Almost 1,200 Wicklow Children Waiting for Early Years Places

Staff turnover in Wicklow crèche settings is well above the national average

Wicklow's preschoolers are being left waiting for Early Years places.

Latest figures from Early Childhood Ireland indicate 1,150 children are on waiting lists across the county.

The organisation says ongoing staffing shortages are limiting the number of places providers can offer as settings reopen after the summer break.

Figures from Pobal show more than 6,100 under-threes were enrolled for an Early Years place in Wicklow in 2024/25, while up to 1,150 remained on waiting lists.

Staff turnover in Wicklow crèche settings is well above the national average.  Early Childhood Ireland says almost 30% of Early Years and School Age Care staff in the county leave their jobs each year. 

The organisation says action is needed to prevent qualified staff leaving for better-paid jobs.  It's calling for pay parity for graduates, double the Graduate Premium and funding for in-service training days for every setting.