(a) & (b) Two validated references were not available in respect of one adult in the service. (3) The registered provider did not conduct all procedures specified under paragraph (2) prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service. This posed a risk that unsuitable adults may have had contact or access to children
Provider's corrective action:
(a) & (b) The registered provider received the references and will ensure that all references are received prior to commencement of employment to the service. The adult no longer works in the service. (3) The registered provider stated that all checks will be carried out prior to any adult commencing in the service
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(2) The required ratios were not maintained in the Pre-school room during a staff member’s lunch break, as follows: • There was 1 adult working directly with 14 children; 10 of these children were aged 3 to 5 years and 4 of the children were aged 2 to 3 years. The adult child ratio for children aged 3 to 5 years is 1:8 and a ratio of 1:6 is required for children aged 2 to 3 years. Non-compliance in relation to adult child ratios was also noted at the previous three inspections, on 1 October 2025, 29 April 2025 and 23 May 2024
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider had advertised an active post available within the service. A new staff member has been employed in the service. The registered provider will advertise relief positions in the service to ensure that staff cover will be met at all times
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) A review of administration of medication forms in the Wobbler/Toddler room were made available to the inspector. Four records were available from January 2026 to date of inspection. Of the four records available, one record did not detail the signature of a witness. This posed a risk that incorrect medication may be administered if not witnessed by another staff member. This was found as a non-compliance on previous inspection on 01 October 2025
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider reminded staff the importance of completing all paperwork when administering medication. This will be monitored going forward
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection control: 1. In the sanitary facility adjacent to the Pre-school room, the children did not have access to warm running water, which may impede effective handwashing. Administration of medication: 2. The expiry date had passed on one of the medications that was held at the service. This posed a risk that expired medication could be administered to a child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection control: 1. The registered provider adjusted the water temperatures in the Preschool room. This will be monitored by staff going forward. Administration of medication: 2. The registered provider reminded staff to check dates of medication prior to administering it. A new record with dates of children’s medications is now kept on file and will be reviewed monthly
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The flooring in the area that provided access to the office/kitchen and children’s sanitary facilities, was maintained in poor repair. A section of the flooring was missing, and the flooring itself was lifting, which posed as a potential trip hazard. It was acknowledged that the registered provider was aware of this issue and advised the inspectors that steps had been taken to have the flooring replaced
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider ensured the flooring was repaired and will be reviewed regularly
(b) On review of the staff time in, time out record of the previous four weeks and in discussion with the registered provider, it was noted that a person in charge or deputy person in charge was not present at all times when the service was in operation. This issue was also identified on previous inspections on 29 April 2025, 23 May 2024, 19 April 2022 and the 02 December 2021. (4) The registered provider had not provided the inspectors with a copy of the qualification for the new staff member. The inspectors were unable to determine if the staff member held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (b) The registered provider updated the staff rota to include person in charge and deputy person in charge in the service. Staff are aware of their roles and who is in charge on any given day. Staff sign-in records will document this going forward. (4) The registered provider submitted the qualification of the new staff member. This is stored in the onsite filing cabinet in the service
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(2) The adult child ratio was not adhered to during staff breaks each day within the service. A review of the roster from the previous four weeks indicated that this occurred regularly. To accommodate breaks from 12:30 to 1:40 the staff ratios were as follows: • In the Wobbler/Toddler room there was one adult present with seven children aged between 1 to 2 years. The adult child ratios for children aged 1 to 2 years is one to five. Once adult present does not meet the regulatory requirement. • In the Preschool room there was one adult present with two children aged between 2 to 3 years and eight children aged between 3 to 4 years. The adult child ratios for children aged 2 to 3 years is one to six and the adult child ratio for children aged 3-4 years is one to eight. One adult present does not meet the regulatory requirement. This posed a potential health and safety risk to the children. This was found as a non-compliance on the previous inspections dated the 23 May 2024 and the 29 April 2025 and the corrective and preventative actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent a recurrence. (8) The registered provider did not ensure that there were two adults present within the service during the hours of operation. This was confirmed through discussion with the registered provider and staff. This posed a potential safety risk to the children
