Report denounces mistreatment of children in French nurseries

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - A report published Tuesday by the General Inspectorate for Social Affairs (IGAS) denounced the mistreatment of children in French nurseries.

The report said an inspection began on an order by the government after an 11-month-old baby died in a nursery in Lyon last June.

Inspectors examined 36 public and private nurseries across the country and conducted a study by interviewing managers, employees and parents.

Those interviewed noted incidents that fall into the category of mistreatment, including instances where children were forgotten in toilets and deprived of afternoon naps due to an insufficient number of beds or left to cry to sleep.

Some recalled situations where children were deprived of drinks to avoid changing diapers, children being insulted, fed by force or physically mistreated.

The IGAS recommended intensifying controls and hiring high-qualified employees.

The report noted that the quality of nurseries is very heterogeneous: There are some where the quality is very high and others where children are mistreated.

Minister for Solidarity, Autonomy and Disabled Persons, Jean-Christophe Combe, said he will consider the recommendations in the report to improve the quality of nurseries.

The IGAS was established in 1967 as the office in charge of audit, evaluation and inspection for health, social security and social care.

This institution reports to the ministers of health, social affairs, and labor.