Inspection of 28 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- Six written references were not validated in respect of the three new adults working in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- On 30/01/2026, written references for the staff members identified during the inspection were requested, validated, and copies of these validated references were placed on the staff member’s personnel file in the office. Current employee files were audited in order to ensure that two written and verified references are in place for each staff member, in line with Regulation 9 (2)(a)(b). Any gaps identified were addressed immediately. - Have a Recruitment and Vetting Checklist developed and implemented. This means that no new employee will commence employment until: two written references have been received, and these references have been validated directly, as well as holding record of validation documented and retaining them on file. - A Personnel File Audit Schedule will be conducted quarterly (every 3 months) to ensure ongoing compliance. All future recruitment will follow this documented procedure without exception
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- 1. At 10:40 to 10:52, it was observed that a child was brought from the outdoor play area to be cared for, by the designated person in charge, into the Bumble Bee room. The other staff member was in the outdoor play area supervising 16 children which left the adult child ratio incorrect for that duration of time. 2. An adequate number of adults were not available at all times to care for the children attending the Bumble Bee room as an adult noted on the staff roster to work directly with the children on the day of the inspection was on leave. It is acknowledged that the registered provider was contacted by the designated person in charge to come to the service to provide relief cover
Provider's corrective action:
- 1 & 2 On the day of inspection, one full-time staff member was absent due to illness, which resulted in a temporary staffing shortfall. Immediately upon notification of the absence, the service contacted relief staff from the approved relief panel. A qualified relief staff member attended the creche the same morning to cover the kitchen duties and staff breaks, ensuring adult to child ratios were restored and maintained for the remainder of the day. To prevent a recurrence of staffing shortages due to unexpected staff illness, the service will source and contact qualified relief staff immediately when a full-time staff member is absent to ensure required adult to child ratios are maintained. When notified of any staff absence, the service will: review the daily roster, contact available relief staff the same day and arrange cover before ratios are impacted. This procedure is effective immediately from 28/01/2026 and will apply to all future unplanned absences. The service will monitor staffing levels daily to ensure compliance with Regulation 11(1)
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1.The cot sheets were too small on two cot mattresses and caused buckling of the mattresses which posed a risk of entrapment of a young child. It is acknowledged that a corrective action was taken and new cot sheets were put in place by the staff member
- Outdoor play area 1. Since the last inspection on the 9 May 2024 the absorbent surface area of the outdoor play area was noted to have deteriorated. Accumulations of soil and debris had formed along the surface area and the play area was mucky. This non compliance was noted on the inspection dated 19 October 2023. The following was noted in the outdoor play area. 2. An overhanging branch required to be cut as it posed a potential risk of injury to a child. 3.Two wooden slats with a loose nail required removal. 4.The material covering the teepee was saturated wet and stained requiring removal. 5. The toy tractors and bicycles had accumulated soil and debris built up on the surface and around the wheels. 6. The plastic playhouse was weather beaten from the elements and soil had accumulated on the floor of the playhouse which required replacement
Provider's corrective action:
- Following the inspection, the service purchased new appropriately sized cot sheets and mattresses to ensure that all bedding fits securely and safely on the cots in use, and these will be put in place as soon as they are received to ensure compliance and to provide a safe and hygienic sleep environment for all children attending the service. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the service will carry out regular checks of all cot sheets and mattresses to ensure they are the correct size, fit securely and remain in good condition. The service will review bedding whenever new equipment is purchased or replaced to ensure it meets required safety standards, with this procedure taking effect immediately and ongoing as part of our routine health and safety checks
