Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Physical and Material environment: 1. In the Preschool room 1, the equipment and materials were not organised and inviting spaces for the children to engage and explore to develop their learning opportunities and experiences, for example: • Areas of interest were not equipped with adequate and available support equipment for play in the home corner with the kitchen and for dolls present. • Dolls had no clothes and one buggy present was broken and could not be pushed. • Heads of dolls for hairdressing activity were in poor condition and no longer available for play due to their poor condition
Provider's corrective action:
o Room meeting held regarding resetting of room at clean up time and the importance of organisation and how area is not inviting to children if not organised. o Staff meeting on day of inspection so Early years manager was able to talk to staff following verbal feedback from inspector. o Meeting with Senior early years practitioner from Preschool 1 to put plan in place to develop areas with fresh new equipment stored in designated spaces. o Equipment ordered that will develop areas of room that materials were not adequate. o Nurture team will do spot checks on all areas of all rooms at different times of the day to look at room organisation, equipment on offer and advise for areas of development , highlight gaps in rooms and make suggestions what they can do to develop rooms for childrens learning opportunities and will report to the Early years management on a monthly basis. They will report issues arising who it has been assigned to where development is at and expected completion date
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In Preschool 1 room a press was observed to be unlocked with staff coats and belongings accessible on low shelves to the children. This poses potential risk of safety and injury to children. Infection Control: 2. Infection control practices observed were at variance with the service policy and best practice guidelines. For example. • No Paper towel was available in the Preschool 1 room sanitary facility for drying childrens hands after hand washing. • In the sanitary facilities of the Preschool 2 room and in Toddler room, the paper towel for drying hands after handwashing, was sitting outside of the dispenser. • The seat of a chair present in the back room of the Preschool 1 room was torn therefore could not be effectively cleaned. Administration of Medication: 3. It is acknowledged that care plans were completed for children but detail relating to procedures in place for the administration of medication were unclear and could lead to a risk of safety to a child, as follows: • For one child, there was a care plan present but no required listed medication available and in addition for a different medication present, there was no care plan. • For two children, the care plans present were missing the name of the medication required to be administered in the event whereby medicine would be required to be administered. No medication was administered to a child during the inspection. Safe Sleep: 4. The service did not adhere to best practice sleep guidelines issued to the sector in September 2023 regarding consultation and written agreement from parents prior to positioning children under the age of 2 years on low contour beds. For example, one child under two years of age was observed sleeping on a low contour bed on the day of inspection and staff informed the inspector that three other children under the age of 2 usually sleep on low contour beds. The required documentation was not available to demonstrate that a risk assessment had been completed for the children and that parents had been involved in the decision to place their child on a low contour bed. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Staff in Preschool 1 room spoken to about concerning issue arising of personal belonging being stored in room presses. Health and Safety team will discuss next meeting and Early years staff on team as part of their role will be asked to complete spot checks on all room storage for personal belongings and update at each meeting if this comes up again. Infection Control: 2. Staff meeting 30 March 2026, held to ensure blue roll present and available all day in the service. Administration of Medication: 3. Discussion at staff meeting 30 March 2026 regarding gaps in care plans in preschool 1 room. Children who have care plans in place key worker reviewed all care plans and updated where required to make sure clear information is present and available Early years manager will review and sign off on care plans following parental meeting going forward. Safe Sleep: 4. Children individual sleep plans where reviewed and updated based on Tusla safe sleep template. All parents were met and updated form complete and on file for future inspections. Daily sleep room assessment will now be completed on a new electronic application to prevent any gaps accruing in future
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. Several areas of the Toddler room and sanitary facility required repair and maintenance: • There was an unfinished surface behind one of the toilets • One hot tap was unstable and not secure. • Both taps at the sink in the Toddler room were loose