Provider's corrective action:
(2) The registered provider has since employed a new staff member to the service. This allows for staff ratios to be maintained. (8) A new staff member commenced in the service and two adults are present at all times during the hours of operation
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) A weekly staff sign in and sign out record was maintained in the service. The weekly staff sign in and sign out record indicated the names of two of the four staff and their lunch time break cover. However, the details were deemed insufficient due to the following; • The record did not indicate the adult: child ratio daily in each room of the service. • Two adults working in the service were not recorded on the roster or for lunch time break cover. These issues were identified as non-compliant on the last inspection dated the 29 April 2025 and 23 May 2024 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the registration compliance meeting (RCM) and corrective and preventative response (CAPA) that all would be addressed. (j) On review of the administration of medication forms in the service, there was one record available for review since the 28 of November 2024 which was not fully completed. A record of consent by parents to administer medication and details of the staff who witnessed the medication being administered was not completed. This posed a risk that parents were not aware that medication was being administered and that incorrect medication may be administered if not witnessed by another staff member
Provider's corrective action:
(i) The registered provider has completed a staff rota to include details of staff ratio and two staff members on the premises at all times. This will be monitored going forward. (j) The registered provider reviewed the administration of medication procedure with staff and made staff aware that two staff members must be present when administering medication and all information must be documented on the administration form
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. It was observed in the Wobbler/Toddler room that low laying chairs with straps were used for the children attending the service. Children could move around the room while still being strapped into the chair. This posed a risk of injury to the child while using the chairs. 2. A storage room and office/staff room were accessible to children from the Preschool room. Unsuitable material was present such as spilt paint and other potentially hazardous material. This posed a risk of injury should a child have been unsupervised in these areas. 3. The skirting trim in the Preschool room had become loose. This posed a trip hazard within the room. 4. In the nappy changing area there was a sink not in use being stored on the floor, the size of the room could not accommodate the storage of this item. This posed a trip hazard to children. 5. An unsecured stack of baskets were being stored on a cabinet in the sheltered outdoor area of the service. Children were playing around this cabinet throughout the day. This was a safety risk as the baskets could have toppled over causing an injury to a child. 6. In the uncovered outdoor area there was loose fencing being placed around an area that was suitable to be accessed by children. The fencing could be easily moved and had an exposed nail. This posed a risk of injury to the child. Infection control: 7. There was no soap available to the children in the toilet area off the Preschool room. It is acknowledged that soap was placed in the area at approximately 12:25. Not having access to soap impeded effective hand washing and posed a risk of infection to the children. 8. The nappy changing bin in the nappy changing area was not working efficiently. The pedal was not working, and staff had to hand touch the bin to place nappies into the bin. This poses a risk cross infection to staff and children. Safe sleep: 9. While children were sleeping, it was observed that a written record of sleep checks were not completed from 12.40pm when children went to sleep until 1.30pm when a staff member returned from lunch. The service not maintaining a written record of children’s sleep checks poses a risk to the safe sleep of children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. The registered provider removed the straps from the low laying chairs. All new equipment will be reviewed going forward. 2. Renovation work was completed following the inspection and this storage room has been adapted to a toddler changing room. The door handle is out of reach of the children preventing unsupervised access. 3. The skirting boards were repaired by the registered provider. This will be monitored by the service going forward. 4. The sink was removed from the nappy changing room. The registered provider will ensure to store any unsuitable equipment safely out of reach by children. 5. The baskets were removed by the registered provider from the outdoor area. These will be stored safely by the service. 6. The fencing was secured to the wall preventing children gaining access. The registered provider will ensure staff will conduct regular risk assessments and checks of the outdoor area. Infection control: 7. The registered provider stated that regular checks of the bathrooms will be conducted. 8. A new nappy changing bin was purchased by the registered provider. The staff will complete the bathroom cleaning checklist and ensure all equipment is working. Safe sleep: 9. The registered provider assured that sleep checks will be conducted at regular intervals by staff. This will be stored in an accessible area by staff
