Madam, - As a childcare provider I approve of the plan for the HSE to make inspection reports more readily available (March 13th). A standardised form for the HSE to use would be equally welcome.
Currently services are visited by a two-person inspection team, comprising an environmental health officer and a public health nurse. The report arrives within a week or so, stating which matters must be rectified to ensure compliance with the regulations and also give the team's recommendations on any other matter which they feel is relevant.
The service does not pass or fail. The childcare provider does not see the HSE's checklist, either blank or completed.
The problem, as your article explains, is that some matters are minor, such as not displaying the staff roster and some much more important, such as not having the correct staff/child ratio. The regulations give unequivocal rules for such matters as space requirements and staff/child ratio.
Other regulations are not in the least specific, stating, for instance, that "suitable and adequate means of ventilation is provided in the premises" Child Care (Pre-school Services) Regulations, 1996. Part V.20.
This is where inspection teams differ at each visit, as their interpretation of "suitable and adequate" seems to change from year to year and from service to service. The premises can be compliant with environmental regulations at one visit but not at the next, although nothing within the service has changed.
Standardisation would be welcomed by childcare services as much as by parents.
Then providers would know that all services are treated equally. Most providers strive to comply with the regulations and aim to provide a quality service for children and their parents.
Standardisation of regulations and requirements would be a great help and eventually there should be a national quality mark which has regard for the care and education the children receive and not just the physical environment. - Yours, etc,
GLYNIS STEPHENSON, Midleton, Co Cork.