Sir, – So the ESRI has found that “83 per cent of relatives who look after children have no qualifications” in childcare (“Lack of qualifications among childcarers sparks concern”, Home News, July 22nd). This figure apparently includes grandparents, who account for over 32 per cent of those minding children. The report notes that there is “a link between the qualifications of people who cared for children and the quality of care”. My late mother was a fantastic and caring grandmother, but sadly she had no Further Education and Training Awards Council (Fetac) qualification, much less a degree of any kind. I’m sure there are lots of other people who could say the same. I have three children, but before having any of them I did not have any childcare qualifications or special training. How was I ever allowed to be a parent? I think we’re going bananas with some of the conclusions research seems to produce. Grandparents to be Fetac-qualified? Wow! – Yours, etc,
ED McDONALD,
Stradbrook Road,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.