''We need a lot more funding now''.
Hundreds of creches could close for one day in the coming weeks to highlight ongoing problems in the sector.
The day of action will take place in either late January or early February.
Childcare providers say the system isn't working as parents are paying very high costs while many creche workers are paid very little.
Elaine Dunne from Early Childhood Providers says it's tough to stay afloat when the sector is underfunded, underpaid and being treated like criminals:
''We need a lot more funding now'', she said.
''Some of our staff are on minimum wage, and we can't give them the rate of pay that they deserve''.
