# Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare, Portlaoise — inspection reports and findings > Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare (Portlaoise, Co. Laois): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Portlaoise, Laois · Tusla ID **TU2015LS053** · 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 19 March 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice in respect of ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - One staff member employed to work with the children did not have a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or an equivalent. The staff member advised the inspectors that she was employed to work with the children as was recorded on the roster as working in the ECCE 1 room. It is acknowledged that this staff member was working in the kitchen on the day of inspection and was not involved in the direct care of children - The staff member is on Kitchen duties until she has completed her Level 5 qualification. The service will ensure that all staff employed hold a full Qualification and will ensure all certificates are presented before commencing employment ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - The minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained throughout the day of inspection demonstrated by the following observation: • From 11.26am to 12.00pm there were 10 children being supervised by 1 adult in the Wobbler room as a staff member changed children’s nappies. During this time there was no support staff available to maintain the required adult to child ratio in the room - The service has implemented a ‘floater staff’ who will cover and support staff when cover is required. The registered provider has communicated with staff regarding the importance of ensuring all staff feel supported throughout their day and know that the staff member is available to cover when required. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the response and actions submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 11 has been addressed ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (i) The staff roster was available on the day of inspection however it did not accurately reflect the adults working in the service: • A staff member from the ECCE 1 room was noted on the roster from 09:00 – 18:00 however, did not arrive at the service until 10:40. • The person in charge was recorded on the roster 08:00 – 17:00 however, they arrived at the service at 10.30. • A staff member in the ECCE 1 room was rostered to work from 09:00 – 12:00 on the day of inspection, however, was still working in the service past 13:00pm - (i) • The manager will ensure staff cover for all appointments going forward. Employees will make appointments outside of working hours, if possible, if this cannot be accommodated cover for that staff to attend appointment will be got. • The person in charge was called to another service before inspection commenced to deal with a staff issue and left the duty manager in charge. She returned as soon as she could. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the corrective actions submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 16 (i) has been addressed ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. The individual sleep needs for children under 2 years of age were not facilitated. Children who were notably tired and in need of a sleep were observed having to wait until a cot became free before being placed for a nap. There were 11 children in the Wobbler room aged 1-2 years occupying the five available cots in the sleep room located in the Wobbler room. It is acknowledged there were other cots available in the service however, staff did not use these. 2. The basic care needs of the children in the Wobbler room were not met as follows; • Two children were observed to return to the care room from outdoor play with wet clothing. Their bottoms and top were wet. Despite staff interacting with them throughout the inspection including changing their nappy, the clothes were never changed. • There were a number of children attending the Wobbler room with large amounts of mucus running from their noses. Despite interactions from staff which included a nappy change their noses were not wiped in a timely manner. On one occasion the inspector requested that the staff member clean a child’s nose. Mucus was first observed by the inspector at 10.46am, their noses or faces were not cleaned until after dinner at 12.10pm. • Children were put asleep with all their outer clothing on, they were not provided with a blanket when they were put into bed at 12.25pm. Children were heard laughing and shouting from the cot room. Staff went in and out intermittently and told the children to ‘lie down’. This resulted in only two children being asleep at 1.00pm. • The children in the Wobbler room were given unsuitable cups to drink from at dinnertime. The children who were all aged one year were given cups with no lids. This resulted in water being spilled over the tables and floors and their clothes becoming wet. There was no staff supervision observed when the children were drinking from the cups. 3. The environment did not support the pre-school children in initiating play activities. The Wobbler and Toddler room layout