Childcare Act 1991 Essay Example

persons have many regulations to follow such as staff to children ratios which are set out by the board and must be followed to ensure the safety of the child.

Supervision of pre-school services: The regulations set the high standards of health, safety and welfare that must be in place before care services can be provided .The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has responsibility for these regulations and the developing policy in this area.

Authorised persons: There must be an authorised person within the service who makes sure all the rules and regulations are followed and are in conjunction with the Childcare Act of 1991. This persons duty is to make sure that the wellbeing, safety and health of the children is always protected and its importance paramount.

Inspection by authorised persons: The HSE are required to inspect and regulate all services in the pre- school area. This is to make sure that the environment is clean and safe and that the standards are up to what the HSE ordered this is all done with the children’s welfare in mind. The children’s well being is paramount.

Provision by health boards of pre-school services and information: The different types of pre-school childcare services in Ireland are the described in the legislation they are as follows:

Sessional services: Playgroups, crèches, Montessori and playschools looking after 3 or more children offer sessional services these services normally offered are planned programmes which consist of 3.5 hours per session either in the morning or afternoon. They usually cater for pre-school children between the ages of 0 - 6 years old.

Part-time day care: This is a structured day car service for more

than 3.5 hours and less than 5 hours per day.

Full day care: This is also a structured day care service that is provided for more than 5 hours a day main providers include crèches and day nurseries.

Childminders: Childminders care for children in their own home only childminders that care for 3 children or more are covered by the childcare act of 1991. Throughout the year they provide services for the full working day of for different times during the day parents and childminders negotiate on their own terms and are in total control of their wages, duties and hours.