# Chatterboxes Childcare Ltd, Athlone — inspection reports and findings > Chatterboxes Childcare Ltd (Athlone, Co. Westmeath): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Chatterboxes Childcare Ltd Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Athlone, Westmeath · Tusla ID **TU2015WH050** · 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 30 July 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - 1. A second written reference was not available in respect of one staff member. 2. The written references in respect of two staff members were not validated by the registered provider prior to the commencement of employment in the service. This non-compliance was noted on the last inspection on the 7 December 2023. The corrective and preventive action stated from the last inspection on the 7 December 2023 did not prevent reoccurrence of the non-compliance - 1. One staff member present and working directly with children does not hold a major award in level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications. This non-compliance was noted on the last inspection on the 7 December 2023 - 1.The second reference has been received and put on staff member’s file. 2. The written references have been validated by the manager. This was an oversight on behalf of management. Every effort will be made in future to make sure all the paperwork is in order as soon as possible, so that it is not forgotten - The staff members qualifications have been sent to the Department of Children for review. Management are awaiting the outcome and the evidence will be submitted when received. This staff member has done the same course as two other staff members in the service. Unfortunately, her certificate was damaged in a fire. In future, we will try to engage the Dept of Children at an early stage to try to obtain the relevant paperwork ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - 1. It was observed that the number of adults present in the service were not managed appropriately to maintain the adult: child ratio during nappy changing for children attending the baby room. On 30 July 2025 there were eight children in the baby room; one child aged 0-1, six children aged 1-2 and one child age 0-3. Based on the number of children, their ages and attendance pattern on 30 July 2025, two adults were always required at all times to maintain the adult: child ratio in the baby room. Adults did not seek relief cover when carrying out nappy changing procedures during the inspection leaving a ratio of one adult to seven children while the second adult carried out nappy changing at 11:15 and again at 14:30 - Management have amended the roster to take account of nappy changes. Staff have also been asked to help out where necessary, as the service had enough staff on the day to help with nappy changes. Nappy changes have been added to the roster, to prevent this from re-occurring ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. In the nappy changing area attached to the baby room the mechanical ventilation was not operational to provide appropriate ventilation to the area. This posed a potential infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. The electrician has been contacted to fix the fan. Evidence will be sent in as soon as the job has been completed. In the meantime, manual ventilation (window to be opened during the day to help with circulation). Staff have been reminded to tell management when equipment is faulty. Summary Comment This non compliance remains outstanding until the evidence is submitted in respect of works carried out to fix the mechanical ventilation. The corrective action will be assessed on the next TUSLA inspection Found compliant: Regulation 15, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28, 33. #### Inspection of 7 December 2023 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - • Two written validated references were not available from past employers or a source other than a past employer in respect of one staff member. • One written validated reference was not available from past employers or a source other than a past employer in respect of one staff member - 1. Evidence was not available to indicate that one staff member present and working directly with children held a major award at least level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications. 2. An unqualified staff member was observed to work directly with children during the provision of lunch cover in the baby room - For one of the employees, there were two validated references on file when the registered provider checked. For the other employee, she has been asked on numerous occasions for this paperwork. The documents were received today. Management will make sure that we receive important documents in a timely manner from employees when they are requested - The service is happy that this employee does have the relevant qualifications, but they were destroyed by mistake. The employee has eventually been able to contact the original course co-ordinator to request a copy of the cert (or a letter verifying the results). Management have also sent the employee a link from QQI requesting these documents. Timeframe 2 weeks. The service has managed to recruit another member of staff to help us when covering for lunch etc. The service has really tried our best in not letting an unqualified person cover in a room and rather than leave the room out of ratio we took this course of action. The service also had a staff member that week that was called away urgently for a family crisis. The staff member is also back at work. Management will make sure the service receives the certificates and verifications as soon as possible ##### Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child - There was no record of immunisations documented in respect of three children - Immunisation records have been requested from the parents in question. Keep reminding parents if they forget or delay in sending in those documents to the service and impress upon them that the service must have the immunisations on file. Timeframe 2 weeks ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing procedure observed was inadequate for infection control purposes due to the following; • The staff member did not wash their hands before and after nappy changing. • The child’s hands were not washed after nappy changing. 2. The mechanical ventilation system was not working in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the senior pre-school room. 3. There was no hand towel dispenser in the toddler room for the hygienic dispensing of paper hand towels for staff and children. Safe Sleep: At 12.25 the sleep room temperature was recorded at 25.2 degrees Celsius which was at variance with the safe sleep policy for the service which stated ‘’the room temperature will be kept between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius and a thermometer kept in the infant room’’. The thermometer in the sleep room was not working as the temperature recorded in the baby sleep room by staff was 18 degrees Celsius. Upon the inspectors request a corrective action was taken. The air conditioning was switched on by the staff member. At 12.55 the sleep room temperature was recorded at 20 degrees Celsius. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. The staff member in question has been spoken to. She was asked to explain why she had not followed the proper procedure. She said she was nervous during the inspection, and she forgot. She said she normally does follow proper procedure. Make sure that staff are fully aware of the procedures involved in all aspects of hygiene and not to be put off or worried if they are being inspected. 2. The ventilation system in the senior preschool room is only a vent and that was always the case. There are no switches to turn it on or off. 3. A wall mounted dispenser has been installed beside the sink. See evidence submitted. Safe Sleep: This issue was resolved on the day however, management have spoken to the baby room staff members and reminded them to monitor the temperatures and keep them within the recommended guidelines. Management will have to keep a closer eye on temperature control with baby room staff going forward Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28. ### Other services in Westmeath - [Chestnut Hill Montessori School](/creche/chestnut-hill-montessori-school-athlone.md) Athlone - [Child's Play ABA](/creche/child-s-play-aba-kilbeggan.md) Kilbeggan - [Children of Lir Multyfarnham Children Services](/creche/children-of-lir-multyfarnham-children-services-multyfarnham.md) Multyfarnham - [Early Steps Childcare](/creche/early-steps-childcare-mullingar.md) Mullingar - [Kids Kottage](/creche/kids-kottage-tyrrellspass-2.md) Tyrrellspass - [Naionra Na Cre Duibhe](/creche/naionra-na-cre-duibhe-athlone.md) Athlone - [Glasson Pre School](/creche/glasson-pre-school-athlone.md) Athlone - [Kilbeggan Montessori](/creche/kilbeggan-montessori-kilbeggan.md) Kilbeggan - [Precious Angels Pre-School](/creche/precious-angels-pre-school-mullingar.md) Mullingar - [Kids Kottage](/creche/kids-kottage-tyrrellspass.md) Tyrrellspass [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/chatterboxes-childcare-ltd-athlone/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11