Creche Inspection Reports

ABC Childcare Stonepark

Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Longford, Longford · Tusla ID TU2015LD018 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections
2non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 15 September 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. Full length hanging curtains were observed in the Wobbler and ECCE 1 rooms. These posed a potential risk of injury to a child if they became entangled in them and required to be secured or removed. 2. The door lock mechanism on the door between ECCE 1 and the sanitary area was not working and did not secure the ECCE 1 room. As a result, there was a potential for children to leave ECCE 1 room un-noticed. 3. In the sleep room there were two electrical sockets which had five plugs connected and created a potential electrical overload risk. 4. A can of air freshener was placed in a hanging container on a cot in the cot room and accessible to a preschool child if they were using the cot. It is acknowledged that corrective action was taken when the issue was brought to the attention of the manager. 5. The mattress on cot 4 was not the correct size for the cot as gaps were observed between the mattress and cot frame on two of the four sides. This created a potential risk of injury to a preschool child if they became trapped. 6. The hot water at the hot tap in the senior Toddler room and at the hot tap in the sanitary area on the first floor was recorded at 45.2 °C and 45.7 °C respectively at 11:19am. It is acknowledged that corrective action was immediately taken by the person in charge when it was brought to their attention and the thermostat was adjusted. The water temperature had reduced to 43.7°C when recorded at 12:20pm. 7. There was no toilet seat on the toilet in the ‘Boys’ cubicle in the upstairs sanitary area, as a result there was no stability provided for a child to safely sit on this toilet. The toilet seat was observed placed on the floor inside the cubicle which was also a potential infection control risk. 8. Despite daily indoor and outdoor environmental risk assessments completed on the day of the inspection, a review of the risk assessment practice is required to examine how the general safety risks identified during the inspection were not captured. Infection Control: 9. The paper towel was not placed in a dispenser in the nappy change area and two toilets in the sanitary area on the ground floor for hygienic dispensing for infection control purposes. 10. The toilet paper was not placed in a dispenser in the two toilets in the sanitary area on the ground floor or in the toilet cubicle in the sanitary area on the first floor for hygienic dispensing for infection control purposes. 11. The toilet seat belonging to the toilet in the ‘Boys’ cubicle in the sanitary area on the first floor was observed placed on the floor inside the cubicle; this was an infection control risk. 12. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron and disposable gloves were not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy. Soiled nappies, used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. A frosting film has been placed on the door , and the curtains have been removed. T he curtains have been removed from the conservatory area. This has been added to the room risk assessment. 2. The door lock has been replaced. Checking door handles and locks is added to the room risk assessment. 3. Some of the electrical devices have been moved to another area. Ensuring sockets are not overloaded with electrical appliances has been added to the risk assessment sheet. 4. The air freshener has been removed from the area. The risk assessment has been updated to ensure there are no items left within a child’s reach in the sleep room. 5. A new mattress has been bought for the cot to ensure it fits snuggly in the cot. The risk assessment has been updated to ensure cots and mattresses are checked to ensure that mattresses are the correct size for the cots. 6. The thermostat was adjusted to bring down the water temperature to an appropriate level. As part of the daily cleaning, staff will check and document the water temperature and highlight to management if it needs to be adjusted. 7. A new toilet seat has been put on the toilet. The toilet risk assessment has been updated to check that toilet seats are secured. 8. The risk assessments have been updated to ensure the general safety risks identified during inspection does not reoccur in the future. The risk assessments will be updated annually or when any changes have been made to an area if this is sooner. Infection Control: 9. All paper towels have been placed in dispensers. A staff member has been assigned the responsibility to ensure all toilet rolls and paper towels are placed directly into the dispensers and check daily to see if they need replacing. This is now part of the daily risk assessment check. 10. All toilet rolls have been put into the toilet roll dispensers. A staff member has been assigned the responsibility to ensure all toilet rolls and paper towels are placed directly into the dispensers and check daily to see if they need replacing. This has been added to the daily risk assessment/cleaning sheet. 11. The toilet seat has been removed. The toilet cleaning chart has been updated to ensure any equipment not fit for purpose has been discarded. 12. Staff have received inhouse training on nappy changing and were reviewed carrying out nappy changing to ensure they followed all steps on our nappy policy procedure . Inhouse nappy changing training will form part of our team meetings to ensure all staff are kept very familiar with all steps. Our nappy changing policy is displayed in the nappy changing area to remind staff of the step-by-step procedure that they must follow