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. Loose taps fixed and unfinished surface at back of one toilet in the sanitary facility was repaired and painted by maintenance man. Discussion at staff meeting regarding staff role and responsibility in bringing these things to maintenance man and early years managers attention in timely manner if go uncomplete for agreed period of time
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) While it is acknowledged that a staff roster was available which detailed the working hours of each staff member and the staff available for support, however, it did not accurately reflect the staff present during the inspection. When the inspectors arrived at the service there were 17 childcare staff present, however, 18 were rostered as being present in the service. The roster did not demonstrate the presence of a student, pedagogical leader, the person in charge, a chef, a kitchen assistant and a receptionist in the service. (j) On review of nine medication record forms with 21 individual medicine administrations recorded, the following information was missing: o The parent pre consent signature was missing from two of the forms reviewed. o The date of parent pre consent signature was missing from one of the forms reviewed. o The start and end date for the administration of medication was not completed on two forms. o The end date for the administration of medication was not completed on one form. o The second staff witness signature was missing from 1 medicine administrations given. (k) On review of 18 accident and incident records available the following information was missing: o The date of birth of the child was not recorded on three forms. o The parent’s signature or date were not recorded on five forms o The date of the parent’s signature was not recorded on five forms. o The staff members signature or date was not recorded on one form. o The manager’s signature and date were not recorded on five forms
Provider's corrective action:
(i) Roster has been changed to now include all relevant staff listed above as before it only had early years educators based in Early years rooms. Reception staff will oversee roster each day and make changes where necessary. Mangers will spot check this process and make sure working effectively. (j) Senior workers are designated to check all forms on a daily basis and sign off they are fully complete. Mangers and Senior workers will spot check alternative rooms each week to make sure no gaps appear. (k) Senior workers are designated to check all forms on a daily basis and sign off they are fully complete. Mangers and Senior workers will spot check alternative rooms each week to make sure no gaps appear
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. In the Preschool room 1 and in the Preschool room 2, there was no supporting equipment available or accessible for the following play equipment: the play kitchens, the shop and the doll’s house or for the big or small dolls. 2. The children from the Waddler room and the Toddler room did not have access to outdoor play on the day of the inspection. Children need fresh air and opportunities to play outdoors every day to ensure their social, cognitive and gross and fine motor development needs are met. 3. In the Toddler room, the inspector observed that the shoes of four children were not removed for sleep time, this is not conducive to comfortable sleep
Provider's corrective action:
1. Equipment ordered following audit by staff, children and pedagogical leader what is needed and wanted for rooms based on the Aistear/ Siolta tool kit recommendations. Monthly reviews by pedagogical leader of environments in all rooms and support meetings with staff will be held to support practice and offering to all children attending the service. 2. Meeting held with all staff and discussion took place around importance of outdoor play and risk assessments what the service are looking for. Routine reviewed to take away unnecessary parts of day that may hinder outdoor play being prioritised. Training taking place with early years mentors looking at the importance of outdoor play and environment. This will take place over four sessions. 3. Staff will now take all children shoes off at sleep time instead of asking children their preference which was previous practice. Children encouraged to remove own shoes and place in shoe box to encourage self-care and compliance with this