did not adequately meet the needs of the children present due to a lack of clearly defined interest areas and a lack of available play materials. Equipment such as toy dinosaurs, blocks and other play materials in were all stored together in the one container. It was observed that, due to room layout, the activities were mainly adult led, with minimal opportunity for child-initiated activity. A child in the Toddler room was observed to take a puzzle to play with, with no puzzle pieces. A second puzzle board also had no pieces. Staff acknowledged that the child could not play with the puzzle and searched in a toy box to locate the remaining pieces. In ECCE 1, the dress-up costumes available were not hung on the dress up rail and were thrown randomly in a pile which reduced the opportunity for children to see what was available and select a costume of their choosing. 4. The physical environment in the Wobbler room was not purposefully structured to develop young children’s curiosity and desire for exploration. Play opportunities were not easily accessible as play equipment was stored in baskets out of the reach of children. 5. Children in the Toddler room were observed to drink diluted black currant drink with their hot meal. No milk or water was available or offered to the children. Sugary drinks are not recommended for children aged between 2-3 years - 1. Children who present tired will be offered a sleep during the day. If cots are occupied in the Wobbler room, cots in the baby room will be used. Staff have been spoken to regarding the importance of being more vigilant and aware of children who maybe showing signs of tiredness. Also spoke about the importance of communicating with parents when a child is being dropped off that they ask how the child slept throughout the night and what time the woke that morning. 2. All children’s clothes checked and changed after returning from outdoor play. The registered provider has spoken to staff regarding the importance of checking and acting, if necessary, when children return from outdoor play. Checklist has been given to all staff. • Children’s noses and faces will be checked and cleaned on a more regular basis by staff. • Cellular Blankets are now provided for all children who sleep. A staff member will stay with children in the sleep room until all children are sleeping. • Children will only drink from closed cups/beakers and all children will be supervised when drinking. 3. The lay out of the Wobbler and Toddler room has been restructured. New materials have been provided to ensure they adequately meet the children’s needs. ECCE 1 room has been provided with hangers for their dress up area. Staff have been retrained in environment layouts and spoken to regarding the importance of how a layout of a child’s room impacts their overall development. Also spoken about the importance of all materials being accessible for children to encourage meaningful play. 4. The Wobbler room physical environment has been restructured with easy access to materials for all children. Staff will ensure the children have space to purposefully play in a well-structured environment and all materials are accessible to them at all times. 5. Only water and milk will be offered to children during mealtimes going forward. Staff provided with and spoken to about the importance of healthy eating ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. The following water temperatures presented a potential risk of a scald injury to children • the downstairs children’s sanitary accommodation ranged from 55.4°Celsius - 55.8°- Celsius • the ECCE 1 children’s sanitary accommodation was 55.4°C. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on site in respect of Regulation 23 Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child, General Safety. This was a noncompliance during inspection on 17/02/2025. The following hazards were noted in the outdoor play area: • Four loose toilet bowls were stored in the outdoor play area where children from the Toddler room were playing. Lids from the cisterns were lying on the ground. Children were observed to run up to the toilets. These presented a risk of injury if a child were to pick up a cistern lid and drop one. The toilets had been removed from the upstairs sanitary accommodation and presented a risk of cross contamination or posed a risk of infection. • A sand/water table was noted to have stagnant brown water presenting a risk of infection if a child were to put their hands or toys into the stagnant water. • A plastic table stored upside down and a green container had stagnant rainwater presenting a risk of infection. • A child approached the inspector and handed her a discarded animal bone which they had been observed putting to their mouth whilst in the outdoor area. The inspector alerted staff to the risk and asked them to dispose of the bone immediately. This posed a risk of choking or injury to the child. 2. Daily outdoor risk assessments were not being completed to identify and manage the risks of any hazards in the service. An ‘Outdoor Risk Assessment’ was noted on the wall leading to the outdoor play area titled ‘garden’. The checklist had been ticked and signed by staff indicating that outdoor risk assessments had been completed on the day of inspection and the days prior. The risk assessments did not identify the above hazards. 