Over half of Irish people think the government should pay creche workers' wages.
The Early Childhood Ireland Barometer also shows 54% believe childcare workers with university degrees, should have the same terms and conditions as primary school teachers.
Almost three-quarters think early years education should be freely available to all children.
Early Childhood Ireland's Frances Byrnes says more investment in staffing is needed:
"Absolutely early childhood volunteers every day of the week from our members around Ireland that staffing is there number one issue and concern? There's no doubt as that investment comes in. It should absolutely be directed into staffing. They are the 30,000 workforce who are delivering high quality early years in school aged care and education.
