# Curious Minds, Mallow — inspection reports and findings > Curious Minds (Mallow, Co. Cork): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Curious Minds Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Mallow, Cork · Tusla ID **TU2016CC027** · 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 29 January 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection control: It was observed that staff or children did not wash their hands after nappy changing. The handwashing procedures during the nappy changing was at variance to the infection control policy. Not ensuring regular handwashing put the children and staff at risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection control: The registered provider stated that all staff have reviewed the infection control policy with emphasis on the nappy changing and hand hygiene procedures. Staff have received guidance on hand washing procedures and future staff will be training on the importance of hand hygiene ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The children’s sanitary facility was not maintained, the walls had visible stains surrounding the sinks and hand dryers. On discussion with the person in charge, it was explained that the walls had not been painted in a long period of time - The registered provider stated that the children’s sanitary area is cleaned daily and after use, as necessary. It has been arranged to have the sanitary area painted when the service is closed. Any areas that require to be repaired will be completed in the future Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 15, 19, 28. #### Inspection of 29 October 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: (1) A sharp screw was observed protruding from a broken hinge which was hanging off of a large plastic toy box at the entrance to the service. This presented a general safety risk as the screw was easily accessible by the children. It was acknowledged that when informed about the screw the manager removed it immediately. (2) The inspector observed a number of items in the care room which were causing potential tripping hazards. Examples included; boxes of excess toys and equipment left on the floor and new equipment and a hoover left in a corner at the main entrance area where children had access to them. (3) The pockets of adult coats, hanging on two doors, were accessible to the children posing a safety risk to the children should they gain access to unsafe items. (4) A large doll’s house, made of light wood and above the children’s height, was not anchored to prevent it from falling or tipping over. When informed the manager had it removed. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - The following statements were received from the registered provider; General Safety: (1) When informed, during the inspection, the manager removed the screw from the box. A new toy box is now in place. (2) The room was cleared of all items liable to cause a tripping hazard. Staff will ensure that the floor areas are kept free of any potential hazards on a daily basis. (3) A secure area has been allocated to ensure staff belongings are not accessible by the children. (4) The doll’s house was removed on the day of inspection. All heavy equipment and furniture, that may fall or tip over, will be fully anchored in the future ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The care room was not well maintained and was in a poor state of repair. The inspector observed the following: (1) Exposed splintered wood, located on the bottom part of a door frame in the care room, was accessible to the children. In conversation, staff furnished evidence that this had been reported to the school on 12 August 2024 and 17 October 2024. (2) The walls in the care room were in a poor state of repair. The inspector observed large areas where layers of sticky tape and adhesive putty, which had been removed several times over the years, were visible on the walls. In discussion, a staff member stated that the room had not been painted for a number of years. (3) A handle on a cistern in the children’s sanitary area was hanging out of place making it difficult to flush effectively. (4) There were two accessible pipes extending from the back of the service in the dedicated outdoor play area. In discussion, the manager stated that old play equipment, which had concealed the pipes, had recently been removed and the pipes were exposed. (5) There were two brown water stains visible on the ceiling in the care room. Staff stated that these stains had previously been painted however, they were still visible - The following statements were received from the registered provider; (d) (1) (2) and (5) Communication from the board of management to the manager, after a meeting held in early December 2024, indicated that over the Christmas holiday period the non-compliances would be addressed. (3) The cistern handle has been replaced. (4) The two pipes are now concealed behind the new outdoor toy box Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28. ### Other services in Cork - [Curious Minds Pre-School](/creche/curious-minds-pre-school-millstreet.md) Millstreet - [Curious Minds Rusheen](/creche/curious-minds-rusheen-rusheen.md) Rusheen - [Darrara Preschool](/creche/darrara-preschool-clonakilty.md) Clonakilty - [Dreamers Creche Ltd T/A Little Angel's](/creche/dreamers-creche-ltd-t-a-little-angel-s-midleton.md) Midleton - [Eileen's Playschool](/creche/eileen-s-playschool-ballincollig.md) Ballincollig - [Glentrasna Community Pre-School](/creche/glentrasna-community-pre-school-cork.md) Cork - [Little Acorns Pre-School](/creche/little-acorns-pre-school-monkstown.md) Monkstown - [Ready Steady Play](/creche/ready-steady-play-cork.md) Cork - [Blossom Grove, Togher Family Centre](/creche/blossom-grove-togher-family-centre-togher.md) Togher - [Wee Wisdom Pre-School](/creche/wee-wisdom-pre-school-fermoy.md) Fermoy [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/curious-minds-mallow/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11