Complaints highlight poor standards in crèche sector

Fresh concerns are being expressed about the regulation of the childcare sector following the release of a raft of complaints made by the parents in recent years.

The Irish Examiner has obtained more than 300 such complaints relating to 2003 and 2004 under the Freedom of Information Act.

Several of the documents relate to children being left alone in public places during an outing, a failure to maintain legal adult-to-child ratios and substandard facilities.

Another says two children were found wandering on a busy street after walking out the front door of their crèche, while a staff member was also sacked after taping a child's hands behind his back and making him stand in a corner.

Childcare experts say the findings highlight a lack of adequate regulation in the childcare sector, particularly in the area of training.