Among their main demands, they are calling for the number of children per professional to allow care based on attachment, emotional support and respect for each child’s individual rhythms. The organizers believe that current ratios make this work difficult and say that classroom conditions are creating significant “pressure” among female professionals.
“It is humanly impossible to support children with respect, calm and tenderness when current ratios force us to juggle too many babies at once,” they argue. The group maintains that their work goes beyond mere care and highlights the educational role they play during the first years of life.
LOWER RATIOS AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS
They are also demanding a drastic reduction in ratios, along with improved resources and better pay and working conditions for professionals. The call likewise urges progress toward the full integration of the 0-to-3 cycle into the public education system, with conditions comparable to those of other educational stages.
The organizations behind the demonstration maintain that staff working conditions have a direct impact on the care children receive. In their view, a lack of resources and overcrowded classrooms limit the ability to devote the necessary time to each child and respond individually to their needs.
“Defending educators’ rights means safeguarding the dignity of childhood,” the organizers say, presenting the demonstration as a demand both for better working conditions for professionals and for higher-quality educational care for children under three.
