Giggles Childcare Service, Inishannon — inspection reports and findings

Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Inishannon, Cork · Tusla ID TU2015CC163 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

(2) The minimum ratio of adults to children were not met where there were an insufficient number of adults working directly with children in toddler room A and B from 12.30 to 2pm during staff breaks. During this period, at times of staff breaks there were toddlers cared for by 4 staff, whereas 6 staff were required. The ratios of 1:5 and 1:6 were not maintained while 2 adults from toddler A and 1 adult from the toddler B room went on their lunch break and were replaced by 1 adult. For example, in Toddler A at 12.45, there were 7 children in the sleep room plus 9 in the dining/playroom being cared for by 1 adult with a second adult going between the 2 rooms of Toddler A and B. In the Early Montessori room 2 adults went on break and were replaced by 1 adult when 4 adults were required

Provider's corrective action:

The registered providers responded to state that the staff lunch roster has been updated to ensure the adult/child ratio is always met during staff breaks

Infection Control: 1. On the days of inspection, the three nappy disposal bins in the service were broken, as the pedal opening device was not functioning. This may lead to the spread of infection. It is noted that the registered providers were actioning this and had a letter from their supplier regarding replacement bins. 2. In the sleep room used by Toddler A group, there were 7 cots, 4 were not the required 50cm apart for infection control. This practice was noted in the previous inspection of 10 July 2023 as it may lead to the spread of infection. Safe Sleep: 3. On the days of inspection, 5 children under 2 years were observed to sleep on mats/mattresses on the ground in toddler room B area, rather than in cots or approved floor beds as required for safe sleep for children in this age group. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Infection Control: 1. The registered providers responded to state that new nappy disposal bins are now in place. 2. The registered providers responded to state that one cot was removed from the sleep room and the second sleep room which was not in use was re-opened for use. This room has 6 cots available. Safe Sleep: 3. The registered providers agreed to purchase approved floor beds for children under 2 years and noted that 2 of the 5 children have since turned 2 years and can sleep on stackable beds and that cots are available in the second sleep room for use of those children under 2 years

(e) A staff toilet was not maintained in a good state of repair, with tiling missing over the door and under the sink. (f) There were an inadequate number of staff toilets available for the 22 and 20 adults present on day 1 and day 2 of the inspection. The ratio of 1:8 staff toilets were not in place as there were 2 toilets/sinks for staff, when 3 were required

Provider's corrective action:

(e ) The registered providers committed to keeping the staff toilets in a good state of repair and stated that the tiling was replaced. (f ) The registered providers stated that an additional staff toilet was purchased and that the setting will ensure adequate staff toilets are in place

(1) The registered providers did not ensure that an adequate clear floor space was available for the Toddler A/ B group to facilitate their work, play and movement. (2) The minimum floor space was not in place given the ages and numbers of children attending Toddler A and B partitioned space, for example: • On day one of inspection there were 16 toddlers in group A, aged 12 to 18 months requiring 2.8m2 per child. In the spaces allocated within the toddler room and dining area, there was space for 14 children of this age group for the morning period. After lunch while the entire toddler area was closed to facilitate sleep for the Toddler B group Therefore, the toddler A children who were not sleeping in their cot room, had a space in the dining/play area which could accommodate 7 children, however there were 9 children using this space

Provider's corrective action:

The registered providers stated that the floor space issue will be resolved once the outdoor cabin is registered to take pre-school children. The registered providers stated that a change in circumstance (CIC) form has been submitted for this to the registration office

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 19, 28.

Giggles Childcare Service