IPPA, the Early Childhood organisation, held its 39th conference in the Green Isle Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin, on April 25 and 26. Speakers included psychologist David Coleman and Professor Sheila Greene from Trinity College.

The conference heard that pre-schools were not receiving yearly inspections by the Health Service Executive (HSE) because of staff shortages and the recruitment embargo. Some pre-school teachers said they had not had a HSE inspection for up to three years. The greater Dublin area was one of the worst affected.

Breda McCarthy, project leader of HSE west’s pre-school services, said that while many new pre-school services had opened up around the country, there had been no corresponding increase in the number of inspectors. She said that 48 more inspectors were needed to ensure that all facilities were inspected once a year. 

"We have pushed very hard for it and we will continue to do so," she said. "Unfortunately, there is an embargo on jobs but hopefully it’s something that will be addressed down the road."

On a more general note, Ms McCarthy warned that many children were being "over-scheduled" to the detriment of their development.

"Schedules are often adult-driven and adult-supervised. People [are] dropping children of a very young age into childcare settings at a time when very often they should still be asleep," she said.

It could not be helped that many parents worked very long hours, but the focus must remain on the children's needs, she added.