Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(3) Staff were observed to treat children kindly on the day of inspection with no harmful or prohibited practices observed, however information received by the Early Years Inspectorate regarding an incident which occurred on 09 March 2026 was viewed on CCTV by the Early Years inspectors. This footage demonstrated shortcomings of some care practices and was not in line with the service policy
Provider's corrective action:
The companies operational and HR policies were immediately followed relating to a care practice concern. The relevant bodies were notified and were supported in obtaining the required information. The staff team were met with both individually and as a team to discuss topics relating to care practices and retraining occurred on specific policies and procedures. Along with the retraining, the management team have increased their floor-based supervision and additional training will be ongoing
Immediate action notice. This inspection was triggered as a result of information received by the inspectorate on 26 June 2025. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 24 July 2025 in relation to two concerns identified under Regulation 23, Safeguarding the Health, Welfare and Development of child. Responses which adequately mitigated these concerns were received on 25 July 2025. Further details are available under Regulation 23. Part III – Management and Staff
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) (c) Although a Garda vetting disclosure was available for one staff member, there was no consideration of the disclosure such as a risk assessment undertaken by the service. Any disclosures should be assessed to determine any potential risk to the children. (7) (a) Staff Training Records • A sample of five new staff induction records were reviewed as part of the inspection. One of the new adults did not have a training card on file. It is acknowledged this adult does not work directly with the children. Two out of the four new adults who worked directly with children discussed that they had not read the child protection policy, which was at variance with the training records. • A sample of eight existing staff training records were reviewed as part of the inspection. There was documentary evidence to show that one adult had not signed off on the full training record. • There was no documentary evidence available to show that eight staff had completed their mandatory child safeguarding training. Although adults reported to the inspection team that they had been made aware how to identify any child protection concerns and the reporting procedure of these practices that were disrespectful or harmful to children. In addition, one of the new adults was not aware of these reporting procedures. This was not in line with the services child protection policy. Staff Supervision • There was documentary evidence available to show that the roll out of staff supervision, staff appraisals and annual reviews were at variance with the service’s policy. A sample of nineteen records were reviewed, and the following was observed. o Thirteen of the fifteen supervision records did not include the date that the supervision took place. o One of the fifteen supervision records was dated October 2023. o Three of the supervision records did not include staff signatures. o Nine of the fifteen supervision records were not signed by management. o Six-supervision records were signed by a manager who has left the service since September 2024. o There was no documentary evidence to show that staff had completed their 6-month probationary period. • The Staff supervision policy states that “the centre manager will carry out one to one meeting on a regular basis or as required, notes from this meeting will be recorded and objectives set according to the needs of the individual. Six-month probationary reviews and annual appraisals will take place to review staff progress, practice, training needs, future goals and both parties will sign off on any issues or training needs discussed”
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (c) A full risk assessment was completed by the HR Department in relation to the disclosure. The assessment followed the company’s Risk Assessment Policy and addressed potential risks to children, with all findings documented and signed off by the DLP. All future disclosures will undergo documented risk assessments. These will be conducted by the DLP in conjunction with HR Department. (7) (a) • The existing staff member who had not fully completed a training card has now completed one. • All team members successfully completed the Child Protection Policy training session ensuring full understanding if safeguarding responsibilities, with attendance documented and training cards filed. Any outstanding Children’s First Training has now been completed with a full centre completion rate. • Staff appraisals have been collected from all staff with 1:1’s scheduled over the next few weeks. • Going forward, all new staff will complete a minimum of four hours shadowing a senior member of staff during their first day, with an induction signed off by the manager. Safeguarding training will be completed within the first week of employment for all n ew staff, with training records updated within 24 hours of completion. Children’s First will be completed before their first day in the centre
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(k) A sample of twenty accident and incident records were reviewed. Five of the records were not complete. Evidenced by the following. • There was no evidence to show when the parent/guardian was informed of the day of the accident/ incident as the dates were left blank beside the parent’s signature. It is important that parents are informed of any incidents or accidents on the day, so that they can appropriately monitor their child
Provider's corrective action:
(k) All staff have been retrained on the completion of incident and accident report forms, with an emphasis on recording the date and confirming parental notification. Parents of children involved in previous incomplete reports were contacted to finalise missing signatures or dates. • Going forward, a designated member of the management team will review and sign off all incident and accident reports, before they are filed. • A monthly compliance check will be carried out to confirm zero incomplete reports, and findings will be recorded in the monthly incident report form. his process will be reviewed at the next quarterly staff meeting to ensure sustained compliance
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (b) There was no individual care plan available for one child who, through discussion with staff and documentary evidence showed signs requiring extra support around sensory -seeking behaviour. This was not in alignment with the services policy which states that the service will “ provide all employees, parents/guardians, and the children the strategies for managing and supporting children’s behaviour”. An individual care plan helps outline evidence of a child's strengths, challenges, or goals. A clear and detailed care plan would help inform and support staff to reduce the likelihood of risk within the care room
