Creche Inspection Reports

Busy Bees Toddlers LTD

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Cavan, Cavan · Tusla ID TU2015CN013 · Registered with Conditions since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

4published inspections
7non-compliances at latest report read
2immediate action notices
1registration conditions

Conditions attached to registration

FromRegulationCondition
29 May 2026Regulation 30 Minimum Space Requirements<br>Regulation 30 Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 <br><br>The Registered Provider will be required to comply with the following condition: <br><br>Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of the children in attendance is maintained by meeting the minimum floor space requirements and not exceeding the service registered numbers of 22 children on the premises at any one time.

Inspection of 4 March 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. Due to the recurring issuing of non-compliances as the service continues to operate outside of its registration status, a referral was made to the Early Years Enforcement Department on 05 March 2026, and a referral was made to Cavan County Council Planning Department on 09 March 2026.

Immediate action notice. A referral was made to the National Registration Enforcement Panel (NREP) from the Services Operating Outside Registration Status (SOORS) unit on 24 March 2026 in relation to repeated non-compliance. A regulatory enforcement meeting on 13 April 2026 was facilitated by the Deputy Head of Regulatory Enforcement with the Registered Provider. The meeting was convened to discuss the recurring non-compliance found on inspection.

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (2) (a) (b) The registered provider did not ensure two written and validated references were on file for two transition year students. The registered provider had not carried out the validation process for two written references on file for one staff member
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider obtained character references for both Transition year students and verified as attached. The registered provider has signed and dated the staff references. The registered provider will not take on any more students unless references obtained and verified before they start

Regulation 11 — Staffing levels

  • (8) The registered provider did not ensure that there were at least 2 adults on the premises at all times as detailed below; • A review of the staff roster demonstrated that one staff member was rostered to work from 8am to 8:30am on the day of inspection. • A review of the staff roster available demonstrated there was only one adult onsite on the following dates and times while children were in attendance; 23/02/2026 between 8am to 8:30am and 5:30pm to 6pm. 24/02/2026 between 5:30pm to 6pm. 25/02/2026 between 5:30pm to 6pm. 02/03/2026 between 8am to 8:30am. • The roster for the remainder of the week of the inspection, which was amended to reflect one staff member who was off sick, demonstrated; 05/03/2026 one staff member from 8am to 9am. 06/03/2026 one staff member from 8am to 8:30am
Provider's corrective action:
  • Although the registered provider is present in the service from 8am -9am and from 5.30pm -6pm on a daily basis it didn’t reflect on the rota. The registered provider is now documented on rota for these times. I will ensure I am on rota for these times at all times

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (h) Record books reviewed did not adequately reflect the attendance of each child in attendance in the Baby/Toddler room on the day of inspection. One child present in the Baby/Toddler room was not signed in. Staff advised the inspector that the child was settling in from the week before. However no attendance records were available to reflect the child’s attendance when present in the service. There was evidence that the child was present on 26th and 27th February and 2nd and 3rd March, as sleep records were available indicating this. (i) Review of the staff rosters available demonstrated that inaccurate staff attendance records were maintained. • One staff member rostered to work and present on the day of the inspection had not signed in. Inaccurate records of staff attendance was a non-compliance on the service's most recent inspection, where the registered provider's corrective and preventive actions outlined “staff were informed of this error and asked to sign in\out at all times. Ensure I check on a regular basis that staff records of attendance are being maintained” has not prevented this non-compliance from recurring. • The rosters reviewed demonstrated rostered hours for the registered provider, however there was no written record of the registered provider's working hours on a daily basis. (k) The service did not document details of an incident with a child to ensure that the details were recorded and confirm that the parent was informed. A child had a minor incident in the preschool room, and a staff member applied a cold compress. On discussion with the registered provider and the staff member, it was stated that minor incidents were not recorded and parents were verbally informed. This did not reflect the practice as outlined in the service’s accident and incident policy, which stated “All accidents/incidents, even minor ones are recorded in an accident record sheet, with details on how they are dealt with or treated.” The practice observed on the day did not ensure that details of any accident, injury or incident involving a pre- school child attending the service were recorded, and accurate details were provided to parents to ensure the child’s safety following an incident
Provider's corrective action:
  • (h) The child was not on rota on inspection day as they were settling in. An error that has been rectified immediately. Every child will be in the register, whether they are in for 1 or 10 hours going forward. (i) A member of staff failed to sign in on arrival. Registered provider has reminded staff member to ensure they sign in as soon as they arrive. This includes me, the service provider. Who has made a reminder notice for staff to ensure no recurrence of this. (k) Service records every incident in our incident report book. Although this particular child is quite prone to minor incidents as you will see on report attached. We now record all incidents minor or not

Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play

  • (1) (a) Sleep facilities for the 8 children aged under 2 years in attendance in the Baby/Toddler room were insufficient. There was a total of 3 cots available. The required sleep facilities for children aged 18 months to 2 years is; Cots available for half the children in this age range. Therefore, they required access to a total of 4 cots or an appropriate floor bed, which children aged over 15 months and under 2 years old can access, as per Tusla safe sleep guidance
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated that the service will be purchasing the surrounds for the sleep mattresses

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • Infection Control: 1. A swing top bin was in use for the Baby/Toddler room, with staff observed to touch the lid each time the bin was used, this is a cross-contamination risk. 2. Whilst the nappy changing procedure was correct in most cases, there were occasions when it was insufficient in preventing the spread of infection. On one occasion, the gloves were not replaced prior to removing clothes from the child’s bag and redressing the child, when heavy soiling had occurred. 3. Ineffective handwashing practices were observed as follows; • No handwashing occurred before the children in the Preschool room had their dinner. • No handwashing of adults or children occurred following nappy changing practices observed. • Handwashing practises were insufficient in the Baby/Toddler room, where the use of wipes and hand sanitiser were used for the younger children before they had their dinner. Safe Sleep: 4. It was observed on occasions that inaccurate real-time sleep records were not maintained for sleeping children. Records were completed retrospectively as follows; • At 1:40pm sleep checks were carried out on one sleeping child, and records were completed for 1:30pm check and 1:40pm check at that time. • At 12:05pm, sleep checks were carried out on a sleeping child, and records were completed for 12:00pm at that time
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective & Preventive Action Infection Control: 1. Registered provider has purchased a foot-controlled bin for this area as requested. Ensure no bins are touchable by staff /children due to cross contamination. 2. Registered provider spoke with the staff member, and will ensure gloves are changed for each step of changing soiled clothes. To prevent infection all staff are aware of this non-compliance and now have a sign up as a reminder. 3. Handwashing practice was not observed but did take place before meal in the Preschool room which was supervised this the registered provider maybe not observed but did take place as it is a routine. Service has incorporated more handwashing activities into our curriculum to emphasise the importance of this to the children and staff. More signs and prompts for handwashing. Safe Sleep: 4. Real time recordings are taking place for sleep checks instead of 12pm it will say 12.03 as the precise time. Explained non-compliance to staff and exact times are recorded as attached

Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements

  • Inadequate clear floor space was available to the children in attendance on the day of inspection in both the Baby/Toddler and Preschool care rooms, taking into consideration their ages and time spent in the service. (4) (a) (b) The floor space available and the space required based on the age, number of children and hours attended on the day of insepciton are outlined in the table below; Room Name Space available Space required Number of Children present Space adequate Baby/Toddler 19.056m² 27.1m². 10 No Preschool 24.66m² 29.088m². 16 No
Provider's corrective action:
  • Inadequate space requirement are also being addressed by SOORS. With regards to space requirements the registered provider will work with them to ensure this is met. Reducing numbers significantly cancelled all further future bookings till this is resolved and no longer an issue

