# Charlies Childcare, Swords — inspection reports and findings > Charlies Childcare (Swords, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Charlies Childcare Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Swords, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2020FL001** · Registered since 14 February 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 30 April 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (d) International Police vetting was not available for 1 adult who had lived outside of the state for a period of more than six months - (2) (d) Corrective Action: The manager reported that the staff in question was in the process of completing international vetting at the time of the inspection. The service received the completed vetting for this staff member. Preventive Action: The manager discussed that at the interview stage, staff will be asked if they have ever worked abroad over 6 months. The service will ensure that they receive the relevant paperwork prior to start date being issued ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Basic needs: 1. The sleep needs of one of the children attending Baby room 2 were not met in a timely manner. The child was observed showing signs of tiredness including irritability, crying and eye rubbing at 10:05 am and was eventually placed to sleep at 10:35am. Children must be facilitated to sleep when they exhibit signs of tiredness - Basic needs: Corrective Action: 1. Staff within the baby room have undergone refresher childcare training within the company from a member of the services’ training team, focusing on the areas of sleep and how to recognise signs of tiredness. Preventive Action: 1. The person in charge will be assigned to cover sleep room and care rooms and will assist staff with doing naps times where needed ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. Infection control measures were not always followed. The possible risk of the spread of infection was increased due to the following: • On discussion with staff members in the Baby room 2 room it was reported that soothers are placed directly into sterilising solution and are not washed in advance. This is at variance with the service policy which states that soothers must be washed in warm soapy water before being sterilised. • Handwashing was not always carried out by staff when blowing children’s noses. 2. The water at the wash hand basin in the sanitary area on the corridor upstairs adjacent to the Pre-school room 2 was cold. Cold water does not support effective hand hygiene. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: Corrective Actions: - • At the services’ staff meeting the mouthing and sterilisation policies were discussed. Staff were reminded of how to correctly sterilise soothers and the importance of washing the soothers in warm soapy water before sterilising. • The Hand washing policy was addressed at the staff meeting. Staff were reminded of the importance of infection control and the importance of washing hands after blowing children’s noses - The plumber was called out to adjust the water temperatures in the upstairs corridor sanitary area. Preventive Actions: - • There is a step-by-step guidance sheet displayed in the downstairs kitchen where sterilisation takes place to further remind staff. At induction stage new staff are given a copy of this and are shown by management how to correctly sterilise soothers and mouthing toys prior to working in the classroom. • Ensuring hand sanitiser is easily accessible to all staff in garden area where there is no hand washing facilities - Monthly audits will be carried out to ensure all water temperatures in all sanitary areas are at the correct level. This will be also added to the managers morning checklist to check all water taps ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) There was a strong odour in the nappy changing area used by the children attending the care rooms on the first floor of the service indicating that the ventilation system in place in the nappy changing room was inadequate - Corrective Actions: (c) • The services’ staff deep cleaned the vent and hoovered out all dust. • Air fresheners have been placed in all sanitary areas. • There is also a nappy changing bin schedule mid-day to eliminate odours. Preventive Actions: • Management will check that nappy changing bin schedule is being followed, and all bins are changed mid-day. • Hoovering vents has been added to weekly cleaning sheets to be completed by cleaning staff. • Air freshener refill will be ordered monthly Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28. #### Inspection of 12 June 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(d) International police vetting was not available for 1 staff member who resided outside of the Irish jurisdiction for longer than 6 consecutive months as an adult. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to confirm that 1 staff member whose files was reviewed and who works directly with the children in the service held an appropriate childcare qualification at level 5 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent - Corrective Action (2)(d) International police vetting application is in process. (4) The student in question has submitted a fast track application form for temporary permission to practice to the EY qualification section in DCEDIY. Awaiting letter for eligibility to practice from DCEDIY. Preventive Action (2)(d) Going forward manager has put into place a staff file system in which all details will be checked and confirmed at the recruitment stage. (4) Going forward at the recruitment stage, manager will check and verify DCEDIY letters of eligibility to practice before staff member commences employment ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. Interest areas in the Toddler room were poorly resourced. For example, the kitchens had minimal equipment such as play crockery or cooking utensils for the children to extend their play. The dress up materials were located in a bag on a shelf which were not easily accessible or inviting for the children to play with. 2. The home corner in the pre-pre-school room was inadequately resourced with sufficient relevant supportive play materials such as pots, pans, cutlery, crockery, food or food packaging to prompt and support the children to engage in role play activities. 3. The supportive play resources provided for the kitchen in the ECCE Room (including pots, pans, cutlery, a tea set and plastic food) were stored separately in a snugly fitting plastic box on a cubby-style shelving unit. These play materials were not readily visible to the children and therefore did not invite the children to become involved in role play activities. 4. The family photographs which were on display in the care rooms in the service were positioned high on the walls, at or above adult head height and out of the children’s line of vision, making them difficult to see from a distance. The positioning of the photographs did not easily enable the children to use the photographs as a means of maintaining links and bridging the gap between the service and home - Corrective Action 1. Interest areas within the toddler room improved by adding new materials and resources. The dress up material is now on a clothes rail hanging up and now defined in the home corner. 2. Sufficient supportive play materials such as cutlery and kitchen utensils have been put in the area. 3. The supportive play resources provided for the kitchen in the ECCE room are now stored beside the kitchen and are readily visible for the children to play. 4. The family photographs have now been positioned at children’s eye level making them easy to see from a distance and allowing the children to easily access the photos and use them as a means of maintaining a link with home and family, this ties into service’s Aistear theme of belonging. Preventive Action 1. Registered provider has implemented a monthly allowance to buy new equipment to ensure all areas of the room are well resourced. 2. Registered provider has implemented a monthly allowance to buy new equipment to ensure all areas of the room are well resourced. 3. At a staff meeting it was discussed the importance of materials being readily visible and available to children and all staff will ensure the layout of the room is inviting for children to become involved in play and activities. 4. At a staff meeting it was discussed the importance of family photos being at the child’s level and how it ties into service’s Aistear theme of wellbeing and belonging. Service also got Velcro so photographs can be easily taken from the wall and stuck back easy ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. The covering on the three steps leading up to the mezzanine level in the pre-pre-school room was in poor condition, particularly at the outer edges of the steps where the material was observed to be torn and raised. This posed a risk that the toe of a child’s shoe could become trapped in the open gaps in the surface covering and cause the child to fall down, sustaining an injury. 2. A 4-socket extension lead with plugs and cables was observed in a small open-top box on the floor beside the fridge in the pre-pre-school room. The extension leads and cables were accessible to children and posed a risk of injury should a child gain access to the sockets or cables. 3. Appropriate safety precautions had not been undertaken at the full height glass door leading into the Pre- school room as the clear glass in place gave the appearance that the door was open. The lack of markings or a pattern on the glass to aid visibility posed a risk of an adult or child walking into the glass door and sustaining an injury as a result. Infection Control: 4. A half full child’s feeding bottle of milk was observed being stored at room temperature from 9.40am to 10.55am in the pre-pre-school room for further use if required, rather than being stored in the fridge which was available. This increased the risk of bacteria multiplying in the milk. 5. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not available for hand washing at the wash hand basins in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the Toddler room on the ground floor or in the sanitary accommodation between the pre-pre-school room and the ECCE room on the first floor. The water in both the hot taps and the cold taps felt cold to touch. Cold water does not support pre-school children to effectively wash their hands. 6. The nappy changing mat was observed not to be cleaned on some occasions in between children having their nappies changed. Safe Sleep: 7. At 2.30pm a child aged 4 years 10 months was observed sleeping on a child-sized couch in the Pre-school room. However, a couch is also not a safe or suitable surface for a sleeping child and is prohibited for use for this purpose. Furthermore, staff members confirmed that a record of the sleep checks conducted on this sleeping child was not maintained. It is acknowledged that a review of sleep logs maintained for children who slept in the cot room, Toddler room and pre-pre-school room and on the practice observed during the inspection, sleep checks were carried out in these other rooms at least every 10 minutes, noting each child’s position, colour and breathing pattern. These sleep checks were recorded digitally using a software application - Corrective Action General Safety: 1. The material of the three steps on the mezzanine level have been replaced with soft carpet and risk assessment carried out regularly going forward. 2. Extension leads and cables were removed and are now not accessible to the children. 3. Staff have placed posters on the door to highlight the clear glass window when the door is closed. Infection Control: 4. A staff member rectified the milk bottle being stored at room temperature on the day. Food storage and infection control has been discussed at a staff meeting and some staff will do HACCP training going forward. 5. The plumber has been in to service the controlled warm water boiler and accurate adequate temperatures are now available from all taps. 6. Nappy changing policy discussed at staff meeting; Nappy changing training done at staff meeting as well as infection control procedures practiced at staff meeting. Safe Sleep: 7. Safe sleep policy reviewed at staff meeting. Blue beds now stored in the storeroom upstairs which is easily accessible for all rooms to access if a child asks for a nap. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Risk assessments will be carried out weekly and steps and material will be placed when necessary. 2. Risk assessment carried out weekly. 3. Posters of the glass door. Infection Control: 4. Discussed at a staff meeting. Procedures updated and highlighted with staff. 5. Managers morning risk assessment will include checking the water temperatures of all hand washing sinks. 6. Nappy changing procedures displayed on wall in Nappy changing room as a guide for staff. Safe Sleep: 7. Manager will check little vista to ensure sleep logs are maintained in all rooms including rooms in which the routine does not include a nap ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) There was a strong foul odour in the nappy changing area used by the children attending Baby room 1 & Baby room 2 on the ground floor indicating that the ventilation system in place in the nappy changing room was inadequate - Corrective Action (c) Vent has been cleaned out and has been added on to the sanitary cleaning sheets to be cleaned weekly. Preventive Action (c) Cleaning sheets updated to ensure this will be completed weekly. Cleaning sheets will be checked off and signed by the cleaner ##### Regulation not named in the report text - (1) The registered provider failed to notify the Early Years Inspectorate of a change in circumstances in relation to the following as per the schedule 4 Form for Notification of Change in Circumstances: • The name of the registered provider of this service did not correlate to the name detailed on the National Register - (1) Process of change of circumstances started and is ongoing Found compliant: Regulation 11, 24, 25, 26. ### Other services in Dublin - [Charlies Childcare Tigin](/creche/charlies-childcare-tigin-swords.md) Swords - [Charlies Childcare Tigin](/creche/charlies-childcare-tigin-swords-2.md) Swords - [Cherry Blossom Montessori - Castleknock](/creche/cherry-blossom-montessori-castleknock-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Chestnut Montessori T/A Chestnut Daycare](/creche/chestnut-montessori-t-a-chestnut-daycare-dublin-14.md) Dublin 14 - [Clever Cloggs](/creche/clever-cloggs-dublin-3.md) Dublin 3 - [Connolly Children's Centre](/creche/connolly-children-s-centre-dublin-8.md) Dublin 8 - [Drumnigh Montessori Primary School](/creche/drumnigh-montessori-primary-school-dublin-5.md) Dublin 5 - [Giraffe Childcare - Shackleton](/creche/giraffe-childcare-shackleton-lucan.md) Lucan - [Little Caterpillars Pre-school](/creche/little-caterpillars-pre-school-swords.md) Swords - [St Brigid's Montessori School](/creche/st-brigid-s-montessori-school-swords.md) Swords [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/charlies-childcare-swords/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11