# Ballinteer Montessori School, Dublin 16 — inspection reports and findings > Ballinteer Montessori School (Dublin 16, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Ballinteer Montessori School Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Dublin 16, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2015DR035** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 31 March 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** registered provider must demonstrate how they have rectified the non-compliance and will prevent any non - compliance from re occurring. 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. **Immediate action notice.** Acknowledgments The inspectors wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the registered provider, person in charge, staff and children who were present on the day of the inspection. Statutory Notices Notice Date Served Detail Immediate Action Notice IAN0101 30/03/2026 Police vetting was not available for one adult who was working with the children on the day of inspection. Status The registered provider took immediate corrective action which addressed the risk identified. Preventative actions were submitted by the registered provider which were accepted and addressed the statutory notice. Improvement Notice IN0121 30/03/2026 Translated police vetting was not available for three adults who were working in the service. Status The registered provider took immediate corrective action which addressed the risk identified. Preventative actions were submitted by the registered provider which were accepted and addressed the statutory notice. Improvement Notice IN0122 30/03/2026 Two children were observed playing in the playhouse in the outdoor area. The wooden frame and ladder were ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (9) (2) (a) & (b) One adult did not have validated references from either a past employer or from a source other than a past employer. (d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IAN0101 and Improvement Notice IN0121 served. (3) Documentation reviewed evidenced that the procedures specified above under 9(2) had not been carried out prior to one staff member commencing employment in the service. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to show that one staff member employed to work directly with children attending the service held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications, or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Department of Children - (2) The registered provider will only accept translated references before adults begin working in the service. (3) The registered provider will also look for the most recent references from future employees. (4) Going forward the registered provider will only accept a certificate/diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications, or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Department of Children ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - (1) The minimum ratio of adults to children was not adhered to in Montessori 2, on 30 March 2026. One adult was working directly with ten children aged 3-5 years, from 9.50am -1.30pm. The service was operating a camp on the day of inspection which only provided full day and part time care to children. This care requires an adult child ratio of 1 adult to every 8 children. This was only rectified when it was brought to the attention of the registered provider at 1.30pm - The service forgot that sessional care does not apply outside of term time and thought we were in ratio 1:10. An additional teacher went into Montessori 2 at 1.30pm when this was brought to our attention by the inspector. The registered provider will ensure that all staff are aware of the ratio’s outside of term time and management guarantee that this error will not occur in the future ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (1) (i) On both days of inspection, the staff roster did not accurately reflect who was present on the day. This did not include all staff who were present and working in service and staff who were on rostered annual leave and sick leave. This was non-compliant on the last two inspections dated 29 May 2025 and 18 April 2024, despite assurances from the registered provider during the corrective action and preventative action process - Management will ensure staff rosters are completed in line with the regulations and include all staff members, the chef and students are included going forward. The service will ensure this applies all year ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN0122 served. 2. One child was prescribed an auto injector medication in the event of a severe allergic reaction. Only one dosage of this medication was available on the first day of the inspection. A second dosage of this medication is required in the event the auto injector malfunctions. A second dose was made available on the second day of inspection after it was brought to the attention of the registered provider. 3. A care plan was available in the service for a child who required emergency medication, but it was generic and not tailored to meet the child’s specific medical needs. A tailored care plan is required to meet a child’s medical needs when they require specific medication. Infection Control: 4. Staff were observed to wear the same gloves throughout the nappy changing procedure. This included reapplying a clean nappy and redressing the children. Both the staff and the children then left the nappy changing area and the care room to wash their hands despite a sink being present in the nappy changing area. These actions increase the risk of the spread of infection. This is contrary to the service’s nappy changing policy. The nappy changing procedure was found to be a non-compliance on the last inspection dated 29 May 2025, despite assurances from the registered provider during the corrective action and preventative action process. 5. Open top bins were observed in the care rooms and in the children’s sanitary area. This increases the risk of the spread of infection - Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 2. Staff have been made aware of the necessity to always keep auto injector medication in class and ensure expiry dates are checked and contact parents for new medication before the expiry date. 3. The registered provider contacted the parent and received the relevant information to meet the child’s specific care need. The service updated their emergency medication care plan tailored to meet the child’s specific care needs. Infection Control: 4. The service updated their nappy and toileting policy and clarified in detail the procedures for nappy changing. The service has posted a step by step guide for staff in the nappy changing area. The service did a training day with staff following the step by step guide to nappy changing. The registered provider will ensure all policies and procedures are understood and implemented by staff. 