3. Christmas lights were placed around the window in the Toddler room for decoration in reach of the children. The trailing cord was hanging down to the ground and plugged in behind a storage box. This presented a potential risk of injury to a child such as choking or tripping. Infection Control: 4. Handwashing practices in the Wobbler room were inadequate to control the spread of infection. Staff from the Wobbler room did not wash their hands after wiping children’s noses. Children were not brought to wash their hands before eating their meals and did not wash children’s hands prior or following nappy changing. 5. The following was noted in the sanitary accommodation of ECCE 1, • Two cloth towels were in the sanitary accommodation in the ECCE 1 room. One towel was on the floor and another hanging on the door handle. Staff advised that the towels were left in the area following the toilets being replaced on 17 March. A child was observed to dry their hands with one of the towels. This presented a risk of cross contamination or infection from using unclean towels. • A ‘Daily Children Toilet’ checklist was observed in the sanitary accommodation of ECCE 1. It was last recorded and updated on 13 March. • A swing lid bin in the ECCE 1 sanitary accommodation was in use for used paper towels. Foot operated pedal bins are required for the disposal of waste in sanitary accommodations. 6. Plastic drinking cups were stored stacked on top of each other on the sink in the Toddler room. The sink was used for hand washing. The sink was noted to be unclean with a used cleaning cloth and a sponge. Children were observed to put their bowls in the sink after their hot meal. This presented a risk of cross contamination from the cleaning cloth, hand washing and the drinking cups. 7. A child was observed to pick up a discarded piece of a cereal bar from the garden and eat it. This poses a risk of cross contamination. 8. In the Wobbler room, a child’s bowl of hot food was observed to fall upside down onto the floor. A staff member saw this and turned the bowl back up and was observed scooping some of the food back into the bowl and return it to the child. They did not replace it with a new bowl; this posed a risk of cross contamination. 9. The children’s soothers were not stored in individual containers, which posed a risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 10. Two auto adrenaline injectors available for one child in ECCE 1 were out of date and had expired in July 2025. 11. Two children in the ECCE 1 room who required specific medication did not have a specific care plan for inhaled medication. Staff were unable to advise the inspectors of the steps to take if the medication was required. This poses a risk to the child in the event of a medical emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The water temperatures were regulated by a plumber in the children’s sanitary accommodation sinks downstairs and ECCE 1. The service will ensure all sanitary areas water temperatures are checked and correct. • The toilet bowels were removed from the outdoor play area. Any materials left on the premises by maintenance workers will be discarded appropriately and out of reach by children. A new risk assessment for maintenance workers put in place. Staff spoken to about the importance of checking all rooms once maintenance workers have completed their job. New risk assessment in place. • Sand and water tables have been cleaned and covered. Sand and water tables outdoors will be covered to prevent any risk of infection. • The Laois County Council warden has been contacted regarding issues with neighbours discarding food in the garden resulting in birds picking the food waste or bones and dropping it in the services outdoor area. Until this issue is resolved staff will check for any food or bones in the garden regularly. 2. All outdoor toys have been cleaned and will be checked daily to prevent any harm of infection to children. All outdoor equipment and toys will be checked each morning and afternoon before signing the risk assessment. The staff have been spoken to regarding the potential hazards or harm to children if risk assessments are signed off without the assessment being carried out beforehand. 3. The Christmas lights have been removed from the Toddler room. The service will ensure staff are aware of the potential hazard that these cables may cause to a child and ensure any cables are out of reach to any child. Infection Control: 4. Hand washing procedures have been placed at all hand-washing stations. The hand-washing policy has been given to all staff and spoken to about the importance of hand washing for themselves and children to prevent spread of potential infections. 5. Daily check lists for the children’s sanitary accommodation have been updated and will be checked regularly. • The swing lid bin in use in ECCE1 sanitary accommodation has been replaced with a pedal bin. • Checklist being monitored, checked and completed daily by staff. 