Enquiring Minds Childcare

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Prosperous, Kildare · Tusla ID TU2018KE511 · Registered since 24 August 2024

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections

4non-compliances at latest report read

0immediate action notices

0registration conditions

Inspection of 27 April 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

(c) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IAN1763 served. (d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IAN1761 served
There was no evidence that two adults who were working directly with the children had the required qualification or equivalent deemed by the Minister

Provider's corrective action:

The staff member has received her DCDE confirmation that her degree is recognised to work in setting, the second person is not employed as cover and newly appointed staff will be made aware not to leave the room without checking who is their cover. Staff are informed via the daily plan post on the app every morning by 9am who is the covering staff member and any additional cover if required. Branch managers and deputy managers are then cover if there are more than three absences

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

(j) A sample of eight medication administration records were reviewed. These records were not completed appropriately, there were no medication details, dosage, frequency or route completed on the form which could impact the continuity of care of the child

Provider's corrective action:

Staff complete the form both online and paper in full, staff are retrained on the completion the form. Management trained on thoroughly checking the form weekly

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

General Safety: 1. In the Wobbler room there was an unsecured shelving unit which posed a risk of injury to a child should it fall. 2. In the Wobbler room a carpeted floor covering on a ramp posed a risk of a trip hazard to the children as it was not fully secured to the floor. Infection Control: 3. The following infection control practices observed on inspection posed a risk of cross contamination as follows: • The adult or child’s hands were not washed following nappy changing in the Baby room. • Adequate handwashing did not take place in the Wobbler or Baby room before dinner, their hands were not washed with soap and water, a facecloth was used instead. • Staff were observed wiping children’s noses, however, they did not wash their own hands following this procedure. • Children were observed mouthing toys in the Baby and Wobbler rooms. Although there was a box available for the removal of mouthing toys there was no toys in there. • The blue roll available to staff was not stored in a dispenser. 4. Staff stated that a child received a bottle of infant formula during the day. This bottle had not been pre- prepared by the parents or stored in the fridge. The water and formula were stored separately in a cupboard. This poses a risk of gastrointestinal illness to the child due to the storage of the formula. 5. A couch and the ball pool in the Wobbler room was torn and worn and cannot be cleaned effectively. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety: 1. Shelving unit: checked by the maintenance staff, tightened. It has been added to the weekly safety check list. 2. Carpet corner was repaired. It has been added to the weekly safety check list. Infection Control:
• Staff retrained on nappy changing policy - Face washing: please see attached retraining records, photograph evidence. • Staff have been informed that the facecloths, although clean, put into warm water with soap and then each used individually is not sufficient. We have purchased a high climbing chair so that children can climb to the sink to access running water. • Staff received refresher training on the active management of mouthing toys. Checks have been completed. New supervisor checklist put into place. • Blue roll: stored in the press
Formula is premade by families with the exception of one, as noted at the inspection, the formula was reflux formula that cannot be premade as it becomes too thickened. The water is stored in the fridge and removed then to get to room temperature before the formula is added. The need of the child is put first, but still follow the safe preparation procedure. The staff will continue to ensure the water is stored in the fridge and as little rest time out of the fridge as possible and follow manufacturers instruction for preparation. 5. Covers for the couches were purchased and replaced. There is additional material as we have been able to source it, this means it will repaired quicker when needed

Regulation 29 — Premises

(c)The room temperatures recorded in the Toddler and Little Einstein rooms were not within the required temperature ranges. The temperature recorded in the Little Einstein room was recorded as 24.6oC at 12.50pm and 24.7oC in the Toddler room at 11.45am

Provider's corrective action:

Additional air conditioning units have been purchased for the periods where there is a sudden increase in temperature

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26.

