# Darling Buds Montessori and Daycare, Portlaoise — inspection reports and findings

> Darling Buds Montessori and Daycare (Portlaoise, Co. Laois): what Tusla inspections found — 1 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Darling Buds Montessori and Daycare

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Portlaoise, Laois · Tusla ID **TU2019LS002** · Registered since 27 August 2025

An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md).

#### Inspection of 24 February 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play

- The layout of the wobbler room required further review to allow for sensory, imaginative and child led play
- 1. The rest areas in the wobbler room required review as cushions for children to rest on were located next to the radiator. 2. Three mattress covers were stained in the wobbler sleep room. One mattress cover was stained in the toddler sleep room. It is acknowledged that a corrective action was taken by the registered provider and the covers were removed and replaced during the inspection
- The following hazards were noted in the outdoor play area: 1. The surface of the “mushroom” table and a water tray container unit were noted to be cracked with exposed edges which posed a potential injury risk to children. 2. The protective rubbers on the handles of a white tricycle were missing leaving exposed metal bars which posed a potential injury risk. 3. One of the Perspex windows in the elevated playhouse was cracked and broken which posed a potential injury risk to children if they were playing in the playhouse

- 1. The layout of the wobbler room has been revised. (Photographic evidence included)
- 1. Cushions have been removed from the radiator area of wobbler room. (Photographic evidence included) 2. New mattress protectors that were replaced on the day of inspection are on the cots. (Photographic evidence included.)
- 1. The “mushroom” table has been removed from the garden . Water and sand containers from the bench have been removed. (Photographic evidence included). 3. The tricycle was removed from the outdoor play area. 4. The playhouse window that had been damaged by the storm has been removed and a new one fitted. (Photographic evidence included). Staff have been reminded of the need for risk assessments to be carried out and all items that need to be fixed or replaced and to be brought to managers attention immediately. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: 1. The safety catch on the door leading to the storeroom was not in place which posed a potential risk of harm should a child gain access to the contents stored within. Infection Control: 1. The child’s hands were not washed after the nappy changing procedure was carried out and before returning the child to the pre-school room. In the nappy changing area, the liquid hand soap dispenser was located out of the reach for children’s use. 2. In the nappy changing area cleaning solutions were decanted into a bottle without content label or instructions for use attached. 3. The nappy disposal bin had a flap top access system which required the staff to handle the surface area which posed a potential risk of cross contamination. 4. Children’s clothes were stored in the nappy changing area which posed a potential risk of cross contamination. 5. A brush pan and brush were stored directly onto children’s art aprons in the wobbler room which was not suitable for infection control purposes. Fire Safety: 1. There were no self-illuminated fire exit signs in place to identify the appropriate evacuation routes from the pre-school rooms and sleep rooms in the event of an emergency. 2. Exit doors identified with paper fire exit signage were obstructed with toys and play equipment in the wobbler and toddler rooms. A wooden unit used to store wellington boots was located along the corridor leading to a fire exit which may imped the prompt evacuation of children in the event of a fire in the premises. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

- Te General Safety: 1. A safety catch on the door leading to the storeroom has been put in place. (Photographic evidence included). Infection Control: 1. The hand soap has been replaced with a liquid soap container that is now within the child’s reach. (Photographic evidence included). 2. The cleaning solution has been refilled and labelled with instructions. All staff have been retrained in the correct method of storing and mixing the cleaning solution. (Photographic evidence included). 3. The nappy bin has been replaced with foot operated pedal bin. (Photographic evidence included). 4. Children’s clothes have been removed from the boxes in the nappy changing area. (Photographic evidence included). 5. Children’s art aprons have been removed from the corner of classroom and have been stored back in the art press. (Photographic evidence included). A staff meeting was held with the staff regarding non-compliances detailed in the report and reminded of the correct practice of storage of items such as clothes, aprons, boots etc. Fire Safety: 1. New running man lit signage have been installed in all classrooms and sleep rooms. (Photographic evidence included). All new signage has been installed for fire safety and layout of rooms have been changed to ensure there is no obstruction to the doors. 2. The wobbler room layout had been changed and the door is no longer obstructed. (Photographic evidence included). Wellington boot stands on both ends of the building have been removed. (Photographic evidence included). Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28.

### Other services in Laois

- [Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare](/creche/darling-buds-montessori-daycare-portlaoise.md) Portlaoise
- [Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare](/creche/darling-buds-montessori-daycare-portlaoise-2.md) Portlaoise
- [Early Learning Montessori](/creche/early-learning-montessori-stradbally.md) Stradbally
- [Happy Days Creche Durrow Limited](/creche/happy-days-creche-durrow-limited-durrow.md) Durrow
- [Kuddz Kidz Playschool Raheen](/creche/kuddz-kidz-playschool-raheen-raheen.md) Raheen
- [Sandra's Playschool](/creche/sandra-s-playschool-mountrath.md) Mountrath
- [Durrow Community Playgroup Ltd.](/creche/durrow-community-playgroup-ltd-durrow.md) Durrow
- [Lisgorm Services Ltd T/A Leanbh Mo Chroi](/creche/lisgorm-services-ltd-t-a-leanbh-mo-chroi-rathdowney.md) Rathdowney

[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/darling-buds-montessori-and-daycare-portlaoise/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11