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the outdoor area to the side of the service the following was observed, leading to a risk of injury; o In the outdoor play area, which is available to the Toddler room, the Preschool 1 and the Preschool 2 room for outdoor play, the following was present and accessible to the children - two areas of broken garden fence, loose tarpaulin hanging loosely from the garden fence, a broken piece of the garden fence present on the wooden bridge and torn astro surface on steps of the wooden bridge. o The service did not maintain a clear route to this outdoor area, as the route was used for storage of mop, buckets, bins and a stool. o Behind a railing in the route to the outdoor area, there was broken toys, a large piece of perplex, tyres and a mop bucket dumped and accessible to children. o There was exposed rusty nails and unfinished wood panelling at the top of a wooden post beside the fire exit gate. 2. In Preschool 1 room a press was observed to be unlocked with salt accessible on low shelves to the children, this can lead to a risk of safety and injury. 3. In the Toddler room sanitary facility, the hot water tap was loose, leading to a pinch risk. Infection Control: 4. Staff in the Toddler room did not adhere to the service policy on infection control while serving children their morning snack. For example, staff did not wear gloves and children were not provided with plates for their fruit as it was placed directly on the table. 5. In the Toddler room, the couch was stained and torn therefore not washable or wipeable for effective cleaning, leading to poor infection control. 6. In the sanitary facilities of the service, the following was observed, leading to poor infection control; o In one of the two sanitary facilities of the Preschool room 2, the toilet paper was stored on the back of the toilet, making it inaccessible to children. o In the sanitary facility of the Waddler room, the pedal bin had a broken pedal and therefore the staff had to use their hands to open the bin. o In the sanitary facilities of the Preschool 2 room and in Toddler room, the paper towel for drying hands after handwashing, was sitting outside of the dispenser. 7. Warm water was not available to promote effective handwashing, as follows: Sanitary facility for Waddler room Temperature recorded Time Wash hand basin 15 ºC 11.48am Sanitary facility for Toddler room Temperature recorded Time Wash hand basin 14.5 ºC 11.27am Toddler room Temperature recorded Time Sink 14.2 ºC 11.31am Preschool 2 room Temperature recorded Time Sink 14.5 ºC 11.56am 8. Mops, buckets, and brushes were left in the Lobby area outside the Preschool room 1, where children’s belongings were also present, leading to poor infection control. Safe Sleep: 9. In the Preschool 2 room, ten-minute sleep checks were not recorded to observe the colour, position, breathing patterns and temperature of a child who slept from 11.56am to 2.26pm, this is not in accordance with the service’s safe sleep policy. Fire Safety: 10. The fire exit route outside Preschool room 2 was partially blocked by a plastic art easel during the inspection, it is acknowledged that the art easel was removed, fire exit routes should be clear of obstruction at all times
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety:
o Maintenance man removed tarpaulin hanging loosely and the broken piece of the garden fence present on the wooden bridge immediately. Staff training around what to be looking for while doing risk assessment before children use all areas was completed. The service is currently in the process of getting quotes to remove the wooden bridge with torn astro surface on the steps and replace this with a new piece of outdoor equipment. This will follow the next session of outdoor training which takes place on 10 February 2025, where a plan will be finalised based on information from quotes and what is highlighted as needed to enhance our outdoor learning space. o Senior worker meeting was held regarding unsafe storge of equipment and how it will be managed going forward. Staff reminded that this area cannot and must not be used to dispose of broken equipment and correct designated area for these items highlighted again. o A skip was ordered to dispose of all broken or unused pieces and immediate removal of the equipment from this area was completed. Maintenance man will now check all areas prior to arrival of children to ensure safe and clear passages. All staff also reminded of their responsibility when obstructions seen in any area should be removed or reported to management immediately. o The maintenance man replaced unfinished wood panelling to cover exposed nails. 2. Staff informed about the risks common household materials like salt can lead to serious injury in children which influences the storage and accessibility in all rooms. Materials that present a risk have been added to daily risk assessment form in all rooms to avoid low storage again. 3. Tap was fixed by a plumber and it will be replaced if this reoccurs. Staff reminded that all risks or damaged equipment / fixtures need to be reported in a timely manner to managers or maintenance man so they can be repaired or replaced. Infection Control: 4. Senior worker meeting held to discuss whole service approach regarding the safe handling of food. Kitchen staff reminded all necessary plates and utensils must be provided at all times. Senior workers in all rooms to oversee this practice going forward. 5. New couch ordered. Staff reminded that all risks or damaged equipment / fixtures need to be reported in a timely manner to managers or maintenance man so be repaired or replaced. 6. Blue roll added to daily risk assessment to avoid recurrence and pedal bin replaced immediately. All staff reminded that there are spare pedal bins in the manager’s office if needed that where already bought before inspection. Staff reminded that all risks or damaged equipment / fixtures need to be reported in a timely manner to managers or maintenance man so be repaired or replaced. 