Updated – 19 July 2024

New Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) which amend the 2022 EROs for various workers in the Early Years Services Sector, came into effect on 24 June 2024. These provide for minimum hourly rates of pay and other conditions of employment in the sector.

Who is covered by the EROs

The Orders apply to:
● Early Years Educators and School Age Childcare (SAC) Practitioners
● Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators (including graduate rate)
● Deputy / Assistant Managers
● Centre Manager (including graduate rate)

Early Years Educators and SAC Practitioners are workers who are wholly or mainly in direct contact with children and who are involved in the education and/or care of children.

The following rate of remuneration applies to Early Years Educators and SAC Practitioners in respect of all working hours to include contact and non-contact hours.

The rate of pay is €13.65 per hour.

Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators

A Lead Educator (Room Leader) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinator means a worker who is wholly or mainly in direct contact with children and who is involved in the education and / or care of children. In addition, an appointed Lead Educator (Room Leader) and SAC Coordinator will have responsibility for the education and / or care of a group of children, leading the practice with that group of children

The rate of pay is €14.70 per hour.

Graduate Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and Graduate School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators 

A Graduate Lead Educator (Room Leader) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinator means a worker set out in the above paragraph who has attained a minimum QQI Level 7 qualification or equivalent which is approved by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The rate of pay is €16.28 per hour.

Deputy/Assistant Manager

A Deputy/Assistant Manager means a worker who is appointed by their employer to support the Manager. An appointed Deputy/Assistant Manager may also work directly with children in addition to their day-to-day managerial duties and responsibilities. They may deputise as the person in charge in the absence of the Manager, and /or, is wholly or mainly engaged in supporting the Manager with the day-to-day management duties and responsibilities of the Service. The Deputy/Assistant Manager may also work directly with children in addition to their day-to-day managerial duties and responsibilities. In the absence of the Manager, the Deputy/Assistant Manager may deputise as the person in charge of the service.

The rate of pay is €16.49 per hour.

Centre Manager

Centre Manager means a worker who is the primary designated person in charge of the service who carries out the day-to-day management duties and responsibilities for the service. The Manager may also work directly with children in addition to their day-to-day managerial duties and responsibilities.

The rate of pay is €17.33 per hour.

Graduate Centre Manager

A Graduate Centre Manager means a worker set out in the above paragraph who has attained a minimum QQI level 7 qualification, or equivalent which is approved by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The rate of pays is €18.11 per hour.

Existing Contracts and Agreements

Existing employment contracts remain valid except in circumstances where the remuneration or terms and conditions are below what is set out in these two EROs. The EROs set out the minimum remuneration and terms and conditions which are applicable to workers in the early years sector as set out in the two EROs. It is at the discretion of the employers and employees to negotiate and enter into contracts providing for Terms and Conditions which are higher than those set out in the EROs.

The EROs do not affect in any way already existing contracts and agreements (if equal or better) be they local, national, official or in-company.

Sick Pay

Sick pay arrangements should be in line with statutory provisions (please visit Sick Leave for more information)

Other Terms and Conditions

The minimum statutory terms and conditions of employment are set out in the enactments contained in the following: 

S.I. No. 296/2024 – Employment Regulation (Amendment) Order (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) Order No. 1 2024

S.I. No. 297/2024 – Employment Regulation (Amendment) Order (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) Order No. 2 2024.

This webpage provides a summary of the details contained in S.I. No 296 and S.I. No 297 of 2024 and is not a legal interpretation.