Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
(1) On the day of inspection, after nappy changing, the hands of the babies were observed to be not consistently washed, posing a risk of infection. Gloves and aprons were observed not to be removed after disposing of an unclean nappy, and prior to moving onto the next care activity of placing on a clean nappy, followed with redressing the child. This could lead to a risk of cross infection
Provider's corrective action:
A staff meeting was held, and a review of the policies and procedures was undertaken with each staff member. Following a revise of the policies and procedures we held a demonstration in which all staff participated in a trail run of nappy changing using the corrective measures we have since put in place, which are as follows. Staff must start by ensuring they themselves have washed their hands thoroughly with soap and water, this must be done before putting on the correct PPE. Once gloves and aprons have been removed after each child they must be placed in the correct designated bin. Staff must change their gloves and apron during the care routine in order to prevent cross contamination. Each child must also be promoted to practice good hand hygiene by washing hands after the care routine is finished. To prevent the non-compliance from reoccurring in the future we will ensure to gain feedback from staff and ensure that all staff are aware of the changes that have been made. Ensure that all staff are aware of the importance of infection control and good hand hygrine. In line with the above revision that was taken with the policies and procedures we have moved PPE closer to where the staff member is undertaking the care activity. This allows the staff to change their PPE while also keeping in line with child safety
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 27, 31, 32.
Inspection of 18 September 2025 — Inspection Report
The following vetting information was not available: (a) One written reference from a past employer was not validated
Provider's corrective action:
I contacted the previous employer to confirm the accuracy of the reference details originally provided, and I’ve now updated the employee’s records accordingly. A structured, step-by-step process for reference validation has been established. This includes direct contact with previous employers via phone or email to confirm details. Additionally, both the Deputy Manager and Manager are now required to jointly review and verify all employee references to ensure accuracy and consistency
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The privacy and dignity of some babies was not adequately respected during nappy changing routines. On the day of inspection, babies were observed being changed on a changing unit in the bathroom without any partition in place, while other children entered the bathroom to wash their hands, resulting in the nappy changing process being visible to them
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider has positioned the baby changing unit within a designated cubicle. This arrangement ensures privacy for children during nappy changing routines and supports the promotion of dignity and respect in care practices
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: (1) On the day of the incident notified to Tusla, the slide appeared to be of a size not suitable for younger children. (2) Contrary to the service policy on Accident prevention which states that “Only suitable and age- appropriate objects are available to children”, a child had access to play equipment which was not suitable for the age and stage of the child resulting in the child becoming injured. (3) Outdoor risk assessments were present on the day of inspection but had not been filled out. The person in charge informed inspectors that the assessments are carried out but not documented. (4) A toy phone in the Naíonra beag room was observed to be broken, with sharp edges exposed on the side, posing a potential safety risk to children. (5) A blind cord was unrestricted in Naoinra beag. It is acknowledged that the cord was out of reach of the children. Infection Control: (6) There was a swing top bin in Naoinra Mor boy’s sanitary accommodation, which meant that preschool children had access to the waste, causing an infection control issue. (7) In Naoinra Mor girls’ sanitary accommodation an open top bin was present for the disposal of waste, posing an infection control risk to children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: (1) The service responded swiftly by restricting access to the slide, reviewing equipment for age- appropriateness, and installing clear signage. Staff were updated on safety standards, and ongoing measures include physical barriers, active supervision, and regular equipment checks to ensure safe play for younger children (2) The service addressed the incident by reviewing its accident prevention policy with staff, auditing all play equipment for age-appropriateness, and installing clear signage. To prevent recurrence, routine equipment inspections, ongoing staff meetings, visible age-range signage, and a system for reporting unsuitable equipment have been implemented, fostering a strong culture of safety awareness. (3) The existing outdoor risk assessments will be completed and updated immediately to ensure all hazards are documented. Staff will be briefed on the importance of documentation. To prevent recurrence, a standardized risk assessment template will be implemented, staff will receive training on its use, and assessments will be scheduled regularly. A designated supervisor will monitor compliance and maintain records. (4) The broken toy phone with exposed sharp edges has been removed from the Naíonra Beag room. The toy will be replaced, and all other toys will be inspected for safety. A routine inspection schedule will be established to monitor toys and equipment regularly. Damaged items will be repaired or disposed of immediately, and staff will be trained to identify hazards to ensure ongoing safety. (5) The unrestricted blind cord has been secured immediately to prevent any risk. All other window coverings have been checked to ensure cords are out of reach of children. Regular inspections and staff training will be conducted to maintain a safe environment. Infection Control: (6) The open top bin was removed immediately and peddle bins were installed. Regular checks will be carried out in all rooms to ensure all bins are peddle bins and not a risk of infection control. (7) The swing top bin were removed immediately and peddle bins were installed. Regular checks will be carried out in all rooms to ensure all bins are peddle bins and not a risk of infection control