7. Plumber came into service and checked water valves installed to avoid this recurrence. Manager was shown how to adjust if temperature drops below recommended temperature. Power switch for water heaters had been turned off without noticing. This has been added to daily risk assessments to make sure it is on each day. 8. Staff in Preschool one alerted to issue following senior worker meeting. Staff informed that if overlooked by evening staff it is morning staff responsibility to check & clear area to make sure it is safe. Lobby area of preschool 1 added to daily risk assessment to make sure risk free. Safe Sleep: 9. Sleep charts in operation in all rooms. Due to child in preschool 2 room only recently starting to sleep again during day, this procedure was overlooked but is now in place. Senior worker will ensure this is followed by all staff. Fire Safety: 10. Easel removed straight away in presence of inspectors and relocated to designated space
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(4) A notice of the procedures to be followed in the event of fire shall were not displayed in a conspicuous position inside or outside the three care rooms on the ground floor of the service – the Waddler room, the Toddler room or the Preschool 2 room or in the main reception area in the premises
Provider's corrective action:
(4) All fire procedures displayed in all rooms in a conspicuous position. These procedures were taken down for rooms to be repainted going forward a list of all necessary signage will be made and checked following any work to rooms
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The service was not maintained or repaired, as follows: 1. In the Waddler room and in the Waddler sanitary facility, the walls were unfinished and there were no skirting boards in place, reducing the ability to clean the surfaces. 2. In the Toddler room sanitary facility, there were no skirting boards in place and unfinished surfaces were exposed, reducing the ability to clean the surfaces. 3. The Preschool 2 room, the sink did not drain efficiently when water filled it from the tap, leading to a risk of flooding
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. Following fitting of new floors throughout whole building skirting boards where removed. Due to curved walls in waddler room new skirting had to be ordered as old was damaged on removal. Installation date 15 February 2025. 2. Skirting boards were removed for fitting of new floor and flooring company had overlooked refitting and will be completed on 15 February 2025. 3. Maintenance man cleared blockage caused by staff washing sand, glue & playdough down the sink. Staff in room informed of issue and to stop this practice. Maintenance man will keep close eye on this and clear any blockages before becomes a drainage issue
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) While it is acknowledged that a staff roster was available which detailed the working hours of each staff member and the staff available for cover. It did not demonstrate an accurate representation of the rooms each staff member work in on a daily basis. For example, one staff member who was absent on the day of inspection was on the roster as present and assigned to care rooms. (j) On review of 14 medication record forms with 27 individual medicine administrations recorded, the following information was missing: o The parent pre consent signature was missing from two of the forms reviewed. o The second staff witness signature was missing from 2 medicine administrations given. o The full name of the staff member was not recorded on four medicine administrations given. (k) On review of 20 accident and incident records available the following information was missing: o The date of the parent’s signature was not recorded on seven forms. o The date of the staff members signature was not recorded on two forms. o The manager’s signature was not recorded on 13 forms. o The date of the managers signature was not recorded on two forms
Provider's corrective action:
(i) New Roster drawn up with Staff who have left service taken off and replacement staff added. Reception staff will make sure all changes are made as well as adding holidays and sickness on a weekly basis. (j) All staff spoken to at a staff meeting on 29th April 2024 regarding fully completing report forms. Senior workers will oversee this, and managers sign off once a week after checks are done. (k) All staff spoken to at a staff meeting on 29th April 2024 regarding fully completing report forms. Senior workers will oversee this, and managers sign off once a week after checks are done
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. In the Preschool room 1, there was no supporting equipment available or accessible for the following play equipment: the wooden castle, the playschool, the doll’s house or for the big or small dolls
Provider's corrective action:
1. The toys as mentioned were removed until suitable accessories are sought and bought, in the meantime new equipment has replaced these toys
