Workplace Relations

Early Learning and Childcare Sector

With effect from 15 September, 2022 two new Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) were commenced which provide for minimum hourly rates of pay and other conditions of employment for various roles in the Early Years Services 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 Manager
● 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 €13.00 per hour.

Age          

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€9.10

18 years old

€10.40

19 years old

€11.70

20 years old

€13.00

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 €14.00 per hour.

Age

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€9.80

18 years old

€11.20

19 years old

€12.60

20 years old

€14.00

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 as set out above in Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinator who has attained a minimum QQI Level 7 qualification or equivalent which is approved by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and who has at least three years in total (i.e. full academic years or nine months of work within each calendar year) of paid experience working full time or part time with children in one or more early education and care service(s) or school-age childcare service(s). The three years of paid service may be worked before, during or after the level 7 qualification has been awarded.

The rate of pay is €15.50 per hour.

Age

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€10.85

18 years old

€12.40

19 years old

€13.95

20 years old

€15.50

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 €15.70 per hour.

Age

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€10.99

18 years old

€12.56

19 years old

€14.13

20 years old

€15.70

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 €16.50 per hour.

Age

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€11.55

18 years old

€13.20

19 years old

€14.85

20 years old

€16.50

Graduate Centre Manager

Graduate Centre Manager means a worker as set out above in Centre Manager who has attained a minimum QQI Level 7 qualification or equivalent which is approved by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and who has at least three years in total (i.e. full academic years or nine months of work within each calendar year) of paid experience working full time or part time with children in one or more early education and care service(s) or school-age childcare service(s). The three years of paid service may be worked before, during or after the level 7 qualification has been awarded.

The rate of pays is €17.25 per hour.

Age

Hourly rate of pay

Under 18

€12.075

18 years old

€13.80

19 years old

€15.525

20 years old

€17.25

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.

Other Terms and Conditions

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

Employment Regulation Order (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) Order No. 1 2022 – S.I. No 457 of 2022

Employment Regulation Order (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) Order No. 2 2022 – S.I. No 458 of 2022

This webpage provides a summary of the details contained in S.I. No 457 and S.I. No 458 of 2022 and is not a legal interpretation.