6. Plastic drinking cups and bowls are no longer stacked on or in the sink in the toddler room. The sink is cleaned regularly, and cloths and sponges are now stored in a separate basket out of reach from children. A basket has been provided for children to place used cups and bowls in. A cleaning checklist in in place to ensure sinks are being cleaned regularly. A basket provided for cloths and sponges away from children’s reach. Staff spoken to about the importance of cleanliness. 7. Children are fully supervised when having snacks in the outdoor area. Staff spoken to about the importance of supervision when children eat in the outdoor area and the importance of cleaning up and discarding all foods that may fall on the ground. 8. All staff have been spoken to about the importance of health and hygiene and how if a dinner spills a new dinner should be offered. 9. All soothers are now placed in individual labelled boxes to prevent cross contamination and staff have been spoken to regarding the potential risk of infection if soothers are shared. Administration of Medication: Parents of children requiring specific medication and care plans were contacted immediately on the day of inspection and out of date epi pens have been replaced. Staff will check dates on all auto injectors regularly and care plans in place. Care plans are in place for children requiring one. Staff training has been completed in administration medication ##### Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures - (1) (a) Monthly fire drills were not being conducted in the service. The last recorded fire drill was recorded on 08 January 2026 - (1) (a) Fire drills were completed on 24 March, 27 April and 15 May 2026 following the inspection. Monthly fire drills will be completed in line with regulations and completed monthly ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) The room temperature in ECCE 1 at 2.57pm was recorded as 24.7°C which is above the required temperature range of 18°CC to 22°C. (d) The tiled wall underneath the sink unit in the ECCE 1 sanitary accommodation was stained and required deep cleaning or replacing of the tiles. The sink unit in the ECCE 1 sanitary accommodation was broken and had exposed edging of the vinyl wood, making it difficult to effectively clean - (c) Radiator temperature thermostats were fitted by a plumber onto radiators. Staff will check room temperatures regularly. (d) A new sink unit has been fitted in the ECCE 1 sanitary accommodation. Tiles have been cleaned. Staff have been spoken to regarding the importance of cleaning all sanitary units daily. New cleaning checklist has been put in place Found compliant: Regulation 10, 25. #### Inspection of 13 November 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice in respect of ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (9)(2)(a)(b) Three written validated references were not available in respect of two staff members Two written references from a reputable source were not validated in respect of two staff members employed in the service. (c) A garda vetting disclosure was unavailable for five new staff members employed by the service. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 13 November 2025. (d) Police vetting was not available in respect of one new staff member who had lived outside the state for a period of longer than six consecutive months - The procedures specified in paragraph (2) had not been completed prior to seven staff members being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with children. A Garda Vetting disclosure was not available for five staff members and three references had not been validated in respect of two staff members - Three staff members did not have a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or an equivalent - 1.There was no evidence of staff training undertaken in any specific service policies and procedures which was at variance with the service’s staff training policy available in the service. 2.There was no evidence of staff signatures as having read and understood the policies and procedures of the service. (b)(c) There was no evidence of staff training undertaken in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 - (9)(2)(a)(b) Three written validated references are now available of two staff members. Ensure all staff have two written validated references on file and given before commencement of work. (c) Garda Vetting now received for four staff members, once fifth vetting arrives the registered provider will forward it to TUSLA. Ensure all staff are vetted before commencement of work. (d) Police clearance received for staff member. Ensure all staff members that have worked in a foreign country are police vetted before commencement of work - Recruitment Policy updated The registered provider will ensure all staff have two validated references, garda vetting completed and police clearance completed before allowing any staff to commence employment - Staff qualification received for Level 7 staff member. The other two staff members are in the process of completing their Level 5. The other two staff members are helpers in the room but are not counted in ratio on any given day until they are qualified. The registered provider will ensure all staff have a minimum of QQI Level 5 qualification certificate before commencement of employment - Staff training on all service policies and procedures in place commenced after inspection, where management engaged with each staff