- 1. At the time of inspection the outdoor area had been dirty in places due to the winter season, with heavy rain and wind contributing to surface build-up and debris, and once this was identified the service cleaned the outdoor area thoroughly and arranged for it to be power hosed to ensure it was safe, hygienic and suitable for children’s use. 2.The service removed the fallen and overhanging branches from the outdoor area to eliminate any potential hazard and to ensure the space was safe and suitable for children’s use. The area was checked fully afterwards to ensure no remaining loose branches were present or further debris remained. 3. The wooden slats were removed from the outdoor area to eliminate any potential risk to the children and to ensure the space was safe and suitable for use. 4. The teepee was removed. 5. The service washed and cleaned all outdoor toys to ensure they were hygienic and safe for children’s use. 6. The plastic playhouse was removed. To prevent this from reoccurring, the service will ensure that the outdoor area is checked and cleaned on a regular basis, with particular attention during periods of bad weather. The registered provider has met with the assistant manager to reinforce the importance of completing and reviewing outdoor risk assessments to identify any hazards arising from seasonal conditions, with ongoing monitoring of the outdoor environment now forming part of our routine health and safety checks
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: The most recent Garda vetting disclosure presented in respect of a staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 1. The straps and the surface material of the highchair were soiled and stained which was inadequate for infection control purposes. 2. The aprons used for nappy changing were faulty and not fit for purpose as they came to waist level and had no strings to tie the apron onto the staff member. This provided an inadequate barrier to protect the staff members clothes against fluid or soiling whilst nappy changing. Outing: 1. There were no risk assessments in place for local outings from the service. The outings checklist reviewed had inadequate detail to ensure children’s safety on outings. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The service immediately applied for new Garda vetting for all members of staff and the provider to ensure full compliance with Regulation 23 and to confirm that all personnel working in the service are appropriately vetted in line with current requirements. To prevent this from reoccurring the service will implement a system to regularly monitor and review Garda vetting expiry dates for all staff and the provider to ensure applications are submitted in advance of that expiry and that all vetting remains valid and up to date at all times. Infection Control: 1.The highchair was removed from use and replaced to ensure that all baby equipment is safe, clean and suitable for use. The service will ensure that all baby equipment including highchairs are cleaned and washed regularly and checked before use so that any wear, damage or hygiene concerns are identified and addressed promptly as part of our infection control procedures. 2. New aprons were purchased immediately to ensure that appropriate protective clothing is available for staff in line with infection Control requirements and to maintain high standards of hygiene within the service. The service will ensure that the quality and condition of aprons are checked regularly and that adequate supplies are maintained at all times so that any worn or damaged items are replaced promptly as part of our infection control procedures. Outing: A detailed risk assessment of the local area was developed and documented to ensure that all potential hazards are considered and managed appropriately before outings take place. A specific risk assessment will be completed and reviewed before each outing and that staff follow established procedures to identify and manage any potential risks to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children during outings
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- 1. At 11.35, the inspector observed a young child leave the Butterfly room unsupervised to go to the toilet area. The child was observed to stand up and balance on a small pedal bin in the sanitary accommodation. The inspector asked a staff member to assist the child. 2. At 12.20, a child was observed to leave the Bumble Bee room unsupervised to use the toilet and was observed to leave the sanitary accommodation without washing their hands until prompted by the inspector. 3. At times during the inspection, it was observed that children left the Bumble Bee room to put items in their bags hanging in the corridor unsupervised by sight or sound by the adults in the room
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. All staff were immediately reminded of the importance of supervision requirements to ensure all children are supervised by sight or sound at all times during toileting to ensure appropriate supervision at all times. To prevent this from reoccurring the service will provide ongoing staff training and regular reminders regarding supervision procedures to ensure that all children are accompanied appropriately and that supervision standards are consistently maintained throughout the service. 2. All staff were informed again of their responsibility to accompany children to the toilet and hall to ensure that adequate supervision is maintained. To prevent this from reoccurring the service will ensure that supervision procedures form part of regular staff training and team meetings so that all staff remain aware of their responsibilities and consistently follow safe supervision practices at all times. 3. All staff were reminded of their responsibility to accompany children to the toilet and hall to ensure that appropriate supervision is maintained at all times. To prevent this from reoccurring the service will provide ongoing staff training and regular reminders regarding supervision procedures to ensure that all children are accompanied appropriately and that supervision standards are consistently maintained throughout the service
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 22, 25, 26, 28, 33.