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. The fire alarm siren was detached from the wall and was dangling by the wire in the hallway between the Preschool room and the children’s toilets. This effectiveness of the siren could have been impeded in the event of an emergency as it was not properly maintained. 2.There were a number of tiles missing from the walls in the nappy changing room and in the children’s toilet area. The surface was rough which meant it may have been difficult to clean effectively and posed a possible risk of infection. This was found as a non-compliance on the previous inspection on the 29 April 2025. 3. There was an exposed wire hanging from the ceiling in the children’s toilet area. This had not been repaired since a light fitting had been moved within the room. This left an unfinished surface area on ceiling. This was found as a non-compliance on the previous inspection on the 29 April 2025. 4. The soft matting in the outdoor area was coming apart, and this could be a trip hazard of left unmaintained. (e) The children’s toilets had no privacy cubicles fitted around each of the two toilets. This impacted on the privacy and dignity of each child. From discussion with the registered provider there were plans to get the cubicles fitted as soon as possible
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. The fire alarm was relocated and repaired. It is now working and will be checked regularly by the service. 2. The registered provider ensured the tiles were replaced and cleaned. The registered provider stated that the tiles will be replaced if they are not suitable going forward. 3. The light fittings were replaced in the sanitary facilities following renovations. 4. The outdoor soft matting will continue to be monitored, and renovations will be scheduled to address this. (e) As part of the renovations in the service, privacy cubicles were fitted in the children’s sanitary facility. These will be regularly assessed by staff
There was no clear management structure in place in the service when the registered provider was not present as there was no alternative person appointed, person in charge in the absence of the registered provider as required. • The registered provider had not appointed a person working in the service to deputise when she was not present in the service. • On review of the staff time in, time out record of the previous four weeks and in discussion with the registered provider, it was noted that the registered provider was not present at all times when the service was in operation. This issue was identified as non-compliant in the last inspection dated the 23 May 2024, 11 May 2023, 02 December 2021 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the corrective and preventative response (CAPA) that the named person in charge or a person appointed to deputise in the absence of the person in charge would be present at all times while the service was in operation
All vetting should be completed before a person is appointed, assigned or allowed access to, or contact with, a child attending the service. The following records were not obtained prior to the staff member commencing work in the service. (a) Evidence of validation for two references were not on file for one staff member. (3) It was noted that the two references held in respect of one staff member had not been validated until after the staff member had commenced their role working directly with the children. This issue was identified as non-compliant in previous inspections dated 23 May 2024, 11 May 2023, 02 December 2021 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the corrective and preventative response (CAPA) that all vetting records would be completed prior to a person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to, or contact with, a child attending the service
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated that she had recently been successful in appointing a person to deputise when she is not present. The records received stated the newly appointed person is to commence working in the service on the 18 August 2025
The two references for one staff member in the service were validated
The registered provider stated in her reply that all vetting documentation will be received and on file prior to a person commencing in the service
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
Preschool room The adult to child ratios were not maintained when staff went on their lunch breaks on the day of inspection, the ratios were as follows. • At approximately 12:15 hours, there was 1 staff member present with 12 children in the preschool room and the ratio should be 1 adult to every 8 children. There were 5 children aged between 2 and 3 years and 7 children aged between 3 and 5 years. There was no adult present to relieve the staff members when they went on their lunch break. • At approximately 12:35, there were then 9 children with 1 adult in the preschool room. Two children were aged between 2 and 3 years and 7 children were aged between 3 and 5 years. The ratio is 1 adult to 6 children aged between 2 and 3 years attending full day care. The ratio is 1 adult to 8 children aged between 3 and 6 years attending full day care. This issue was identified as non-compliant in the last inspection dated 23 May 2024 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the corrective and preventative response (CAPA) that this issue would not occur again
Provider's corrective action:
The staffing issue will be resolved when the new staff member commences in her role on the 18 August 2025
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1)(a) to (i) Inspectors reviewed 12 registration forms which contained all the required information with the exception of one form which had not been completed. The registered provider did not ensure that a record in writing with all the above required particulars (a) to (i) inclusive was on the service file prior to one child commencing in the service
Provider's corrective action:
