Prime Time Special - Child Care in Ireland (No Downloads - Please Read Post #1)

robclay26 · 28-05-2013 11:07pm

Skid X wrote: »

No, the reports are not published. That should be the first thing to change - parents have a right to know what is going on in these creches.

These reports need to be online available to the public And it has to be done now!!!!!!! HSE me arse!

Sniipe · 28-05-2013 11:10pm

When I collect my child they have circle time...
When my child goes to sleep at home she will repeat "lie down, close your eyes, go to sleep" repeatedly... I have no idea if its said in a nice way or a loud manner - my child is only 1.

The workers could be as nice as punch to me when I meet them but I've no idea whats going on the past 8 hours. No CCTV either.

Skid X · 28-05-2013 11:12pm

Sniipe wrote: »

So I have no idea if my creche is any good? Will I have to hire an undercover person for my creche also?

what about the freedom of information?

I don't know much about it, to be honest.

Although I did read this in Saturday's Irish Times, and I would suggest people should bombard their TDs and demand this most basic information is released without any further delay.

The Government is to fast-track childcare reforms which will allow parents to see inspection reports into their children’s creches, following allegations of mistreatment of children in three centres.

Other reforms planned include inspections focusing on quality of care, compelling creches to register and training staff to higher standards.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/creche-inspection-reports-to-be-made-public-within-weeks-1.1405993

SuperInfinity · 28-05-2013 11:13pm

Sniipe wrote: »

When I collect my child they have circle time...
When my child goes to sleep at home she will repeat "lie down, close your eyes, go to sleep" repeatedly... I have no idea if its said in a nice way or a loud manner - my child is only 1.

The workers could be as nice as punch to me when I meet them but I've no idea whats going on the past 8 hours. No CCTV either.

Many mobile phones and mp3 players have microphones built into them. Maybe you could set one of them going and leave it on for the day?

Sniipe · 28-05-2013 11:13pm

Skid X wrote: »

... I would suggest people should bombard their TDs and demand this most basic information is released without any further delay.

I plan on doing this.

DUBACC · 28-05-2013 11:14pm

Sniipe wrote: »

So I have no idea if my creche is any good? Will I have to hire an undercover person for my creche also?

what about the freedom of information?

Actually that's a good point - where does the freedom of information act stand on this?

tayto lover · 28-05-2013 11:15pm

CCTV should be a requirement in order to get a licence for these establishments.
Cameras all over the place and recorders too.
Abusing children should never be tolerated. The Garda should be involved now. Prosecutions should ensue.

Hondo75 · 28-05-2013 11:16pm

it was the Links in Abington Malahide where the physical abuse took place.

The footage from the Links creche in Malahide showed children being cursed at, grabbed and slammed into their seats by staff. One child was thrown or dropped on to a mat during sleep time while a child who would not go to sleep had his mattress taken away.

Garda Station
1-2 St. James Terrace
Malahide
Co. Dublin

Tel: 0 1 666 4600.

chris85 · 28-05-2013 11:18pm

DUBACC wrote: »

Actually that's a good point - where does the freedom of information act stand on this?

Should be available under the FOI act judging by the FOI act page on HSE website.

SuperInfinity · 28-05-2013 11:19pm

Hondo75 wrote: »

it was the Links in Abington Malahide where the physical abuse took place.

The footage from the Links creche in Malahide showed children being cursed at, grabbed and slammed into their seats by staff. One child was thrown or dropped on to a mat during sleep time while a child who would not go to sleep had his mattress taken away.

Garda Station
1-2 St. James Terrace
Malahide
Co. Dublin

Tel: 0 1 666 4600.

I would be feeling pretty violent right now if I were one of the parents of a child being abused in there.

twirlagig · 28-05-2013 11:21pm

Only watching now on Rte+1 so I'm an hour behind ye lot. Oh my God - I am sickened

Hard to take in what I'm watching .... fcuking b1tches! Horrific viewing :mad::mad:

fatbhoy · 28-05-2013 11:21pm

Every creche needs to stream webcam feeds of all its rooms over the Internet, accessible via authentication to clients. We should trust no creche, nor their workers. Streaming live video of every inch of the creche premises is the only way forward. And it wouldn't cost much to implement.

oreilly1979 · 28-05-2013 11:21pm

tayto lover wrote: »

CCTV should be a requirement in order to get a licence for these establishments.
Cameras all over the place and recorders too.
Abusing children should never be tolerated. The Garda should be involved now. Prosecutions should ensue.

