# Cahereen Heights Childcare, Castleisland — inspection reports and findings > Cahereen Heights Childcare (Castleisland, Co. Kerry): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Cahereen Heights Childcare Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Castleisland, Kerry · Tusla ID **TU2015KY027** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 23 April 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service - The following policies did not contain all the relevant information required to guide staff: 1. The Policy on Risk Management did not set out how long risk management records will be kept. 2. The Policy on Accident and Incidents stated that a Notification of Incident would be submitted to the Inspectorate when there was an incident which results in a child going missing from the service. The requirement of the regulation is that a Notification of Incident is submitted to the Inspectorate when a child goes missing while attending the service. Incorrect guidance could result in staff not following required procedures if an incident were to occur - 1. The policy was updated to include the retention period guidance for seven types of risk assessments the service may carry out. The service stated management will monitor regulatory updates and complete annual policy reviews to ensure all required information continues to be included. Policy updates will continue to be communicated and circulated to staff. 2. The policy was updated to make clear any incident where a child attending the service goes missing must be notified to Tusla within three days. The service stated management will monitor updates from Tusla and relevant regulatory bodies to ensure polices are amended promptly. Staff will also continue to receive guidance and refresher training on policy updates during team/group meetings and supervision sessions ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (k) Accident and incident forms were not available for two incidents that occurred in the service. As a result, it was not possible to confirm whether the incidents had been managed appropriately and parents notified. Not completing the relevant accident and incident forms when required poses a risk to children’s safety - (k) two incident forms were completed retrospectively, signed by the parents of each child, and submitted to the inspectorate for review. These contained the required information. The policy and process for managing accidents and incidents was discussed at a team meeting, and all staff were made aware that these must be completed and signed by parents in each instance where they are required going forward ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. During dinner time in Creche Room 1, it was observed that children were eating large pieces of sausages. This posed a risk of choking to the children. 2. The horizontal window in the Junior Preschool sanitary area was not secured to prevent a child exiting into the outdoor area from it. The window could be accessed via steps up to the nappy changing table, from which the window was reachable. The window was able to fully open out. This posed a risk of injury to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The service stated the cook was informed and reminded that sausages and similar foods must be cut into small, age-appropriate pieces before being served to children to reduce the risk of choking. Staff members were also reminded to visually check all food before serving and during mealtimes to ensure it is safe and suitable for children to chew and swallow safely. Meal time procedures and checklist have been reviewed with all staff members and the discussion of choking hazard awareness was discussed during a team meeting. Staff will continue to supervise children closely during meals and conduct safety checks on food before serving. 2. The service repaired the safety latch on the window and stated Staff have been reminded to ensure furniture and equipment are positioned safely and do not provide children with access to windows or other hazards. Staff will also continue to immediately report any maintenance and safety concerns to management ##### Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents - (e) The registered provider failed to ensure that two incidents were notified in writing to the Inspectorate within three working days of becoming aware of these occurring in the service - (e ) Following the inspection, the two incidents referenced were reviewed and notifications were submitted to the inspectorate. Management reviewed the notification procedures to ensure understanding of the regulating requirement that incidents involving a child going missing while attending the service must be notified to Tusla within three working days. The relevant policy was updated to accurately reflect this requirement. Management will monitor incidents weekly to ensure all reporting obligations are met promptly Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 27. #### Inspection of 23 February 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - (b) From 9.10am to 11.20am in Creche Room 1, staff were observed to not adequately meet the care needs of all the children in the room. Staff were observed to clean and make up cots for sleep, and not to fully interact with all children who required their support during this period. Examples included: • A child was seen to begin to cry, a staff member gave verbal assurance from a distance but did not approach the child. • A child who required their nose cleaned was left for 12 minutes without staff noticing. • Another child was observed to cry and no staff responded to them for approximately five minutes. • Two children began to have a conflict, and staff did not intervene other than to state “no fighting, I want no fighting” from a distance. • Another visibly upset child approached staff and stood next to them, whilst the staff was observed to speak to the child they offered no other reassurance. The staff were observed to not listen to the voice of the child when the children were communicating their needs. This posed a risk to the children’s wellbeing - The following statement was received from the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action A meeting was held with the educators in the room, and a performance improvement plan was put in place. The service has linked with Better Start for support. One staff member has attended training, and others are enrolled in further training. A new routine has been put in place in the room and management will continue to review through observation, supervision and mentoring ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. In Creche Room 1, two bottles of medication were stored in the fridge, and the fridge was observed to be not secured and easily accessible to the children. This posed a safety risk to the children. It is acknowledged when brought to the attention of the adults, the fridge was secured. Infection Control: 2. While observing nappy changing in Creche Room 1 the following was observed: • The children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing. • The changing mat was not cleaned after nappy changing. This posed a risk of cross infection to the children. This practice was at variance with the services infection control policy. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following statement was received from the registered provider: - General Safety: The medication was removed from the fridge and staff are aware that no medication is stored in the room fridge. A safety latch has been placed on the fridge. Staff reviewed the medication management policy. Management plan to conduct safety checks in the service. Infection Control: Staff have been reminded of the nappy changing procedure in line with the services infection control policy and instructed to wash children’s hands after a nappy change. Visual signs have been put in place. Management plan to conduct a review of this Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 16, 21, 32. #### Inspection of 18 March 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (j) Parental consent was not available for the administration of medication in relation to one of three records reviewed in Creche Room 1. This posed a possible safety risk to children should medication be given incorrectly. (k) Parental signatures were not available on accident and incident forms in one out of two forms reviewed in Creche Room 1 and two out of four forms reviewed in Creche Room 2. This posed a health risk to children as it was unclear as to whether the parents were aware of the information as it was communicated via an electronic application and had not been accepted by them. This poses a risk to the children if the parents were not aware of the incident so they could follow up on the accident or incident at home - (j) Staff were reminded during the team meeting the importance of getting the parents to complete the consent form with their signature before the administration of medication to a child. Consent forms are now placed on the doors of the rooms for easy access for staff to give parents to complete and sign. (k) Parental signatures are now obtained during handover at the end of the day ensuring parents are fully informed about accident/incidents involving their children. Additionally, a broadcast was sent to parent’s about signing any unsigned reports. It was explained to staff during the team meeting the updated protocol to prioriti se obtaining parental signatures before the end of each day. Additionally, it’s been included in the services action log where staff must sign to ensure these were completed and signed by parents ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. Not all children were offered drinks when required. In the Junior Preschool room, four out of nine children were not offered a drink during the main meal. This posed a risk to the children’s wellbeing. 2. In Creche Room 1, a child was placed in a highchair at 9:50 in preparation for snack time at 10:00, the child remained in the highchair until 10:35, this was to facilitate the clean up after snack time. This posed a risk to the child’s wellbeing as their movement was restricted for a longer period than necessary. 3. Two children in Creche Room 2 and three children in the Junior Preschool did not require sleep and were facilitated in the same care room as sleeping children. The rooms were darkened to facilitate sleeping children and space was limited as stackable beds were laid out of the floor. The programme of activities for the children who did not require sleep was limited, they were colouring or reading. This posed a risk to children’s wellbeing as potentially on a daily basis the children were required to work and play in a darkened environment for up to one hour or more - 1. Staff were reminded on the importance of offering drinks to every child during meals, and this was reinforced during the team meeting. A designated staff member is now assigned daily in each room to oversee drink distribution during mealtimes in each room and a checklist has been displayed in all rooms to remind the staff on procedures to be completed during mealtimes. 2. All staff were reminded of the importance of minimising the time children spend in restrictive equipment such as highchairs and the need to prioritise children's physical comfort and wellbeing during and after mealtimes. All room staff received refresher training on the promotion of children's health, welfare, and development, with emphasis on the safe use of highchairs and the importance of limiting sedentary time. 3. The registered provider has taken steps to ensure a better experience for awake children by regularly monitoring the amount of light and stimulation for the awake children and taking children outside when ratios allow ##### Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials - 1. The equipment and materials available in Creche Room 1 and 2 to support children’s learning and development was limited in variety. For example, materials to support imaginary and sensory play such as food and equipment items for the kitchen, dolls and props. This lack of equipment to play with limits the children’s ability to partake in imaginary play and promote cognitive development - 1. The manager discussed the lack of equipment with the staff during the team meeting and reminded staff to rotate their toys and ensure there is enough materials for the children daily ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General safety: 1. In Creche Room 2, some of the large plastic building blocks were cracked and this could cause an injury to a child due to sharp edges being exposed. 