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (2)(a) The first aid equipment was not stored in a conspicuous position in the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • (2)(a) The staff member in charge of checking the first aid equipment will ensure the signage is in place and visible

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 24, 26, 27, 28.

Inspection of 9 October 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • The following vetting and qualification documentation was unavailable on file:
  • (a) Two written validated references from past employers were required for one adult who had previous employments. (4) There was insufficient evidence available to show that qualifications for one staff member met the requirements of the regulation
Provider's corrective action:
  • The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action
  • (a) New references from previous employment ha ve been obtained for the staff member in question. The service’s detailed list of the requirements pre-employment has been updated to state references must be from the most recent employers. In future, the service will ensure that any staff who does not have a reference from their most recent employer will provide evidence that they have exhausted all avenues to try to obtain one, prior to their employment commencing. (4) A letter of eligibility to practice has been obtained from the relevant body. If a staff member has a qualification that is not on the list of recognised qualifications, the said qualification will be checked before commencement of employment

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (i) One of the staff members informed the inspectors that they were present in the service from 8am. However, the daily staff roster and staff attendance records inaccurately recorded that they had been present in the service from 9am
Provider's corrective action:
  • The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (i) The service has updated the rota for that week and completed a new table with clear staffing information. All staff have been made aware that they must sign in on arrival in the service and keep record of their location. The service’s revised rota clearly shows what area each staff is in on arrival

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for fourteen staff members. However, one of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years and was not in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. A blind cord on one of the windows in the Senior Toddler playroom was observed to be unsecured posing a potential risk to children during the inspection. It is acknowledged that a staff member immediately secured the blind cord when this was brought to their attention by the inspectors. 3. There was a metal screw found on the floor of the Senior Toddler playroom by the inspectors that posed a safety risk to children. The metal screw was immediately removed by staff when highlighted to them by the inspectors. 4. There were gaps between the impact absorbent tiles in the outdoor area that posed potential risks of tripping to children and staff. 5. A three-drawer unit in the baby room was unsecured and required securing to prevent access by the children. Infection Control: 6. The foot pedal on the nappy bin in the nappy changing area off the toddler room was broken and required replacement. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service advised in a written response that:
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been updated for the staff member in question. A quarterly staff file checklist has been created to ensure all files are checked quarterly for expiry dates of garda vetting to be completed by centre manager. 2. This was addressed on the day of inspection. Classroom checklists have been updated to include review of blind cords. 3. This was addressed on the day of inspection. Checking toys for any loose parts has been added to the a checklist to form part of the classrooms daily risk assessment routines. 4. The mats in the outdoor play area have all been pushed closer together removing any gaps. The service’s outdoor maintenance checklist has been updated to include checking that all mats are securely in place with no gaps. 5. Securing devices have been placed on each drawer. Securing devices will immediately be put on any new drawers purchased for the service. Infection Control: 6. A new foot operated bin has been purchased. The changing room risk assessment has been updated to ensure bins are in correct working order

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (a) A boundary wall at the lower end of the outdoor area to the rear of the premises was damaged with large deep cracks and posed a potential safety risk to children
Provider's corrective action:
  • The service advised in a written response that: (a) Corrective and Preventive Action Builders rebuilt the boundary wall to remove any potential safety risk. In future any play areas where staff identify a potential safety risk will be closed off from use until the risk has been addressed

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 22, 25, 28, 30.

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