members and went through each policy in detail. Once staff were happy with their understanding of each policy they signed off on. An application was also made to a quality improvement organisation by the service. Ongoing staff training will continue on a more regular basis with current staff and all new staff going forward. (b)(c) Some staff completed the childcare act 1991 regulations 2016 training on the Tusla Portal. Ensure all staff are up to date in all training available and invite new staff to undertake training ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - • The Policy on Staff Absences did not include details of how the staff roster details staff absences and substitutions. • The Staff Training Policy did not set out what resources are provided for staff training - The policy on staff absences has been updated to include details of how staff roster details staff absences and substitutions and what resources are provided for staff training Management will ensure the roster states the procedure and details if staff are absent and cover for that staff. Staff training policy updated to set out what resources are provided for staff training. All staff notified of any training resources available to them ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Staff were not a familiar with the emergency plan of a child with a defined medical condition that indicated repeating the administration of the auto adrenaline injector after a five-minute interval. This posed a potential risk of harm to the child in the event of an emergency. 2. A child was observed wearing an amber bead necklace in the wobbler room which posed a potential risk of injury if a child should pull the necklace or ingest a bead. Upon the request of the inspector a corrective action was taken and the staff member removed the necklace from the child’s neck. 3. A Garda vetting disclosure for one adult was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. Staff trained in auto adrenaline injector administration and after care if a second dose of adrenaline is required. Care plans updated and staff spoken to regarding the awareness of the follow up if the first dose is unsuccessful then a second dose might be required. Ensure all staff are trained and confident in administrating an auto injector and the importance of aftercare. Ensure care plans are in place for children prescribed an auto injector and all staff will be trained. 2. The parent’s handbook was updated to state that no children are allowed to wear jewellery to the service including Amber Beads. Ensure Parents are aware when enrolling their child that jewellery is prohibited. 3. Garda Vetting Disclosure received. Management will ensure all Garda Vetting is in date ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - A review of the staff roster indicated that a First Aid Response (FAR) qualified staff member was not present in the service between 08:00 and 09:00 and 13:00 and 14:00 each day. This posed a potential risk to children in the event of a child requiring first aid - The service now have five staff members qualified in FAR Training. Management are waiting on three certificates for staff members. The registered provider will forward the certificates to TUSLA upon receipt. The registered provider will ensure there is enough staff with a FAR Qualification to cover all operating hours of the service ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The roof of the wobbler sleep room was leaking. Two basins of water were positioned to catch the rainwater near the entrance doors to the sleep room. It is acknowledged that a corrective action was taken and a maintenance contractor came to the service and sealed the roof of the wobbler sleep room during the inspection - (d) Roof of the Wobbler room is fully repaired. Management will ensure all risk assessments of the building are completed each morning ##### Regulation 32 — Complaints - There were no written complaints log available for review. The registered provider confirmed the service does not have a written procedure in place to maintain a list of complaints received - A complaint logbook was not maintained in the service and available for inspection - There is now a written procedure in place to maintain a list of complaints received. The registered provider will ensure all staff are trained and understand the procedure for logging a complaint - A logbook now in place for complaints in the service. The registered provider will ensure all staff are aware of the procedure and confident about the procedure for logging a complaint Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 22, 28. #### Inspection of 17 February 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice in respect of ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - 1. The rest areas in pre-school rooms required further development for children to rest or relax. 2. The sleep rooms were not adequate or suitable due to the following: Wobbler sleep room 1. The five cot mattresses in use did not conform to a recognised safety standard. 2. A foothold was noted in one cot which posed a potential risk of entrapment to a young child. 3. The five cot mattresses were heavily stained and required replacement. 