Standard to be set for childcare workers

A minimum training standard for all childcare workers and a national registration system for providers will be introduced next year, the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, said yesterday.

“In past years, we have had far too much focus on building facilities and not enough on building children’s futures and that’s what we need to focus on now,” said Ms Fitzgerald.

“It is unacceptable that, up to now, all anyone had to do was give notice of opening a facility to look after children,” said Ms Fitzgerald at the launch of the Association of Childhood Professionals.