Laois community creche with over 170 children closed 'until further notice'

A large community childcare centre in Laois has been forced to close suddenly and temporarily, affecting over 170 children and many working parents.

The Sonas Community Childcare centre in the MDA Mountmellick was forced to close unexpectedly, on Thursday, January 8 2026, one of many across Ireland hit with the same issue.

A message was sent out telling parents it was closed "until further notice" due to an administrative issue over their registration with the national child and family agency Tusla.

"Due to an administrative issue with our registration as a service provider, Sonas is closed tomorrow,  Thursday January 8th 2026, and will remain closed until further notice.

"The Board has been advised by Tusla that Sonas can no longer legally provide a service until this issue is resolved.

"The Management are doing everything humanly possible to resolve this situation as speedily as possible and resume our service delivery.

"Sonas Childcare is one of a large number of service providers nationally in this situation at present.

"The Board and Management Team will keep all impacted parties updated daily until a resolution is reached," a statement said.

Padraig O'Toole representing the Board of Sonas Childcare has given an update to the Leinster Express / Laois Live this Friday, January 9.

"The closure of our Sonas childcare facility regrettably continues today Friday January 9th.

"The board continues to engage with the relevant authorities to update our registration status and enable us to re-open for service.

"The board is confident that all the relevant requirements have now been delivered and we await formal review , registration and approval and to resume this critical service to our community.

"To reaffirm, the Board acknowledges the ongoing disruption this is causing to parents and guardians, the children who attend our facility, and to our staff.

"The Board and Management Team will continue to keep all impacted parties updated daily until a resolution is reached," Mr O’Toole said.

Then Taoiseach Simon Harris visiting Sonas childcare centre in Mountmellick ahead of the 2024 General Election. Photo: Leinster Express

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality also confirmed the closure to the Leinster Express, with a statement to follow. Tusla has also been asked for a statement.

It is understood that staff of Sonas are being paid during the closure.

Sonas which is under the umbrella of the Laois County Childcare Committee, is a multi-storey building with facilities for children aged from one year upwards, including afterschool care and meals, in a state of the art facility ever weekday for 51 weeks a year.