Nearly 1,000 Waterford children waiting for Early Years places as sector calls for Budget action

Almost 1,000 children under the age of three in Waterford are currently on waiting lists for Early Years places, according to new figures highlighted by Early Childhood Ireland. 

The organisation said Budget 2027 will be critical to addressing growing capacity pressures across the sector, as many childcare providers reopen after the summer break.

Data from Pobal's Annual Sector Profile Survey shows that more than 5,250 children under three were enrolled in Early Years services in Waterford during 2024/25. 

However, up to 980 children remained on waiting lists for a place.

Among those waiting, 110 were under one year old, 441 were aged between one and two years, and 435 were between two and three years old. 

In response, Early Childhood Ireland has published three proposals ahead of Budget 2027, calling on the Government to introduce pay parity for Early Years and School Age Care graduates, double the Graduate Premium within Core Funding, and fund three in-service days annually for every Early Years and School Age Care Setting. 

Frances Byrne, Director of Policy of Early Childhood Ireland, said growing demand for childcare places was placing unsustainable pressure on providers. 

"With up to 980 children under the age of three currently on a waiting list in Waterford, the number of families struggling to find a place for their child or reconsidering their own working arrangements because of a lack of provision can no longer be ignored," she said.

Ms Byrne said the waiting list figures may include families who have placed their children on multiple lists but argued they nevertheless illustrate the scale of the challenge facing parents. 

The organisation also pointed to staffing shortages as a major factor behind capacity issues. 

According to Pobal data, Early Years and School Age Care settings in Waterford lose an average of 19.1% of their staff each year. 

Ms Byrne said increasing pay for childcare workers should be a priority in the upcoming budget. 

"To resolve the issue of long waiting lists, the Government must prioritise increased pay for Early Years staff, ensuring those providing care and education to our youngest citizens are treated fairly," she said.

She warned that without improved pay and retention measures, the sector would continue to lose qualified staff to better-paid jobs in education and elsewhere, placing further strain on services and lengthening waiting lists for families.