Creche standards - Ultimately parents are responsible

EVERY parent who entrusts an innocent, energetic and vulnerable infant to the care of a stranger in a creche makes a leap of faith each and every working day.

That father or mother believes that the childcare workers — trained or otherwise — will give their child the security and attention needed to guarantee safety and comfort. The workers are also expected to provide a degree of mental stimulation for children in their care.

Parents really don’t have a choice in this. In the majority of cases, though by no means all, they have to work, so harbouring doubts about the creche they send their children to is not an option.

The good news for parents is that in the majority of cases that trust is well placed. Most creches take their responsibilities seriously and provide a level of service that should put parents’ minds at rest.

Last February the Irish Examiner sought preschool inspection reports for facilities catering for 10 children or more for the 12 months to October 2007 from the Health Service Executive (HSE).

This amounted to more than 2,000 reports. While very few creches complied fully with the criteria set out in individual HSE areas, in the vast majority of cases, breaches were of a minor nature.

The reports highlighted a series of issues, one of which was the inconsistent standards used across the country. Surely it would be more reassuring if there was a national, recognised benchmark?

Another concern was that the inspections focused on infrastructure without paying due attention to child development obligations. There were several instances of children being more or less abandoned to their own devices for the day and being left without any stimulation other than a DVD flickering on a TV in a corner.

Yet another was that old chestnut in the relationship between business and the state: that the enforcing authority lacked the power that might make it more effective when dealing with repeat offenders.

Concerns were strengthened by the fact that, despite repeated promises, the HSE has still not published creche reports online, just as it has with nursing home and school inspection reports. It is difficult to see why this simple move cannot be finalised.

It must be remembered that because of staffing levels only a third of creches can expect a visit from an inspector each year. One inspection every three years is not the kind of pressure that will force substandard operators to raise their game.

It is natural that parents have high expectations for the creches they trust to care for their children and it is the state that has a huge role to play in setting and enforcing those standards. Parents already pay significant sums for this service and it is questionable how many can afford to pay more for improved services.

Whether we are completely at ease with the idea of creches they have become a vital cog in how our society functions and because of that we need an effective inspectorate to enforce recognised standards. That, however, does not diminish parents’ responsibility in ensuring that their children are cared for properly.