(1) The registered provider did not ensure that there was an adequate number of adults to meet the need of the children within the service. For example: • There was insufficient staff in the ECCE 2/Montessori room between the hours of 10:21 and 12:09, during the transition from play to mealtime children were observed to be instructed to sit for a period of time without activities or interaction or direction from an adult. The impact of this is outlined under the non-compliances in Regulation 19 (2) The registered provider did not ensure ratios were maintained in the ECCE/ Montessori room at all times during the day. The following was observed: Time: Ratio Age range Number of children present Number of adults present Number of adults required 10:21am- 12pm 1:11 (during ECCE scheme) 4-5 years 12 1 2 12pm- 12:09pm 1:8 4-5 years 12 1 2 Conversation with the adult present and review of rosters available showed that this room remained out of ratio for four days from the 4 May 2025, with records reflecting that one adult was caring for twelve children. This was a non-compliance noted in previous inspection in October 2024
Provider's corrective action:
1. The registered provider has stated that a new staff member has been secured, and they are awaiting the required Garda clearance. A new staff member will be secured when needed. 2. The registered provider has stated they have secured a new staff member and will continue to advertise for staff when needed
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (i) The registered provider did not ensure that staff rosters accurately reflected the presence of all staff working withing the service on the day of inspection and did not include the hours of work or break times of any staff member. This was a previous non-compliance in October 2024 and November 2022
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (i) The registered provider stated that they will ensure the roster will reflect accurately all staff working in the service, there is a new sign in/out sheet to reflect the hours of working and break times for all staff
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Transitions in the ECCE 2 room were observed to be adult led and did not support children to move between activities in a child centred manner. For example: • Children were observed to sit at the table from 10:48am until 11:11am, when lunch was served. During this time children were observed to become restless and were not given an activity, frequently requested by the adult to remain seated. There was one adult caring for 12 children during this period. Well planned transitions provide children with a sense of comfort and reassurance. 2. There was a lack of consistency within the service promoting positive mealtimes. Mealtimes were observed to be functional in nature. In one care room, it was observed that one adult stood supervising the children’s mealtime, children were prevented from talking with each other during this period of time or engaging in peer-to-peer interactions. Mealtimes provide an opportunity for adults to demonstrate pro-socialisation skills, while also giving opportunities to explore self-regulation in an informal manner. 3. The registered provider did not ensure that the sleep needs of individual children in the Playgroup room were prioritised within the service. At 1:56 pm it was observed that children were sitting at the table staring vacantly, place their heads on the table with their eyes closed, children were observed to frequently yawn and rub their eyes, whilst staff prepared them for outdoor play. When queried about sleep times staff stated that children are woken from sleep for snack time then outdoors to play, which follows the service daily planner. A flexible child led sleep schedule is necessary to ensure each child’s need for rest is prioritised in order to maintain wellbeing. 4. The registered provider did not ensure that individualised sleep care plans were completed in conjunction with parents for each child, outlining the developmental rationale for a shortening of sleep times. This potentially prevents children becoming regulated in their sleep patterns. 5. A child in the Playgroup room was not supported in their toilet training journey, for example: • At 10:45 a child was observed asking to go to the toilet during scheduled free play time, with staff stating she had a nappy on, staff did not act upon this child’s request to use the toilet or change her nappy. The daily routine shows that nappy changing occurs between 09:00/09:30am and 12/12:30 pm. This child’s bulky nappy was observed to be changed at 12:23pm. It is acknowledged that the service has had conversation with this child’s parents around toilet training however the plan was vague. Children should be supported when showing awareness, an interest and being developmentally ready to establish positive toileting habits
Provider's corrective action:
1. The registered provider has stated that mealtimes are done in a child centred manner and children will continue to do activities until meals are served making transitions to mealtime more fluid. 2. The registered provider has stated that more training has been given with particular emphasis on the importance of social interaction during mealtimes. A one-to-one discussion was held with all staff to reiterate the importance of child led transitions to mealtimes and social interaction. 3. The registered provider has stated that some parents don’t want their children to have a nap during the day and the service has been given strict instructions about this. The registered provider has had discussions with the parents with reference to the value of a daytime nap, they have agreed to a one-hour nap for their child, with ongoing discussions being held. The schedule has been changed to allow for this. 4. The registered provider has stated that they will continue to have on-going discussion with parents in relation to their individual sleep plan. 5. The registered provider has stated that they have had a conversation with staff to resolve this issue and that children will be brought to the toilet when needed and have nappies changed when needed
