Creche Inspection Reports

First Steps Playgroup

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Letterkenny, Donegal · Tusla ID TU2015DL044 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

1published inspections
5non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 11 November 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (d) 1. It could not be determined if police vetting was required in respect of two staff members due to gaps in the employment record. 2. Police vetting was not available for one staff member who had lived outside of the state for a period of longer than six months
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The employment records were updated. 2. Police vetting is in the process of being applied for

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1.Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The plastic sink in the home corner was broken, revealing a sharp edge. 3. Aerosols were stored on a low window ledge in the children’s sanitary accommodation, posing a risk to children’s health. Infection Control: 1. A mop and bucket were stored in the children’s sanitary accommodation posing a risk of cross infection to children. 2. There was no soap available in the children’s sanitary accommodation for effective handwashing. 3. The bin for the disposal of hand towels was an open topped pin, not the required foot operated pedal bin. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been obtained. All staff will be re vetted every three years. 2. Plastic sink was removed. 3. Aerosols were removed from children’s sanitary accommodation. Infection Control: 1. Mop and bucket have been removed. 2. Soap in the children’s sanitary accommodation has been removed. 3. A pedal bin has been purchased for the children’s sanitary accommodation

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (2)(a)(b) The contents of the first aid box were inadequate to meet the needs of the preschool children. The majority of the bandages were expired with dates ranging from 2007 to 2016
Provider's corrective action:
  • The contents of the first aid box have been replaced with new items

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • (1)(b) A record was kept of the number, type and maintenance of firefighting equipment. Records showed the firefighting equipment was last serviced on 11 December 2024. However, there was no record of the smoke alarm maintenance. On discussion, the registered provider confirmed to the inspector that the smoke alarms had not been serviced in the previous 12 months
Provider's corrective action:
  • A service was carried out on the two fire alarms in the preschool. The registered provider will ensure that the smoke alarms are serviced annually

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) There was a large accumulation of mould on the blinds and walls beside the window in the main playroom. (d) In the children’s sanitary accommodation, the pipe underneath the sink was leaking, posing a risk of a trip or fall to the preschool child
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The blind has been cleaned. 2. The leak has been fixed

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 28.

Other services in Donegal

Alert me when a new report is published · Dated report on this service — €19