Inspection of 3 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 6 October 2025 as no staff member employed in the service held an in date First Aid Response (FAR) or evidence of a paediatric first aid certificate. A response which adequately addressed the concern was received on 7 October 2025.
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 7 October 2025 in relation to Garda vetting requirements under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- 2(c) The registered provider had not ensured the following: There were no Garda vetting disclosures available for 2 adults who were present on the day of inspection and had access to children. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action 2(c) Garda vetting was renewed immediately for the staff member whose vetting had lapsed. Upon receiving the updated vetting disclosure, it was sent to the inspectorate on 22 October 2025 and added to the staff member’s file. Garda vetting was also received for the second staff member. Preventive Action 2(c) To prevent recurrence, the following action will be taken. Staff files will be reviewed annually to ensure all certificates and Garda vetting disclosures are up to date
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(a) In respect of 1 adult, there was no recorded history of past employment and relevant experience available for inspection. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether international police vetting was required in accordance with Regulation 9(2)(c)
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(a) A review was carried out to determine whether international police vetting was required for any staff member. Preventive Action (1)(a) To prevent recurrence, staff files will be reviewed annually to ensure they are up to date. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The registered provider has given assurance that international police vetting was not required for any staff member. This staff file will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Grapes were observed not to be sliced in half for one child on the day of the inspection. This posed a choking hazard for the child. It is acknowledged that a staff member cut the remainder of the grapes when brought to their attention by the inspector. Infection Control: 2. Although a fridge was on the premises, the children’s packed lunches supplied from home were not refrigerated on arrival to the service. This increased the risk of bacteria growth in perishable food items. Non-compliance under regulation 23 point 2 was identified on the previous inspection dated 12 April 2023. The corrective action submitted following inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. A reminder message was sent to all parents on the class messaging application to explain the importance grapes being sliced in half to prevent choking. Infection Control: 2. The refrigerator for storing lunch boxes has been relocated to the classroom. A staff rota has been established, assigning a designated team member each week to remove lunch boxes from students’ school bags and place them in the refrigerator. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Staff will continue to be vigilant and monitor children’s lunch boxes for choking hazards. In future grapes will be sent home if not sliced in half. Reminder messages will be sent out regularly to remind parents. Infection Control: 2. Staff Training and Reinforcement: All staff have been reinformed on the importance of proper food storage and the health risks associated with improper refrigeration. Daily Compliance Checks: A daily checklist has been created to confirm that all lunch boxes have been stored correctly. This will be signed by the designated staff member and reviewed by person in charge on the day. Supporting documentation submitted • Packed Lunch Fridge Storage Checklist Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliances under Regulation 23 have been addressed
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) The registered provider did not ensure that an adequate number of staff trained in First Aid Response (FAR) or Paediatric First Aid was available on the premises at all times throughout the opening hours of the service. A person trained in first aid is required on the premises at all times. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider. (2) (a) There was expired antibacterial antiseptic gel and hydrogel stored in the first aid kit. This posed a risk that if administered the antiseptic gel and hydrogel may not provide the required effect
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) Three staff members successfully completed the First Aid Response (FAR) course on 29 October 2025. Copies of their FAR certificates have been forwarded to the inspector. This ensures that an adequate number of FAR- trained staff are always now present on the premises throughout the service’s operating hours, thereby addressing the non-compliance and meeting the required regulatory standard. (2)(a) As the regulations do not require antiseptic gels or hydrogels to be included in the first aid box, these were surplus to requirement and removed and disposed of immediately. Preventive Action (1) To prevent recurrence, the following action will be taken. Staff files will be reviewed annually to ensure all certificates and Garda vetting disclosures are up to date. (2)(a) The manager will continue to check the first-aid kit monthly to ensure all items are within their expiry dates. Only items recommended under the Early Years Services Regulations and HSE will be included in the First Aid Kit
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1) (b) The number, type and maintenance record for smoke alarms was not available. Non-compliance under regulation 26 (1) (b) in relation to the smoke alarm was identified on the previous inspection dated 12 April 2023. The corrective action submitted following inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) (b) Request for records. As the registered provider rents part of the community building, the smoke alarm maintenance records have been formally requested from the committee. The registered provider is currently awaiting their provision. In the meantime, the service has conducted a full internal audit of all smoke alarms within the area the service occupies. All alarms have been visually inspected, tested where possible, and are operational with no faults detected on the control panel. Once the maintenance records are received, the se will be added to service’s safety log , and they will maintain a complete record of all smoke alarm checks, tests, and maintenance activities to ensure compliance with Regulation 26 (1) (b). Preventive Action (1) (b) Going forward, regular contact will be maintained with the management committee to ensure that all smoke alarm maintenance records are up-to-date and provided promptly. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. It is acknowledged that the registered provider has taken action in relation to the smoke alarm maintenance records. However, as these records have not yet been submitted, the non-compliance under Regulation 26 (1) (b) in relation to the smoke alarm still remains outstanding. It is the responsibility of the registered provider to furnish the smoke alarm maintenance certificate to the inspectorate when received
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 19.