4. The waterproof mattress covers in use were not fit for purpose as they were congealed and torn. 5. The blue blind covering the window could not be opened and required replacement. 6. A fitted cot sheet was not in place on one cot. The sheet was too big and did not fit the mattress correctly. Baby sleep room 7. Two cot mattresses in use did not conform to a recognised safety standard. 8. A foothold was noted in one cot which could cause an entrapment to a young child. 9. Two cot mattresses were stained and required replacement. The service ‘s cot cleaning record indicated that the mattresses were cleaned daily and dated the 16.02.25 which was at variance with the findings on inspection. 10. The blue blind covering the window could not opened and required replacement - The following hazards were noted in the outdoor play area: 1. The four absorbent tiles at the foot of the slide did not cover a sufficient radius to protect children in the drop zone if they fell from the elevated climb and slide unit. 2. Exposed wood and splintering were noted on the wooden gate which provided a segregation between the outdoor play area and the rear access to the kitchen area. 3. The side panel of the wooden “boat” was broken and lay on the ground which posed a potential trip hazard to the children - The registered provider stated the following in the response: 1(b) 1 – 2. The service has made the sleep rooms more child friendly, relaxing and comfortable. The service has a new white noise machine which relaxes the children when falling asleep. The service will ensure that sleep and rest areas are child friendly, relaxing and comfortable always. (photograph included) Wobbler Sleep Room 1. All mattresses were replaced with new industry grade branded sleep safety mattresses. (photograph included). 2. The mattress was replaced with one that fits the cot correctly with no foothold. (photograph included). 3. Five cot mattresses were replaced. (photograph included). 4. The new mattresses are all waterproof. (photograph included). 5. The blue blind was replaced and a new blind fitted. (photograph included). 6. All cot sheets were replaced and new ones that fit the mattresses correctly were purchased. (photograph included). The service will ensure that all mattresses are assessed numerous times throughout the day by staff to ensure there are no stains, no footholds, and are up to sleep safety quality standards. We will also ensure the blinds are always in good working order. Baby Sleep Room 7. All mattresses were replaced with new industry grade branded sleep safety mattresses. (photograph included). 8. The mattress was replaced with one that now fits the cot correctly with no foothold. (photograph included). 9. Stained cot mattresses were replaced. All staff spoken to and retrained regarding mattress hygiene standards. (photograph included). 10. The blue blind was replaced and a new blind fitted. (photograph included). The service will ensure that all mattresses are assessed numerous times throughout the day by staff to ensure there are no stains, no footholds, and are up to sleep safety quality standards. We will also ensure the blinds are always in good working order. We will also ensure staff are up to date with cleaning rosters and hygienic measures - 1. All Absorbent tiles have now been replaced and extra tiles added for the children’s safety to protect children in the drop zone. (photograph included). 2. The wooden gate is now replaced with a new gate. (photograph included). 3. The side panel is now replaced with a new panel. (photograph 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 ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Thermostatically controlled water was not available at the wash hand basins in the pre-school rooms on the ground floor and the first floor of the service and in the sanitary accommodation. The temperatures recorded ranged from 52 – 53 degrees Celsius which presented a potential risk of a scald injury to children. The designated person in charge was notified of the findings by the early year’s inspectors immediately upon detection. As the risk was not able to be eliminated prior to the conclusion of the inspection an immediate action notice was issued to the designated person in charge on site in respect of Regulation 23 Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child, General Safety. 2. Two window blind cords were unsecured in the wobbler sleep room posing a potential safety risk. As the risk was not able to be eliminated prior to the conclusion of the inspection an immediate action notice was issued to the designated person in charge on site in respect of Regulation 23 Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child, General Safety. 3. Two out-of-date adrenaline auto injectors were noted in respect of a child present in the service. This posed a risk of harm to the child if the medication was required in an emergency. Upon the request of the inspector the parent was contacted and an in-date adrenaline auto injector was brought to the service by the parent. 4. Staff in the toddler room were unclear as to the necessary actions to be taken to administer the adrenaline auto injector. 5. Nonslip mats were not in place in the pre-school rooms which posed a potential risk of slip, trip of falls. 