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This study (2006-2007) sought to explore and examine whether the provision of full daycare improves the quality of life for children and their parents. There are now 60.8% of women employed in the workforce, according to the Central Statistics Office (2008). This means many changes for children, parents and families. Twenty-seven childcare managers in the North West of Ireland were interviewed. Also, 325 questionnaires were completed by working parents. Babies as young as four months are being cared for in childcare facilities from 6:45 am until 6:00 pm daily, five days per week. Some children are spending up to 11 hours per day in childcare facilities. The study concluded that full daycare can have both positive and negative effects for children. Childcare facilities are providing good-quality childcare encompassing various services. Parents are finding it difficult to manage the work-life balance. Health dominated quality-of-life issues. Two hundred and thirty-five (73%) parents reported being stressed. The study also found that 315 (97%) working parents feel that the government is not doing enough to support working parents. On a positive note, 241 (74%) parents said they are happy in general with the quality of life for them, their family and their children. (Contains 1 note, 1 table, and 5 figures.)

Prison officers, gardaí and social care practitioners who work at the frontline in such demanding jobs require specific training with special emphasis placed on their development. Many changes affecting these professionals have occurred in Irish society over the past decade. This article explores some of these changes and how they are impacting on the professionals. While the author works from a theoretical reflective base as a social care practitioner, she opines that there is a lack of education and training for professionals working with vulnerable people in Ireland. This paper makes some recommendations for reflective practice changes in training and development for the aforementioned professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study sought to explore and examine if the provision of full day care improves the quality of life for children and their parents. There are now 60.8% of women employed in the workforce (CSO, 2008). This means many changes for children, parents and families. Twenty-seven childcare managers in the north west of Ireland were interviewed. Also, 325 questionnaires were completed by working parents. Babies as young as four months are being cared for in childcare facilities from 6.45am until 6pm daily, five days per week. Some children are spending up to 11 hours per day in childcare facilities. The study concluded that full day care can have both positive and negative effects for children. Childcare facilities are providing good quality childcare encompassing various services. Parents are finding it difficult to manage work life balance. Health dominated quality of life issues. Two hundred and thirty five (235) (73%) parents reported being stressed. The study also found that 315 (97%) working parents feel that the government is not doing enough to support working parents. On a positive note, 241 (74%) parents said they are happy in general with the quality of life for them, their family and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]