Inspection of 2 December 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

(2)(d) Police vetting was required for two adults who had resided outside the state for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months whose records were reviewed. (4) One adult employed and working directly with children attending the service did not hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister

Provider's corrective action:

(2)(d) One translated police vetting certificate and one police vetting certificate which was not translated. (4) Qualification document attached

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

General Safety: 1. The staff members did not recognise the potential risk of choking that amber bead necklaces worn by young children in a child care setting posed . It was observed that one child attending was wearing an amber bead necklace. The necklace was immediately removed when it was brought to the attention of the manager in the service. 2. Garda vetting was available for four staff; however, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. A fire extinguisher was observed to be placed on the floor in the corridor opposite to the Baby room. The corridor was used as an exit route to the outdoor area for the children. A potential risk of injury existed should the fire extinguisher fall against a child when they were passing by enroute to the outdoor area. Infection Control: 4. The system for the cleaning and sterilising soothers, shared toys and equipment to prevent cross-contamination required to be reviewed for the following reasons: • The staff members were not clear about the differences between cleaning and disinfection. • Containers with sterilising solution was not observed to be available in the Baby and Wobbler rooms on the day. 5. The nappy changing procedure observed for two nappy changes were not carried out to mitigate against the potential risk of cross infection as observed by the following: • Handwashing was not completed by the staff member prior to the single use disposable gloves used and before nappy changing started. • A staff member did not remover the apron and gloves until the end of the nappy changing procedure. This contaminated the clean nappy and child’s clothing and created a risk of cross infection. • The nappy change bin used was not a leak proof and sealed foot pedal bin. The practice did not adhere to the updated requirements of the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory notice - Use of nappy disposal bins in Early Years Services issued on 10 November 2022. 6. The sanitary areas attached to the Baby and Wobbler rooms were used for storage of personal belongings and equipment Administration of Medication: 7. Appropriate measures were not in place to ensure the safe management of a child who may require emergency medication to be administered. • There was no written health care plan available for a child who required medication to be administered in an emergency situation. • The emergency medication for a child was observed to be expired. An immediate corrective action was taken when the inspector brought this to the attention of the registered provider. 8. Emergency medication was observed to be stored in children’s bags however there was no evidence of a system in place to ensure that the medication was available daily should it be required in an emergency. There was no evidence available that a second set of the required emergency prescribed medication for each child was provided by the parents for use in the service. Safe Sleep: 9. Of the seventeen cots available in the two sleep rooms, the following was noted: • There was no fire-retardant sign on one mattress. • The protective cover three mattresses were torn, and the foam contents was exposed. • One mattress was too small for the cot which created a foothold at the side and bottom of the cot • The protective covers on two mattresses were stained 10. The environmental temperature in the s leep room opposite the Baby room used for children aged 0 -1 years was 21.9⁰ Celsius at 12:22 hours. This was brought to the attention of the staff member who required prompting to open a window to ventilate the room. The temperature was rechecked as 19.5⁰ Celsius at 13:29 hours. 11. While it is acknowledged that the staff members were knowledgeable about the care of sleeping children, they did not recognise that the room temperature of the sleep room also required to be monitored , and the requirement for corrective measures to be put in place to manage raised temperatures. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety: 1. The prohibition of Amber beads is included on our registration forms for parents and our policies and procedures have been changed from an advisory to not use them to a prohibition of the use in the setting, with the reference to the advisory regulation notice given to the parents. 2. Vetting is now completed. 3. Fire was secured back on the wall the same day as the wall was painted. Infection Control: 4. Staff have been given training on the full process including not leaving the toys to soak but to wash first, then sterilise and then remove to dry. Scheduled infection control reminders on the communication platforms and staff newsletters. The manager has completed spot checks. 5. Regular changes of the bin throughout the day will avoid any issues of leaks and cross contamination. 6. All equipment placed in closed containers and doors closed. Regular checks to ensure doors are closed and storage procedure followed. Administration of Medication: 7. A health care plan and medication are now in place in the service. 8. Parents have been asked to provide a second set of medication to be kept in the school. We have set reminders for a month, two weeks and a week before the expiry date of the medication to ensure parents replace expired medication in a timely manner. Managers are also checking care plans are displayed each week as part of their weekly check sh eet, particular during weeks of holidays etc. where there is a possibility of moving classes or areas. Safe Sleep: 9. Three new cot mattresses were purchased, additional mattress protectors were purchased. We confirmed with the cleaner that all bed clothing is washed on a 90-degree cycle with detergent for a minimum of an hour. Checks on mattresses have been added the managers maintenance check sheet. 10. Additional training is provided to baby room staff including part time staff. Spot checks will continue to be done by management. 11. Additional training is provided to baby room staff including part time staff. Spot checks will continue to be done by management

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 21, 24, 25.

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