Inspection of 8 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the designated person in charge during the onsite inspection in relation to a Garda vetting Disclosure not on file for one adult working with the children in the service. A response to the IAN issued was received after the inspection on 8.8.’25, it was deemed adequate in mitigating the risk.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a) & (b) There was a total of 4 validated references not on file for 2 adults. (c) A Garda vetting Disclosure was not on file for one adult working with the children. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the designated person in charge during the onsite inspection in relation to a Garda vetting Disclosure not on file for one adult working with the children in the service. A response to the IAN issued was received after the inspection on 8.8.’25, it was deemed adequate in mitigating the risk
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) & (b) The additional references were obtained and validated for both staff members. All the reference documentation is now complete and filed in the staff folders. There is a new staff checklist updated to ensure that two validated references are required before employment starts. Regular file audits are scheduled quarterly to maintain compliance. (c) The Garda vetting for the one staff member has now been completed, verified and filed in her personal records. The recruitment policy has been updated to ensure that no staff member begins work until the Garda vetting confirmation is received. The compliance checks are added to the onboarding checklist
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (8)(a) As evidenced on the staff rosters provided to the inspector two adults were not on the premise at all times. On October 1st, 2nd,3rd, 6th, 7th, 2025, one adult was rostered to work at 8.15 am and the second adult rostered for 8.30 am
Provider's corrective action:
- The roster was adjusted immediately to ensure two staff members are present from 8:15 am daily. The opening time staff cover was reviewed and included in the weekly staff roster checks. The manager will verify coverage before finalizing the rosters
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (i) 1. The staff rosters maintained did not meet the requirement of the regulation. • There were two adults that were not recorded on the staff roster, one adult present in the Senior pre- school room and the designated person in charge
Provider's corrective action:
- Both staff members have now been added to the roster and attendance records were updated accordingly. There is a daily roster review introduced to ensure that all staff are recorded. The site lead is to confirm accuracy of the roster at the start and at the end of each day
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures had been obtained for fifteen adults attached to the service. However, one vetting disclosure were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EY-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. The nappy changing practices observed on inspection posed a risk of cross contamination as follows: - • The adult returned children to the care room whilst wearing the used plastic apron. • The plastic aprons were not changed for each individual nappy change. • The children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing at the low-level sink provided near the nappy changing unit. 3. The floor mats, 1 in each of the care room were unclean posing a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The Garda vetting has been renewed and the updated vetting disclosure is now on file. The Garda vetting expiry dates are added to the staff compliance tracker. The manager will review the vetting status quarterly to ensure that renewals are completed before expiry. Infection Control: 2. All staff have been retrained on the service nappy changing policy and the correct hygiene procedures. There will be ongoing supervision and spot checks introduced to ensure compliance. There will be refresher training provided annually or as needed. 3. The temporary mat was removed. A new clean mat was provided. Regular room checks have been added to the daily cleaning schedule. Damaged or temporary equipment to be inspected and replaced promptly as needed
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25.