Early Years staffing crisis is caused by low pay

by HRHQ Editorial Team

The results of a survey of educators and managers in Early Years services recently published by SIPTU representatives, indicates that low rates of pay for workers is the main driving force behind a worsening staffing crisis.

Darragh O’Connor, SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising, speaking at the launch of the SIPTU Early Years Professionals Survey 2024 last week said: “The Early Years Professionals Survey shows, staff recruitment and retention is having a major impact on the ability of services to meet the needs of parents and children. Staff shortages are increasing the workload on existing staff, leading to increased stress and burnout. Recruitment challenges are also crippling the sector, leaving many services unable to meet the increased demands in communities across the country.”

Of the 1,315 respondents to the survey, 86% said low pay was their biggest work issue, with 68% citing pressure due to staff shortages as another major concern and 65% citing stress and burnout.

The survey suggests that 95% of early years educators can only make ends meet with “difficulty” or “great difficulty”, and for all grades of staff, including managers, 78% were unable to cope with an unexpected expense.

Last month, a new Employment Regulation Order for the Early Years Services Sector commenced which increased the minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in the industry from the hourly minimum rate of pay of €13 to €13.65.