Have your say on childcare at the sheraton hotel

Everyone with an interest in the early childhood sector is invited to have their say at a consultation session on early childhood care and education, being held this evening (Tuesday, November 4) in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Children and Youth Affairs Robert Troy is set to host the event, which will be held from 7pm to 9pm. The session will focus on providing affordable childcare, maintaining quality standards and supporting the workforce.

The evening will also feature guest speaker Jan Pettersen, Programme Chair and Lecturer for the Early Childhood Education programme in Dublin Institute of Technology.

Deputy Troy commented: “Affordability and access are two of the biggest challenges facing parents across the country today. For the majority of them the cost of a crèche or child-minder equates to a second mortgage, with the average family forking out €750 a month per child. These rising costs are adding to the financial burden on already hard pressed working families and it is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.”

“I am extremely keen to hear from parents and childcare workers about their experiences, and am anxious to work with them in formulating new policy plans and ideas, which can improve the quality of care and affordability of services across the country.”