(b) The date on which the child first attended the service was not detailed on six of the child records. (g) One of the records did not include the name and telephone number of the child’s registered medical practitioner. (h) Information regarding the child’s immunisation status was unavailable on 5 of the 10 records reviewed. This was also found at the previous inspection on 17 June 2025. (i) Written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency, was not provided on two of the child records. Non-compliance in relation to part (i) was also noted at the previous inspection
Provider's corrective action:
(b) The written reply stated that the children’s records have been updated. Going forward, start dates will be completed on the child's first day. (g) All children’s records have been updated with name and phone number of their medical practitioner. (h) The forms have been updated with the immunisation status. (i) Parents have been asked to complete the relevant parental consent on the form. As a preventive measure, it will be ensured that registration forms are fully completed, before a child commences at the service
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection control: The following observed practices increased the risk of cross infection: 1. After using one of the toilets in the upstairs sanitary facility, one of the children did not wash their hands and was not reminded to do so by an adult. 2. The staff in the Creche room did not conduct regular handwashing of their hands between each nappy change. This was at variance to the infection control policy, which stated that staff and children’s hands would be washed after each nappy change. Administration of medication: 3. The expiry date had passed on two of the medications that were held in respect of two of the children. This posed a risk that expired medication, which may be unsafe to use, could be administered to a child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection control: 1. The written reply outlined that staff have been reminded to ensure that children wash their hands after using the toilet. As a preventive measure, a staff member will oversee children going to the toilet and will remind children to wash their hands. 2. Staff have been reminded to remove their gloves and to wash their hands after each nappy change, in accordance with the nappy changing policy. Staff have read and understand the nappy changing policy. Administration of medication: 3. All expiry dates on medications have been checked and are in date. Staff will check expiry dates regularly and will dispose of any expired medication
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 20, 25.
Immediate action notice. During the onsite inspection on 17 June 2025, an Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the registered provider in relation to the non-compliance identified under Regulation 25. A response to the IAN was subsequently received on 18 June 2025. The assurances outlined in said response were accepted in mitigating the safety risk to the children at the service.
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(h) Information regarding the child’s immunisation status was unavailable on 6 of the 12 records reviewed. (i) Written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency, was not provided on 2 of the 12 child records sampled
Provider's corrective action:
(h)& (i) The written response stated that the registration forms have been updated, and immunisation details have been received from parents
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) From a sample of 10 administration of medication records that were reviewed, it was noted that 5 digital records did not include the name of the staff member who administered the medication, as required. The name of a witness to the administration of medication was also omitted on six records. This posed a risk that medication may be incorrectly administered to a child. Non-compliance in relation to the absence of witness signatures on administration of medication records, was also found at the previous inspection on 3 April 2024. The CAPA response at the time stated that the administration of medication records were updated to include the details of the staff member who witnesses the administration of medication. However, the recording of this information remained an issue
Provider's corrective action:
The name of the staff member and the name of a witness to the administration of medicine are now being included on the digital application
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. The water temperatures at 3 of the children’s wash hand basins exceeded 430C, which posed a risk of scalding. In the sanitary facility adjoining Montessori 3, temperature readings of 49.80C and 49.70C were recorded. In the adjacent staff sanitary facility, which also included a nappy changing facility, the water temperature at the children’s wash hand basin was recorded at 49.20C. Infection control: 2. It was acknowledged that in Montessori 2, many of the children’s perishable snacks had been refrigerated before the mid-morning meal break. However, some of the perishables foods, such as yogurts and ham and cheese sandwiches, had not been refrigerated, which increased the risk of food spoilage. Children were observed to retrieve these snacks from their bags, which were stored in the care room. During discussion, one of the staff members stated that these children had arrived late to the service, on the day of the inspection. 3. Suitable waste disposal bins were unavailable in the following areas, which increased the risk of cross infection: • In the sanitary facility adjoining Montessori 3, it was noted that the lid of the bin was stored on the floor. When the inspector brought this to the attention of a staff member, the lid was reattached. However, the pedal on the bin was broken. • A lidded, foot pedal operated bin was unavailable in the children’s sanitary facility on the ground floor of the main building. An unlidded waste bin was in use. Safe sleep: 4. In the Creche room, sampled sleep logs from the day of the inspection indicated that checks of sleeping children were not consistently conducted at 10-minute intervals, as required for safe sleep practice. For example, the records in respect of 1 child indicated an interval of 22 minutes in between being physically monitored and a 21 minute interval was noted in relation to another child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. The written response stated that a plumbing company visited the service and rectified the water temperature. Infection control: 2. Food will be removed from the children’s bags and stored in the fridge. 3. The bins have been replaced with pedal bins. Safe sleep: 4. A staff meeting was held to inform staff of the importance of recording sleep checks
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) An adult with current First Aid Responder (FAR) training was not consistently available to the children, during the service’s operational hours. Only one of the adults who worked at the setting held current FAR certification. Review of the staff roster and discussion with the registered provider, demonstrated that this adult was not available to the children, at all times. It was also confirmed that none of the other staff members held up to date paediatric first aid training. This posed a safety risk to children, should first aid be required. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 17 June 2025, in response to this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
