Inspection of 24 September 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The was no evidence available on file to demonstrate that one staff member held the full requirements to meet the minimum qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. There was a component certificate available
Provider's corrective action:
- The staff member is in the process of obtaining her certificate. In the interim the staff member will not be included in the adult to child ratios. Going forward we will ensure that we check older certificates on the DCYDEI website
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The service did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to re-new Garda vetting every 3 years. There were Garda vetting disclosures on file for all staff members, however the vetting disclosure for one staff member was not dated within the previous 3 years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. Infection Control: A number of inconsistences in practice were observed and at variance with the service’s infection control policy and procedures: 2. The inspectors were not assured that soothers were appropriately washed and sterilised in the service. 3. The inspectors were not assured that bottle warmers water was changed as frequently as required. Water left for extended periods increase the risk of bacteria growth. 4. The staff stored their personal belongings such as coats and handbags in the nappy changing areas which posed as a risk of cross contamination. The following practices observed were at variance with good hand hygiene practices: 5. Children in three playrooms were not observed to have their hands washed after nappy changing which is not in line with the service’s nappy changing policy. 6. Staff members were observed to wash their hands in the sink in the playroom after nappy changing and not in the sink in the toilet area which posed a risk of cross contamination. 7. A staff member was observed not to wash their hands after nappy changing in the baby room. 8. The children in the pink flamingo’s room did not have their hands washed before eating their main meal. 9. Staff were observed to use their hands to put soiled items in the bin and not use the foot pedal mechanism. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Garda vetting was applied for and returned on the 25/10/2025. We will ensure all staff are re-vetted in advance of the expiry date. 2. The soothers will be sterilised every evening in the microwave for 3 mins in a steam pod. 3. Bottle warmers will have fresh water used for every bottle heated. Staff have been advised on bacteria growth. 4. The staff now store their belongings in the staff room. 5,6,7,8. All the staff have received extra training on infection control and has been reminded to read the centres policies on nappy changing and hand hygiene. Reminders of this policy has been renewed and placed in all nappy changing areas. 9. The nappy bins have pedal functions, and the staff have been advised to use these pedals going forward. All staff have received extra training on infection control and was reminded to read the centres policies on nappy changing and hand hygiene
Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28.