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ECEC and SAC closures post Jan 11th

oJoint Statement on the protection required for all members of the Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age Childcare communities
 
We the undersigned representative organisations acknowledge the real fears among early childhood and SAC community (providers, staff and parents) about the increasing numbers of positive Covid-19 cases. We recognise the need for reduced mobility and social contact during the current Level 5 restrictions to minimise and reduce the spread of the infection at this time. We further recognise the need for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services (both centre- and home-based) to support vulnerable children and the children of parents/carers who are essential frontline workers.
 
To facilitate this, we call on the Government to reduce the number of children accessing ECEC and SAC services by:
  1. Postponing the re-opening of the ECCE Programme until the Level 5 restrictions ease.
  2. Restricting access to ECEC and SAC services to vulnerable children and the children of parents/carers who are essential frontline workers and have no alternative childcare support.
 
This restricted access requires:
  1. Retaining the Enhanced EWSS to ensure the sustainability of ECEC and SAC services and to maintain the employment and full wages of staff.
  2. Continuing funding all schemes to ensure sustainability of ECEC and SAC services.
  3. Provision of Covid-19 sustainability fund for services where needed.
 
To maintain the health and safety of the ECEC and SAC communities, we call for:
  1. A meeting between the Advisory Group and NPHET to reassess the Public Health Guidelines for ECEC and SAC services, given the new, highly transmissible, variant of Covid-19 and the greatly increased infection rates in recent weeks and to provide reassurance and alleviate fears.
  2. Prioritising vaccination of essential frontline ECEC and SAC workers. Move our essential frontline staff from point 11 to point 6 or point 9 of the vaccination rollout plan
  3. All staff must have choice about wearing PPE in their interactions with children. PPE equipment to be made available by providers.
  4. Provide enhanced testing facilities for ECEC and SAC services in areas of high Covid-19 infection.
 
Marie Daly, Chairperson National Community Childcare Forum
Mary Moloney, President OMEP Ireland
Denise McCormilla, CEO National Childhood Network
Marian Quinn, Chairperson Association of Childhood Professionals
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