Three members of staff have since completed a FAR course and five members of staff have completed a paediatric first aid course. In future, first aid courses will be completed before they are due to expire
Two written and suitably validated references were unavailable in respect of one adult. Records of validation were not on file for nine references in respect of five adults. One of the references was not accepted, as the capacity in which the referee was providing said reference was unclear following review of both the reference and the reference validation. (d) The police vetting in place for one of the adults had not been translated into English by a reputable source of translation, as required. It was not possible to determine the requirement or otherwise for police vetting in respect of one of the adults, as the adult’s curriculum vitae was incomplete
Evidence was unavailable to demonstrate that the award attained by one of the adults met the minimum requirement of a level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education, as listed on the National Framework of Qualifications. The documentation presented in relation to a second adult’s qualification could not be assessed, as a translation into English was required and the inspector was advised that a final certificate in relation to said qualification was unavailable
Provider's corrective action:
The response received from the person in charge stated that the references have been validated and are up to date. In addition, a new reference has been provided by the employee whose reference was not accepted and it has been validated. As a preventive measure, it will be ensured that references are fully validated prior to an employee or student commencing work or work placement at the service. (d) Police vetting has been translated into English by a reputable source. It will be ensured that police vetting is translated into English for future employees. The other adult has updated their CV
Confirmation from the DCEDIY in relation to the staff member’s qualification, is awaited. The second staff member has obtained a letter from the relevant college confirming completion of the course and this letter has been translated into English by a reputable source. The course is listed on the DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications. Going forward, it will be ensured that the qualifications completed by staff are recognised by the DCEDIY
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(a) Photo identification was unavailable for two of the adults who worked at the service. (j) The five sampled administration records did not include confirmation that a second adult had witnessed the medication administered to the children, as required
Provider's corrective action:
(a) The response submitted by the person in charge stated that photo identification is now on file for both adults. It will be ensured that photo ID is on file for all staff members going forward. (j) Administration of medicine records now include details of the staff member who witnesses the administration of medication
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The risk of unauthorised persons accessing the service was not appropriately managed. When the inspector arrived at the premises, the main entrance door and the second inner door were both unsecured. As a result, the inspector was able to gain immediate access to the Creche room, which was adjacent to the entrance area. This issue was also found at the two previous inspections. In the CAPA response that followed the most recent inspection, it was stated that the lock on the main door had been replaced and that the door subsequently closed automatically. However, the risk of unauthorised access remained an issue. 2. The Garda vetting disclosures available for two of the adults were not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. Safe storage of medication was not ensured, which increased the risk of a child accidently ingesting said medication. Two of the children had been prescribed inhalers and both inhalers were maintained in the children’s bags. It was noted that one of the bags was accessible in Montessori 1, during snack time and the second was accessible in the porch, which the children passed through, on the way to the outdoor play area and during arrival and collection times. Infection Control: The following observed practices increased the risk of cross infection: 4. It was noted that neither the adult nor the child washed their hands following a nappy changing procedure. 5. Warm running water was unavailable at the wash hand basin in the children’s sanitary facility, on the ground floor of the main building. A temperature of 11.50C was recorded. Cold water temperatures may impede effective handwashing. Staff subsequently advised that the warm water tap had been turned off, due to high water pressure. 6. In Montessori 1, the children were observed to eat their afternoon snack directly from the table, as crockery was not provided. 7. One of the cot mattresses in the sleep room was not waterproof, or was not fitted with a waterproof mattress protector, as required to reduce the risk of cross infection. 8. In Montessori 1, the children’s perishables were not refrigerated prior to the mid-morning snack. This increased the risk of food spoilage. 9. In the adjacent building, the staff sanitary facility and nappy changing unit within said facility, were used to store a number of items, which included a tent, a mop bucket, three mops, two delivery parcels and a reusable water bottle. Safe Sleep: 10. One of the children was observed drinking milk from a bottle, while lying down in a cot, preparing for sleep. This posed as a choking hazard and may also increase the risk of dental caries. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In the written response, the person in charge stated that all staff and parents have been directed to ensure that the door is closed securely, as unauthorised access poses a risk to children. Notices have also been placed on the door, as a reminder to parents to ensure that the door is closed securely. 2. Garda vetting for the two staff members have been forwarded. The staff are currently on leave and vetting was due to be obtained before their return to work. 3. Inhalers are now stored in a secure cupboard that is inaccessible to children. Going forward, it will be ensured that all inhalers are stored in a secure cupboard. Infection Control: 4. Staff have been spoken to in relation to correct hygiene procedures, which must be adhered to and will be closely monitored, to ensure high standards. 5. The warm water tap has been repaired. 6. The response received stated that children are now provided with crockery for their snack. 7. A waterproof mattress protector has been placed on the cot mattress. 8. The written reply stated that a refrigerator is available in Montessori 1 and that staff have been reminded to ensure that food is refrigerated, once children arrive at the service. 9. The staff toilet facility has since been cleared and is now free from clutter. Safe Sleep: 10. Staff have been spoken to in relation to safe sleep policies and were advised that children should not be placed in cots with milk bottles