More than 1,700 creches around the country will close today in protest at high fees and low pay in the childcare sector.
A march on the issue involving providers, educators and parents is also expected to attract thousands in Dublin city centre later.
It's being organised by the Early Years Alliance, who're demanding solutions to what they call a 'worsening crisis' in the childcare sector.
Linda Mellon from Dolmen Nursery and Montessori School Carlow recently called for the protest as she explained to Beat News how her insurance went up by 300% in 2019.
Ms Mellon was offered a €175 payment from the emergency fund implemented by Minister Katherine Zappone to cover her policy of €3,500.
"It's pushing childcare into the black market which can be unsafe for children", said Ms Mellon in a recent interview with Beat News.
Marian Quinn from the Association of Childhood Professionals says the situation's chronic:
"We've got 23%, 24% in terms of staff turn over," said Ms Quinn
"And if you go to services that are solely full daycare, that staff turnover is upwards of 45% - that's nearly one in two.
"But also, if we are going to pay people, there's only two ways of doing it. One is by charging higher fees.
"And the only other way of doing it is having increased government investment into it.
"That's the one that we're looking for."
