Immediate action notice. At the opening meeting the inspectors were informed, by the registered provider, that a new care room, known as Baby 1, located in a portacabin at the rear of the property had been in operation since January 2026. Currently 4 children are attending, aged 0 to 1 years with the intention of accommodating a maximum of 6 children. The care room was found to be in use at the time of inspection. The proposed Change in Circumstance process had not been initiated therefore authorisation to operate the care room had not been approved by the National Registration Office. 25/02/2026 An Immediate Action Notice was issued under Regulation 23- Safety The inspectors observed that there were no smoke detection system and no firefighting equipment available in the unregistered sixth care room located in the portacabin at the rear of the service. This posed an immediate safety risk to the 4 children, under 12 months of age, on site at the time of inspection. It was acknowledged that when informed the registered provider moved the children into the main building. 26/02/26 An adequate response was received from the registered provider which included moving the children on the day of inspection from the portacabin into the main building which had a smoke detection system and firefighting equipment, where they will remain until the issue is resolved. An engineer was engaged and evidence was provided of a pre-arranged appointment organised for 27 February 2026 to fit the fire detection system and the firefighting equipment. 26/02/26 A referral was made to Galway County Council Fire Department based on the immediate action notice issued on the 25/02/26.
Immediate action notice. Non-Compliance Information At the opening meeting the inspectors were informed by the registered provider that a new care room, known as Baby 1, located in a portacabin at the rear of the property had been in operation since January 2026. Four children were attending, aged 0 to 1 years with the intention of accommodating a maximum of six children. The Baby 1 care room was found to be in use at the time of inspection. The proposed Change in Circumstance process had not been initiated therefore authorisation to operate the care room had not been approved by the National Registration Office. Corrective & Preventive Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective and Preventive Action The following statement was received from the registered provider; A submission has been made to the National Registration Office for the changes in circumstances of the service. Supporting documentation submitted A copy of an email from the National Registration Office was received in the office of the inspectorate confirming a submission by the registered provider. The service is now aware of the timescale of the Change in Circumstances process. Therefore, in the cases of any further change in circumstances applications, the service will not commence any further changes in circumstances until the process has been completed. Summary Comment The submissions from the service regarding the changes in circumstances are currently being reviewed by the National Registration Office and the non-compliance remains outstanding.
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Fire Safety: 1. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 25 February 2026 in respect of no smoke detection system and no firefighting equipment present in the unregistered sixth care room located in the portacabin at the rear of the service. This posed an immediate safety risk to the 4 children under 12 months of age in situ at the time of inspection. 2. The two doors identified as fire exits in the unregistered portacabin were operated with key locks posing a safety risk should the keys not be available to unlock the door to facilitate the safe evacuation of children and adults in the event of an emergency. General Safety: 3. The floor covering in the two pre-school care rooms was damaged posing as a potential tripping hazard for a preschool child. It was acknowledged that remedial work was carried out on the day to reduce the risk. 4. Both the Senior and Junior care rooms children had access to cleaning detergents which presented as a risk to a preschool child. When the inspectors pointed this risk out to the registered provider they were removed and put out of reach of children. 5. Two exposed screws were located at the entrance to the Baby care room play area where the gate was missing posing a safety risk to children. It was acknowledged that when the inspectors informed the registered provider this was rectified. 6. A panel in the rear play area was missing and three rusty nails were exposed and may present as a safety risk to children. 7. Two electrical flexes in the Baby 2 care room were not secured which may pose a risk to a child. 8. An internal floor mat located at the exit door from the main building to the Baby 1 care room had curled up corners that may pose as a tripping hazard. The following non compliances may pose as a risk of cross infection to a pre-school child: Infection Control 9. The nappy changing bin in use in the Baby care room 2 sanitary area was not pedal operated. 10. Mops/buckets and brushes were accessible to children in the Pre-school care rooms upstairs. 11. A broken bin was observed in the upstairs children’s sanitary area. It is acknowledged that this was replaced during the inspection. Safe Sleep: 12. Ten-minute physical sleep checks were not recorded in line with the service policy in the Baby 2 care room. There were two children asleep in the designated sleep room at 14:10 when the inspectors reviewed the sleep checks. The first child sleep record indicated that the last physical sleep check had been carried out at 13:40 and the second child’s record indicated that they were last checked at 13:45. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
