Inspection of 29 July 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a) (b) Three adults had no validated references on file on the day of inspection. (2) (c) An immediate action notice was issued on the day of inspection as one adult present had no garda vetting and was working directly with the preschool children. A response submitted by the person in charge acting on behalf of the registered provider gave assurances that the person without garda vetting will not be working directly with children until garda vetting is secured. (9) (3) The procedures had not been completed prior to an adult having access to a preschool child in relation to four adults employed in the service. (d) International police vetting was not available for one adult who had lived outside the state for a period of longer than six consecutive months. It could not be determined if international police vetting was required for two adults due to the absence of an employment record
- There was no qualification on file for one adult who worked directly with preschool children
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: (9) (2) (a) (b) All staff now have validated references on file. New staff will be unable to start until they have two written references sent over and validated by the manager. (2) (c) Management had told member of staff that day to leave the workplace and will not be able to attend back until Garda Vetting has since come through and that adult is back at work. We will ensure that no new staff members start in the service until garda vetting is received. (9) (3) All references have been received and validated. This will be completed prior to employment. (d) Management has looked into finding the correct Police vetting for registered provider. Registered provider has recently submitted application for international police vetting via post. We will take careful consideration to thoroughly read through CV’s before employment starts to ensure that there are no gaps and to look to see if they have travelled or worked internationally
- The qualification is currently on file now for the adult. Management will ensure certification will be on file going forward
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- A nappy changing area for the toddler room was located in the junior preschool bathroom and changes were completed in view of children using the bathroom area. No privacy screening was in place posing a dignity risk to the toddler and junior preschool children
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: We have placed a temporary privacy screening in the bathroom to provide privacy. A more permanent screening has been ordered, and we are awaiting delivery
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Trailing flexes were observed in the wobbler sleep room and main wobbler room posing a risk to the preschool child. 2. Low level visibility strips were not present in the glass doors in the wobbler and toddler room posing a safety risk for the young preschool children. 3. Children in the junior preschool aged between two and three years of age were observed to be playing with ‘foam balls’. The manufacturers guidelines state that these are not suitable for children under three years of age. 4. Garda vetting was available for 17 staff. However, 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. 5. The vents in the junior preschool and the preschool sanitary accommodation were dusty and required cleaning. 6. The bins in the junior preschool and preschool sanitary accommodation were not foot operated pedal bins. 7. An electrical box storing the services cctv monitoring system and alarms was located on the wall in the sleep room for the preschool children. This could pose a safety risk if this electrical box is not stored and maintained correctly. Safe Sleep: 8. In the toddler sleep room, two children under two years were observed to be sleeping on stackable floor beds. These beds do not provide the required support for children under two years of age. On discussion with staff, no risk assessment was completed for the use of these stackable floor beds and evidence of a discussion with parents was not available. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: In a written response the Registered Provider stated: 1. Trailing flexes are now secure. 2. Visibility strips have been installed. 3. Foam balls have been removed. A toy safety check has been introduced to ensure that age appropriate toys are used in the room. 4. All garda vetting that had expired has been submitted and one has not returned. 5. The vents have been cleaned. A new cleaning schedule has been introduced to include cleaning of vents. 6. Foot pedal operated bins have been purchased. 7. Electrical box is maintained correctly, and our electrician does periodically check on this equipment every three months. Risk assessment in place. Checks and testing carried out by qualified personnel only. Regular checks carried out by qualified electrician. Annual PAT testing carried out. Floor beds have been moved so no child is lying directly underneath electric box. Infection Control: 8. Couches have been removed and replaced with soft matting and cushions. 9. The bin has been replaced. This will be included in maintenance checks. 10. Management printed of the HSE guidelines and put them above the nappy changing area about the correct procedures to follow when changing nappies. Management will monitor nappy changes to ensure correct procedure is followed. 11. Management have been displayed above sinks in all rooms with pictures on what clothes are used to clean children’s faces and the different clothes to clean surfaces, tables & chairs. 12. Nappy changing mat has been removed. 13. Cots are now spaced correctly. Tuslas safe sleep guidance has been informed to all staff members. Safe Sleep: 14. From inspection until now only one child is now under two so the correct beds that are required to support children under two are now in place. A copy of Tusla guidelines on safe sleep has been displayed in the sleep room and a discussion with the staff members about the required support in using the correct beds for children under two. Posters have been displayed in each sleep room following the safe sleep policy. Management had a staff meeting and explained to all staff members that during sleeps are commencing all staff members must stay within the sleep room
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- On the day between 13:30 and 14:00, Four preschool children in one sleep room and five toddlers in another sleep room did not have any adult supervision. Adults on site completed ten-minute sleep checks, however the required supervision for sleeping children in this age group is that an adult has to be present and required adult child ratios maintained
Provider's corrective action:
- All staff members are aware that they need to stay in the sleep room at all times with the children that are sleeping and all adult child ratios are maintained at all time. Management will check up daily that there is one staff member with the sleeping children at all times
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 22, 28.