Second Laois childcare centre was closed by Tusla over registration

A second Laois childcare centre was hit with the recent Tusla registration issue that forced temporary closures all over Ireland.

As well as Sonas Community Childcare Centre in Mountmellick, Tiddlywinks Preschool in Ballyadams was forced to shut for several days in early January.

Tusla had changed their method of registration, and time had run out to comply on December 31, leaving multiples of childcare centres around Ireland told to close their doors until they were registered.

Sonas had to issue notices to its 136 client families to say they could not open, on Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9. The board managed to get the registration done to reopen by Monday, January 10.

Two Laois councillors described the effect it had on working parents.

Cllr Marie Tuohy and Cllr Tommy Mulligan, both representatives of the Portlaoise Municipal District, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that it caused "significant disruption and distress for parents, children and staff.

"As public representatives and board members of Laois County Childcare Committee, we have been contacted by concerned parents and numerous members of the public in relation to the recent sudden closures of childcare facilities in Mountmellick and Ballyadams.

"We empathise with all families affected by the closures and understand the significant disruption and distress this situation has caused for parents, children, service providers and childcare staff.

"Parents were required to adjust their working arrangements upon being informed their childcare centre had been closed. They also faced the uncertainty of when it would reopen. This resulted in significant pressures and worries for all families involved. 

"We wish to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of providers who face many challenges in this sector. And with the current shortage of places, a real-life approach needs to be applied in all cases where there is no risk to any child.

"We would like to note that the two closures in Laois were as a result of administrative and technical issues. We would urge Tusla to engage proactively and swiftly and offer timely help and support to ensure the facilities are kept open. 

"The Laois County Childcare office is available to provide help and support to all providers," the statement from Cllr Marie Tuohy and Cllr Tommy Mulligan said.

Laois County Childcare Committee had told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that it could make no comment on the issue. 

The Department of Children told the Leinster Express that "In 2022, the renewal of registration process was simplified to reduce the administrative burden on services, while still maintaining important safeguards".

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"The renewal process now requires valid garda vetting for the registered provider (and person in charge if different), valid certificate of insurance and a statutory declaration along with payment of the application fee."

The Department will continue to work closely with key stakeholders in ensuring services are able to meet their statutory requirements. The Department encourages all services to engage with the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate and the City and County Childcare Committees as soon as possible to ensure they meet the minimum requirements in the regulations.