5. The service will only use pedal bins going forward Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25, 26. #### Inspection of 29 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 29 May 2025 during the inspection in respect of Regulation 23, general safety. A response was received from the service on the 30 May 2025 which sufficiently mitigated the risk identified. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - A second reference was not available for a one adult. d) Police vetting was not available for one adult who had lived outside the State for a period exceeding 6 months as an adult - The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out in prior to one adult commencing placement in the service as follows: One references for one adult had not been sought or verified prior to them commencing placement in the service - The registered provider did not demonstrate that they had taken all reasonable measures to ensure that all employees were appropriately supervised and provided with appropriate information, training and policies to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of children attending the service and to comply with the regulations as follows: The registered provider was unable to provide completed training and induction records for two staff members who had recently commenced employment in the service. Staff stated during discussions with inspectors that they had not received appropriate training as set out in the policies and procedures of the service prior to commencement of employment. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider following the last inspection of the service on 18 April 24 did not prevent the re-occurrence of the non-compliance under Regulation 9(7)(a) - (2) (a) (b) A second written and verified reference has been provided for one staff member, the registered provider stated that a checklist has been developed to ensure documents are not missed in the future. (d) International Police vetting has been provided for one staff member; the registered provider stated that a checklist has been developed to ensure documents are not missed in the future. (3) The registered provider has stated that the deputy person in charge will be also take responsibility for completing administration work and ensuring files are up to date, an additional staff member will be appointed to support the registered provider and deputy person in charge. Additional administration training will be given to deputy person in charge during the quieter summer months. (7) The register ed provider has stated that the induction files were stored in a separate office on the day of inspection, they also stated that staff members complete induction training and the registered provider works in the room with the staff member to support induction training. A new staff induction and training folder is now available and will be kept up to date to by the register provider and the deputy person in charge. They have also stated that staff meetings and one to one meetings will help identify training needs ##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service - An assessment of the following policies and procedures was included as part of this inspection: • Policy on administration of medication • policy on infection control • Policy on safe sleep The following non-compliances were identified: 1.The policy on administration of medication in place did not include information on the procedures for administration of medication to a child. 2.The policy on infection control was not adequate; it did not include information on hand hygiene or nappy changing. 3.The service did not have a site-specific policy on safe sleep; a template was available however the information was not specific for the service. The registered provider stated during discussions with the inspectors that the amendment of templates of updated policies and procedures had commenced in the service. However, these templates had not yet been amended in line with the service’s individual practices and had not yet been provided to staff members. This presents a significant risk as it limits a staff members ability to respond appropriately to routine and unexpected situations. It also compromises the safeguarding of children and increases the risk of inconsistent practice and overall governance of the service - The registered provider has stated: 1. The administration of medication policy has been updated to include all necessary information. Administration of medication has been discussed with all staff and additional training will be provided during the summer when the service is quieter. 2. The nappy changing policy has been updated to include all necessary information. Administration of medication has been discussed with all staff and additional training will be provided during the summer when the service is quieter. 3. A policy on safe sleep has been developed and shared with all staff and additional training will be provided during the summer when the service is quieter ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - (1) An adequate number of adults were not working directly with the preschool children at all times in the Montessori 2 room on the day of inspection as detailed below in point (2). (2) In the Montessori 2 room from 13:34pm to 12:54pm one adult was observed caring for 12 children aged 3-5 years. The minimum adult to child ratio for 3-5 years is 1 adult to 8 children - (1) (2) The registered provider stated that on the day of inspection 3 staff members were absent; this was not a planned absence therefore the service was short staffed. The registered provider added that the service always prioritises children’s care and, on the day of inspection, the registered provider and deputy person in charge helped to cover rooms to attempt to stay in ratio, they will continue to cover staff absences as necessary. The registered provider is in the process of recruiting additional staff to meet the needs of the service especially at break times or unexpected absences ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - • (i) There was no staff roster available to demonstrate the adult: child ratio on a daily basis and to demonstrate there was sufficient cover for breaks, holidays and sick leave. