The owner of a Donegal creche criticised by inspectors for allowing children to spend time "aimlessly viewing" a television screen yesterday strongly defended the quality of care it provided.
An inspection report for Little Dreamers creche, Upper Carnamuggagh, Letterkenny, said the "television in the baby/toddler room remained on throughout the inspection visit".
"During the dinner time, while staff assisted some infants with their feeds, the other infants and toddlers were positioned facing the TV screen, aimlessly viewing with no verbal commentary from an adult.
"One infant was observed bottle-feeding himself while an older toddler sat in a high-chair slowly feeding himself with no prompts from staff until he had finished his meal," it said.
The inspection was conducted last December, but a subsequent inspection report arising from a visit in April of this year expressed satisfaction with the work done since then.
Mary McColgan, the owner of the creche, yesterday said the television in question was linked to a CCTV camera in another room. On the day in question, the incorrect station for the CCTV camera had inadvertently been turned on. She added that she had written permission from the parents of three children who wished them to feed themselves. Any other issues raised had been addressed.
"It is just not true in relation to the television viewing. Anyone who knows here knows that is not true," she said.
Perle Leahy, owner of Sticky Fingers creche in Kilkenny, said a gate allowing access to its outdoor play area was now secured. She said the storage of raw meats beside "ready to eat" ice cream no longer took place.
Kathleen Coady, manager of Clonmany Community Playgroup in Donegal, said electric sockets in the community centre's hall now had covers. Inspectors had previously observed two children playing with the uncovered sockets.
Martin Gormley, spokesman for the VEC creche in Letterkenny, said all issues raised in its Health Service Executive inspection report dated last April had been addressed. This included the removal of concrete slabs propped up against the fence in the outside play area.
In Waterford, Amy Kenny of Playdays said she had applied for funding for a new outside play area. Inspectors had threatened to close the facility for failing to provide such an area.