Inspection of 6 November 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: 1. The bins in use for the Senior Preschool were not pedal-operated and required staff and children to lift the lid each time they used the bin; this is a cross-contamination risk. 2. The paper towels in the Senior preschool sanitary area did not support effective infection control. The paper towels were not stored in a dispenser; therefore, the repeated handling of the paper hand towels increases the risk of cross-contamination. 3. During nappy changing, inappropriate infection control practices were observed, for example; • A staff member in the Toddler Room was observed to use the same apron whilst changing different children’s nappies. The staff member left the nappy changing room with this apron on and went into the care room to collect other children for nappy changing. The staff member did not wear gloves for the three nappy changes observed. • Following nappy changing in the Toddler Room, the children’s hands were not washed, and the children were observed returning to the care room to play. • Following a nappy change observed in the Junior Preschool Room, the child did not wash their hands in the handwash basin available in the nappy changing area for the Junior Preschool children. Whilst their hands were washed, this was in the sanitary facilities that were accessed by walking through the care room. • The nappy bin used in the Toddler room was not pedal operated as per infection control requirements. 4. Ineffective infection control practices were observed in relation to mouthed toys in the Toddler Room. The inspector observed a child playing with two different toy drills and putting them in their mouth. These toys were not removed from play by the staff members. It is acknowledged that when asked, staff were knowledgeable about the need to wash toys and disinfect these toys. Safe Sleep: 5. Safe sleep practices were not always implemented in the Toddler room in line with Tusla’s safe sleep guidelines for children under 24 months. • Three children aged under 24 months were placed to sleep on a stackable bed. The stackable bed was not suitable for a child aged under 24 months, in line with Tusla’s Early Learning and Care sleep provision guidance for children under 24 months, which requires a floor bed to be fitted with a mattress of at least 6cm in thickness. • A sleep plan was not in place for three children under 24 months who were not sleeping in cots. This is at variance to the guidelines that state a child can sleep in an approved alternative to a cot provided it is agreed with parents, and a sleep plan is established and signed. 6. One of the four mattresses available in the Baby cot room did not contain the required recognised safety standard label. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: 1. Bins were replaced that afternoon, as we had some in the attic. This non-compliance was amended the very next day following the inspection. Our bins are going to be inspected monthly to make sure they are in good condition, and the lid is still lifting properly. This is added to our monthly cleaning schedule in the rooms, and if bins are broken before the month, they will be replaced. 2. We have put in the z-fold paper towels for the children to dry their hands and won't be using the blue roll for this in future. This non-compliance was amended the very next day following the inspection. These checks are also added to the cleaning schedule, and whoever is on cleaning that day is responsible for making sure the paper towel holder is stocked up. 3. We had a separate meeting with the toddler room staff regarding the nappy changing and use of aprons and gloves. Since the meeting, both registered providers have been monitoring the staff and observing them at nappy changing times, making sure aprons and gloves are being changed, and children's hands are being washed. The bin is changed in the toddler nappy area to a pedal bin. We have added an apron dispenser to our changing area, and the room leader is responsible for making sure each staff member changes their apron and gloves and that children's hands are washed before they go back into the room. Following our meeting with staff, this seems to be working effectively, and management is carrying out visits to the room at nappy changing times to make sure the staff are carrying out these procedures. A reminder poster had also been put on the wall. The water in the changing room has had thermostatic controls fixed by a plumber. 4. During the meeting, we discussed with the staff of the toddler room about the mouthed toys and being more vigilant when children put toys into their mouths. Staff in the baby and toddler rooms are reminded of mouthed toys and are making sure they are keeping an eye on toys being put into kids mouths. Each room has added a new box with a sign on it saying mouthed toys, and toys are placed into the box and washed when the staff have time to do so. Safe Sleep: 5. The new beds were ordered the next day. A parent's letter regarding the children's sleep is now in place, where we have issued it to the parents to give them the choice of where their child can sleep. We will ensure we are up to date with all sleep policies regarding safe sleep for children. We will have monthly reviews with our toddler room staff regarding children transitioning from cots to beds. Stackable beds are no longer used in the Toddler room for children aged under 2 years. Our beds for under 2’s will have a mattress of a thickness of between 6 and 15 cms and meet EU safety standards. We are going to add our sleep plan to our registration forms for all children under 2 years old. These forms will be reviewed with parents every few months in case there are any changes to their child's sleep routine. A copy of our sleep plan will be added to our parents' handbook and also to our policy book. 6. The mattress was replaced straight away as we had spare ones in the attic. Mattresses will be checked daily before use by the room leader and staff within the room. We have placed a daily check for the mattresses on the wall, and this must be ticked off each day before use. Management will also inspect beds monthly to make sure they are safe to be used
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (2) (a) (b) The first aid materials available throughout the service did not contain sufficient amounts required for the number of children in attendance. Between the two first aid cupboards, there was a box of plasters and a range of bandages available. Safety pins were available in the office. The inspectors were advised that the first aid bag had been taken on the outing the day before the inspection and had not yet been taken back into the service. A similar non-compliance was identified at the last inspection 17/02/2022, where insufficient materials were available, and the registered provider's response of “The first aid box is fully stocked” is deemed to be insufficient in ensuring this non-compliance did not re-occur
Provider's corrective action:
- The first aid box was restocked the day after inspection. A list was drawn up to do a monthly stock check
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) The mechanical ventilation in the Toddler nappy area did not seem to be working which was confirmed by a staff member. The inspector noted a malodour in the nappy changing area on the initial walk around of the service and during the inspection whilst in the Toddler Room. (d) • A pane of glass on the external side of the window pane in the Senior Preschool sanitary area was cracked. The area located outside the window is used for children, parents and staff entering and exiting the Senior preschool room. This poses a risk of injury to a child. It is acknowledged that the registered provider outlined that the landlord was aware that this required replacement. • The toilet roll holders in the toilets in the Senior Preschool room's sanitary area were rusted and required replacement
Provider's corrective action:
- Arranged with contractor for works over Christmas to mend the mechanical ventilation. The landlord was contacted to fix the pane of glass. The toilet roll holders were ordered the next day and arrived the following Monday. Do premises check more often
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 26, 28.