We've got to get our children off to the best possible start. Childcare is a critical issue, which must be higher on the government agenda.

Early Childhood Ireland welcomes the announcement from the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, of a new expert group to advise on Ireland's first Early Years Strategy. I look forward to playing my part on that group, chaired by Dr Eilis Hennessy, School of Psychology, UCD.

Early Childhood Ireland is the representative group for 80pc of preschools, daycare centres, parent and toddler groups and after-school services, that support 80,000 children.

Our conference was an opportunity to debate the issues around early-years education. One issue of concern was the proposed social welfare changes that could see lone-parent payments being stopped when the youngest child is seven.

We must respond to the needs of lone parents and Early Childhood Ireland is planning a joint meeting with Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and Mrs Fitzgerald to discuss the measures that must be put in place to support lone parents with quality, accessible and affordable childcare.

We already have the blueprint of the free preschool scheme, successfully implemented by the sector over the past two years.

While our members are reassured by comments from Mrs Fitzgerald that the free preschool year is here to stay, we urge the Government to keep this scheme free and universal.

Perhaps now is the time to expand the scheme to two years. If we are to follow that Utopian childcare model in Scandinavian countries that Mrs Burton refers to, we have got to invest in the sector.

Another issue that must be addressed is the €60m in applications from the childcare sector for grants from a €6m fund. The volume of applications is an indication of the needs for building improvements in the sector and responding to this will have real benefits.

It was heart-warming to hear Dr Anne Looney, CEO of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, acknowledge the role early education plays.

I agree with her suggestion that "the most important influence in education is not the policy, or the curriculum, or the building. Rather it is the quality of the adult that interacts with the child and it's not just how well they know their stuff that matters. It is what they believe that counts. Do they believe every child can learn and has potential to succeed?"

That belief system and important role early-childhood professionals plays in the lives of young children and the benefit of continuing professional development in motivating and encouraging staff was stressed by Dr Jan Peeters, Co-ordinator of the Research and Resource Centre for Early Childhood Education and Care at Ghent University Belgium.

Importantly too, the sector creates jobs. Today, early-childhood care and education generates almost €320m in salaries, with a further €105m spent in the wider economy and employs 22,000 qualified professionals.

Irene Gunning is Chief Executive, Early Childhood Ireland

Irish Independent