Regulation 25 — First aid
(b) The first aid boxes were found to be inadequately stocked. Additionally, a portion of the contents had passed their expiry dates, rendering them unsuitable for use in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
All first aid boxes were checked and all out of date items were disposed of safely. Staff were updated on how important it is if anything is used to ensure it is replaced. A regular check on all first aid boxes will be carried out. Spare first aid boxes will be stored in our utility room where all staff will have access to them. Regular checks will be carried out to ensure that all items are in date and replaced if necessary
Regulation 27 — Supervision
(1) While it is acknowledged that there was appropriate supervision on the day of inspection, on the day of the incident reported to Tusla, there was not careful supervision for the age and development of children to ensure the child’s safety in an area
Provider's corrective action:
We immediately reinforced supervision protocols with all staff and conducted targeted training to address the incident. A temporary supervision checklist was introduced to ensure consistent monitoring until full compliance is achieved. Preventive measures now in place include mandatory completion and review of supervision checklists, maintaining active supervision—especially during high-risk activities—with staff remaining within arm’s reach of children under 3, and conducting regular environmental safety inspections. Appropriate staffing ratios (e.g., 1:3 for children under 2) are upheld at all times, including during transitions and outdoor play. Supervisors carry out routine audits to ensure compliance, and ongoing staff meetings reinforce the importance of vigilant supervision to minimize risks and uphold the highest standards of care
Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents
1. The service did not notify Tusla of an incident involving injury to a child while attending the service within the required timeframe of three working days from becoming aware of the incident
Provider's corrective action:
The service has updated its incident reporting procedures to ensure timely notification to Tusla, with staff re- briefed on the three-day requirement. A designated person now oversees reporting, supported by regular audits and staff training to maintain compliance and strengthen child safety and transparency
Regulation 32 — Complaints
(2)(a) (b) The service did not demonstrate compliance with their complaints policy as follows: • There was no complaints file available in the service on the day. The person in charge confirmed that a verbal complaint had been received by the service however there was no record of this complaint or the investigation into this complaint. • A complaint received by the service verbally and submitted to the inspectorate was not recorded or investigated at the time of the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
The service has streamlined its complaints procedures by establishing an accessible complaints file and implementing a log to track the receipt, investigation, and resolution of all complaints. Designated staff oversee the process, and regular audits ensure timely responses and compliance. These steps promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in childcare quality
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on 14 March 2025 in relation to risk identified under regulation 23. Two external doors were not appropriately secured to prevent children from exiting the service unsupervised. The registered provider responded by return with information on corrective actions that had been taken to address the risks. Following the inspection, a referral was made to the Chief Fire Officer in relation to the unsecured exits and the corrective action taken. • Direct observation • Discussion with relevant staff
Immediate action notice. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under regulations 9, 11, 21,22,23 and 28; however, on inspection additional non-compliances which posed a risk was identified under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) (a) (b) 1. There were no references on file for one adult. 2. There were no second reference on file for two adults. (d) There was no record of employment on file for three adults and gaps in the employment history of a fourth adult therefore the requirement for international police vetting could not be determined. (4) Evidence of completion of a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Qualifications Framework was not available for two adults employed to work directly with the children
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) (b) 1. References were sought but one adult is off on long term sick with no return date. 2. References received. (d) CV’s were updated straight away. Management will ensure CV’S are updated with no gaps in employment. (4) Qualifications received. Copy of qualifications or Qualification recognition letter will be sought before commencing work experience or employment
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (a) The individual sleep needs of children in the creche room aged 1- 2 years were not met. Some children were notably tired at 11.00am and were observed to wait up to two hours before being placed to sleep. The children were observed rubbing their eyes, crying and disengaging from play activities. The structure and routine of the day in this room indicated that children ate their dinner and had their nappies changed prior to being placed to sleep. This process did not allow for children to be placed to sleep when they were tired and in need of rest
