SO FAR, MORE than 2,500 pre-school inspection reports have been published online.
It was announced back in June of last year that all inspection reports of crèches were to be published online as soon as they were provided to the crèches themselves.
In addition, from last September any preschool facility that wanted to operate in Ireland would have to register with the HSE and receive its approval before it could care for children.
Today, Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, outlined to the Dáil how much progress her Department and the newly created Child and Family Agency have made so far in implementing the pre-school quality agenda.
Reports
She said that as of today, there are 2,530 pre-school inspection reports now online on the Pobal website.
“I am advising parents to access these reports and where they are not online to ask childcare providers for copies of the inspection reports,” said Fitzgerald.
Parent power is important in this area and all good providers will make sure their reports are available to parents when asked.
Spending
An estimated €260 million will be expended by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs on early years programmes, a move which will preserve the free pre-school year for all.
The minister also announced ongoing recruitment by the Child and Family Agency of early years inspectors to fill five current vacancies.
She said that an allocation of €0.5 million in 2014 would facilitate the recruitment of further early years inspectors and the strengthening of the national inspection services.
In addition, €2.5 million has been allocated in 2014 for the establishment of a new National Quality Support Service.
Under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the enactment amendments to the Child Care Act 1991 allows for the introduction of pre-prosecution enforcement functions for early years services – as well as increased penalties for convictions at the District Court.
A new system of statutory registration of early years services and an increase in qualification requirements for early years staff begin this year.
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