#Childcare
New child agency must 'ensure children's voices are heard' - Chairperson
The Child and Family Agency will be one of the largest public bodies in the State with more than 4,000 employees and a budget of €570 million.
Here's how Fianna Fáil proposes to reform childcare and education
It proposes 52 weeks of maternity leave and a cost benefit analysis of the cost of childcare.
Cabinet approves tougher sanctions on childcare providers
The draft legislation aims to increase powers to close or impose higher fines on centres not complying with regulations.
Qualifications in centre-based childcare 'relatively low'
An ESRI survey showed that 60% of children at nine months are still cared for by parents.
Creche reports 'out of date' says Early Childhood Ireland
The childcare representative group says that there needs to be clear distinctions between minor and major non-compliance.
HSE begins publishing pre-school inspections
The reports for childcare facilities in the Limerick area are now online and HSE will continue on ‘county-by-county’ basis.
€2.75m childcare grants a 'drop in the ocean' of investment needed
Some of the grants are being used to provide outdoor spaces for children to play in, in order to tackle obesity.
Childcare providers who breach regulations could be fined €100,000
An amendment bill tabled by Fianna Fáil would see the fines being brought into place.
HSE: 'Creche breached child-adult ratio - we marked it compliant by accident'
An inspection report handed to parents whose children attend a Dublin creche identified breaches of child-adult ratios yet marked the facility compliant. The HSE said this was an “administrative error”.
Crèche inspection reports to be put online from next month
Frances Fitzgerald has outlined plans to change the childcare regulation system following RTÉ’s exposé last month.
Minister to be quizzed on childcare concerns
Also attending the meeting will be the CEO of the Child and Family Support Agency and representatives from Early Childhood Ireland.
Child (3) escapes creche and walks towards home alone in Dublin
Gardaí found the toddler in the Foxdene estate near the Balgaddy Road, close to where he first went missing.
Burton: "Questions to be asked" about privatisation of creches Exclusive
In an exclusive interview with TheJournal.ie, the Minister said that some parents are leaving their jobs because of the cost of childcare.
Better qualified staff and robust inspections in new pre-school agenda
The new ‘Pre-school Quality Agenda’ will ensure action is taken in response to findings of non-compliance.
Dads in Sweden staying home so mammies can go to work
The country’s generous 16-month parental leave can be taken by either parent.
Ireland is missing targets on the provision of childcare
Figures from the EU statistics agency Eurostat show that fewer young children in Ireland are being cared for in formal structures.
Poll: Should a second free pre-school year be included the next budget?
Minister Frances Fitzgerald has ruled it out, but do you think she should change her mind?
Lisa McInerney: Caring for children is a tough job - so why don't we value it more?
Childcare is more of a vocation than a 9-to-5 – but many workers are still underpaid and underqualified, writes Lisa McInerney.
HSE director 'sorry' for not putting creche reports online
“I apologise for that…It was in a queue of things to happen. It was resource-restricted. It will happen now.”
In letter to parents, creche 'does not accept general thrust' of RTÉ footage
Little Harvard has defended itself in a letter sent home with children who attend its five creches this week in the wake of the ‘A Breach of Trust’ programme.
Oireachtas Health Committee to meet HSE on creche issues
They will join childcare organisations in speaking about the findings of the RTÉ undercover footage of three creches in Ireland.
Nationwide JobBridge ban for creche chains featured in RTÉ programme
The Department of Social Protection says no interns have been sent to the creches involved, and none will be.
McDonald criticises JobBridge's 'no experience required' childcare positions
A number of internships advertised on the site require only secondary level qualifications.
Van Turnhout "not convinced" HSE equipped to respond to parental concerns
Senator Jillian Van Turnhout said that the amount of GDP Ireland spends on preschool care and education compared to other European countries is “stark”.
The Evening Fix... now with 300 extra Kate Bushes
Here are the things we learned, loved and shared today.
Did you miss the Prime Time creche expose? Here's what happened
With RTÉ not making the programme available to view again, TheJournal.ie presents an in-depth recap of the programme for those who missed it.
Garda investigation into alleged child abuse following RTÉ documentary
Frances Fitzgerald says both the Gardaí and the HSE are investigating the footage broadcast on Prime Time last night.
Taoiseach on creche controversy: ‘God knows what has happened in other locations’
Enda Kenny told the Dáíl this morning that the government needed to the get the provision of childcare in Ireland right.
Fitzgerald “witnessed emotional abuse of children” in crèche footage
The Minister said that the undercover footage “would strike horror into every parent watching”.
Poll: Are you worried that mistreatment of children in crèches is more widespread?
Last night’s shocking revelations in RTÉ’s Prime Time programme have brought the issue of treatment of children in Irish childcare facilities into the spotlight.
Anger as RTE Prime Time shows mistreatment of creche children
The programme which aired last night showed staff aggressively handling children, shouting at them, and leaving them in high chairs for long periods.
RTE Prime Time creche investigation to air tonight
The station has promised parents it will only broadcast the programme once and it will not by uploaded to the RTE Player.
Childhood professionals concerned about RTÉ doc revelations
The Assocation of Childhood Professionals have called on the government to work with its members to achieve quality in care.
The 5 at 5: Thursday
5 stories, 5 minutes, 5 o’clock.
HSE and Gardai investigating creches after RTE exposé
“Nightmare situation” for parents as RTE uncover possible mistreatment of children in Dublin creches.
500 subsidised childcare places come online
A total of 6,000 places will be available when the scheme is implemented in full.
Varadkar comments on childcare a 'throwback to the 19th century'
The Transport Minister said earlier this week that women would have to quit their jobs if they earned less than the childcare expenses.
Column: The cost of childcare is already forcing some parents to give up their jobs
Enda Kenny’s attempt to reassure women over the insolvency controversy does not go far enough, writes Irene Gunning, who says without any form of subsidy, supports or tax relief, childcare costs are borne fully by parents, limiting job options.
Childcare costs leave parents struggling to pay household bills
A survey has shown that costs are also preventing many parents from taking up employment.
Cork crèche closes after toddler found with a ‘probable’ case of E. coli
The crèche is closed as a precaution to prevent the spread of the infection.
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