Childcare sector needs proper funding — not sensational headlines that frighten parents

YOUR ‘Shocking and Deplorable’ headline on the creches’ survey (October 29) was unbalanced and sensationalist.

Two years ago the Irish Examiner ran a very similar piece ‘exposing’ childcare services.

Neither piece was of benefit to parents or children.

The interest of the child is paramount to all childcare providers. We work within a highly regulated sector. The vast majority of services are excellent and of huge support to the children in their care.

Childcare in Ireland is under-funded and badly resourced. Services to the youngest and the most vulnerable in our society should receive the greatest support.

International research shows this investment pays off.

Irish children will only have access to guaranteed excellence when childcare is properly resourced.

The childcare inspection reports by their nature highlight non-compliance and offer neither the facility nor capacity to demonstrate the areas of excellence of any given service. Regulations are essential to the delivery of quality childcare, but without a funding stream to enable groups to achieve the standards set down, they will always struggle to maintain standards.

The imbalance of the article was its totally negative slant, its adversarial tone, while the views of the childcare workers were not sought.

‘Creches Uncovered’ only served once again to sell newspapers, frighten parents and bring an undervalued and badly resourced childcare sector into disrepute.

Ruth Cullen

Chairperson

Association of Childcare Professionals

Cork Branch

c/o 32 Penrose Wharf

Penrose Quay

Cork