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 18 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. • (k) A sample of 12 accident and incident forms were reviewed from the Montessori and the Montessori 2 rooms. 8 forms did not have a parent’s signature, and 6 forms did not have a manager’s signature. It is important that parents/guardians are informed of any accident/incident relating to their child so they can monitor their child appropriately. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 18 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance - The registered provider has stated: • (i)The rosters are now available on the app used by the service, each room also has a separate roster to show part time and full-time care. The deputy person in charge will take responsibility for updating the roster as necessary. • (k)The registered provider has contacted parents for signatures and all reports are now signed by parents and staff members. The registered provider has appointed Team Leaders in each care room to take responsibility for ensuring all accident incidents are signed by parents and staff. Staff have been notified that they must contact parents for signatures, and report to management if they cannot get signatures ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Administration of Medication: 1. Procedures to safeguard children when administering medicine were not available for review. This included getting written consent from parents or guardians to administer emergency medications such as Auto adrenaline injector or asthma inhaler. Care plans were not available for children who required regular or emergency medication. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 29 May 2025 during the inspection in respect of Regulation 23. A response was received from the service on the 30 May 2025 which mitigated the risk identified. General Safety: 2. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for two staff members working in the service. Infection Control: 3. Appropriate infection control measures were not taken during nappy changing. A staff member was observed to use the same gloves and apron for 3 nappy changes. The changing mat was not cleaned after each use and the staff member or the child did not wash their hands. This poses a significant risk of cross contamination to children. 4. The bins in use for disposal of waste in the outdoor play area, including soiled nasal tissues, had a swing lid and was overflowing with used nasal tissues. This was accessible to the children in garden posing a risk of cross contamination. 5. Children’s beds which were dressed with bed linen and used on the day of inspection were stored in the staff bathroom up against the wall beside the toilet. This poses a potential risk of cross contamination. 6. In the upstairs children’s sanitary area, the sink pedestal and the sink surround were water damaged, and the laminate surface above and below the sink had broken away in places exposing an unfinished, porus wooden surface. This could not be cleaned effectively posing a potential risk of infection to children. 7. The lacquered MDF edging on the partitioning wall between the 2 children’s toilets on the 1st floor was missing and worn which could not be cleaned effectively. A sticky residue was also visible on the front of the partition. This poses a potential risk of infection to children. Safe Sleep: 8. It is acknowledged that staff were familiar with safe sleep guidance however through discussion with the inspector staff stated that they were not shown a safe sleep policy and were unaware of one in place in the service. Staff stated that children were checked every 10 minutes and watched on a camera system from an adjacent room. However, children were left unattended on floor beds which poses a potential risk if they got up from bed without adult supervision. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Administration of Medication: The registered provider has stated: 1. Procedures for administering medicine are now available. This includes getting written consent from parents or guardians to administer emergency medications such as Auto adrenaline injector or asthma inhalers. Care plans are now available on the walls of the care rooms for children who require them. Care plans will be used for any new children. General Safety: 2. Garda vetting is now in place for two staff members. The registered provider hopes to employ additional administration staff to ensure all documentation is kept up to date. Infection Control: 3. The nappy changing policy has been updated and staff have been reminded of the importance of following the policy. Additional training will be provided during the summer closure to ensure all staff are familiar with all policies. 4. A new bin has been purchased to replace the broken bin. 5. Children’s beds will now be stored in the sensory room. 6. The sink pedestal and sink surround in the upstairs sanitary area have been repaired and repainted. 7. The lacquered MDF edging on the partitioning wall between the 2 children’s toilets on the 1st floor has been cleaned and painted. Safe Sleep: 8. A safe sleep policy has been developed and shared with staff; one member of staff has been appointed to remain in the sleep room at all times when children are sleeping. The registered provider held a meeting with all staff to discuss safe sleep practices Found compliant: Regulation 19. #### Inspection of 3 July 2024 — Change in Circumstance Full report (PDF, Tusla) No non-compliance recorded in this report. ### Earlier inspections - 18 April 2024 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Dublin - [Ballyboden Children's Centre](/creche/ballyboden-children-s-centre-dublin-16.md) Dublin 16 - [Ballybodens Children Centre](/creche/ballybodens-children-centre-dublin-16.md) Dublin 16 - [Ballygall Community Playgroup](/creche/ballygall-community-playgroup-dublin-11.md) Dublin 11 - [Barnardos Child & Family Service Millbrook](/creche/barnardos-child-family-service-millbrook-dublin-24.md) Dublin 24 - [Belgrave Montessori School](/creche/belgrave-montessori-school-dublin-6-2.md) Dublin 6 - [Bracken Hill Nursery School](/creche/bracken-hill-nursery-school-howth.md) Howth - [Charlie's Childcare Rush](/creche/charlie-s-childcare-rush-rush.md) Rush - [Discovery Montessori School](/creche/discovery-montessori-school-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Karaville Childcare](/creche/karaville-childcare-dublin-5.md) Dublin 5 - [Rathdown Pre-School Service](/creche/rathdown-pre-school-service-glenageary.md) Glenageary [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/ballinteer-montessori-school-dublin-16/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11