The Children's Minister is examining what additional powers can be given to the child and family agency to close down creches when major concerns arise.
Katherine Zappone has written to Tusla asking them to outline necessary changes to strengthen their enforcement powers.
She has also asked officials to examine how parents can be informed at the earliest possible opportunity of concerns being investigated.
Minister Zappone said she was "appalled to witness the intolerable treatment of children" highlighted by an RTÉ Investigates documentary last week.
She said: "It’s very important that parents understand that not every childcare facility in the country has issues like the ones shown last week. Most service providers work tirelessly to provide a great service and I commend those services.
“However, I want to send a strong message to the tiny number that do not operate in the best interests of children - the regulator will not tolerate this, and I will not tolerate it."
In a statement, the Department of Children said amendments may be needed to the Child Care Act so that permanent or temporary closures can happen when there are "critical concerns" about a facility.
Changes may also be needed to ensure parents are informed earlier of any potential concerns, as Tusla can currently only publish reports "after due process".
Last week's RTÉ programme saw two undercover researchers successfully apply for childcare positions with the Hyde & Seek Childcare crèche chain in Dublin
The documentary reported that while RTÉ witnessed some examples of good care, the undercover workers started to observe repeated breaches of regulation.
Hyde and Seek Childcare acknowledged the documentary "raised some real issues for us and we will deal with them quickly".
The company also confirmed that Anne Davy, one of the owners of the company that runs the crèche group, is stepping aside.
While she remains as a director of the company, she will not be working with children.