A secure web sign in would surely stop any inappropriate use of web cam images where only parents had access to check in on the what was happening (most folk work on PC's these days and will check from work anyway...) - recon it'd be the only way to stop this, give peace of mind etc...

gosplan · 28-05-2013 11:22pm

robclay26 wrote: »

These reports need to be online available to the public And it has to be done now!!!!!!! HSE me arse!

For those that don't want to wait. You can FOI request the reports. It costs a little but though.

My incredibly intelligent better half did it when we were choosing between two nearby crèches.

It made the decision pretty obvious to us.

Sniipe · 28-05-2013 11:25pm

gosplan wrote: »

For those that don't want to wait. You can FOI request the reports. It costs a little but though.

My incredibly intelligent better half did it when we were choosing between two nearby crèches.

It made the decision pretty obvious to us.

Could one get the information and then post it to all the public? Surely RTE would have done this?

Vego · 28-05-2013 11:26pm

There was something in the news that at the end of last week where they will be making the reports accessible to the general public by this week

whatawaster · 28-05-2013 11:27pm

Can't believe this isn't going to be put online.

What are the odds this will make itself available on the internet somehow? Really want to see it and missed it.

marxo · 28-05-2013 11:30pm

denis160 wrote: »

Do low wages really justify what some of these workers are doing? Basic human decency, compassion and kindness is what they lacked, trained or not.

absolutely.

That was terribly upsetting to watch, although I'm not exactly surprised, similar stories, worse even came out in the 80s and 90s. IT wouldn't surprise me if that's not as bad as it gets.
I was never put in a crèche when I was a child because my mother was dead set against them.
Although I'm only 24 and building a career, I always thought I would consider child care when I eventually had children. Having watched this programme I will never under any circumstance put my child into a crèche.

Even if the children weren't being abused, man handled and shouted at, this conveyer belt system of care is all wrong anyway! a child that small should be in the loving arms of either one of their parents. It doesn't make any sense for a stranger to be looking after 11 toddlers who should be with their own parents. It's so expensive anyway so the excuse of having to work is just that, an excuse. Pure selfishness. Much easier going to the 9-5 rather than being at home all day.

Unless you are willing to take 4-5 years off work (to look after your own child with proper care, and their own mothers love and affection) you should not be having children!

..and that vicious woman with the blond hair who told the child she would put the food in the bin and had him strapped into the chair for lengthy periods whilst he was in floods of tears, should face criminal prosecution, as should the woman with the northern accent from links childcare.

Stavro Mueller · 28-05-2013 11:36pm

oreilly1979 wrote: »

A secure web sign in would surely stop any inappropriate use of web cam images where only parents had access to check in on the what was happening (most folk work on PC's these days and will check from work anyway...) - recon it'd be the only way to stop this, give peace of mind etc...

Some people don't want strangers looking at their kids via CCTV apparently. I can understand to a point where they're coming from but what was shown tonight was disturbing stuff. I wonder what would the parents of the kids who featured on the programme have to say about that? Which is for the greater good?

ThisRegard · 28-05-2013 11:38pm

marxo wrote: »

It's so expensive anyway so the excuse of having to work is just that, an excuse. Pure selfishness. Much easier going to the 9-5 rather than being at home all day.

Unless you are willing to take 4-5 years off work (to look after your own child with proper care, and their own mothers love and affection) you should not be having children!

What a knee jerk nonsensical comment. But I expect more of the same throughout the wider media and online over the coming days.

chris85 · 28-05-2013 11:43pm

Really am appalled by this. Not even a father or anything but that doesnt matter here. this is just human decency. Unsure what to do about it at this time of the night but I have sent an email to minister for children, Frances Fitzgerald, now for her failure to put herself (or send a representative) for the broadcast.

This is obviously not the only thing wrong with the whole thing but felt necessary to ensure one of our public representative was aware of my feeling on an important matter.

Sent to: frances.fitzgerald@oireachtas.ie

To Frances Fitzgerald,

I am writing this in reference to this evenings Prime Time special entitled "Breach of Trust" relating to inadequacies of our early child care facilities. I am not a parent but a young man who would hope to raise a family in the future in this country.

My main point for you, as our Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is to how you did not see fit to attend the Prime Time program in order to put forward the view of the government and the department for which you are the head of. If you were unavailable for this very important issue I am surprised you didn't feel the need to send a representative of your department.

All sides need to take some responsibility and set forward how to improve the industry with the primary focus being the well being and nurturing of the children. Everyone needs to work together to make this happen and learn from the mistakes made in the past and to ensure this doesn't continue to happen.

I look forward to either your response to this email or your public response to the broadcast which I am sure you will give promptly.

Regards,

Chris

purplecow1977 · 28-05-2013 11:43pm

I know this won't be repeated on RTE player but is there anywhere I could watch this? I missed it and want to watch it

robclay26 · 28-05-2013 11:46pm

chris85 wrote: »

Really am appalled by this. Not even a father or anything but that doesnt matter here. this is just human decency. Unsure what to do about it at this time of the night but I have sent an email to minister for children, Frances Fitzgerald, now for her failure to put herself (or send a representative) for the broadcast.

This is obviously not the only thing wrong with the whole thing but felt necessary to ensure one of our public representative was aware of my feeling on an important matter.

Fair fecking play to ye Chris! Would you mind if I copy and email it too please? More people the better! It's very well put together.

Happyman42 · 28-05-2013 11:48pm

cymbaline wrote: »

Some people don't want strangers looking at their kids via CCTV apparently. I can understand to a point where they're coming from but what was shown tonight was disturbing stuff. I wonder what would the parents of the kids who featured on the programme have to say about that? Which is for the greater good?

Even an audio feed would have them minding what they where doing. Or they should be made to have cctv footage available to be viewed by parents when they wanted to. Would keep managers on their toes to make sure nothing untoward was going on.

monflat · 28-05-2013 11:49pm

marxo wrote: »

absolutely.

That was terribly upsetting to watch, although I'm not exactly surprised, similar stories, worse even came out in the 80s and 90s. IT wouldn't surprise me if that's not as bad as it gets.
I was never put in a crèche when I was a child because my mother was dead set against them.
Although I'm only 24 and building a career, I always thought I would consider child care when I eventually had children. Having watched this programme I will never under any circumstance put my child into a crèche.

Even if the children weren't being abused, man handled and shouted at, this conveyer belt system of care is all wrong anyway! a child that small should be in the loving arms of either one of their parents. It doesn't make any sense for a stranger to be looking after 11 toddlers who should be with their own parents. It's so expensive anyway so the excuse of having to work is just that, an excuse. Pure selfishness. Much easier going to the 9-5 rather than being at home all day.

Unless you are willing to take 4-5 years off work (to look after your own child with proper care, and their own mothers love and affection) you should not be having children!

..and that vicious woman with the blond hair who told the child she would put the food in the bin and had him strapped into the chair for lengthy periods whilst he was in floods of tears, should face criminal prosecution, as should the woman with the northern accent from links childcare.

Never say never

Working mothers who quit their jobs to look after their children are not necessarily entitled to any financial assistance from the state EVEN IF they had paid taxes for Years

I find your comments to be quite insulting

You are saying those mothers who stay at home and give full tine care to their children are more conscientious and better mothers than those mothers who send their children to a creche to pay for a creche and another bill or two with **** all money left at the end of it

You may be 24 in age but not mature to see what REAL PARENTS have to do

Its a major government issue if those grants of up to half a million pwr crèche went some how to help working mothers spend sone time at home then lots of women would gladly stay at home

racso1975 · 28-05-2013 11:50pm

I really hope they talked to the parents before broadcasting this cause if i only found out about this happening to my child tonight well i could well be facing gbh charges tomorrow.

