Childhood Services Ireland Appoints Karen Clince as new Chair
Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), the Ibec trade association representing childcare providers across the country, has appointed Karen Clince as its Chair.
Karen is the founder and chief executive of Tigers Childcare, one of Ireland’s largest childcare providers, with 33 centres across Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Cork. She has worked in the childcare sector for nearly 23 years, beginning in 2003 when she established Ireland’s first after-school facility to cater to the growing number of working parents seeking flexible childcare options.
Director of CSI, Stephanie Roy said:
"We are delighted to appoint Karen as Chair at this pivotal time of change in the sector. With the government’s upcoming consultations on their action plan for childcare, the development of an apprenticeship for the sector and the need for intensive conversations around the long-term sustainability of the sector, CSI could not be better placed with Karen as Chair. Karen has been a brilliant advocate for high-quality childcare and state support at both government and industry levels; we know she will carry this dedication into her new role. Every day, Ireland’s childcare sector provides high-quality care for more than 230,000 children across 4,600 services, supported by over 31,000 professionals. Under Karen’s leadership, CSI will continue to advocate for providers to ensure they can continue to provide high-quality services for children and families against a backdrop of rising costs, changing government policy and funding."
Karen Clince commented on her appointment said:
"I’m honoured to be appointed to this role and to represent providers across the country at such a critical moment for the sector. CSI’s role as a unifying voice- working with the Government on sustainable funding, regulation, and a stronger future for early learning and care- has never been more important. Having spent more than two decades building and operating childcare services, I understand the day-to-day realities behind policy decisions, including workforce recruitment and retention, regulatory changes, affordability pressures, and the investment needed to maintain quality. My focus as Chair will be to work with the CSI Council and members across the country to drive practical solutions, advocate for a viable funding model, and ensure the sector is properly supported to deliver the best start in life for every child."
Karen is currently Chair of the Fingal Childcare Committee in Dublin and has regularly advised on policy direction for childcare and early years education. In 2023, she was named CEO of the Year at the Image PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards.
