19 March 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Early Years educators are invited to attend a meeting of the SIPTU ‘Big Start’ campaign for increased investment in the Early Years sector in Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay, Cork, on Monday, 20th March, at 7.00 p.m. The meeting will focus on the lack of State funding for the sector, the issue of low-pay for workers and developing a network to campaign for improvements.
In attendance will be Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, Donnchadh O’Laoghaire, who is his party’s spokesperson on children and youth affairs. All other Cork TDs and City Councillors have also been invited to attend.
SIPTU Organiser and Big Start campaign co-ordinator, Theresa Butler, said: “The Big Start campaign brings together Early Years educators, providers and parents to push for increased investment in Early Years services. It is focused on transforming the Early Years sector so that it is of a high quality and affordable for parents.
“To achieve this, Early Years education must be delivered by professionals who are valued for their contribution to society, which is educating and developing our children during the most influential years of their lives.”
She added: “Our key message is that to deliver quality Early Years’ services for our children, we need to attract and retain qualified and competent educators in the sector. This can only be achieved if the qualifications and experience of these professionals are recognised with appropriate pay and conditions of employment. This requires adequate investment by the State in the sector.”
For further information on the Big Start campaign see www.bigstart.ie