What also sivkens me is if you go on any of those creche websites not a word mentioned about it.

Stavro Mueller · 28-05-2013 11:51pm

True...though an audio feed might be easier to tamper with? The problem is that you can never totally trust any creche to treat kids properly. You need some sort of outside force to police it.

chris85 · 28-05-2013 11:53pm

robclay26 wrote: »

Fair fecking play to ye Chris! Would you mind if I copy and email it too please? More people the better! It's very well put together.

Yeah no problem. The more the better so if anyone else wants to copy it go for it.

dark crystal · 28-05-2013 11:55pm

chris85 wrote: »

Really am appalled by this. Not even a father or anything but that doesnt matter here. this is just human decency. Unsure what to do about it at this time of the night but I have sent an email to minister for children, Frances Fitzgerald, now for her failure to put herself (or send a representative) for the broadcast.

This is obviously not the only thing wrong with the whole thing but felt necessary to ensure one of our public representative was aware of my feeling on an important matter.

Apparantly, she'll be on Morning Ireland tomorrow morning discussing tonight's program and it's implications, along with a representative from the HSE.

http://inagist.com/all/339376526388764672/

chris85 · 28-05-2013 11:55pm

racso1975 wrote: »

I really hope they talked to the parents before broadcasting this cause if i only found out about this happening to my child tonight well i could well be facing gbh charges tomorrow.

What also sivkens me is if you go on any of those creche websites not a word mentioned about it.

AFAIK, the recording was viewed by HSE, gardai and parents of children in the creches prior to broadcast this evening.

Skid X · 28-05-2013 11:56pm

From Twitter

For those asking, we expect HSE on #MorningIreland after 8am, and Minister Fitzgerald after 830am. #rtept

https://twitter.com/MurphyVincent

ixoy · 28-05-2013 11:56pm

cymbaline wrote: »

Some people don't want strangers looking at their kids via CCTV apparently. I can understand to a point where they're coming from but what was shown tonight was disturbing stuff. ?

Surely they'd see that being able to see that their child's welfare is being looked after is far far more important than the minuscule risk that someone out there has somehow got access to a secure login and is looking at a grainy camera feed of children playing?

purplecow1977 · 28-05-2013 11:58pm

If anyone locates this online or if RTE DO decide to broadcast it, let me know. I'm raging I missed it. I work with children and some of the things I've heard about this programme have me in disbelief.

EyeSight · 29-05-2013 12:00am

i don't wanna derail the thread, but some of the comments about "selfish" parents who use creches are uncalled for. Not everyone can survive on one income and some people don't have a spouse to rely on. What would you rather they do? Not all creches are bad, i was in a great one as a kid.

I think parents assumed the HSE would have a bigger role in policing and inspections, but they showed themselves to be a joke. I guarantee you we will get a BS statement, some new guidelines and a "report" which will buy the politicians some time before it all blows over(it'll cost millions too for some reason)
Inspections won't do much, of course they will be on their best behaviour with someone standing over them

Why won't RTE repeat this? i only caught the end

cfc.forever · 29-05-2013 12:01am

The people on the program should be named and shamed, no child deserves to go through that, I can see this being on top of the media for a while.. I can't believe people on the program pitted the people working there because of there low-pay, they should still use there logic on how to work with children. Inadequate training and little pay is no excuse, although it certainly needs to be addressed.

robclay26 · 29-05-2013 12:02am

Slightly off topic , but the report isn't available on rte player?? Only the studio debate with Claire Byrne and the 4 on the panel.
Anybody know what the craic is? I missed the start of the report

GT_TDI_150 · 29-05-2013 12:09am

marxo wrote: »

absolutely.

That was terribly upsetting to watch, although I'm not exactly surprised, similar stories, worse even came out in the 80s and 90s. IT wouldn't surprise me if that's not as bad as it gets.
I was never put in a crèche when I was a child because my mother was dead set against them.
Although I'm only 24 and building a career, I always thought I would consider child care when I eventually had children. Having watched this programme I will never under any circumstance put my child into a crèche.