Regulation not named in the report text

  • There were 26 pre-school children present on the day of inspection. The service is registered to accommodate a maximum 22 pre-school children at any one time. On review of the daily attendance books, it was observed that up to a maximum of 27 children could be in attendance at any one time. The registered provider is required to notify Tusla of any proposed changes to their approved registration status prior to any changes occurring. This is a recurring non-compliance and has been found on the services last four inspections; 30 March 2022, 09 October 2023, 17 June 2024 and 08 April 2025. Following the last inspection (08 April 2025) the registered provider provided documentation and assurances to Tusla that the service would revert to catering for a maximum of 22 children as per their Tusla registration status and in line with conditions attached to their planning permission. Additional Information Due to the recurring issuing of non-compliances as the service continues to operate outside of its registration status, a referral was made to the Early Years Enforcement Department on 05 March 2026, and a referral was made to Cavan County Council Planning Department on 09 March 2026. A referral was made to the National Registration Enforcement Panel (NREP) from the Services Operating Outside Registration Status (SOORS) unit on 24 March 2026 in relation to repeated non-compliance. A regulatory enforcement meeting on 13 April 2026 was facilitated by the Deputy Head of Regulatory Enforcement with the Registered Provider. The meeting was convened to discuss the recurring non-compliance found on inspection. Acknowledgments The inspectors wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the registered provider, staff and children who were present on the day of the inspection

Found compliant: Regulation 15, 19, 26, 28.

Inspection of 8 April 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child

  • A registration form to include details as listed above at (1) (a) to (i) was not available for one child in attendance on the day of inspection in the Baby/Toddler room
Provider's corrective action:
  • The child has not been in attendance since the inspection as not required. When child returns for Summer/ Preschool they will be on register at all times staff are aware of this non-compliance and will also ensure this error does not occur again

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (h) Record books reviewed did not adequately reflect the attendance of each child in attendance in the Baby/Toddler room on the day of inspection. One child present in the Baby/Toddler room was not signed in. Staff advised the inspector that the one child attends the service on an ad hoc basis, however no records were available to reflect the child’s attendance on any occasion. (i) Inaccurate staff sign in records were maintained. Two staff rostered to work and present on the day of the inspection had not signed in. One staff member last recorded their attendance on 21 March 2025. The second staff member had last signed in on the attendance records on 01 April 2025. Inaccurate records of staff attendance was a non-compliance on the services most recent inspection
Provider's corrective action:
  • (h) This child will be on the register when they next attend the service. The service has not been required since the last inspection but will in the future. Keep track of the attendance records for children to ensure this error never occurs again. (i) Staff were informed of this error and asked to sign in\out at all times. Ensure I check on a regular basis that staff records of attendance are being maintained

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 12 staff members. However, one of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It is acknowledged that the staff member has been absent from the service on long term leave. 2. The large slide in the outdoor area was not anchored to prevent it from toppling over while a child was on it. This is a reoccurring non-compliance from the services last inspection. Children while in the outdoors were observed to climb up and down the slide steps, and to go down the slide on two occasions during the inspection. 3. One side of a flower shaped chalkboard in the outdoor area was broken, with sharp edges, which poses a risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 4. The hand washing practices in the Preschool room were inadequate with hand sanitiser used to clean the children’s hands before snack instead of warm running water and liquid soap. In addition, the children were not observed to wash their hands when they returned indoors after playing in the outdoor environment where they were observed to engage in messy play activities such as playing with sand and digging and scooping bark. 5. The two child sized sofas, one of each in the Preschool and Baby/Toddler rooms were worn in places, which prevented the surface area from being adequately cleaned
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. As the staff member without an updated Garda Clearance has not worked for almost 2 years and is not well enough to return to work, I will seek their updated clearance prior to their return. Check staff records regularly to ensure that the Garda clearance is updated every 3 years. 2. We decided to dispose of the slide that had become unanchored since previous inspection. All critical fall height equipment must be anchored and on a soft surface. 3. Flower chalkboard removed as sharp edge hazard. Weekly inspections of the outdoor area to establish any hazards /sharp or dangerous edges will be carried out going forward along with our normal inspection and fixed promptly. Staff will ensure I am aware of this immediately to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Infection Control: 4. Staff are very aware of germs and contamination and how sanitizer is not sufficient. They will ensure each child washes their hands with warm water and soap before eating and coming in from outdoor area at all times. It is all adults responsibility to ensure this is regular procedure . 5. The cozy corner chairs were reupholstered using thick durable leather to ensure they are hard wearing and will stand the test of time. This will be checked on a regular basis to ensure they don’t become worn again

