The owner of an Ennis creche yesterday appeared in court charged with 50 offences relating to running the facility. The Health Service Executive (HSE) told the court the creche has since closed.
Martina Baker of Hopscotch Childcare and Montessori, Quin Road, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court, charged with the alleged offences between March 2006 and January 2007.
In a case taken by the HSE, Ms Baker is accused of not taking measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all pre-school children. She is accused of failing to provide suitable means of progression and development for children and of failing to ensure furniture and fittings were kept in a proper, hygienic state.
Ms Baker is accused of failing to ensure there was a sufficient number of competent adults to supervise pre-school children and of not making adequate arrangements to summon medical assistance in an emergency. This charge relates to a child who allegedly suffered an injury. She is charged with not keeping a record of the alleged incident.
She is also accused of not adequately heating the premises; of not providing nutritional food and adequate food preparation and storage facilities; of failing to provide suitable rest and play facilities, of failing to provide adequate sanitary facilities and not disposing of waste frequently.
The case will involve 17 witnesses. Judge Joseph Mangan remanded Ms Baker to re-appear at the court on November 23rd.