Even if the children weren't being abused, man handled and shouted at, this conveyer belt system of care is all wrong anyway! a child that small should be in the loving arms of either one of their parents. It doesn't make any sense for a stranger to be looking after 11 toddlers who should be with their own parents. It's so expensive anyway so the excuse of having to work is just that, an excuse. Pure selfishness. Much easier going to the 9-5 rather than being at home all day.

Unless you are willing to take 4-5 years off work (to look after your own child with proper care, and their own mothers love and affection) you should not be having children!

..and that vicious woman with the blond hair who told the child she would put the food in the bin and had him strapped into the chair for lengthy periods whilst he was in floods of tears, should face criminal prosecution, as should the woman with the northern accent from links childcare.

In no way do i condone what the evil staff were shown to be doing in the prime time show,nor am i picking on the quoted reply in particular but there have been a few replies here now which seem to put responsibility at the parents door for even considering putting their kids in creches/play school...

Thing arent that simple, for many couples it is financially not possible for one to give up work to mind the kids, mortgages and bills still need paying, food and other daily basics still need to be provided. At the end of the day if child care cost 1000p/m and the parents take home pay is 1200p/m, by staying home and minding the kid the household is down 200p/m that is probably a1-2wk grocery budget.

A lot of parent probably didnt intend on going the creche route but cant afford not too

Also, and the following is from personal experience where does an only child make friends etc when they arent afforded some time with their peers?! Eventhough my wife doesnt work our little fellow attends playschool 2 mornings a week and has blossomed since he started, where else does an only child of three years old get play with and learn with other 3yr olds. He is an only child, am i meant to go knocking on peoples doors asking to borrow their kids for a morning?!

And ... I would like to think you get a good idea of the person minding the kids by holding a coversation with them, turning up early to collect ghe kids every so often - an inpromptue inspection as it were...

And remember not all creches/ childcare personel are evil!!

chris85 · 29-05-2013 12:11am

My presumption of the broadcast not being shown on the player it may not be helpful to the parents of these children to have the footage circulating constantly.

Dstep · 29-05-2013 12:14am

Anyone know where I can watch this? I was in work and missed it!!

Concerned123 · 29-05-2013 12:15am

Our little girl was in a Giraffe creche for a period of eight months until end of 2012. Several of the incidences shown on this program have confirmed our suspicions and many of the issues we raised with management in Giraffe.1. On numerous occasions upon collecting our child we found her strapped in a chair this is mostly when we arrived unexpectedly 2. We collected her at 11am one morning because she was unwell to find her diary complete up to 5pm stating what a wonderful day she had all her food etc 3. In her diary the carer paid reference to the fact that she loved clapping her hands to music...my daughter didn't start doing that for at least anrother 3 months...4. On a different occasion we arrived to find severe bruising on her face and a black eye which we were told was a direct result of her trying to get up from the chair too fast and slamming her face off the table - which was similar to footage on program tonight whereby infant was strapped to chair and hit their head off table. 5 on numerous occasions her nappy wasn't changed and it appeared to be like that for hours 6. There were various times when the number of carers were inadequate or number of children left in the room and all the infants seemed to be moved around from day to day to suit shortages of staff. It got to the point where we had to search for our daughter in the evening because we didn't know what room she would be in. 7. the last room our daughter was put in was an extremely unpleasant experience 1 carer in particular was extremely loud and the other seemed ill-equipped to deal with infants. It got to the point that my child would start crying in the car when we went down the slip road on exit 16 and when I brought her to this particular room she was absolutely inconsolable - this went on for a number of days and when I raised it with a carer for the last time I was more or less given a lecture on how hard it is to mind so many children - can't take the pressure and having problems at home - this carer's behaviour actually really concerned me so much so that I thought she may have done herself some harm - I raised my concerns with the manager of the creche and requested my child be moved immediately and to possible get some help for the carer or at least supervise her. The next day we were confronted by the other carer stating that under pressure etc and arguing that they were doing nothing wrong - Once my child was moved from that room she was less upset and it has since come to my attention that both carers are still together in the same room and their behaviour remains the same. We are completely devastated as parents having witnessed that footage tonight and it seems to me that Giraffes policy is to employ anyone off the street without doing the necessary checks to ensure their competency -Whats even more distressing is that Giraffe have only suspended the employee that was abusive to the infants in their footage- that says a hell of a lot about their policy and their priorities!! We were paying almost 1000 per month for our daughter to be nourished and cared for and I would hate to think of what pain my little one endured it really is preying heavily on my mind - only hope it hasn't caused too much long term damage. RTE should be given a medal for highlighting these abuses and hopefully this will force the government and HSE to ensure that all carers are properly vetted and educated to a high standard with no exceptions