On the 15 May 2025 the early years inspectorate received written evidence from the registered provider that the child registration form for one child had been completed and is now on file in the service
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) A weekly staff sign in and sign out record was maintained in the service. The weekly staff sign in and sign out record indicated the names of three of the four staff, the arrival and departure and lunch time break of the three staff members each day. The details on the staff sign in, sign out record was considered inadequate, for the following reasons. 1. One adult working in the service was not recorded on the roster. The sign in and the sign out time or the lunch time breaks for this adult were not recorded. 2. The record did not indicate the adult: child ratio daily in each room of the service These issues were identified as non-compliant on the last inspection dated the 23 May 2024 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the corrective and preventative response (CAPA) that all were addressed
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated that going forward, staff rosters will be recorded at the back of the child register/daily role book. All staff will be required to sign this daily
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
• In the Wobbler/Toddler room, four of the children’s chairs were too low to be used with the table they were positioned at. It was observed that when the children were seated at the table on said chairs, they were sitting on the edge of the seats. There was a large space between the child and the back of the chair therefore the child had no back support. The staff were unable to push the chairs under the table. This did not allow for the children to sit comfortably during mealtimes or when engaging in tabletop activities. This issue was identified as non-compliant in the last inspection dated the 23 May 2024 following which the registered provider gave assurances in the corrective and preventative response (CAPA)
Provider's corrective action:
New age-appropriate wooden chairs, with strap support, for the children in the Wobbler /Toddler room were purchased
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: The following were safety issues found on day of inspection: 1. In the outdoor play area, there was an open area on the elevated part of the wooden climbing frame where a broken slide was removed. The staff had put loose cords across the open space which was poorly guarded and considered inadequate to prevent children jumping, falling off or being pushed off with the potential risk of receiving an injury. This open elevated area was at a fall height from the ground. Children were observed playing on this climbing frame on day of inspection and the open elevated space was considered a safety hazard in its present state. 2. There were two bolts protruding from the climbing frame which posed a safety risk as a child could entangle clothing or snag their skin while playing. 3. Supervision of sleeping children was found to be inadequate. The adult supervising the sleeping children was observed leaving the room on three occasions. Three children were sleeping in cots aged between 1 and 2 years and 3 children aged between 2 and 3 years were sleeping on floor beds. If one or more children are sleeping on floor beds, the supervising adult must remain in the room to ensure adequate supervision. 4. Children had unsupervised access to cleaning agents that were stored at child height in the children’s toilet beside the Preschool room that children could ingest or cause a skin irritation. 5. There was a loose cable visibly within reach of children in the Preschool room that posed the risk of strangulation. 6. There was no safety precautions taken on the low-level glass on the patio door leading to the covered outdoor play area increasing the risk of a child sustaining a collision injury. 7. In the children’s toilet area beside the Preschool room, the joining’s in the floor cover located in the centre of the children’s toilet were lifting and has the potential risk of causing a trip hazard. 8. Dust particles covered the electrical vent in the nappy changing room which may impede the vent working properly and providing adequate ventilation. Issues 7. 8. were identified as non-compliant in previous inspections the 23 May 2024, 11 May 2023, 02 December 2021 following which the registered provider gave assurances that each were addressed. Infection control: The following observed practices increased the risk of cross infection: 9. During the mid-morning snack in the Preschool room, all of the children were noted to eat their fruit directly from table surface, as crockery was not provided by the staff. 10. It was observed that staff did not ensure that the children’s hands were washed and dried after nappy changing. 11. The bin for the disposal of paper towels in the children’s toilet beside the Pre-school room was not a pedal operated lidded bin. 12. Children had unsupervised access to a toilet brush that was stored on the floor of the children’s toilet beside the Preschool room. Toilet brushes should be stored out of reach of children but easily accessible to staff for cleaning purposes. Issues 9. 10. 11. 12. were identified as non-compliant in previous inspections following which the registered provider gave assurances that each were addressed. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. Inspectorate received an email from the registered provider on the 15 August 2025 showing the area where the slide had been removed, wooden planks had been installed across the open space therefore securing the area. 2. The two bolts were removed on the climbing frame where the broken slide was located. 3. An adult will be in the room at all times supervising sleeping children. 4. All cleaning agents have been relocated to the locked utility room. The children have no access to the utility room. 5. The trailing phone cable within reach of children in the preschool room on day of inspection has now been encased and children no longer have access to the cable. 