A CRECHE IN Barna, near Galway City is set to close by the end of the week.

It’s understood that the building where the Smallworld creche is located is to be sold and that the creche will not be relocating.

Most of the children who were attending the creche have already left, as parents were notified that the creche would be closing.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has expressed concern about payment for staff in the wake of the closure, and says he will be seeking clarification from the Department of Education on what state sponsorship the creche has received.

“I am sceptical that this service is registered for any state-sponsored childcare programmes, including the [Early Childhood Care and Education scheme] and I will be seeking clarification from the Minister for Children in this regard.”

According to the creche’s website, Smallworld was established in 1998 by Christine Connolly as a pre-school and after-school service in the Mercy National School in Newtownsmith.

Smallworld employs over thirty part-time and full-time childcare and teaching staff.

Read: 45,000 children are set to sow, grow (and eat) their own fruit and veg this spring

Read: Creches may have to publish their fees under the new childcare package