The purpose of this petition is to highlight the importance of early childhood education and care and the vital role played by childhood professionals in supporting the children and families at this foundation stage of development.

This is an essential service that parents cannot afford to pay more for and that early childhood professionals, both employers and employees, cannot afford to continue subsidising (by virtue of their low wages) so we are demanding that the government steps in and recognises and accepts their responsibility to provide sufficient funding to adequately resource all areas of high quality provision.  Earning a professional wage and desiring to support a child's development should not be mutually exclusive.  Our profession is undervalued and under-resourced for the role that it plays in supporting the youngest citizens of this state.

Early Childhood Practitioners and Parents demand that our government provides both increased investment and a cohesive early childhood education and care strategy, so that the children of Ireland can receive the possible foundation in life. There is a long history of underinvestment in the early childhood sector that shows a complete disregard for the rights of the child and of the professionals working with them and it has to stop now!