A childcare provider, who operates 13 facilities in Ireland, has said that "without substantial financial support" they will not be able to reopen.
Childcare providers are due to hear details today of a new funding model for the sector as they plan towards a reopening on 29 June.
The Chief Executive of Tigers childcare, Karen Clince, said it is planning to reopen creches at 40% capacity and wants to retain its staff and will need more staff to operate in the Covid-19 environment.
Ms Clince, who was on the Early Childcare Ireland's steering group advising on the sector's interests, said the sector was underfunded before the pandemic.