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Children attendance books were not monitored to ensure staff knew how many children were present in the care rooms or during outdoor play, as follows: o In the Preschool room 1 on the first floor, there were 17 children observed to be present at 10.53am, on review of the attendance book there was only 16 children marked as present. o Staff from Preschool room 1 on the first floor, did not bring the room attendance record book with them, when 17 children had outdoor play between 11.30am and 1pm. This reduced the effective evacuation in the event of an emergency. 2. Presses were observed to be unlocked with unsafe materials accessible to children, as follows: o In the Preschool room 1, suncreams, cleaning agents and salt were accessible on low shelves in unlocked presses in the care room, o In the Toddler room, personal items of staff were accessible as they were stored at a low level in an unlocked press in the care room, this can lead to a risk of safety and injury. 3. The surface of the wood panelling used on the stairway leading from the care room into the Waddler outdoor area was observed to be unfinished, which created a potential risk of injury or wood splinters to the children. 4. The temperature of the Waddler care room before sleep time and during dinnertime, was recorded by the inspector as follows: Room Temperature Time Waddler Room 23.6 o C at 11.37am 23 o C at 1.35pm which is not within the recommended temperature of care rooms, of 18-22 oC. 5. The bin on the wall on route to the outdoor play area to the rear of the service was cracked, leading to a risk of injury. Infection Control: 6. In the cot room off the Waddler room, o there were two loose nails accessible at the window beside a cot, leading to a risk of injury. o four mattresses of the cots did not have removeable wipeable covers to reduce the potential risk of cross infection, but it is acknowledged that this room and cots were not used by the children during the inspection. 7. The nappy changing area of the Waddler room was congested with toys as follows: construction bench, activity blocks, dolls buggy and with a mop and bucket, leading to a risk of cross infection. 8. In the Preschool room 1, the nappy changing observed procedure was not in line with best practice as follows: o The child’s hands were not washed after nappy changing. 9. In the Preschool room 1 and the sanitary facility of the Preschool room 1, two pedal bins had broken pedals and therefore the children had to use their hands to open the bins, leading to poor infection control. 10. In the two sanitary facilities of the Preschool room 1, the toilet paper was stored on the back of the toilet, making it inaccessible to children and leading to poor infection control. 11. In the Cosy room off the Preschool room 1, one beanbag was present with a torn cover, leading to ineffective cleaning and a safety risk. 12. In the Lobby area outside the Preschool room 1, mops, buckets, and brushes were stored, leading to poor infection control. Safe Sleep: 13. The temperature of the Waddler room while children slept was not recorded to ensure it was maintained between the recommended 18-220C and at sleep time the temperature was recorded by the inspector as follows: Room Temperature Time Waddler Room 22.7 o C at 2.50pm which is not within the recommended temperature of 18-22 oC while children sleep. 14. Five floor beds and low beds were not positioned 50 cms apart at sleep time increasing the risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. All staff spoken to at a staff meeting on 29th April 2024 regarding fully completing attendance books. Spot checks done on all rooms in different locations of building to check numbers and sign in sheets by managers and senior Early years practitioners. 2. New locks in place on press doors and extra locks were ordered to make sure always a supply available for breakages of locks. 3. The surface of the panelling has been covered with artificial grass and maintenance man will upkeep this with wear and tear. 4. Care room temperature is now taken same as cot room temperature throughout the day. 5. The bin has been removed. Infection Control: 6. The two nails have been removed and the loose unit on the wall fixed to the wall and six new washable wipeable mattress covers purchased and spot checks will be completed by managers on all areas. 7. Area cleared and spot checks will be completed by managers to make sure this does not happen again. 8. All staff spoken to at a staff meeting on 29th April 2024 regarding completing nappy changing in accordance to the service nappy changing policy, senior workers in all rooms will oversee procedures are being followed at all times and request training for staff that needs support. 9. New bins bought for rooms and spare bins available in storage for any breakages. 10. All toilets roll & blue roll holders replaced in whole service due to breakages. Also, two portable blue roll holders purchased for outside play. 11. Removed and disposed of on the day of inspection. 12. All mops, buckets and brushes have been removed. Safe Sleep: 13. Sleep check list revised and temperature check added for every 10 mins. Also heating thermostat lowered due to mild weather. 14. Room layout reviewed and beds repositioned to ensure 50cms apart at sleep time