Inspection of 20 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (d) One police vetting disclosure was not available for a staff member who lived outside Ireland for a period of longer than six months as adult
Provider's corrective action:
- The outstanding police vetting disclosure has now been requested from the relevant authority. The service acknowledges the omission and has implemented a monitoring system to ensure full compliance with regulation 9 going forward. The person in charge will review all staff documents to ensure full compliance prior to staff commencement
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Two children in cub bears were observed lying down in the cosy area drinking bottles of milk after dinner. Children should not lie down while drinking from a bottle as this practice increases the risk of choking and may contribute to dental decay and ear infections. 2. There were no adult chairs in Booboo bears, Snuggle bears or Cub bears which would enable staff to cuddle and support children when drinking from a bottle
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Bottle feeding while lying down has ceased with immediate effect. Staff have been reminded that children must be held or seated upright while drinking from bottles. The safe bottle-feeding policy has been updated and reviewed with all staff. This will now be now included in staff induction and will be monitored through monthly room observations by management. 2. Suitable adult chairs have been made available in Booboo Bears, Snuggle Bears and Cub Bears rooms to enable staff to safely hold and support children during bottle feeding. Management will ensure that appropriate adult seating remains available in all baby and toddler rooms
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1 (b) On the day of inspection, six children under 24 months of age were found to be sleeping on sleep mats in the service instead of either a cot or a floor bed. Sleep mats are generally used for children over 24 months. A sleep plan incorporating a risk assessment should be completed before moving a child from a cot to a floor bed. Neither was available on the day of inspection for these children
Provider's corrective action:
- Following inspection, all children under 24 months are now sleeping in either a cot or a designated floor bed. Individual sleep plans incorporating risk assessments have been completed in consultation with parents prior to any transition from a cot to a floor bed. Individual sleep plans incorporating risk assessments will be completed prior to any future transition from a cot to a floor bed
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (b)Locks were observed on six emergency exit doors, in care rooms, within the service. Locking an emergency exit door is prohibited because it prevents rapid, safe evacuation during an emergency. (e) On the day of inspection, the service did not have adequate and suitable sanitary facilities to meet the needs of the children attending the service. All children present on the day were over 12 months of age, the four nappy changing tables used in the service stated they were suitable for children aged 0-12 months
Provider's corrective action:
- (b) All locks have been removed from emergency exit doors with immediate effect. No locks will be installed on fire doors going forward. (e) The service has ordered new changing tables to replace the existing nappy changing tables with units suitable for children over 12 months. The service will ensure that sanitary facilities are now fully suitable to meet the needs of children attending
Found compliant: Regulation 11.