From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Early Learning and Childcare providers are today being urged to participate in the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey and a new supplementary Survey on Income and Costs which are being administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The Sector Profile survey has captured crucial data on the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector for the past 18 years, and continues to form a key input into policy development and reform.
The information requested in the supplementary Survey on Income and Costs was previously captured as part of the Independent Review of the Cost of Providing Quality Early Learning and Childcare in Ireland. This updated data is also intended to inform the development of policy and funding schemes in the future as well as the Expert Group which is working to develop a new funding model for ELC and SAC.
Both surveys will be available in English and Irish.
Speaking about the surveys, Minister O’Gorman urged early learning and childcare providers to take part.
“High quality research and data are essential to developing the early learning and care system, improving our understanding of how the sector operates on the ground and the experiences of providers, staff, parents and children.
"For 18 years, data collected through the Sector Profile has informed policy development in early learning and care and school age childcare. The importance of high-quality research and data was especially evident throughout 2020, and the Sector Profile and Review of Cost data were essential inputs for policy development during one of the most difficult years we have collectively faced.
"The data captured in these surveys will also continue to help advance our ambition of building an accessible, affordable, quality early learning and care and school age childcare system, which will last for generations.
"I am urging providers to engage in completing this confidential survey. The more accurate and comprehensive data we can get, the better equipped we will be. A high level of response from providers will be essential to making a strong case for the types of developments needed in the sector.
"I would like thank providers in advance for the time they will take to share with us this very valuable information”.
The surveys run from 28 May until 11 June.