Tusla Update on Renewal of Registration for Early Years Providers

All Early Years and School Aged Care Providers are required to renew their registration with Tusla every three years. Some 3,800 pre-school services and 370 school aged care services are due to renew their registration in 2022.

As part of ongoing engagement with the sector, during the summer Tusla wrote to all services around the country to ensure timely awareness of the requirements and support in meeting the requirements to register in time. Additionally, with the support of the Minister and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) further amendments to the legislation have significantly reduced the number of documents required.

Services who were due to renew in 2019 had the deadline for certain documentation extended due to pressure on services, and further timeliness were developed. This resulted in any providers who had not completed their documentation in 2019 having to do so before the renewal deadline in 2022.

To date, there has been an enormous response with most providers having now achieved compliance and are now approaching renewal. However, despite extensive efforts to work with providers and support them, there are a small number who are not satisfactorily engaged, and as a result have not provided necessary assurances that the inspection and registration team requires to guarantee the appropriate standard of service to children.

Tusla can confirm that one service has been notified of Tusla’s intention to proceed with removal from the register of early years services following the conclusion of an enforcement process. The service in question is Small Wonders Creche and Preschool, Courtown Road, Gorey, Co.Wexford. The date given for closure is the 23rd December*.

Fiona McDonnell, National Service Director, Children Services Regulation, Tusla, said:

“As the regulator in this sector, Tusla’s role is to monitor the safety and quality of care and support of children in early years’ provision to ensure compliance with regulations.

The decision to remove a service from the register comes at the end of an enforcement process, during which a provider is afforded fair procedures. This decision is not taken lightly and is a last resort. We understand the difficulty this decision will create for some parents, however, as regulator Tusla cannot stand over the continued operation of a service that cares for children, when the necessary assurances haven’t been provided.

It is a reality that some parents will find themselves in the difficult position of finding alternative childcare arrangements, and Tusla has notified the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of the removal. The Department is working with Wexford County Childcare Committee to make support available to parents. Tusla will expedite any applications for registration of a new childcare provider in this area, or any applications for a Change in Circumstances (e.g. change of owner) in this area. Tusla also acknowledges the impact on staff at this service.”

*The provider have 21 days to appeal this decision.