Inspection of 12 November 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the person in charge on the 12 November 2025 under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) Two written and validated references were not available in relation to one adult employed in the service. (3) Evidence was not available to demonstrate that the procedures specified in paragraph (2) were carried out in relation to one adult before employment commenced. (4) Evidence 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 documentation was available however it could not be established that this was an approved qualification
Provider's corrective action:
- (a)(b) Two written and validated references have been obtained and added to the staff file. All references will be validated and held on file prior to new staff members commencing in the service. (3) Management have updated the recruitment policy and will ensure that no staff member commences employment until all relevant checks have been completed. (4) Written confirmation has been received that the qualification is recognised by the Department and meets the approved requirements for work in an early years setting. The staff file has been updated to include this confirmation. Management will ensure the required information is on file prior to new staff members commencing employment
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (k) A sample of twelve accident and incident records were reviewed. Nine of the twelve records were incomplete; the following information was not included: o Two records did not include a parent’s signature. o Five records did not include the date that a parent signed the form. o Two records did not include the child’s surname. o Eight records did not include a manager’s signature. o One record did not include a witness signature. Similar non-compliances were observed on the last inspection, dated 9 February 2023. The corrective and preventative actions provided following the last inspection have not been sufficient to prevent recurrence. Any miscommunication around incidents involving children can potentially hamper appropriate care following an injury
Provider's corrective action:
- (k) All incomplete accident and incident records have now been reviewed, updated where possible, and signed by the manager. Parents of children involved have been contacted and signatures obtained. All staff members have been briefed on ensuring records are fully complete with all required information
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure 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’. 2. Two taps in the sanitary accommodations measured above the recommended 43°C, the following was observed: Room 1 nappy changing area 53.1°C Room 2 nappy changing area 60.1°C An immediate action notice was issued to the person in charge in relation to this. Infection Control: 3. Bins used in the service did not support effective infection control measures; the following was observed: o Bins with a swing lid were in use in the care rooms and required repeated touch to dispose of waste. o Nappy bins in the sanitary accommodation areas required repeated touch to dispose of soiled nappies. Bins that require repeated touch during use increase the potential risk of cross contamination. 4. Equipment and materials, to include a toy buggy and a bag of sand for sensory play, were stored in the sanitary accommodation located off Room 2, this increases the potential risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. An updated Garda vetting application has been made for one adult. A tracker has been updated to highlight vetting renewal due dates. Renewals will be submitted six months in advance of expiry dates. 2. Both sinks have been blocked off and are now inaccessible to the children. Management have contacted a plumber to rectify the issue; the sinks will be out of use until the water has been thermostatically controlled. Infection Control: 3. All bins requiring repeated touch have been removed and replaced with foot operated pedal bins. The nappy bins in sanitary areas have been replaced with sealed, hands-free models. 4. All items that are not required for nappy changing were immediately removed from the nappy changing area. The area has been cleared and reorganised to ensure that only nappy changing equipment is stored in this space. Staff have been reminded of this, and a checklist has been updated to include non-essential items are not to be stored in the nappy changing area. Weekly room checks will also be carried out to ensure this does not reoccur
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) On the day of inspection, there was no person trained in First Aid Responder (FAR) training available to the children. A person who holds in-date First Aid Responder training must be available to children at all times during operational hours of the service. It is acknowledged that six staff members held in-date Paediatric first aid training
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) A staff member has been booked onto a First Aid Responder training course with the final assessment day scheduled for the December 15th. A training matrix has been created to monitor all mandatory training with renewal dates clearly logged. Training updates will now be booked a minimum of 3 months before expiry
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 28.