Childcare providers around the country are taking their protest over funding to the Dail later this morning.
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers say they are not prepared to back down as the Early Learning and Care sector faces more closures with up 260 or more facing closure next year.
The protest centres on the New Core Funding which has left many providers non viable.
Federation President Elaine Dunne says members have only received one raise in more than a decade.
"We have been looking for ECCE funding, the capitation to be raised to €76 for providers and for the children in order to give them viability for their business.
"These service providers have had one raise in 12 years, and now a lot of them are closing down.
"Now, we have 260 or more of these small services, urban and rural, that may close by this time next year."
