Early Years Aid for Children of War

I'm Joan O'Sullivan, owner of Little Footsteps creche in Swords, Dublin, and national secretary of the Association of Childhood Professionals.

Like other creche and preschool early years practitioners, caring for so many young children, and advocating for childcare in Ireland, I watch with disbelief the horror that is being inflicted on the people of the Ukraine.

Women forced to flee and leave their precious fathers, sons and husbands behind. Children not understanding why their dads cant come with them. Families arriving in new countries with only what they can carry. Mothers trying to care for their children, needing the essentials that make lives tolerable.

Childcare in Ireland has come through the pandemic intact, and we are all very thankful for that. And here are all those who have kept Ireland open for the past two years, giving something back.

To start, we have transport organised. I am leaving with the transport from Dublin this weekend, to take supplies that we are collecting through our creches and preschools, to the Ukrainian border. We are launching this GoFundMe and when we get to the border, we will distribute what we bring with us, and use the money we raise here, to purchase goods on the ground, to get directly to the children and their families who have fled in fear of their lives.

I'm completely aware of the need for complete transparency and accountability. So, myself and my own creche, Little Footsteps will fund this trip 100% so none of your money will be used for ferries fuel etc. Every penny we raise and everything we bring will go directly where it is needed.

Marian Quinn, Early Years lecturer in MTU and Chairperson of ACP will join me on the GoFundMe bank account to monitor funds and Elaine Dunne, owner of Treetops childcare and Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers is joining me in the collation of goods to bring with us. Around the country the number of preschools and creches joining us is growing fast.

I am hoping that all those like us, who care for children, who value children, who want to see every child grow up to reach their full potential; those like us who have come safely through the pandemic, will see this as a chance to actually do something positive to help. I am hoping that every creche and preschool will join us, and will call on the children and parents who use their services, to support these children and their families in absolute need.