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (b) An individual care plan was developed for the identified child, in collaboration with parents, outlining strategies for managing sensory -seeking behaviour. The care plan was signed by parents and the centre manager, stored in the child’s file and base room, and all relevant team members were fully trained. Going forward care plans will be created after identifying any child with behavioural or sensory support needs. The care plan process will include a parent meeting, written agreement, and staff briefing. A quarterly review will be carried out to ensure all relevant care plans remain current and effective
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Water in three wash hand basins was not thermostatically controlled with temperatures in excess of the recommended 43 ℃ which posed a risk of scalding to the children. The following temperatures were recorded. Room Name Time Water Temperature Masi-Mara 10:21am 48.9℃ Botswana 11:15am 62.1℃ Madagascar 11:20am 64.7℃ An Immediate action notice was issued on the day of the inspection in relation to the water temperature in Botswana and Madagascar rooms. A response which mitigated this non-compliance was received on 25 July 2025. 2. There was no documentary evidence of a risk assessment available following an incident that occurred within the service. This is at variance with the services incident policy which states “a risk assessment will be carried out after a serious incident or accident to review the detail and any necessary changes to the resources or environment will be implemented if possible”. 3. At 10:35 am, it was observed that a cleaning agent was accessible to children on a shelf with neighbouring steps. This was within potential reach of a child located in the first sanitary area within the Masi-Mara room and posed a safety hazard. 4. At 10:48 am in the Wobbler Safari room, it was observed that a metal radiator cover was damaged and loose. This posed a potential significant pinch risk to children as it was accessible beside the kitchenette play area. 5. There was an air cooler system with a trailing flex observed to be stored on top of a shelving unit in both the Botswana and Madagascar room. This posed a risk of injury. It is acknowledged that both units were relocated to a safter location once the identified risk was brought to the attention of the deputy person in charge. Fire Safety: 1. The emergency fire exit door in the sleep cot room off the Wobbler Safari room was observed at 13:44pm to be obstructed while four children between the ages of 1 and 1.5 years were sleeping. This posed a significant risk to both children in the cot room and care room in the event of an emergency fire evacuation. An Immediate action notice was issued on the day of the inspection in relation to this second concern. A response which addressed this non-compliance was received on 25 July 2025. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. An external specialist contractor attended the centre and upon inspection found a mixing valve was not working properly in one sink which was adjusted on the day and working at the correct temperature. 2. A risk assessment relating to the incident has been completed, signed by the manager, and stored in the Health & Safety Folder. A post-incident risk assessment will be conducted as per policy. 3. All team members have attended a chemical storage safety training session with attendance recorded and training cards filed. The manager will carry out daily water and chemical storage checks using the manager’s health and safety diary to record findings 4. All radiator covers have been repaired. Maintenance issues will be reported using our new expansive system to ensure completion is immediate 5. All electrical flexes are secured. Fire Safety: 6. The additional cots were removed, and staff training took place this morning on the importance of fire exits being clear and what to do in the event additional cots were required. Training cards completed by staff ensuring they are aware of the importance of supervision during handwashing
Regulation 32 — Complaints
(3) (b) Although a complaints logbook was maintained documenting if a complaint was received, the registered provider did not ensure that the complaint logbook was maintained in line with best practice and the service complaints policy. Evidenced by the following. o Five of the six complaint records did not include essential details such as the child’s surname and the full name of the complainant. o A verbal complaint received which was logged in the complaint book included documentary evidence of follow up actions with staff. However, the compliant record did not outline the follow up steps taken to ensure the complainant was satisfied with the outcome and that the complaint was closed off. o Two verbal complaints which were received included documentary evidence of a solution offered to the complainant by the person in charge. However, the compliant record did not outline the follow up steps taken to ensure the complainants were satisfied with the outcome and that the complaint was closed off. o A verbal complaint which was received did not include any solution offered to the complainant by the person in charge or any follow up actions to be taken by the person in charge to address this complaint, the outcome and if the complaint was closed off. o One complaint which was received in writing was followed up with a phone call. However, there was no documentary record of the phone conversation with the complainant to include the outcome and if the complaint was closed off
Provider's corrective action:
(3) (b) The Management team received refresher training on the Complaints and Compliments Policy & Procedure. Training covered correct logging, investigation and follow up requirements. To ensure consistency and accuracy, our Area Director will review our Complaints and Compliments Book on her visits to the centre
Found compliant: Regulation 11.
Inspection of 20 November 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. Adequate handwashing was not observed to be completed in Wobbler Safari room before mealtimes where staff were observed to clean the children’s hand with wet cotton wool. Warm running water and soap are required for handwashing to prevent the spread of infection in line with the service policy. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. The service have undertaken staff re training on the handwashing policy. This was completed with the whole team of staff on the 21/11/24. Regular retraining will be done using our staff training nights and regular audits of the practice in the rooms will be carried out to ensure best practice is being followed
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 21, 25.