6. Visibility strips were not in place on the glazed panel of the patio door in the baby room and the glazed panel of the patio door leading to the outdoor play area for young children to recognise glass. 7. One highchair in the baby room did not have a three-point safety harness or a stable base to ensure the safety of the child when seated. 8. There was no method of sterilisation in place for mouthing toys for young children in the baby room. 9. A communication system was not in place for the staff members working on their own in the baby and wobbler room to alert relief staff when they required assistance with the children they were caring for. 10. Two children were observed wearing hooped earrings which posed a potential risk of injury to the children if these jewellery pieces were pulled or got caught. 11. The vinyl sofa in ECCE 1 located on the first floor was torn with exposed foam which posed a potential risk of harm to a child. 12. The side panel of the bathtub in the nappy changing area located on the first floor was cracked with broken edges noted which posed a potential injury risk to children. 13. Swing top bins needed to be replaced with foot operated bins in the premises for the hygienic disposal of waste. Infection Control: 1. Prepared infant formula was made up in the service which was at variance with the Safe Food Safety Authority of Ireland guidelines. 2. A refrigerator was not available for the storage of perishable goods in the pre-school rooms. 3. The nappy changing practice observed was inadequate for infection control purposes due to the following: • The staff members did not wash their hands prior to the nappy changing procedure. • The staff members did not wash their hands or the child’s hands after nappy changing and the staff member returned the child to the room without washing the child’s hands. 4. The nappy changing bin located in the nappy changing area on the ground floor was not suitable as it was not foot operated, sealed and airtight. 5. Pillows for use by children attending ECCE 1 on the first floor during sleep were stored on top of each other which posed a potential infection control risk. 6. The seat of the adult chair in the baby room was stained and requiring cleaning or replacement. Fire Safety: 1. There was no self-illuminated fire exit signage installed to indicate the fire exit routes from the baby, wobbler and toddler rooms on the ground floor in the event of a fire in the premises. 2. Fire safe restrictive opening devices were not in place on the window of the nappy changing area located on the first floor. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: The registered provider stated the following in the response: 1. New temperature valves were fitted to each wash hand basin. All water temperatures are now between 40 and 40.4 degrees Celsius. There are daily checks on water temperatures to ensure correct temperatures. (photograph included). 2. The blind cords are now secured in the wobbler sleep room and no longer pose a risk. Daily checks on all blind cords to ensure no safety risks are in place. (photograph included). 3. Out of date adrenaline auto injectors were removed from the toddler room and the parent replaced them on the day of inspection. Renewal date of adrenaline auto injectors is now placed on the front of the child’s box containing their adrenaline auto injectors. (photograph included). 4. Adrenaline auto injectors administration training has now been provided to all staff members. Ongoing adrenaline auto injectors administration training will be given to all staff on a continuous basis. (photograph included). 5. The floor mats were removed from pre-school room and new nonslip mats replaced them. The service will ensure that all mats purchased are non-slip. (photograph included). 6. Visibility strips are now in placed on the baby room patio door and the glazed panel of patio door leading to the outdoor area. The service will replace visibility strips if needed on both doors. (photograph included). 7. The highchair was replaced in the baby room. The service will ensure that all highchairs have an appropriate safety harness. (photograph included). 8. Mouthing toy sterilisation buckets now in place in each room for the sterilisation of all toys. Staff training was provided to remind staff of the importance of infection control and sterilisation of all mouthing toys. (photograph included). 9. A doorbell communication system is now in place from the baby room to the floater of the service. The floater will now be more mindful to check in with baby room staff more often. (photograph included). 10. A letter was sent to all parents reminding them of the risk of harm that hooped earrings could cause if they caught or pulled. Attached to this letter was a liability declaration if a parent refuses to remove these earrings. Continuous assessment of children’s jewellery will be done daily. (photograph included). 11. The vinyl sofa in ECCE 1 room has now been replaced with a new one. Daily checks on all soft furnishings will be completed by staff. (photograph included). 12. The side panel of the bathtub has now been replaced with a new one. Risk assessments daily to ensure no injury risk to children with broken or cracked materials. (photograph included). 