Again, RTE undercover
(Photo: google images) 

6 years later and we are again presented with very distressful images of young children mistreatment, child abuse (yes; some situations are child abuse), violations of children's right, very poor practice in the Early Years and a show case of bad management of creches in Dublin.
First of all; let me express my sincere feelings to the parents of those children who have to sit in the sofa and watch this. Those who will never go to work with a complete peace of mind again.
So sorry I am for those children who were prevented opportunities to learn and explore; being treated negatively with no responsive and positive interactions.
To all of them, my heart goes to them. 

But our sympathy is not enough. It cannot be good enough if we want this to change.

Secondly, let's acknowledge that there a large number and solid great practices in this country. That Anne type of manager is not the rule; I want to believe she is the exception. But she is not on her own. And that is why is so worrying.

Severe measures need to be taken if we want quality level of carer of young children all over the country.

I was disappointed that the RTE programme hasn't raised the acute lack of staff crises the sector is suffering. And why?

Because childcare is not an easy job. It is not sitting on the floor and play all the time. It is a profession; which includes play and fun!
But staff are under pressure on an over regulated sector; with tones of paper work and cleaning to do ... with majority of the settings experiencing high levels of staff turnover all the time.

And why? You can get more money working in any other place; for example at the supermarket, than working in a creche.

There is not enough government investment in the sector. There is no long term plan to qualify staff in the ground.

I have worked and I have visited centers of excellent practice. Respectful and meaningful interactions with young children and great parent partnership. There are plenty of them around Ireland.

However; Anne type of person is not on her own. And if we want this to stop; a lot has to be done.

Cheers to a RTE investigation that may report great practices one day!
But for now, the image of that monster forcing children on their tummies to go to bed; covering their eyes and preventing any eye contact in one of the most sensitive parts of a baby day; is stuck in my mind.