Parents defend quality of child care at Malahide creche

Parents arriving at the Links Creche in Malahide have been defending the child care centre this morning.

It was one of three creches named in the Prime Time Investigates programme last night which raised serious concerns about the level of care provided to children.

Speaking to reporters as she dropped her child off this morning, one mother said she is very happy with the standard of care at the Links creche - and said the concerns are the result of "one bad egg".

A father of two young girls said he was horrified by the footage shown last night, but said his children have never been unhappy at the creche and he will leave them in it for now.

Meanwhile Early Childhood Ireland has said it is disturbed and saddened by the 'Prime Time Investigates' programme.

The organisation, which represents 3,330 childcare facilities, said there are no excuses to justify such poor practice.

CEO of Early Childhood Ireland Teresa Heeney said there is no doubt that last night's programme was shocking.

The Association of Childhood Professionals has said last night's programme showed repeat instances of practices that are not acceptable for the childhood sector and it's calling on the Government to work together with its members to ensure the implementation of high quality, national standards.