A new organisation representing 22,500 childhood sector professionals is being launched today, following controversy in recent weeks over the standards of care in Irish creches.

The Association of Childhood Professionals is calling for the establishment of a qualification and registration system for all early years practitioners, after breaches of care standards were highlighted by a Prime Time Investigates programme last week.

The ACP has been in development for a number of years, but will today outline its views on training, standards and support in the sector in light of the issues raised by the programme.

Chairperson Marian Quinn told Newstalk Breakfast the inspection process needs to be dramatically overhauled so it gives a clearer picture of how the childcare sector is being run and what can be done to improve standards: