# Giraffe Childcare Celbridge, Celbridge — inspection reports and findings > Giraffe Childcare Celbridge (Celbridge, Co. Kildare): what Tusla inspections found — 6 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Giraffe Childcare Celbridge Part Time · 0 - 6 Years · Celbridge, Kildare · Tusla ID **TU2015KE129** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 15 April 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - Through a review of documentation and discussion with the manager it was evident that the registered provider had not sourced a past employer reference for one new staff member from their most recent employer - Documentation reviewed evidenced that the procedures specified above under 9(2) had not been carried out prior to one adult commencing in their role in the service, as detailed above under regulation 9(2)(a) - At the time of appointment, two references were obtained for the staff member in question, both of which were relevant and validated in line with our recruitment procedures. We made efforts to obtain a reference from the most recent employer; however, this was not available to us at that time despite follow-up attempts with the staff member. Since then, we have successfully secured a reference from the most recent employer, and this has now been added to the staff member’s file. We remain fully committed to maintaining full compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to our recruitment procedures. We will ensure that references are actively requested, followed up, and secured from the most recent employers for all staff prior to commencement of employment, and that all documentation is fully verified and retained on file - Our recruitment process requires that references are always requested and sourced from the most recent employer in the first instance. This is our standard procedure for all appointments. In this particular case, while a reference from the most recent employer could not be obtained despite reasonable efforts, we secured the next two available meaningful references. We always make reasonable and documented efforts to source references from the most recent employer prior to commencement of employment and will ensure we have these on file. We remain committed to full compliance with all regulatory requirements and to maintaining robust safeguarding and recruitment procedures ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Inspectors observed that suitable care practices were not in place having regard to the number of children attending the service and the nature of their needs as follows. 1. The registered provider did not take all required measures to ensure that water was accessible at all times to children in the Wobbler Acacia room which was at variance with the healthy eating policy in place. It is acknowledged that there was a water station in the care room, however, this was out of reach of children. Staff were observed offering children a short drink before and after their dinner and tea, but water beakers were moved out of reach of children by staff during their meals. Allowing children to drink water as needed maintains hydration, aids digestion, prevents constipation, and regulates body temperature. 2. Mealtime practices observed in the Wobbler Acacia room were at variance with the healthy eating policy in place and did not provide the children with opportunities to develop independence or for social interaction and meaningful engagement. Opportunities for self-feeding at dinner were not provided to the children in the Wobbler Acacia room who were aged 11 months to 1 year and developmentally ready to attempt spoon-feeding. Staff were observed spoon-feeding children in turn during dinner time and teatime on the day of inspection. Not allowing children who are developmentally ready to attempt self- feeding can delay the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, independence, and healthy eating habits - 1. Immediate action was taken to ensure that drinking water is accessible to children at all times in the Wobbler Acacia room. Staff were reminded and re-trained on the importance of maintaining continuous access to water in line with the healthy eating policy. The water station was reviewed and repositioned to ensure it is within reach and consistently available throughout the day, including during meals and outdoor activities. 2. Staff have received further guidance to ensure that children are provided with appropriate opportunities to develop independence and self-feeding skills during meals. Spoon-feeding will only be used where developmentally appropriate, and children will be encouraged to self-feed in a supportive manner. Management will ensure that water is consistently available and easily accessible to children throughout the day, including during meals and outdoor activities and will ensure that staff support positive mealtime practices, encouraging children’s independence and self-feeding skills in an age-appropriate and supportive manner, in line with best practice ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - Appropriate rest facilities were not provided for all children under 2 years in the Toddler Namibia room. On the day of inspection, two children aged 23 months were observed on foldable floor mats which were not fitted with firm, flat, waterproof and breathable mattresses. This may impact the safety and quality of sleep for children under 2 years. This non-compliance was present on the last inspection on 19 May 2025. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance - Two children who were four days away from their second birthday and were in the process of transitioning onto floor beds. This transition was carefully managed, the children were fully supervised at all times and slept peacefully, however we acknowledge the sleep requirement and sleep plans are now in place for these children. Following the previous inspection, additional cots and an additional cot room had been put in place to ensure all children under two are accommodated in cots. Sleep plans are in place for all sleeping children There are currently no children under two sleeping on floor mats, and we remain committed to maintaining full compliance. All children under the age of two will be provided with a cot for sleeping. Sleep plans are completed in partnership with families to ensure each child’s individual needs are met and documented. These plans are reviewed regularly. In addition, risk assessments will be completed for any child transitioning between sleeping arrangements ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. Some handwashing practices observed were inconsistent and at variance with the policy in place in the service posing a risk of the transmission of infection. In the Wobbler Acacia room children and staffs’ hands were not washed before mealtimes. 2. The children attending the Wobbler Acacia room were of an age where they explored toys with their mouths. During the inspection there was no attempt made to remove toys when mouthed despite the room having a designated box for this purpose. The toys remained in use between the different children posing a risk of the transmission of infection. 3. A child in the Wobbler Acacia room was observed to have their face cleaned after their tea with a cloth that was in use for cleaning counters and tables posing a risk of the transmission of infection. 4. Bed linen was not stored separately to prevent cross contamination in the Toddler Namibia and Toddler Kilimanjaro rooms. Sleep mats were observed stored stacked on top of each other with the bed linen attached. Staff stated that bed linen is laundered on a weekly basis. Safe Sleep: 5. There was no sleep plan and associated risk assessment in place for two children aged one year who slept on foldable mats during the inspection. This is at variance with the policy in place in the service which detailed the requirement for sleep plans and risk assessments to be in place for children under 2 years of age who sleep on a floor bed, in line with current Tusla guidelines on safe sleep. Fire Safety: 6. In the cot room adjacent to the Wobbler Acacia room, a cot was observed blocking a fire exit. This may impede the save evacuation of children and staff in the event of a fire on the premises. It is acknowledged that a staff member moved the cot when it was brought to their attention by the inspectors. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. Hand hygiene practices in the Wobbler room have been reinforced. Staff have received refresher training to ensure that children’s and staff members’ hands are washed appropriately before and after meals, outdoor play, and activities. Management will continue to monitor compliance through regular spot checks to ensure consistent implementation. 2. Procedures have been strengthened to ensure that any toys mouthed by children are immediately removed, cleaned, and sterilised before being returned to circulation. Management will carry out regular spot checks to prevent cross-contamination and ensure adherence to infection control procedures. 3. The practice regarding the use of face cloths has been reviewed. The interactions and practice on the afternoon of the inspection was reviewed and while management could not identify a cloth used for cleaning the table being used to clean a child’s face, the procedures for cleaning children’s hands and faces has been reiterated to all staff to ensure that only designated face cloths are used for children and training refreshed on this. 4. Bed linen is laundered weekly and more frequently if and when required in line with hygiene procedures. Bed linen is now stored separately from the beds to prevent cross-contamination and sleep mats are stored appropriately. The centre has two housekeepers who support the daily cleaning and laundry procedures. All relevant procedures and practices have been reviewed and recommunicated to staff. Refresher training has been completed with the staff. Management will ensure that all the health, safety and welfare of the children is in line with infection control. Safe Sleep: 5. Sleep plans are now in place for all children who require them. The two children referenced have now turned two years of age; however, management has reiterated that sleep plans must be completed for all children who sleep in the setting. Any child under the age of two using a floor bed would have an appropriate sleep plan and risk assessment in place, in line with policy and Tusla guidelines. Fire Safety: 6. The issue identified regarding cots partially obstructing the fire exit has been addressed immediately. The cots have been repositioned to ensure that the fire exit remains fully unobstructed. Management acknowledged the importance of this and will ensure that fire exits are always kept clear ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN0941 served Found compliant: Regulation 11. #### Inspection of 19 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - Appropriate rest facilities were not provided for all children under 2 years in the Toddler Kilimanjaro room. On the day of inspection, one child aged 1 year 9 months was observed on a foldable floor mat. This mat was not fitted with a firm, flat, waterproof and breathable mattress. This may impact the safety and quality of sleep for children under 2 years - All children under 2 years have access to a cot at sleep time. An additional cot has since been placed in the Kilimanjaro room. The Management team will work in partnership with each individual family to ensure the child’s sleep need are met. Children under the age of 2 years will be provided with a cot. Children over the age of 2 years will be provided with a floor bed. We will ensure that the floor beds are firm, flat, waterproof and breathable ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A large wooden reel in the outdoor area was observed to be water damaged with loose parts and splinters exposed posing a risk of injury to children. Infection Control: 2. Some handwashing practices observed were inconsistent and at variance with the policy in place in the service. While it is acknowledged that children’s noses were cleaned promptly, a staff member was observed to clean a child’s nose on two occasions and did not wash their hands following this, posing a risk of the transmission of infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The large wooden reel has been removed from the garden area. The garden is checked daily to ensure the environment is safe at all times for children to play in. Garden checks are completed daily to ensure the play area and equipment is safe for use. Any equipment that is damaged will be removed. Infection Control: 2. Staff have been refreshed and full demonstrations of the Hygiene and infection Control policy has been completed to eliminate cross contamination. Management will complete daily checks to ensure staff are following best practice in relation to infection control in particular around nasal hygiene Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 26. #### Inspection of 31 October 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) No non-compliance recorded in this report. Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 16, 19, 25, 27, 31. ### Earlier inspections - 25 June 2024 — Inspection Report · PDF - 20 November 2023 — Inspection Report · PDF - 19 April 2023 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Kildare - [Green Lane Montessori and After School](/creche/green-lane-montessori-and-after-school-leixlip.md) Leixlip - [Happy Days Community Childcare CLG](/creche/happy-days-community-childcare-clg-athy.md) Athy - [Happy Years Childcare](/creche/happy-years-childcare-celbridge.md) Celbridge - [Jo's Playschool](/creche/jo-s-playschool-ardclough.md) Ardclough - [Kildare Village Little Stars](/creche/kildare-village-little-stars-kildare-town.md) Kildare Town - [MAAP Childcare Limited T/A Tots Creche and Daycare Nursery Ltd.](/creche/maap-childcare-limited-t-a-tots-creche-and-daycare-nursery-ltd-naas.md) Naas - [Tender Years Creche](/creche/tender-years-creche-naas.md) Naas - [Early Scholars Learning Centre](/creche/early-scholars-learning-centre-monasterevin.md) Monasterevin - [Cocoon Childcare- Celbridge](/creche/cocoon-childcare-celbridge-celbridge.md) Celbridge - [Bright Eyes Childcare](/creche/bright-eyes-childcare-monasterevin.md) Monasterevin [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/giraffe-childcare-celbridge-celbridge/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11