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
1. Although children were observed to eat from bowls and plates during lunch time, in the afternoon children in the Playgroup room were observed to eat fruit off a paper napkin laid on the table. Children should be given adequate utensils to enrich their eating experience
Provider's corrective action:
1. The registered provider has stated that the children use bowls, plates and utensils during snack time and will continue to do so to aid their eating experience
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Ceiling light covers were missing from the Playroom and ECCE 1 room. This poses a potential of shattering on children. Infection Control: 2. Handwashing practices throughout the service were inconsistent and not in line with the service policy on handwashing. For example, • In the ECCE/ Montessori room one adult was observed to have not washed their hands prior to serving meals. • In the Playgroup room two different staff members did not undertake handwashing after preforming nasal hygiene on a child. This is a risk for cross contamination of harmful bacteria. 3. Wet wipes were used to clean children’s faces and hands after mealtimes. Warm water, liquid soap and agitation are needed for effective removal of bacteria. 4. Two cots in the sleep room were stained and without waterproof covers. This prevents effective cleaning and poses a risk of harmful bacteria to children. Fire Safety: 5. The registered provider did not ensure that one child within the Playgroup room had a completed record of attendance. It is acknowledged that this child was settling into the service however fully completed records need to reflect the presence of all children within a service at all times. This poses a potential risk that the child may not be counted in the event of a emergency fire evacuation. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The registered provider has stated that they have purchased light fittings which are to be fitted this week. The registered provider will ensure all light fittings have protective covers. Infection Control: 2. Staff have been advised on the need for more adequate hand washing with warm water, liquid soap and bacterial hand sanitizer available for all staff, staff have all been updated on the Infection Control Policy. 3. The registered provider has stated that wet wipes will not be used for cleaning. Staff have reviewed that Infection control policy. 4. The registered provider has bought waterproof covers and will change them as needed. Fire Safety: 5. The registered provider has updated the attendance record and staff have been advised to complete the attendance book immediately
(2) (b) One written reference was available for one staff member however there was no evidence to show that these had been verified. Written references should be verified to ensure they are genuine and to obtain additional information about a potential employee
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (b) The reference has been verified. All documentation will be correct in the files
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) The registered provider did not ensure that an adequate number of adults were working directly with the children at all times which prevented the children from receiving adequate care and attention in relation to their individual needs. The following was observed; • Children were left unsupervised in the Montessori and ECCE 2 care rooms on the morning of the inspection. Please see regulation 23.1 for further information. • Children’s play was continually disrupted to facilitate the use of the toilet by other children in the group as no cover was available. Please see regulation 19 for further information. • Nappy changing was not completed in line with the needs of the children. Please see regulation 19 for further information. (2) Ratios were not maintained in the service during the day. The following was observed; • Discussion with staff regarding their arrival times on the morning of inspection showed that only two staff were present in the building between 8am and 9am when the third staff member’s shift started. According to the children’s attendance log 20 children were present in the service at 8:30am. Three adults were required to meet the ratio. • In ECCE 2 room from 12pm onwards one adult was caring for eight children; three of whom were 2 years old and five of whom were three years old. Two adults are required in line with the individual ages of the children present
Provider's corrective action:
(1) A relief staff member has now committed to full time employment. A new staff member is due to start in two weeks. Interviews are under way for a second staff member. (2) We have two extra staff now at 8.30am. The registered provider will assist in the rooms to maintain ratio and will ensure ratios are maintained at the correct level at all times
