Child Care In Ireland

Its also very hard to get back into the workforce with an unexplained gap of several years on your CV. I know several managers who automatically bin those CV's.

Then when you do explain that gap by saying that you were a stay at home parent, they can bin your CV because they think that you'll be inflexible, or have to call in with a sick kid often. Of course that's discrimination, so it wont be for that reason. The other candidate will just be "more suitable"

Jazbee wrote: »

I missed last nights primetime, but was not surprised to hear about the evidence of mistreatment of children. I started my eldest in crèche (his cousin started the same day). I went to collect him early as I had a feeling something was wrong. I looked in the window and he (along with all the other children) were strapped into high chairs while the carers were bunched in a partitioned corner, chatting and having tea. My son was roaring crying. I went in and removed him and his cousin (who was wet through and crying) and obviously never went back. I reported them. I've spoken to many people in the town about it when they've mentioned that they will be sending a child there.

We are a one income family on a low wage, but I wouldn't consider sending any of my kids to crèche while I worked to supplement our income. Playschool is slightly different as they are generally old enough to tell you that something is wrong.

Obviously not all crèches are like the ones on primetime and also I'm sure there are parents who don't have any other choice but to send their kids to crèche. That's just my own experience.

Pre-school is a scary thing too. I sent my son and he came back covered in horrible scratches on one side of his face, the owner said he had a tantrum and did it to himself (first time in 4 and a half years he'd have ever done that) and he has told me, my partner, my best friend and his nan the same thing over and over without alteration. He fell off the small slide and fell into a bush. There was dirt on his face and in his mouth and he is an adventurous child so I don't doubt him for a second. But the story has not altered no matter who he said it to.

I think that is what is so terrifying about last nights programme, the children are too small to say anything.

I get that the staff need breaks, Jesus they are only human, but the creche should be able to send them one at a time or even in twos and still care for the children, the attitude, according to PT was that staff seem to take their breaks together when kids are asleep. Why cant a girl do paperwork for 15 minutes next to the kids while another is doing sing songs and she can drop the pen and help at a moments notice. It's not ideal, but still it means the staff are close by. I remember sending my son to a creche and all nappy contents were recorded and commented on, dinners were cooked especially and all notes taken about what was eaten, sadly the numbers were not up to scratch but I rather that than the out and out neglect that some showed!

And sasta le, a friend of mine is a male creche worker and tbh people make nasty comments about him, not helped by him being an obvious gay too, but apparently that means he can't be good with children, he is the eldest of 10 and he is fantastic with kids, I would trust him with my son any day. There is a Giraffe creche (not featured last night) not far from me and I see they have a male member of staff too. They are certainly a minority and I often hear parents saying they wouldn't send a child to a creche with one, as though being a man is automatically a bad thing Surely men can be good care givers too.

Not sure if this has been posted yet but seriously.....

http://www.indeed.ie/job/Childcare-Assistant-at-Giraffe-Childcare-in-Sandyford,-County-Dublin-7ff080225f62b795

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Yes, I'd still be annoyed it happened, but accidents happen and I know my son, he is hard-headed and sometimes a bit silly. All I ask for is honesty. Kids can get hurt, in their home, walking down the road, in pre-school, creche, primary school, it is not that big a deal, once they are honest.

It was not life threatening so my attitude would have been "See, that is why we don't mess on slides and next time, do what X says" Now instead I am highly suspicious and asking for incident reports and reporting them, taking photo's. I don't want to, but things do not add up. I know my son, he is not perfect and is very tantrummy but never has he taken his nails to his own face, the nails were filled with dirt, not skin and he had dirt in the cuts.

The irony is that they probably lied for fear of being sued, but if it had later turned out that he was injured and it was discovered that they'd lied about it they'd be in 10 times the trouble.

kylith wrote: »

The irony is that they probably lied for fear of being sued, but if it had later turned out that he was injured and it was discovered that they'd lied about it they'd be in 10 times the trouble.

I just don't get it. One look at the cuts tells you they are not nail marks and they seem to think I don't know my own son after 4 and a half years. Yes some mum's would go mental "Why was he left up there" "Why didn't you stop him?" But they should know by now, I just want the truth, kids mess, they fall, it was not a big one and now his face is nearly back to normal, no harm no foul.

This isn't the first incident like this and that is what makes me think they lied. Though the last time was his fault too, they never informed me and that is why I went banana's. He fell on the floor after running in out of the rain (again happens and he never walks, he runs) and banged his head. No one said anything to me and first I knew of it was when I saw the large bruise covered in amica gel, so clearly some adult saw the incident. I think 90% of parents accept these things happen, they just want to know.