29-05-2013 12:16am

Our national broadcaster is an absolute disgrace. My taxes pay for their bull**** channel but they refuse to put certain programmes online. Couldn't be more annoyed.

Lady Chatterton · 29-05-2013 12:20am

Dstep wrote: »

Anyone know where I can watch this? I was in work and missed it!!

RTE will not be repeating the show and it will not be on the RTE player.

Vincent Plain Self-confidence wrote: »

Our national broadcaster is an absolute disgrace. My taxes pay for their bull**** channel but they refuse to put certain programmes online. Couldn't be more annoyed.

I believe that they're not putting it online or repeating the programme because the parents of the children involved have specifically requested this.

kearneybobs · 29-05-2013 12:22am

MrsD007 wrote: »

I believe that they're not putting it online or repeating the programme because the parents of the children involved have specifically requested this.

It really is a shame that they are doing that. I wouldn't mind watching it to see what they're all going on about but obviously I cant. Hope someone else puts it online.....

29-05-2013 12:23am

MrsD007 wrote: »

I believe that they're not putting it online or repeating the programme because the parents of the children involved have specifically requested this.

I haven't seen it and I'm sure I will be as horrified as everyone on here but let the parents sue them. Not my problem. I pay for it and shouldn't be restricted from viewing it.

Fair enough if the parents refused outright to let it be broadcast but they didn't

unklerosco · 29-05-2013 12:23am

Saw a few posts on here about cctv in the crèches etc.. I know of a few that offer this already where parents can log in and see what's going on. Think it's a great idea, something I've been looking into for our own montessori.

GT_TDI_150 · 29-05-2013 12:23am

Vincent Plain Self-confidence wrote: »

Our national broadcaster is an absolute disgrace. My taxes pay for their bull**** channel but they refuse to put certain programmes online. Couldn't be more annoyed.

As was pointed out above this might be to spare the parents involved from seeing this footage pop up again and again.

I can only imagine how distressing it must be for a parent the see their child go through what we witnessed tonight!

29-05-2013 12:25am

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

As was pointed out above this might be to spare the parents involved from seeing this footage pop up again and again.

I can only imagine how distressing it must be for a parent the see their child go through what we witnessed tonight!

Forget about the parents, if it was my child in the footage not a chance it would have been shown
. You can't pick and choose , if you consent for it to be broadcast then it shouldn't include terms.

If you don't want it show. Then sue.

donal7 · 29-05-2013 12:25am

Concerned123 wrote: »