2. In Creche Room 2, the finger guard on the door in the nappy changing room was cracked at the bottom, resulting in a sharp edge being exposed that could cause an injury to a child. Infection control: 3. The nappy changing procedure was not observed to be followed in Creche Room 2. The changing mat was not cleaned between uses, the staff member did not change their disposable apron or gloves or wash their hands between changing children, when asked the staff member stated that when she was too busy, she was unable to complete the correct procedures. This practice increased the risk of cross infection and posed a safety risk to children. 4. The floor in Creche Room 1 and 2 had adhesive tape on the floor that was used to indicate where the stackable beds should be placed however the adhesive tape was peeling and could not be cleaned effectively which could cause an infection control issue for the children. 5. In Creche Room 1 the soft matting on the floor used for the children who were crawling was ripped and so it could not be effectively cleaned posing a risk of infection to the children. 6. In the Den Preschool room, the covering on the cushions in the soft seating area was ripped and therefore could not be cleaned effectively posing a risk of infection. 7. In Creche Room 2 the green shelving unit had chipped paint exposing porous wood underneath, this prevented effective cleaning of the unit and posed a risk of infection to the children. Administration of medication: 8. A child on the day of inspection required medication to be administered and the practice observed did not follow the policy in relation to the administration of medication. The medication was not labelled correctly and did not indicate the name of the child for whom the medication was to be used for. This posed a possible safety risk to the child should the appropriate medication not be administered correctly. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General safety: 1. The blocks as identified were taken out of use and disposed of directly after the inspection. 2. The finger guard as reported by the registered provider was promptly repaired by maintenance staff. The sharp edge was removed, and a new guard was installed to ensure the ongoing safety of the children. Staff were reminded to make management aware of any broken equipment or furniture so that they can get it fixed or disposed of immediately. Infection control: 3. The relevant staff member was spoken to directly and immediately retrained on the correct nappy changing procedure, including proper use of PPE and hand hygiene. This full procedure was reissued to all staff members. This was also discussed during their recent team meeting to ensure full awareness and understanding across the staff team. Room leaders have been assigned to oversee that proper nappy changing procedures are being followed consistently. In addition, the plan is for management to carry out unannounced spot checks to ensure procedures are being implemented correctly and consistently. This monitoring system will help maintain high hygiene standards and compliance. 4. The tape has been removed. Staff were reminded to ensure that cleaning is up to standard for the health and safety and prevention of the risk of infection for the children. Additionally, the registered provider has committed to carrying out spot checks weekly to ensure rooms are clean and up to standard. 5. The soft matting was immediately disposed of after the inspection and replaced with a new mat. Staff were advised to report any damages immediately as discussed in the team meeting and to check their equipment, furniture, materials and resources weekly. 6. The registered provider has removed the covering on the cushions and ensured the cushions are washed once a week, and immediately if soiled or dirty. 7. The registered provider has had the green shelf repaired and repainted to prevent the risk of infection to the children. Administration of medication: 8. Staff involved received immediate retraining in the correct medication procedures and this was reiterated during the team meeting. A reminder was sent to parents re: the administration of medication, that medication brought in by parents needs to be labelled correctly with the child’s name, dose and times to be given. The registered provider has committed that they will not administer or accept medication if not completed correctly ##### Regulation 32 — Complaints - (2) (b) The notes retained on file did not indicate how the complaint was closed out and did not indicate the resolution reached with the complainant. Not following the services policy on the management of complaints may lead to a complaint not being fully addressed by the service. It is acknowledged that the registered provider partially followed their complaints policy - (2) (b) The registered provider has committed to ensuring the service will adhere strictly to their complaints policy and ensure all procedural steps are completed, including recording the resolution of complaints. The service will send an email to the parents in future to acknowledge and confirm the resolution of their complaint, allowing them to move forward in partnership ensuring clear communication and proper closure of the case. To prevent reoccurrence, both the manager and deputy manager will now review and sign off all complaints together to ensure full compliance with the complaints policy. This includes checking that each stage is followed, and that the outcome is clearly recorded, and the complainant is informed. A complaints log has been created to ensure the recordings of resolution are logged and dated Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 20, 22, 29. ### Earlier inspections - 12 February 2024 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Kerry - [Caherslee Childcare Services](/creche/caherslee-childcare-services-tralee.md) Tralee - [Camp Community Childcare CLG](/creche/camp-community-childcare-clg-tralee.md) Tralee - [Children's House Montessori, Milltown](/creche/children-s-house-montessori-milltown-milltown.md) Milltown - [Creative Kids Pre-School & Childcare](/creche/creative-kids-pre-school-childcare-killarney.md) Killarney - [First Step Childcare](/creche/first-step-childcare-killarney.md) Killarney - [Little House Montessori](/creche/little-house-montessori-tralee.md) Tralee - [Sunny Days Montessori](/creche/sunny-days-montessori-tralee.md) Tralee - [Muire Gan Smal Childcare](/creche/muire-gan-smal-childcare-castleisland.md) Castleisland - [Brookview Childcare](/creche/brookview-childcare-tralee.md) Tralee - [Bright Stars](/creche/bright-stars-tralee.md) Tralee [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/cahereen-heights-childcare-castleisland/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11