(a) Four written references were available for three adults from past employers; however, documentary evidence was not available to confirm a validation check had been completed. This posed a potential risk to children. (b) Three written references were available for three adults from sources other than past employers, however, documentary evidence was not available to confirm a validation check had been completed. This posed a potential risk to children. (d) International police vetting was not available for one adult who had lived in a country other than Ireland for a period of six consecutive months or more as an adult. This posed a potential risk to children. (4) Documentation was not available to demonstrate that one adult who worked directly with children attending the service held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It is acknowledged that a qualification certificate was available however it could not be established that this was an approved qualification. This posed a potential risk to children
Provider's corrective action:
(a) (b) Management have updated and validated all references and will carry out regular checks to ensure compliance. Management will ensure that new staff members will have two validated references on file prior to commencing in the service. (d) Management have requested international police vetting for one adult and will ensure that all staff have relevant police vetting checks on file going forward. (4) One adult has enrolled in a QQI Level 5 course, due to commence on the 24th June 2025, and will not work directly with children until the minimum required qualification has been obtained but will complete work experience in the service and continue to work in the afterschool. Management will ensure that all staff have the minimum required qualification prior to commencement in the service
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(k) The registered provider did not ensure a full record in writing for accidents and incidents was maintained. Three accident and incident records dated after the previous inspection were available for review, the following information was missing: o One form did not contain a parent’s signature or a manager’s signature. o One form did not contain a parent’s signature, a manager’s signature or information detailing the staff member completing the form. o One form did not contain the date of the incident or the child’s date of birth. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection, dated 16/10/2024
Provider's corrective action:
(k) All forms have been updated with the missing information. Management will ensure all accident and incident forms are fully completed with the required information
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for two staff members. However, 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’. Infection Control: 2. Toilet rolls in the sanitary accommodation were not hygienically dispensed and were observed to be stored on top of the toilet units, this posed a risk of cross contamination. 3. A bin which required the children to touch the lid to dispose of contaminated waste was observed in both sanitary accommodations, resulting in repeated touch to a surface and increasing the risk of cross contamination. Fire Safety: 4. The children’s attendance records were not maintained in a timely manner. On the day of inspection, the inspector reviewed the attendance record at 09:47am. There were no children marked in on the attendance record; however, 9 children were present in the service. This may prevent the safe evacuation of the children in the event of an emergency. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection, dated 16/10/2024. 5. The fire drill records indicated that fire drills were not carried out on a regular basis. The previous three fire drills took place on the 11/04/2025, 17/10/2024 and 14/11/2023. The frequency of fire drills is not sufficient to support and prepare staff members and children in the event of an emergency evacuation, posing a potential risk of injury. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. A Garda vetting renewal application has been submitted for two staff members with an updated Garda vetting disclosure having been received in respect of one staff member. The registered provider will renew all staff vetting within the 3-year timeframe outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. The toilet roll dispensers will be checked daily and refilled as needed. 3. Foot operated pedal bins have been purchased and placed in both bathrooms. Management will ensure that foot operated pedal bins are in use in all areas of the service going forward. Fire Safety: 4. Management will ensure that the attendance records are filled in first thing in the morning to ensure the safety of children in event of any emergencies. 5. Fire drills will be completed on a monthly basis and recorded by a member of staff. Management have purchased a new fire drill record book for use in the service
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1) (b) Documentary evidence was not available to demonstrate a maintenance check had been carried out on the smoke alarms in the service in the previous twelve months
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (b) The smoke alarm system was serviced the day after the inspection. Management have arranged for maintenance checks to be carried out by an external contractor on a 6-monthly basis
The registered provider did not ensure the following was available:
• Two staff members each had two references available from previous employers however these were not validated. • One staff member had no written or validated references available. (2)(d) There was no documentary evidence available to establish whether one staff member had required police vetting
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) Two validated written references were obtained for a staff member. (2)(d) no action submitted. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b)(d) Regular checks will be made to ensure all documents are up to date
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
The following records were not maintained: (h) Attendance records detailing the arrival and departure of the children were not maintained on a daily basis. For example: • There was no departure details recorded for 1, 11 and 15 October 2024. • There was no arrival and departure details recorded for the 2, 3, 4 and 14 October 2024. (i) There was no staff roster available. (j) The registered provider did not ensure a record in writing with signed parental consent for the administration of medication was available. Staff reported that medication had previously been administered in the service, but there was no record of this available. (k) The registered provider did not ensure a full record in writing for accident and incidents was maintained, as evidenced by the following from a sample of 12 records: • Two forms did not record the date of the parents’ signature. • Five forms did not record the child’s full name. • One form did not detail the date of completion or the signature of the staff member completing the form
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (h) The attendance records were updated. (i) A staff Roster added to attendance book and filled in day after inspection. (j) A medicine book present in service but had not been used yet as no medication had been administered as of date of inspection. (k) The accident & Incident book was brought up to date and all forms completed correctly. Preventive Action (h) The service commit to regularly check all documentation, report books etc and ensure all are up to date and completed properly. (i) The service commit to fill staff roster in daily, keep it up to date, get each staff member to sign in and out daily. (j) The service commits to ensure medication administered is recorded by staff and signed by parent. (k) The service will ensure the accident & incident book is completed correctly by staff and parents each time it’s used