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) The staff roster was incorrect and did not adequately reflect the working hours of the staff present for example; • The working hours of two staff members present when the inspections arrived were not accurate; one staff was rostered to work 8:30am- 5:30pm and advised the inspectors their hours were 9am- 6pm while the other staff member was rostered 9am-6pm but advised inspectors their work hours were 8am-5pm. • One staff member was rostered to work 8am-5pm but the registered provider advised the inspectors that the person was on leave. • One staff member was rostered to work 10am-6pm daily however this person advised that they do not work daily and only attend the service when requested on an ad hoc basis. This was a non-compliance in the previous inspection in November 2022. The actions proposed by the registered provider have not been sufficient to prevent recurrence. (k) A sample of 3 accident and incident forms were reviewed. The following was observed; • The surname of children and staff is not being consistently recorded on the forms and was not observed on two of the forms. This is required to ensure the correct identification of each child should the records be recalled in future
Provider's corrective action:
(i) The registered provider will ensure that the Roster reflects the daily staff correctly. (k) The registered provider has discussed this with the team and advised them that all forms in future must have full names recorded and will monitor this situation on an on-going basis
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (a) 1. Drinks were inaccessible to the children on the day of inspection for example in the play group room children’s beakers were stored on a high shelf while in ECCE 2 individually labelled cups were available on a high shelf. Drinks should be freely available to children throughout the day. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection in November 2022. The corrective action provided by the registered provider has not been maintained; the registered provider advised this is due to children spilling their drinks. 2. Children’s faces were not cleaned in a timely manner following mealtimes for example a child was observed with dried food on it at 10:45am following dinner and at 11:15am the child’s face had not been cleaned and the dried food was still present. 3. Nappy changing was not completed in a timely manner in the playgroup room a child’s nappy was observed to be bulky and full and visibly hanging down at 12:30pm. The daily routine shows that nappy changing occurs between 9:00/9:30am and 12:/12:30pm. Although there was no record of the children’s nappy changes documented in their daily communication books the staff member advised that nappies were changed at 9am and that once the registered provider was finished covering a lunch break the nappies would be done. Nappy changing commenced at 12:45pm. 4. Due consideration was not given to the impact of a change in schedule on the children present in the service for example the staff member in the Montessori room noted that the children were a bit upset when dinner was served 1.5 hours early as they wanted to engage in their scheduled free play time. A structured daily routine provides children with a sense of order, security and comfort, significant schedule changes disrupt this and can impact the children’s sense of wellbeing. 5. Children play was continually disrupted in ECCE 2 room as no additional staff were available. For example, at 10:34am eight children were observed playing in the garden when one child asked to use the toilet. The staff member advised the children that they had to go into the toilet; one child was observed to protest as they did not want to leave their game. This was observed to happen frequently throughout the day. The needs of the individual children were not facilitated. Children’s play provides valuable learning experiences in which they develop and extend knowledge frequent disruptions prevent this from happening. 6. Although it was recognised that the service had ample toys and equipment to provide a range of play experiences, many of the materials are stored on high shelves out of reach of the children for example in the playgroup room the materials accessible to the children was limited to a box of rattle toys, a box of cars, 5 large vehicles, 4 bead runners, 1 Elmo toy, a play kitchen a some props all other materials such as books, musical instruments, animals and blocks were stored out of reach of the children. The registered provider noted during feedback that children can point to the toys if they want them however having to ask for materials limits the children’s opportunity to engage in spontaneous play experiences. This was a non-compliance in the previous inspection in November 2022. The corrective actions have not been maintained. 7. The programme of activities in the service did not provide engaging and enriching play experiences and was primarily adult led for example the children in the playgroup room were provided with musical instruments at 10:10am, followed by books and rattle toys at 10:45am, musical instruments at 11:45am followed by blocks as all the children started to wander away from the music activity, books at 12:30pm until 12:55pm. During these activities children were observed to wander around the room and some appeared disinterested in the provided activities. In ECCE 2 room children engaged in tabletop activities at 10:54am followed by story time at 11:35am, at 11:58 children moved back to the table and were provided with jigsaws until 12:24pm when children lay on the floor for meditation time. Children were observed sitting at the table at 1:10pm to complete an art activity
Provider's corrective action:
