managers to perform at 150%. This constant demand can take a toll on us mentally and physically, making it difficult to sustain the level of energy and positivity that our roles require.

It's clear— when crèche workers are provided with more days off, they feel recharged, valued, and are better able to meet the expectations of parents and management. A refreshing break allows us to return to work rejuvenated and ready to deliver exceptional care and support to the children and families we serve.

Consider that crèche teachers play a crucial role in the early development of children. We are foundational in their growth, nurturing them in a critical stage of life, yet we are not granted the same respect in terms of rest and recuperation. By aligning our holiday scheme with that of other educators, not only do we ensure the wellbeing of crèche staff, we also stabilize the workforce, fostering a more consistent and enriching environment for the children.

Evidence shows that employee satisfaction, including the availability of adequate holiday days, leads to better job performance, reduced stress levels, and higher retention rates. Why should crèche teachers be any different? We need equal holiday rights to ensure that we can continue providing excellent care without compromising our own health and wellness.

We urge education policymakers and relevant authorities to recognize the contributions of crèche teachers and acknowledge the intensive nature of our work by ensuring we receive the same holiday entitlement as our counterparts in other educational institutions. Please sign this petition to support equal holiday rights for crèche teachers and help us maintain the quality of childcare and our health.