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1)(a) Not all of the children were given the freedom to move freely throughout the care room and engage in their choice of activity. The children were observed to be required to remain seated for a total of 70 minutes and engage in adult led activities from 9.50am to 11.00am. The following was observed: • At 9.50am the children were directed to sit on their chairs for an adult-led activity of circle time. The children displayed non-verbal signs of disinterest in the activity by fidgeting and moving around on their chairs and attempting to communicate with each other. Staff repeatedly told the children turn around and listen. • At 10.18am the children were directed to sit at their table where they were requested to turn their listening ears on for an adult led activity of animal bingo. One of the children wanted to sit beside their friend but was told there was no room. • At 10.36am the children were reminded to remain seated while the transition for snack time commenced. • At 10.58am the children were directed to be seated on the floor in the home corner while the room was prepared for an adult led activity facilitated by an external company. • It is acknowledged that two children who had additional care needs were given the opportunity to freely move around the room however no alternative activities were provided. Children require the opportunity to move freely through their care space and engage in child-led activities of their choice in order to develop independent decision-making skills
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action Due the arrival of an external activity, children were out of routine. The service will ensure to have a change in activities and more child led. Children usually have more free play and freedom to choose their own work and play. Preventive Action Daily activities will be child led and based on children emergent interest. The service have a timetable and themes they will follow which will change according to emergent interests of the children
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
The registered provider did not ensure the following adequate or suitable play equipment for the children: 1. The adult led game of animal bingo was not suitable for the age range of children in the room. Staff were observed to comment that the game was ‘so hard for children’. The children were observed to not successfully master the game as they did not recognise the sounds of some of the animals. A review of the instructions of the game showed the recommended age range for the game was age 4 and up. The age range of the children in the room was from 2 years and 9 months to 3 years and 10 months. In the outdoor play area the following was observed: 2. The sand pit was inaccessible to the children, and staff reported that this is not available for outdoor play during the winter months. 3. The large plastic game was broken, with not all of the pieces available
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action 1. The service ensures game won’t be used with children until they are ready to understand the game. 2. The outdoor sand pit has been fitted with a secure lid to ensure access to clean sand throughout the year. 3. The game was removed form the garden and disposed of. Preventive Action 1. The service will review all activities and check that they are all age suitable. 2. The service ensure sand will be accessible throughout the year. 3. The service will ensure to check all materials and dispose of them when broken or damaged
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: The following were accessible to children and posed a potential risk of injury to the children: 1. The television was not securely mounted. 2. Broken toys and equipment which were stacked in the side of the shelter in the outdoor play area were unstable. 3. There was a trailing flex from the radio in the care room. 4. Tins of paint were stored in the outdoor play kitchen. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 5. There was no hand drying facility available in the blue toilet and the blue roll available in the in the yellow toilet was not appropriate as it was not hygienically dispensed. 6. Children’s lunches which were observed to contain perishable items were not refrigerated. This was identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection held on the 9 June 2021 and actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Fire Safety: 7. The details of the attendance of the children were not accurately recorded in the attendance book. Only 11 children were marked as present when there were 12 children in attendance. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Corrective actions: 1. The TV was secured to the wall. 2. The toys were removed and disposed of safely. Side of the shelter has been secured with a barrier. 3. The radio was moved to safer area. 4. The paint was removed and stored in locked shed at front on services. Preventive actions: 1. The service will ensure to check the TV is secure. 2. The storage outside to be checked daily to ensure safety. 3. The service will check flexes daily to ensure safety. 4. No paints to be stored outside, and will keep in locked shed. Infection Control: Corrective actions: 5. The dispensers were filled with blue roll. 6. A fridge is now available in the care room for lunches. Preventive actions: 5. The dispensers will be checked daily and documented. 6. The service will ensure perishable lunches are refrigerated daily. Fire Safety: 7. Corrective action: the service updated the attendance book on the day of the inspection. Preventive action: the service commit to accurately maintaining the attendance book daily
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) There was no documentary evidence available to demonstrate that a person trained to First Aid Responder level was available to the children attending the service during the operational hours of the service. It is acknowledged that two members of staff were trained in Paediatric First Aid
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action All staff completed First Aid Responder training after the inspection. Preventive Action The service will ensure to have up to date first aid and renew when required
Regulation 29 — Premises
The registered provider did not ensure the following: (c) The care room was not adequately ventilated. The temperature of care room exceeded the recommended ambient temperature of 18-22 o C in a care room. The room was warm and stuffy, and the inspector recorded the temperature of the care room as 23.5oC at 11.03am. (d) The premises was not maintained and repaired as required. • The toilet in the yellow sanitary accommodation was not appropriately secured to the floor and water was observed to be seeping onto the floor. • The seal on the flooring of both the yellow and blue sanitary accommodation was damaged, and the flooring was coming away from the wall leaving a surface that was un-wipeable. There was a build-up of dirt and debris accumulating in area where the floor was damaged
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (c) Staff opened a window, and back door and the air purifier was turned on. (d) The toilet was replaced day after inspection, and the flooring was repaired. The service report they had a plumber booked to come before the inspection had taken place. Preventive Action (c) The service will ensure the room is well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature. (d) The service will check toilets, sanitary equipment daily
Regulation not named in the report text
(1) The service was found to be operating outside of its registration status which detailed the opening hours as 9.30am to 12.30pm. Children were present when the inspector arrived at the premises at 9.30am, and staff reported they had been present since 9.00am. Seven children remained until 1.00pm. Discussion with staff and a review of the attendance log confirmed the opening hours as 9.00am to 1.00pm
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action A Change of circumstance form was completed and returned to Tusla on 19/11/2024. The service returned to original times of 9.30 to 12.30 on Monday 4th Nov 2024. Preventive Action The service commit to adhering to opening times in line with planning permission and ensure Tusla are informed of any changes by submitting a change of circumstance form