Creche operators across Donegal have reacted with shock to last night’s RTE Primetime documentary into cruelty at some facilities.
The shocking documentary showed toddlers being manhandled and physically abused and called names by childcare workers.
The undercover investigation uncovered a litany of abuse in various childcare facilities.
Avril McMonagle, manager of the Donegal County Childcare Committee, said she was “shocked, appalled and sickened” by the Primetime documentary.
“We knew it was going to be quite serious and damning but nothing prepared us for the cruelty of the programme,” she said.
Ms McGonagle said the State had to accept a responsibility for “shirking their responsibility” for the early childcare sector.
“There needs to be a complete overhaul of the system,” she said.
She added the fact there was no regulation of pay scales within the industry showed how open it was to abuse by those working within it.