The following statements were received from the registered provider: Fire Safety: 1. The children were moved on the day of inspection from the portacabin into the main building which had a hard-wired smoke detection system and firefighting equipment, where they will remain until the issue is resolved. An engineer was engaged and work was completed on the 3 March 2026 to install the fire detection system and the firefighting equipment. 2. The two doors identified as fire exits, in the portacabin, have been fitted with thumb twist cylinders to facilitate the safe evacuation of children and adults in the event of an emergency. General Safety: 3. The damaged floor coverings in the two pre-school care rooms have been replaced. 4. The cleaning materials in the Senior and Junior care rooms have been placed out of reach of children. 5. The two exposed screws at the entrance to the Baby care room play area were removed by the registered provider when informed on the day of inspection. 6. The panel in the rear play area has been replaced. A daily risk assessment of the outdoor play area will be carried out to ensure the area it is safe prior to the children being allowed access to the outdoor areas. 7. The two accessible electrical flexes in the Baby 2 care room have been secured. 8. The internal floor mat, located at the exit door from the main building to the Baby 1 care room, has been removed. Infection Control: 9. The nappy changing bin in use in the Baby care room 2 sanitary area has been replaced. 10. Mops/buckets and brushes are now stored in a designated area inaccessible by the children. 11. The broken bin in the upstairs children’s sanitary area was replaced during the inspection. Safe Sleep 12. Staff have been reminded of the requirement to ensure that physical sleep checks are carried out every 10 minutes in line with the service policy and have been retrained on same
Regulation not named in the report text
At the opening meeting the inspectors were informed by the registered provider that a new care room, known as Baby 1, located in a portacabin at the rear of the property had been in operation since January 2026. Four children were attending, aged 0 to 1 years with the intention of accommodating a maximum of six children. The Baby 1 care room was found to be in use at the time of inspection. The proposed Change in Circumstance process had not been initiated therefore authorisation to operate the care room had not been approved by the National Registration Office
Provider's corrective action:
The following statement was received from the registered provider; A submission has been made to the National Registration Office for the changes in circumstances of the service
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28.
(2)(a) There was only one written and appropriately validated reference available from their most recent employer for one adult working in the service when two were required. (4) The registered provider did not provide evidence that one adult had acquired an award in Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) at a Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Early Childhood Care and Education or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
(a) The missing reference and validation are now on file for the adult for whom they were required. In future all documentation required under paragraph (2) will be in place prior to any adult having contact with the children. (4) A childcare qualification is now on file for the adult who was missing the qualification. In future all vetting will be in place prior to any adult having contact with the children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all four new staff members. However, one vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. Electrical flexes, from the light projector and a music speaker which were plugged into the wall in the Baby sleep room, were accessible through the bars at the end of a cot as they were positioned at the same height as the mattress, posing a safety risk to a sleeping child. Infection Control: 3. Of the seven highchairs available in the Baby care room three were found to have food residue on the frame and seats, posing a potential health risk to the children. Staff stated that the highchairs are cleaned daily, however they were not found to be clean on inspection. 4. While a cleaning record was visible in the Baby care room there were no signatures visible to evidence which staff member had carried out the cleaning on any given day. Not ensuring daily cleaning increases the risk of infection and cross contamination. 5. Bins in three care rooms were either not suitable or broken; the pedal on the bin in the Baby care room was broken, while the bins in the Wobbler and Senior care rooms were not pedal operated posing a general risk of cross contamination from the number of adults and children opening and closing the lids with their hands. In addition, the lid on the bin in the Senior Pre-school room had a lid missing. 6. The mattresses in the Baby and Toddler sleep room cots were fitted with waterproof mattress protectors. These cots were shared and there was no evidence available that the protective covers were changed between use which may pose a risk of cross infection. 