Our little girl was in a Giraffe creche for a period of eight months until end of 2012. Several of the incidences shown on this program have confirmed our suspicions and many of the issues we raised with management in Giraffe.1. On numerous occasions upon collecting our child we found her strapped in a chair this is mostly when we arrived unexpectedly 2. We collected her at 11am one morning because she was unwell to find her diary complete up to 5pm stating what a wonderful day she had all her food etc 3. In her diary the carer paid reference to the fact that she loved clapping her hands to music...my daughter didn't start doing that for at least anrother 3 months...4. On a different occasion we arrived to find severe bruising on her face and a black eye which we were told was a direct result of her trying to get up from the chair too fast and slamming her face off the table - which was similar to footage on program tonight whereby infant was strapped to chair and hit their head off table. 5 on numerous occasions her nappy wasn't changed and it appeared to be like that for hours 6. There were various times when the number of carers were inadequate or number of children left in the room and all the infants seemed to be moved around from day to day to suit shortages of staff. It got to the point where we had to search for our daughter in the evening because we didn't know what room she would be in. 7. the last room our daughter was put in was an extremely unpleasant experience 1 carer in particular was extremely loud and the other seemed ill-equipped to deal with infants. It got to the point that my child would start crying in the car when we went down the slip road on exit 16 and when I brought her to this particular room she was absolutely inconsolable - this went on for a number of days and when I raised it with a carer for the last time I was more or less given a lecture on how hard it is to mind so many children - can't take the pressure and having problems at home - this carer's behaviour actually really concerned me so much so that I thought she may have done herself some harm - I raised my concerns with the manager of the creche and requested my child be moved immediately and to possible get some help for the carer or at least supervise her. The next day we were confronted by the other carer stating that under pressure etc and arguing that they were doing nothing wrong - Once my child was moved from that room she was less upset and it has since come to my attention that both carers are still together in the same room and their behaviour remains the same. We are completely devastated as parents having witnessed that footage tonight and it seems to me that Giraffes policy is to employ anyone off the street without doing the necessary checks to ensure their competency -Whats even more distressing is that Giraffe have only suspended the employee that was abusive to the infants in their footage- that says a hell of a lot about their policy and their priorities!! We were paying almost 1000 per month for our daughter to be nourished and cared for and I would hate to think of what pain my little one endured it really is preying heavily on my mind - only hope it hasn't caused too much long term damage. RTE should be given a medal for highlighting these abuses and hopefully this will force the government and HSE to ensure that all carers are properly vetted and educated to a high standard with no exceptions

Wow that must have been extremely difficult for you. Thanks for highlighting these points. As a parent myself who has just started my own child in a creche be it only a few days a week it was unbelievable to watch and worrying. My worry is what is to stop the likes of the girl filmed literally hurling the kids around from being employed at another creche? The likes of this person should never be allowed to work with children ever again.

Narnia2010 · 29-05-2013 12:25am

Firstly I am disgusted by the abuse shown in the report and how other members of staff did nothing to stop it. I do not care how much someone is paid, if I saw someone doing this to a child on the street I would try to stop it.

For the last couple of days I have been following posts on theses boards regarding the program and how people were saying it was disgraceful for RTE to go undercover in creches. I was astounded by that opinion. How right RTE were to do an undercover report in this way, similar to Leas Cross, it is the only way to get truth across. My Mother is in a nursing home and I read the HIQA reports for that nursing home and I know they cannot pick up on everything. Everyone is always on their best behaviour once an auditor appears.

Further to this, I am so annoyed that the Minister for Children or any representative from the Government didn't bother their asses to sit on that panel and alleviate the fears of the parents out there. As a parent of a child who attends a very decent, well managed creche, I am now very concerned that this could be going on there as well. I will be more observant, will do more spot checks (arrive early unannounced etc) and will read the inspection reports but really how can this calm my fears and the fears of every parent out there that has to work and leave their children in creches. I have let France Fitzgerald know my feelings in a slightly abusive email.

There needs to be more focus on the role of parents role and try to facilitate a work/life balance for working parents to spend time with their children instead of throwing more money at creches. How can Sweden have such low unemployment, have such great child care and allow parents (even grandparents) time paid time off work to attend to their sick child and we cannot even have a properly regulated system? A fundamental change is needed in the way we are bringing up our children and there needs to be the funds and support from the government to do it.

flynnlives · 29-05-2013 12:31am

tbh im not surprised by this carry on although i feel sorry for the children and their parents.

to me this is only the beginning of yet another scandal.

The care home scandals began after a previous primetime investigates.

Nothing surprises me in this country anymore, its a banana republic.

There is no accountability and responsibility for anything, politicians, bankers, high paid public servants, the church, yet all these cliches bar the church are amongst the best paid people in Ireland.

They speak and enforce their power when it suits them but when they are found out no one is too blame.

Prime Time Special - Child Care in Ireland (No Downloads - Please Read Post #1)

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