Inspection of 24 July 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Safe Sleep: 1. Safe sleep practices were not always implemented in the Caterpillar Room in-line with Tusla’s safe sleep guidelines for children under 24 months. • A child under 24 months was placed to sleep on a stackable bed. The stackable bed was not suitable for a child aged under 24 months, in line with Tusla’s Early Learning and Care sleep provision guidance for children under 24 months, which requires a floor bed to be fitted with a mattress of at least 6cm in thickness. • A sleep plan was not in place for three children under 24 months who were not sleeping in cots. This is at variance to the guidelines that state a child can sleep in an approved alternative to a cot provided it is agreed with parents, and a sleep plan is established and signed
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action Safe Sleep: Risk assessments for each child under 2 were immediately completed and signed by both the parent and Manager. Regarding the child who was sleeping on a stackable bed, a risk assessment was completed with parent and the parent agreed and signed off on approval of child sleeping on a stackable bed as this was in the best interest of the child following the risk assessment. (Child likes adult to be close to them whilst falling asleep and sleeping on a floor bed does not allow for this). A staff meeting took place after the inspection; all staff were in attendance. Tusla’s updated Safe Sleep Guidance for children under 24 months was communicated by the service manager, staff were also given a copy to familiarise themselves with the guidance. In future all risk assessments will be completed prior to a child transitioning to the toddler room and prior to them sleeping on a floor bed. All risk assessments were completed immediately by Manager and completed and signed off by the parents. Service manager will monitor this closely and ensure that all risk assessments are completed and kept on the child’s file. Monthly review of risk assessments will be completed by the service manager
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28.