(2) The registered provider was unable to demonstrate that they had taken all the required measures during the recruitment of one staff member to ensure that they were suitable and competent as follows: (a) Two references and validations were not available for one staff member, who did not have access to children. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not completed in full prior to the same staff member commencing employment in the service
Provider's corrective action:
The following statement was made by the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action (2)(a) Two references and validations received. Any new staff will provide suitable references going forward. (3) References are obtained and validated. In future the service will ensure that all validated references and garda vetting are completed prior to commencing employment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. There was a large, unanchored, shelving unit in Junior Preschool 1B room. This was accessible to the children and was unsteady to touch, posing a safety risk to the children should it fall over. 2. In the Junior Preschool 1B room, the inspectors observed wiring lying underneath the children’s coat hangers accessible to children, posing a tripping hazard. An extension cord hanging from the T.V. sockets and charging cable from a device were not tethered to the wall and were hanging down. These posed a safety risk. Infection Control: 3. There was unpainted timber area with adhesive evident on the corner of a unit where foam pads had been removed in Baby Room 2. This timber area could not be adequately cleaned due to the adhesive in place. This posed an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following response was received from the registered provider:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The unit has been anchored and turned against the wall. Any further shelving units purchased will be low and anchored against the wall. 2. All wiring has now been removed. All extensions and cords will be secured to the wall to prevent access. Infection Control: 3. A local contractor has been contacted to remove padding, sand areas and repaint. This is expected to be completed in four weeks. Foam padding will be removed, and alternatives will be reviewed for the new building
Immediate action notice. During the onsite inspection on 29 July 2025, an Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the person in charge in relation to elevated water temperatures at one of the children’s wash hand basins. A response to the IAN was subsequently received on 30 July 2025 and was deemed adequate in mitigating the risk.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(4) Evidence was unavailable to demonstrate that one of the adults, who worked with early years children, had attained a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education. While this staff member was based in the school age care room on the day of the inspection, the adult stated that they covered in the early years care rooms and it was also noted that the adult was included on the staff roster
Provider's corrective action:
The written reply outlined that the person in question was based in the school age setting and has now been advised that they are not permitted to assist in the early years rooms. Management met with the staff member and the full team, to ensure that said staff member person is no longer requested to assist with any tasks in the early years rooms
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. It was identified on inspection that the water temperatures in the Wobbler 1 area exceeded 500C, which posed a risk of scalding to a child. At 10.31am, the water temperature was recorded at 60.30C, at 10.33am, it was recorded at 57.10C and at 10.35am, it was recorded at 55.50C. This was immediately brought to the attention of the staff in the room, who took measures to mitigate the risk of scalding to the children. The person in charge was also made aware of this safety issue and ensured that children had access to a separate sink, until the water temperature was suitable. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 29 July 2025, in response to this non-compliance. 2. The Garda vetting disclosures available for three of the adults who worked at the service, were not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. There were three activity chairs stored on a low lying shelf in the Baby 2 area. As it was possible for a child to pull these chairs down, this posed a risk of injury to a child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. The wash hand basin was sectioned off upon receipt of the notice regarding the high water temperature. Hand washing facilities are available in the adjoining, unused room. A plumber is currently working on the thermostat controller, to ensure that the temperature is controlled at all times. The service expects this issue to be resolved shortly. 2. Garda vetting was applied for and has been received in respect of all childcare staff whose vetting had expired. As a preventive measure, during a recent staff meeting, management have asked that each staff member keeps track of their Garda vetting record. In addition, an internal file has been created to highlight expiring dates. 3. The activity chairs were removed at the time of inspection and are no longer stored in this area. All non- compliances were reviewed at a staff meeting on 11 August 2025 and the safe storage of such items was re-iterated to staff
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The following posed a risk of injury to a child: 1. One of the inner gates in the outdoor play area was maintained in poor repair. Some of the wooden slats were missing, while others were loose and there were nails protruding from the gate. 2. There was a broken toilet seat in the children’s sanitary facility downstairs. 3. The foam corner guards were torn in both the Baby 2 and Wobbler 1 areas
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. The gate has been repaired, so that there are no loose slats or exposed nails protruding. The wooden slats were modified and shortened to prevent them from dragging on the ground, which caused them to come loose. 2. The toilet seat has been repaired. All non-compliances were discussed at the staff meeting on 11 August 2025 and the importance of notifying management regarding items that require repair, was highlighted. 3. The damaged foam padding was removed and restored. Additional padding has been ordered to remove and replace all current padding
Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 16, 19, 28, 32.
(a)/(b) Of the 26 references required 11 were not available and 2 were not dated or validated by the registered provider potentially allowing access to children by staff that may not be suitable. (d) The requirement for police vetting could not be determined for two staff where no curriculum vitae was on file for either staff member. Not having this information may allow staff who may not be suitable have access to the children
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) One validation has been received for employer references not previously validated. An additional 10 employer references have been received and all 10 references have been validated. (b) One validated reference from a source other than a past employer and one validation for a previously received reference has been received. (d) The required curriculum vitae have been updated and the staff identified did not require police vetting. The service has committed to ensuring that all curriculum vitae and references are obtained, validated and dated prior to commencement of work for all staff members and placement students
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The rest area in Wobbler room 1 was minimal and as explained by the staff was under development, the children had access to some floor cushions, this lack of a rest area especially in the younger children who attend full day care does not allow for the children to relax between activities or to have the option of opting out of activities. 2. The children in Wobbler room 1 were observed to be standing at the tables to do tabletop activities at 9.40am, the chairs had been stacked away. This may reduce the children’s ability to concentrate on the activity as they could not relax during this time
Provider's corrective action:
1. The rest area downstairs in Wobbler room 1 has now been fully developed to enable children to relax as required, and staff have been informed that this is a requirement at all times. 2. The registered provider has committed to ensuring that chairs for tabletop activities have been made available at all times. The registered provider has stated that the staff have been Informed of the requirement for chairs to be available at all times
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. The couch being used in Wobbler room 2 was torn and had exposed foam, this would not be easily cleaned and posed a risk of contamination and cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. The registered provider has informed the inspectorate that the couch has been removed from Wobbler room 2 while it is sourcing a washable cover. A rest area using cushions has been developed as an interim measure. Staff have been reminded to report torn equipment immediately
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The service was not suitably cleaned, there was evidence of debris in all care rooms. The staff cleaned daily and there was evidence of this cleaning being signed for by staff however there was debris on the rugs and mats, between the floorboards that had separated in Pre-school room2 and under the floor toys and presses. There is potential risk to the staff and children of infection when the service is not cleaned and debris removed
Provider's corrective action:
(d) The registered provider stated that a staff meeting was held where staff were reminded of the importance of thorough cleaning before completing the relevant checklists. The registered provider has also informed the inspectorate that a cleaner has been engaged to deep clean the childcare areas of the service twice weekly. The registered provider has committed to having the floorboards repaired in Preschool room 2 with a date for same set