Start Strong welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the development of a new National Skills Strategy to 2025. Start Strong is a coalition of organisations and individuals seeking to advance high quality early care and education for young children in Ireland. Our submission focuses on three broad issues:  The potential contribution of early years services to the National Skills Strategy, as the first stage of the education system.  The skill levels of early years educators.  The barrier to labour market participation created by the high cost of childcare.