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • (1) (b) A maintenance certificate for the servicing for the fire extinguishers was not available for review
Provider's corrective action:
  • The maintenance on the fire extinguishers was completed the Friday after the inspection and sent directly to the early years inspectorate. As my fire alarms (done the week before inspection) and extinguishers are normally serviced together in one visit I will ensure this error doesn’t occur again

Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements

  • (1) Inadequate clear floor space was available to the children in attendance in both the Baby/Toddler and Preschool care rooms, taking into consideration their ages and time spent in the service. (4) (a) (b) The floor space available in the Baby/Toddler room was 19.056m2. The space available could cater for 6 children aged 1 to 2 years on a full day care basis, or 8 children aged 2 to 3 years on a full day care basis. There were 13 children present in this care room, and the required floor space for the 13 children in attendance and considering their age and time spent in the service is 31.75m2. The floor space available in the Preschool room was 24.66m2. The space available could cater for 13 children aged 2 years 6 months to 6 years on a sessional basis, or 10 children aged 2 years 6 months to 6 years on a full day care basis. There were 15 children present in this care room, and the required floor space for the 15 children in attendance on a sessional basis is 27.27m2. On the 02 April 2025, 11 preschool children were present on a full day care basis, the floor space required on this date was 25.3m2
Provider's corrective action:
  • With the rectification I have made with the Tusla Services Operating Outside of Registration Status team already and reducing my numbers this will leave me compliant with this area. Keep the numbers as low as possible to gain a compliance in this area

Regulation not named in the report text

  • (1) There were 28 pre-school children present on the day of inspection. The service is registered to accommodate 22 pre-school children at any one time. On review of the daily attendance books, it was observed that up to a maximum of 29 children could be in attendance at any one time. The registered provider is required to notify Tusla of any changes to their approved registration status. This is a reoccurring non-compliance on the services last three inspections; 30/03/2022, 09/10/2023 and 17/06/2024
Provider's corrective action:
  • Registered provider and my deputy manager had a meeting with the Tusla Services Operating Outside of Registration Status (SOORS) team to establish a solution for the over numbers. We knew prior to the inspection that this was an issue and decided to cease the operation of our afterschool service which has meant many families with younger children in full day care would also find other childcare. This will result in a deduction in numbers for the service as most of my SAC have younger siblings. Also, I have notified parents for the deduction required prior to this (03/6/2025) as requested from the SOORS team and evidence is sent to them. I will strive to keep the numbers as per my Tusla registration of 22 children at any one time

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 28.

Inspection of 17 June 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (2)(a) Staff references were not maintained as follows • Two references were not available for one staff member, • A second reference was not available for one staff member, • Five references that were available were not validated. (d) A curriculum vitae was not available for five staff members to determine if police vetting was required
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following References are being sought for both members of staff. References available were validated. C.Vs are now located for staff inspection, on review, no police vetting was required. The registered provider stated that she will check all staff files regularly and ensure everything is up to date. Summary Comment Two references have been received for the staff member and evidence that references were validated. The curriculum vitae was obtained. Based on the response from the registered provider and evidence submitted, the non-compliances in this regulation have now been addressed