13. Swing top bins are now replaced with foot operated bins. All bins that will be purchased for the service will be foot operated. (photograph included). Infection Control: The registered provider stated the following in the response: 1. As per the service infection control policy the service will not make up infant formula on the premises and staff have been reminded of this policy. (photograph included). 2. Refrigerators are now in place in the pre-school rooms for the storage of perishable goods. Staff will now ensure that all perishable foods will be placed in refrigerators daily. (photograph included). 3. Staff training given to all staff members regarding the nappy changing procedure. staff training will be provided on a more regular basis. (photograph included). 4. Foot operated nappy bins are now in place and all new nappy bins purchased will be foot operated going forward. (photograph included). 5. Pillows used by preschool rooms are now in individual bags. (photograph included). 6. The seat in the baby room was cleaned and sterilised. The seat in the baby room will be assessed daily and cleaned when required. (photograph included). Fire Safety: The registered provider stated the following in the response: 1. Self- illuminated fire exit signage is now installed in all rooms. Staff will ensure that all self-illuminated exit signs are always working in each room. (photograph included). 2. A fire safe restrictive opening device is now in place on the window of the nappy changing area on the first floor. Daily checks will be done on all opening devices on all windows of the service. (photograph 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. The practices as stated by the registered provider will be reviewed on the next inspection ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - The first aid boxes were not stocked in line with TUSLA requirements as outlined in the Quality Regulatory Framework document. On the first floor the first aid box checklist located adjacent to the first aid box was last completed on 12 July 2023. The first aid box on the first floor did not contain the following required items: • Individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings of assorted sizes. • Sterile eye pads • Water based burns dressings • Crepe bandage - The registered provider stated the following in the response: All first Aid boxes were replaced with industry grade first aid boxes. All first aid checklists will now be completed at the required date. Regular checks on all first aid boxes and checklists will be completed at required dates. (photograph 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 ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) 1. At 10:45 the temperature of the wobbler sleep room was recorded at 12.1 degrees Celsius which was too cold and at variance with best practice of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. 2. At 11.45 the temperature of the baby sleep room was recorded at 14.9 degrees Celsius which was too cold and at variance with best practice of 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. 3. The service ‘s sleep area risk assessment record indicated that the temperature of the sleep was to be maintained in between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius at all times and was dated and signed on the 17 February 2025. It is acknowledged that the designated person in charge and the deputy designated person in charge put an electric heater in both sleep rooms and contacted the plumber who attended the service during the inspection. 4. At 11:30 the temperature of the wobbler room was recorded at 14.7 degrees Celsius which was too cold and at variance with the required room occupancy temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius - (c) 1-4 The registered provider stated the following in the response: New temperature valves were placed onto the radiators so staff can now control the temperatures of these rooms and risk assessment forms for these rooms are now updated. Staff will do daily checks to ensure temperatures of the sleep room are of the correct temperatures and risk assessment forms will be kept updated. (photograph 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, 26, 28. ### Earlier inspections - 12 September 2023 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Laois - [Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare](/creche/darling-buds-montessori-daycare-portlaoise-3.md) Portlaoise - [Durrow Community Playgroup Ltd.](/creche/durrow-community-playgroup-ltd-durrow.md) Durrow - [Giggles Creche](/creche/giggles-creche-portarlington.md) Portarlington - [Jelly Tots Community Creche and Playschool](/creche/jelly-tots-community-creche-and-playschool-abbeyleix.md) Abbeyleix - [Lisgorm Services Ltd T/A Leanbh Mo Chroi](/creche/lisgorm-services-ltd-t-a-leanbh-mo-chroi-rathdowney.md) Rathdowney - [Sherpa Kids Portlaoise Educate Together NS](/creche/sherpa-kids-portlaoise-educate-together-ns-portlaoise.md) Portlaoise - [Giggles Creche ltd](/creche/giggles-creche-ltd-portarlington.md) Portarlington - [Little Learners Pre-School](/creche/little-learners-pre-school-graiguecullen.md) Graiguecullen [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-daycare-portlaoise-2/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11