Inspection of 3 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of the inspection under Regulation 23, in relation to a non-compliance identified under Regulation 23. A response was received from the registered provider which mitigated the risk identified. See body of report for details.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (3) A review of available records demonstrated one staff member had commenced employment within the service prior to procedures specified in paragraph (2) being carried out. • One staff member was employed prior to the review and consideration of a garda vetting disclosure. • Two staff members were employed prior to the appropriate consideration of references
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider had a meeting with the manager on 06/10/2025 to discuss the inspection findings and highlighted that every new staff member must start work only after two references have been checked and Garda vetting is complete. Recruitment checklist will be completed and signed by the person in charge before a new staff member begins. No employee will start work without Garda vetting and two confirmed references
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (k) The registered provider did not ensure an accurate record was maintained for accidents and incidents. A sample of 9 records were reviewed and 6 were observed incomplete. The following was observed: • Three records did not include the child’s full details or the signature of a parent confirming they had been informed of incident. • Two records did not include the child’s full details or the date the parent was of informed of the incident. • One record did not include the date the parent was informed of the incident
Provider's corrective action:
- Meeting held with the teachers reminding and explaining how to fill out the forms and where to find the children's information in order to complete incident forms correctly. Managers will train new employees during the training week how to complete accident and incident reports and will assist if needed to fill out records. All training will continue to be conducted in line with our Accidents and Incidents Policy
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The outdoor area observed in use on the day of inspection was not secure and posed a risk of children exiting the premises unsupervised. This posed a significant risk to children’s safety, and an immediate action notice was issued. 2. Numerous hazards were present in the outdoor play area in use on the day of inspection which posed a potential safety risk to children. Items included but were not limited to a glass, stagnant water and rusted screws. 3. A trailing blind cord and trailing flexes from a computer and printer were accessible to children and posed a potential risk of strangulation. 4. A child was observed to have whole grapes as part of their lunch. This posed a potential choking hazard and was brought to staffs’ attention on the day by the inspector. 5. Radiators in the care room accessible to the children had a surface temperature of 44.9℃ and 48.5℃ which posed a potential risk of injury to children. Fire Safety: 6. Children’s attendance records were not maintained in a timely manner. A review of attendance records at 9.34am and at 10.55am demonstrated that one child who was present in the service was not signed in. This posed a potential risk of hindering safe evacuation of the premises in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The manager informed the team to no longer use the garden area which is not enclosed immediately following the inspection. Instead, the service will use the designated enclosed area they have access to. 2. Hazards have been removed. This area is no longer in use and all new staff members will be informed of this. 3. The trailing blind cord has been fixed, and the computer and printer trailing flexes are no longer accessible to the children. 4. A meeting was held with the team about the importance of grapes being chopped up and also to check the children’s lunch boxes when they get in the classroom. An email was sent to the parents regarding food safety. All new teachers will be trained in food safety. 5. The radiator temperature was adjusted, and furniture has been moved so children no longer have access to the radiator. The manager is in charge of checking the radiator temperature and in the absence of the manager, the Lead Educator will assume this responsibility. Fire Safety: 6. Teachers were informed about the importance of including all children in the attendance, children must be signed and signed out the moment they enter the room and the moment they leave our care.; Management is closely monitoring the attendance list. A meeting was conducted with the entire team. New employees will undergo training during the training week, before classes commence. This structured approach ensures that they are fully prepared and equipped for their roles. Additionally, the manager will actively oversee the attendance list on a daily basis at to guarantee the process
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (2) A suitably equipped first aid box was not available. A review of the first aid box available demonstrated that the burn dressings had expired in March 2025. A suitably equipped and easily accessible to adults first aid box should be available at all times to support the care and safety of children attending the service
Provider's corrective action:
- The entire First Aid box review was carried out, and the burn dressings have been changed. Additional First Aid supplies were acquired for replenishment after use. A checklist of the First Aid box will be completed every two months or after each use
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19.