Almost 1,200 children in Kerry under the age of three are on waiting lists for childcare places as the new school year starts according to Early Childhood Ireland.
The organisation is warning that without significant investment in staffing in Budget 2026, the situation will worsen.
Early Childhood Ireland latest figures from Pobal which administers Early Years programmes show 1,164 children are on waiting lists for childcare places.
This includes 288 children under the age of one are on waiting lists with only eight places available according to Early Childhood Ireland.
For children aged one to two, 501 are on waiting lists with seven places available and children aged two to three, 375 are on waiting lists with only 143 places are available.
Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, Frances Byrne says parents are left with no choice but to place the names of their unborn children on waiting lists.
Early Childhood Ireland is urging the government to name a date to bring pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in line with primary school teachers who are educated and trained to the same level.