6. Visibility strips are now in place on the low-level glass on the patio door in the preschool room leading to the covered outdoor play area. 7. The opened floor joining’s in the centre of the children’s toilet have been taped down as a temporary measure until the building works are completed. The registered provider plans on laying a new floor cover in the children’s toilet beside the preschool room when the building works are completed. Infection control: 8. The registered provider stated the electric operated vent in the nappy changing room was cleaned and will be checked monthly to ensure it is in a proper state of repair and cleaned regularly. 9. The registered provider stated suitable individual bowls are now provided for the children, at all snack and mealtimes while attending the service. 10. Staff will ensure that all children’s hands are washed and dried after nappy changing at the wash hand basin located in the nappy changing room. 11. The bin for the disposal of paper towels in the children’s toilet beside the pre-school room was removed and a pedal operated lidded bin is now in place. The registered provider will ensure that only pedal operated lidded bins are provided in all areas of the service. 12. The toilet brush has been removed from the children’s toilet beside the preschool room and is now stored in the utility room located near the children’s toilet
Regulation 29 — Premises
The registered provider stated that all construction works would be completed by the 11 August 2024. This was clarified by a copy of an invoice from the builder stating that all construction works would be done at weekends only and completed by the 11 August 2024. However, on this inspection the following issues had not been addressed and remain non-compliant. (c) 1. A persistent malodour was noted in the staff room/administration room in the morning time. Inspectorate asked the registered provider to open the window in the room. The odour when checked was noted to be not as offensive in the afternoon. (d) 2. There was evidence of damp on two corners of the ceiling in the Wobbler/Toddler room. There were small open holes visible around the centre of the ceiling. The registered provider/person in charge stated that the visible holes in the ceiling were made from ceiling lights that were moved to another area in the ceiling. 3. One area in the ceiling in the Preschool room had been plastered. The registered provider stated the area was plastered to cover the holes that were made from ceiling lights that were moved to another area in the ceiling. This left an unfinished surface area on ceiling. 4. There was evidence of dampness, chipped and peeling paint visible on the windowsills at child height in the Wobbler/Toddler room. 5. The new wall built between the Pre-school and Wobbler/Toddler room remained unfinished at either side and not provided with a smooth, durable, easily cleanable surface. 6. The washable laminate surface tiles on the wall beside the nappy changing mat had fallen off. The wall the children had access to when their nappy was being changed was not provided with a smooth durable easily cleanable surface. 7. There were visible gaps in the floor in both playrooms where walls had been removed The rough cement surface was visible and the gaps in the floor covering were considered potential safety risks to the children when playing indoors. (e) Since the last inspection dated 23 May 2024, the service had: 8. Removed one of the two wash hand basins in the children’s toilet facility beside the Preschool room. There were 12 children in attendance in the Preschool room on day of inspection. The ratio of wash hand basins is 1 wash hand basin to every 11 children. A second wash hand basin was required. 9. The surface of the wall at child height, in the children’s toilet facility beside the Pre-school room where the wash hand basin was removed, was rough to touch with chipped paint and not easily cleanable
Provider's corrective action:
In the corrective and preventative response (CAPA 2) received from the registered provider post the regulatory compliance meeting (RCM) the following was stated: (c) 1. The registered provider stated that the sink in the staff room/administration room was not suitable. As a result of non-use of the sink, the sink pipes have begun to build up an odour. Once the sink was in regular use, the odour did not occur. This will continue to be monitored. The sink will be replaced as part of the proposed building renovations. (d) 2. The registered provider stated in the CAPA reply that, this is part of the renovation work to take place in the service. Some of the work, such as the ceiling holes will commence during the month of July and is due to be completed by the end of July 2025. 3. The registered provider stated in the CAPA reply that this is part of the planned renovation work to be completed. 4. The registered provider stated that the work on the windowsill in the Wobbler/Toddler room will be completed in July 25. 5. The registered provider stated in the CAPA response that the wall would be completed as part of the renovation work. 6. The registered provider stated that this wall will be tiled once planning is received. If planning is not approved, the other option is to extend the present changing area, which would mean removing this wall. 7. The registered provider stated that the flooring can only be replaced once the bathroom is restructured as part of the renovation work. (e) 8. A second wash hand basin is required and has not been installed in the children’s toilet facility beside the Pre-school room. 9. The surface of the wall at child height, in the children’s toilet facility beside the Pre-school room where the wash hand basin was removed, remains the same, rough to touch with chipped paint and not easily cleanable