One of the owners of the Hyde & Seek Childcare crèche chain is stepping aside from frontline duties, after a documentary on standards of care.
Anne Davy will stay on as a director, but won’t be working with kids.
It follows an RTÉ Investigates documentary, which saw two undercover researchers successfully apply for childcare positions with the company.
The documentary will report how recently RTÉ Investigates was contacted by several families, who were concerned about the standards of care their children got while at various Hyde & Seek Childcare crèches.
Both researchers had the required qualifications, are highly trained and were Garda vetted by RTÉ.
The broadcaster also worked with two care experts, who advised them on the evidence gathered by the researchers.
Image: RTÉ InvestigatesThe company has four crèches across the city for children from three months up to 12 years of age.
Crèches and preschool facilities must abide by a lengthy list of regulations, which have been designed to protect the welfare of children.
The documentary will report that while RTÉ witnessed some examples of good care, the undercover workers started to observe repeated breaches of regulation.
It's alleged that some sleep room conditions were worrying - with cots too tightly packed to allow staff provide adequate care.
In a statement, Hyde & Seek Childcare said its been operating creches for over 15 years and strive to provide a top-quality child-centered service.
However it acknowledged that the programme "has raised real issues which we need to address."
It's also changed the layout of the cot rooms in two of their outlets and fire inspections at both venues said no fire safety issues require immediate action.
The crèche group is planning to restructure management.
The RTÉ Investigates programme airs tonight at 9.35pm.