7. The mechanical air vent in the Toddler nappy changing area was not operational on the day of inspection, the switch on the wall outside the area did not switch on the mechanical fan. A staff member was observed trying to switch it on. This may pose a risk of cross infection. Safe Sleep: 8. In the baby sleep room, three of the four mattresses were not suitable as they were only 4.5cm in depth. They were not in good condition or firm and showed evidence of wear and tear and may pose a risk to the babies and children using them. In the 2nd sleep room, one mattress needed replacement as it was very worn and was not in good condition. Fire Safety: 9. The fire alarm system was not maintained in line with requirements set out in Fire safety in Pre-schools 1999. There was no evidence available to state that the fire alarms were checked every year by a competent person with appropriate training. This may pose a safety risk in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: (1) A Garda vetting application has been submitted, and we are awaiting the disclosure. Garda vetting will be checked to ensure that it remains in date going forward. (2) The electrical flexes, from the light projector and a music speaker which were plugged into the wall in the Baby sleep room have been covered by the electrician to ensure the safety of the children. Infection Control: (3) Staff have been reminded that all highchairs are cleaned after use in the Baby care room. Management will check regularly to ensure that this is being carried out. (4) Staff have been reminded to sign and date the cleaning records to evidence when the cleaning was carried out and by whom. (5) New pedal operated bins are now available in each care room. Staff will report any broken bins to management in order to reduce the risk of cross contamination. (6) New water proof mattress protectors are available for each child. Staff will ensure that cots are sanitised after each use and each child’s bedding will be placed in an individual box. (7) An electrician has been contacted to repair the electrical vent. Safe Sleep: (8) New mattresses of the correct depth have been purchased, and these will be checked regularly and replaced if required. Fire Safety: (9) The registered provider will ensure that the fire alarm and fire extinguishers will be serviced on a yearly basis and the certificates will be displayed in the hallway
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(b) The registered provider could not provide a record of when the smoke alarms had last been serviced. (2) (a, b, c) The records were not made readily available in the service to the inspectors by the registered provider on request
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (b) The smoke alarm has been serviced. This will be carried out yearly in future. (2) (a, b and c) Fire drills are now available in each care room and the smoke alarm and fire extinguisher certificates are displayed in the hallway of the service
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 28.
Inspection of 20 November 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. This inspection was triggered by information received by the Early Years Inspectorate. The Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) will be used to inform decisions about compliance with regulatory requirements. Where the registered provider fails to meet the statutory requirements an escalation process may be commenced.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) (d )Police Vetting disclosure was not available for the 1 adult working in the service that had lived outside the jurisdiction for a period of over 6 months. This was highlighted in the previous report dated the 27/04/2023. (4) There was 1 adult supervising the children on the day of the inspection that could not provide evidence that they had obtained an award in Early Childhood Care and Education at least a level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(d)The application process for the outstanding Police vetting has commenced. All staff will have required vetting prior to starting employment in the service. (4) The adult in question is contacting childcare course provider in relation to enrolling in an Early Childhood Care and Education level 5 childcare course
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
The service had a roster in place, but this roster did not accurately record the break times for each person in attendance and if there was sufficient cover to cover all staff breaks and schools runs
Provider's corrective action:
Details of the staff rosters are now included in the children’s attendance book and a weekly roster is in place. Summary Comment The actions taken by the registered provider has address the non-compliances as outlined in Regulation 16(1)(I)
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 5 named staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’ Infection Control: The following points may pose a risk of cross infection: 2. The 14 mattresses used in the service in the 3 separate sleep rooms were not easily cleaned between uses or were not covered in a waterproof covering. 1 of these Mattresses in the Wobbler room had exposed foam and could not be cleaned or disinfected. 3. There was a ripped nappy changing mat in one of the nappy changing areas, but this was replaced on the day of inspection when it was brought to the attention of the registered provider. 4. The soft seating in the upstairs playroom was ripped and had exposed foam, which makes it difficult to clean. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The 5 outstanding Garda vetting disclosures are now dated within the last 3 years and available for inspection on the premises. Infection Control: 2. Waterproof mattress protectors are available for all the cot mattress in the sleep rooms and will be regularly checked to ensure they are suitable. 3. The nappy changing mats will be checked regularly to ensure they are free from all rips and tears. 4. The child sized sofas were replaced in the playrooms and will be checked regularly by staff member to ensure they are suitable
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) On the day of inspection there were 29 children attending the service that required nappy changing. There were only 2 nappy changing stations available when 3 nappy changing stations were required
Provider's corrective action:
A new nappy changing station was located in the children’s sanitary area on the ground floor and will ensure they will an adequate number of nappy changing stations available to the children at all times