1. Place all the children’s drinking cups at a lower level. The registered provider will ensure that the drinking cups in all rooms are at a lower level at all times. 2. The registered provider restated to staff that all children’s faces must be clean after every meal and will continue to monitor this practice. 3. The registered provider will ensure that nappy changing is done at the correct time and has taken on one new teacher, and is interviewing for a second staff member. The extra staff will ensure there is cover when needed. The registered provider will ensure the service always has enough staff to cover when needed. 4. The registered provider has ensured that this will not occur again. The service has a designated kitchen staff who will provide meals at scheduled times. The service will always have designated staff cover to prepare meals at schedule times. 5. The service is now back to ratio and the registered provider has advertised for an additional member of staff. At this present time, the registered provider is assisting the ECCE teacher. The registered provider will ensure the service has adequate staff at all times. If needed, we will advertise for staff or close another room. 6. The service have now put more of the toys on floor area. Staff will continue to put more toys, books etc on the lower level. 7. The teacher will try to facilitate the needs of each child. Staff have put more toys, books and activities boards on the lower part of the wall. This will enable the children to have more extended play. Activities will be more child led
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
A review of the food provided, discussion with staff and a review of the children’s daily communication books showed the registered provider did not ensure the children were provided with a varied diet in line with the service menu while in the service. The following was observed; • The service has a one-week menu which was not observed to be followed. • A selection of jars and tins were available for the daily hot meal including tinned lentil and vegetable soup, tinned vegetable soup, and jars of chunky vegetable pasta sauce and carbonara sauce and tikka sauce. The food and nutrition guidelines suggest restricting the use of packet soups and sauces due to the high salt content. • Staff advised that the daily meals include wheat cereal for breakfast, a cracker and rice cake for snack and sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit for tea. A review of the children’s daily communication log showed that this is the food provided daily. The food and nutrition guidelines suggest children should be encouraged to try different food tastes on a regular basis. • The dinner on the day of inspection was recorded on the food temperature check record as mixed vegetable stew however a review of the food available in the service and discussion with staff showed that the dinner service was tinned lentil and vegetable soup. Records should accurately demonstrate the food provided in the event of a recall notice and for communication with parents
Provider's corrective action:
The service are ensuring that all foods provided have fresh ingredients and restricting the use of products with salt A three-week menu plan is in place. The registered provider now have extra staff designated to come in each day to prepare the hot meals
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Small light plastic bags were used to store jigsaw pieces in the montessori room. These bags were observed loose on the table while a child completed the jigsaws posing a potential risk of injury to the children who could access them. 2. A seat on a wicker chair in the playgroup room was observed to be broken with sharp pieces and wood staples sticking out. This posed a potential risk of injury of falls should the children climb on it and also cuts from the sharp pieces. 3. Toilets seats on the children’ toilets in the downstairs sanitary facilities were observed to be ill fitting and posed a pinch risk to the children. Infection Control: 4. The corners of the nappy changing mat were observed to be cracked and torn which prevented adequate cleaning and posed an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Small light plastic bags have been removed. 2. New chair has been purchased. Buy new items as needed. 3. These particular toilet seats are not readily available. A new seat was purchased. Buy new items as needed. Infection Control: 4. New changing mat. Buy new items as needed
Regulation 27 — Supervision
The registered provider did not ensure that children were adequately supervised at all times throughout the day. Children were observed to be left unattended in care rooms on the morning of inspection which posed a potential risk to the children present. The following was observed: • When the inspectors arrived at the door of the service at 9:46am a staff member was observed in the hallway. The staff member answered the door and after a brief interlude the inspectors entered the service at 9:48am and greeted the registered provider who had joined the staff member in the hall. The staff member took a child from the downstairs classroom and proceeded upstairs. During this time ten children were alone and unsupervised in the upstairs room. • At 9:48am the registered provider proceeded to the kitchen to check the dinners which were laid out on the counter heated and ready for serving and advised a staff member was watching the children in the downstairs room where she was based. At 9:51am the inspector advised they were concerned that that the room was out of ratio and advised they would accompany her to the room. On entering the room five children were observed alone in the care room. The registered provider advised the door to the other care room was open and the staff member was watching them, however the door between the rooms was observed to be closed
Provider's corrective action:
Staff will not leave a room unattended. The registered provider will ensure there are adequate staff to cover each room. If a teacher needs to leave a room, there will be another member of staff to cover