Inspection of 14 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. Two Immediate Action Notices (IAN) were issued on the day of Inspection to the service on the 14 January 2026, as follows: In Regulation 9- Management and Recruitment, absence of a Garda Vetting disclosure for one staff member present on the premises. A response which mitigated the risk was received by the inspector on the 15 January 2026. In relation to the Regulation 23- Safeguarding, Health, Safety and Welfare of Child. A response which mitigated the risk was received by the inspector on the 15 January 2026 with additional information provided on the 16 January 2026 and 20 January 2026. Please see details in the body of the inspection report of the accepted actions. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under regulations 9,.11, 19, 23, 25, and 26. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulations within this report.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (1)(c) There was no clear line of management structure in the service on the day of inspection. On the inspector’s arrival it was discovered that the person in charge, as per the Tusla register, no longer worked in the service. One of the administration staff identified themselves as the person in charge. At 10.35am, the inspector was informed by the same administration staff member that one of the staff members from the care room was the deputising person in charge. At 12.15pm, through discussion with the deputising person in charge, they confirmed they had been informed only on the inspector’s arrival that they were the deputising person in charge on the day. The lack of clear line management has the potential to impact on adequate service provision. (2)(a) (b) One written and validated reference was not available for one staff member from a previous employer or from a source other than a previous employer. (a)Three written reference available from a past employer were not validated. (b) Eight written references available from a source other than a previous employer were not validated. (c) A Garda vetting disclosure was not available for one staff member. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the registered provider on 14 January 2026 for this one staff member present on the day of inspection. (d) International police vetting was not available for review for one staff member who had resided outside the jurisdiction for a period of more than 6 consecutive months as an adult on the day of inspection. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out in full prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service, as above, garda vetting was not available for one adult, international police vetting not available for one adult, one written and validated reference was not available for one adult and eleven references were not validated. (4) Two staff members who were working directly with the preschool children and two staff who were present in support roles had no documentary evidence of 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, Disability and Equality
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) (c) A clear management structure has been formalised and communicated to all staff. An organisational chart outlining lines of authority and accountability is now displayed within the service
- (a)(b) All written references have been checked, validated and are now stored correctly on file and the manager is aware of its location. Manager will complete checks to make sure all documents are completed, ensuring that all references are checked and on file prior to staff/students start date. (c) All documentation is now in place for all staff within the service. The Manager will double check all staff files prior to new staff member/ student beginning, no new staff/ student can begin without all the information being on file (d) International Police vetting is in place and on file. The registered provider will complete check and police vetting before employment and internation police vetting will be sought if required. (3) All vetting is in place for staff. Ensure all vetting is in place before commencement of staff. Manager designated to this job. (4) Staff members within the service have the required qualifications to be in the service , one is awaiting results. Other staff are there as a support system and are not included in the child: adult ratios. New staff qualifications will be reviewed prior to start date, if unsure the manager will check with DCDE but will ensuring all staff will have 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, Disability and Equality
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Up to date care plans were not available for three children to outline specific actions and strategies required to facilitate continuous care and on-going development. 2. Outdoor play was not provided to the children on the day of inspection. Through further discussion with staff, it was established that outdoor play was not provided daily. Lack of outdoor play limits children’s opportunities to develop gross motor skills, experience risky play and experience nature
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Reports have been completed. Weekly reports have been put in place. Manager is reporting and signing off. 2. Daily outside play has been implemented with a daily outdoor log implemented Rubber matting is to replace wet area for access. This will be installed in May 25th - 29th 2026
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued on the 14 January 2026, when it was identified that there was no documentation to evidence that the 4 adults available to the children on the premises held a recognised minimum qualification. The lack of qualified staff in the service poses a risk to the children’s health, safety and welfare. Two qualified and vetted staff were identified and made available to the children by the Registered Provider as part of the IAN response. 2. The children’s attendance in the service was not accurately recorded as follows, at 9:15am each child’s time of arrival to the service was not recorded in the care room attendance book and their attendance was not completed until 11.00am at circle time, when 15 children were marked as present. This leads to a risk of the safety of all the children in the event of an emergency evacuation. 3. The first aid bag was stored on the floor under the sink and contained suncream and anti-febrile medication, which was accessible to the children, leading to a risk of safety. 4. Staff handbags and coats were accessible to the children, leading to a risk of safety. 5. Grapes eaten by two of the children at snack time were not cut up, the inspector had to intervene and inform staff to address this safety risk which increased the potential risk of a child choking. Infection Control: 6. Each child brought their own food for snack at 11.13am, however, perishable food items such as yogurts, cheese and meats were not refrigerated on arrival to the service at 9.15am. This increased the potential risk of food borne illnesses. 7. The lack of appropriate equipment in the sanitary area and care room resulted in poor infection control practices and increased the risk of cross contamination. The following was observed: o The bin in the care room containing general waste was not pedal operated. The children were observed touching the bin to dispose of waste. o The toilet paper holder was not hygienically dispensed from the holder available. It was observed to be sitting on the back of the toilet which also made it difficult for the children to access. o The paper towels for hand drying were not hygienically dispensed from the holder. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Two fully qualified Montessori members on site. Two Staff members have the relevant qualifications for caring for children, one staff member is awaiting their level 5 qualification, and one staff is in a supportive role and not included in Child: Adult ratios. The service now has all qualifications to hand for inspection. Staff must have a minimum level 5 to be included in ratios. Staff training being put in place for current staff to complete level 5/6 2. Children will be recorded at arrival time not at 11am. 3. First Aid box is now located on the top shelf. It will be stored high out of reach going forward. 4. Staff belongings are now located out of the care room, located in lockers, staff will be reminded to use lockers. 5. All staff informed to the danger to whole grapes and that they need to be cut. All parents received notice about the importance for grapes being cut into four pieces. Lunch boxes will be checked beforehand, and staff will be vigilant, if whole grapes found, they will be placed on counter and parents will be informed at collection time. Staff training on food safety was implemented. Infection Control: 6. Lunchboxes will be placed in fridge on arrival. All lunch boxes will be refrigerated. 7. Bin has been replaced New toilet paper holders will be replaced in March. Container for the paper towels will be fixed in March
Regulation not named in the report text
- (1)(3) The registered provider failed to notify the Early Years Inspectorate of a change in circumstances in relation to the following as per the schedule 4 Form for Notification of Change in Circumstances: • The details in relation to the person in charge were at variance with the information listed on the national register. It was confirmed to the inspector by staff that the registered person in charge left the service in August 2025
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) (3)A manager has now been appointed, and the registered provider has submitted a notification of change of person to the Agency. A person in charge must be appointed before the previous manager leaves. A governance checklist has been set up so the registered provider can ensure all register details remain accurate and up to date
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26.