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (a) We immediately reviewed the current daily schedule to ensure flexibility around the children’s individual sleep cues. We modified the routine to allow children to be placed for sleep as soon as they show signs of tiredness rather than waiting on set times. We implemented a child-centred approach to sleep. Staff will be trained to recognise early signs of tiredness (e.g. eye rubbing, crying, disengagement) and respond promptly by offering rest or sleep. We will keep records of each child’s sleep and rest times and monitor individual needs and adjust accordingly. We will engage with parents/guardians about the importance of responding to children’s sleep cues and incorporate any specific sleep routines or preferences shared by parents into daily practices. We have embedded flexibility into daily routines for all children, especially those with varying sleep needs. We will promote a culture of responsiveness where staff prioritize individual children’s cues over fixed schedules and conduct periodic training on child development and individual needs related to rest and sleep
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on 14 March 2025 in relation to a risk identified under regulation 23. Two external doors were not appropriately secured to prevent children from exiting the service unsupervised. The registered provider responded by return with information on corrective actions that had been taken to address the risks. Following the inspection, a referral was made to the Chief Fire Officer in relation to the unsecured exits and the corrective action taken. 2. Garda vetting was available for eighteen staff members. However, five of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. There were trailing cables adjacent to one cot in the sleep room which posed a risk of injury to children. 4. There was a kettle stored on the worktop in the creche room which was used to reheat children’s feeding bottles. Boiling kettles pose a safety risk to children and should be stored in an area that is inaccessible. Infection Control: 5. Children’s soothers were not managed in a clean, hygienic condition to prevent the risk of infection. One child was observed to drop their soother on the floor and a staff member proceeded to lift the soother and return it to the child without sterilising. 6. Children in the creche room were served their morning snack directly on to the table and not on appropriate crockery point an infection control risk. 7. Nappies were not disposed of in a foot pedal operated, sealed, leak proof bins to prevent the risk of cross infection. 8. The nappy changing procedures observed in the service did not support effective infection control practices as follows: • The same protective apron was worn for all nappy changes carried out by one staff member. • Staff members returned children to the care room and placed children to sleep while wearing the protective apron and gloves following nappy changing. • Staff did not routinely wash their hands after changing a child’s nappy. 9. The waterproof covering on couches in the creche and Naionra beaga room’s was torn, exposing the inner foam which rendered the fabric difficult to clean appropriately. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Following the inspection, we took immediate action to secure both doors. Our caretaker made two security gates in order to prevent the children from exiting the building. A risk assessment will be carried out on a daily basis to ensure all doors are secured for child safety. Staff will be trained on proper procedures for securing doors and recognizing potential security issues. 2. Garda vetting for the five staff members has been received. Record the date of each staff member’s most recent Garda vetting and set automated reminders for renewal. 3. The trailing cables were moved. Organized training sessions for staff and caregivers to emphasize the importance of proper cable management and compliance with safety protocols. Scheduled routine checks to ensure cables are properly secured, in good condition, and compliant with safety standards. Encouraged staff to report any hazards or non-compliance issues promptly, enabling swift corrective action. 4. The kettle was removed. The kettle will be kept out of creche room. Infection Control: 5. A staff meeting was held outlining how soothers should be handled, cleaned and sterilized regularly. Conducted comprehensive training sessions to reinforce the importance of sterilizing dummies and other feeding equipment, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with non-sterile items. 6. Snack will be served on individual plates for each child. Immediate action was taken and kitchen staff were asked to serve all snacks on individual plates for all children. Conducted training sessions emphasizing proper serving procedures, including the importance of using appropriate serving utensils and plates instead of placing snacks directly on the table. 7. A pedal foot bin has been installed at each nappy changing facility. Peddle nappy bin was purchased for both nappy changing areas. Ensure we have adequate peddle bins at all times. 8. A strict nappy changing policy and procedure was implemented. Staff meeting was held and all staff updated on the new nappy changing policy. Ensure all staff are updated on new nappy policy and adhere to all policies. 9. Couches were removed from rooms immediately. Conduct regular audits of existing couches to identify and address any issues promptly
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) On the day of the inspection, there was an inadequate number of nappy changing units for the number of children attending. The regulatory requirement specifies one nappy-changing unit and one wash hand basin for every 11 children in nappies. On the day of inspection, there were 16 children in attendance who were not yet toilet trained and one nappy-changing unit
Provider's corrective action:
(e) A second changing unit was installed. We will regularly review the facility capacity and adjust as needed. We will ensure facilities are safe, hygienic, and conveniently located. Staff will be trained on compliance requirements and monitor their adherence. Management will maintain ongoing oversight to prevent future shortages