The law in Ireland provides for the regulation and inspection of pre-school child care services. Under the Child Care Act, 1991 each health board in Ireland is charged with ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children attending services in their area.
Pre-school children in Ireland are defined by law as 'children under 6 years of age, who are not attending a national school or equivalent'. Pre-school services are also defined as 'any pre-school, play group, day nursery, crèche, day care or other similar service catering for pre-school children'. (This also includes services that receive grant assistance from your health board).
Pre-school care providers are required to notify their health board that they are providing services. In addition, they are required to take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of pre-schoool children attending their service.
Overall, the Department of Health and Children has responsibility for ensuring compliance and developing policy in this area. Health boards are required to inspect and regulate pre-school child care services in their area.
Specifics about the regulation of pre-school child care services is set out in the (Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) 1997. These regulations set down the high standards of health, safety and welfare that must be in place before care services can be provided. For example, the regulations cover important areas such as child/adult ratios, premises and facilities, floor space, ventilation, sanitation, food, safety measures, facilities for rest and play, insurance and corporal punishment.