The CEO of Early Childhood Ireland has said staff working in pre-and-playschool's do not need to have their mobile phones in their possession - while working in the classroom - during working hours.

Yesterday, a trainee Montessori teacher, who sexually assaulted and took pornographic pictures of a four-year-old child, was sentenced to five years in jail.

32 year-old Kevin Muldoon of Rockwinds, Church Road, Killiney, Dublin, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and production of child pornography on the 8th of May 2014.

He has no previous convictions.

Teresa Heeney is CEO of Early Childhood Ireland: “Our members know that we recommend that staff in settings should have no business having mobile phones on their person in the classroom with children.

“There is no need for them, there is no need to have them and they should always be left in the staff room locker or whatever arrangement there is in the setting.”