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Expose sparks reform of childcare in Ireland

Ireland's childcare system is to undergo major reform following a television programme that revealed below-standard care and mistreatment of children at some of the country's nurseries.

Ireland's children's minister Frances Fitzgerald said she found scenes from the programme broadcast on RTE 'distressing, shocking and absolutely unacceptable'.

She went on to say that the 'matters addressed in the programme deserve and demand a comprehensive response', and announced a number of changes to improve standards in the country's childcare facilities.

These changes include:

The country's first ever Early Years Strategy is also expected to be published next year. Some of the items envisaged for inclusion in the new strategy include enhancing the quality of early years settings, improving educational outcomes and providing affordable childcare places to support parents to return to work.

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