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (1)(i) The staff roster presented for inspection was not reflective of the staff who were working in the service during the week that the inspection took place. One staff member was on annual leave but was rostered to work. The daily record of attendance was not being accurately completed by staff as it was recorded that only two staff members had signed in. A record of attendance of the remaining staff was not being maintained
Provider's corrective action:
  • Staff all now sign in and out on a daily basis. The registered provider stated that weekly checks are carried out by the registered provider

Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials

  • In the Baby/Toddler room the kitchen area was not adequately resourced. • The rest/relaxation area was not suitably developed for example when two children rested on the couch and chair there was not enough space for the remaining children. • There were no clothes readily available for the dolls. • The kitchen unit was poorly resourced and too high for some of the children in the room
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated that • A larger rest and relaxation area was made to accommodate all the children to relax. • New mattresses were purchased. • Dolls and dolls clothes were washed and in easy access for children. As a preventive action the registered provider stated that she would ensure the relaxation area is readily available and dolls are clean and clothes accessible

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for four staff members. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’ 2. The large slide in the outdoor area was not anchored to prevent it from toppling over while a child was on it. Infection Control: 3. One child’s bottle of milk was stored in the child’s bag and not refrigerated to prevent the growth of food poisoning bacteria. 4. Cleaning schedules available did not include the cleaning of soft toys. 5. Cloth dolls in the Baby/Toddler room were visibly dirty. 6. The mattress in the three cots were visibly stained and not a wipeable surface. One mattress was ill fitting and as a result had potential footholds. 7. The radiator cover and shelving units in the preschool room consisted of untreated wood and was not painted. A wipeable surface for effective cleaning was not provided. Safe Sleep: 8. Ten-minute observations on sleeping children were not carried out at all times. One sleeping child was not checked by a staff from 11.55am until 12.38pm. Best safe sleep practices were not being adhered to. Fire Safety: 9. On the 13/05/2024 a competent person reviewed the fire alarm system a note was on the maintenance file stating they were ‘unable to service due to faulty PSU’. This fault has not been repaired and the maintenance certificate is not available for the fire alarm system. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: The registered provider stated the following actions were taken 1. Updated Garda vetting applied for last week. 2. The slide is now anchored to the ground. Infection Control: 3. Staff are putting childrens bottles in the fridge labelled. 4. Cleaning schedule was submitted. 5. Cloth dolls hot washed. 6. Three cot mattresses replaced with waterproof wipeable mattresses. 7. Radiator will be painted during holidays due to toxic fumes before 14th August. Photo to follow. Safe Sleep: 8. Staff were informed of dangers of not checking the sleeping child. Better communication required and going forward will not happen again. Fire Safety: 9. The Wednesday after the inspection as pre booked Fire protection resolved this and I sent this to the inspector on that Wednesday as requested

Regulation not named in the report text

  • 1. The registered provider was found to be operating outside the service registration status. A new room has been built to the back of the service accommodating 15 preschool children which had not been notified to the Early Years Inspectorate registration office or approved. 2. There were 24 pre-school children present on the day of inspection; the service is registered to accommodate 22 pre-school children at any one time. On review of the daily attendance book, it was observed that on the following days the maximum capacity of the service was not adhered too. Examples taken from the children’s register of the number of children attending on the following dates; 24/05/2024 - 28 children; 6/06/24 - 28 children; 7/6/24 - 25 children; 10/6/24 - 25 children; 11/6/24 - 25 children; 12/6/24 - 24 children; 13/6/24 - 25 children; 14/6/24 - 25 children; and on the day of inspection 17/6/24 - 24 children were present
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The new room has been notified to Tusla. 2. The registered provider acknowledges that the number of children in attendance exceeded 22 on a few occasions. On the Friday following inspection 10 children finished up. The registered provider has liaised with National Office via email and phone call and also the planning authorities The registered provider stated that she will ensure that the number of children attending at anyone time does not exceed maximum capacity

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 20, 22, 25, 28.

Earlier inspections

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Alert me when a new report is published · Dated report on this service — €19