Giraffe Childcare Stepaside

Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Dublin 18, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2015DR081 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

4published inspections

0non-compliances at latest report read

0immediate action notices

0registration conditions

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 23, 26.

Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing procedures observed were not effective for infection prevention and control. Practices observed included redressing children with soiled gloves, changing mats not cleaned between changes and adults leaving the sanitary area without washing their hands. The nappy changing policy displayed did not clearly outline the correct procedure. 2. There was no effective system in operation to manage the cleaning and sterilising of mouthing toys and equipment. This posed a risk of cross infection between children. 3. Water beakers for children attending the Acacia and Cameroon rooms were stored in a manner which posed a risk of cross infection. Beakers which had not been cleaned after children used them were stored on top of each other in a basket. 4. Children attending the Acacia, Namibia and Cameroon rooms did not have their hands washed before the afternoon snack and adults did not wash their own hands before serving food to children. Poor hand hygiene is associated with an increased risk of illness and infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing policy was updated and staff were retrained in the updated policy. The policy and task analysis have been displayed in each room. 2. New sterilising boxes for the mouthing toys were introduced into the wobbler rooms to ensure all mouthing toys and equipment can be easily sterilised. Staff were also trained in this. 3. Beakers which were not stored correctly in Acacia and Cameroon rooms are washed after each use and stored in a larger container so as not to pose a risk of cross infection. Staff were retrained in the importance of water intake and maintaining the hygiene of the beakers. 4. All staff were retrained in our Handwashing and Infection Control policy. Management will monitor the practice within the centre to ensure that the protocols put in place for infection control are followed daily

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 20, 25.

Two adults did not have a major award in Early Childhood Care & Education at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, or an equivalent qualification

Provider's corrective action:

Two adults are in the process of obtaining the required qualification which they will have completed by June 2023

(i) The staff roster available when the inspectors arrived on the 28 November 2023 did not reflect adults who were present in the service. An accurate staff roster is required to ensure that the service can demonstrate that sufficient staff will be in place to care for children who are attending the service

Provider's corrective action:

Management will inform the area manager if support is required on a particular day. In the event of unplanned absence, the support staff can be added to the roster once there is confirmation of the support available. If it occurs that no support can be given a decision will be made as to whether to close a pod to ensure compliance. Summary Comment The inspector is satisfied that the registered provider understands that the roster will be updated as soon as an unplanned absence is identified. The regulatory requirement is deemed to have been met and will be reviewed at the time of the next inspection

Safe Sleep: On the 28 November 2023 sleep observations were not recorded accurately in the toddler Namibia room. Nine children were placed to sleep at 11.35am, however when the inspector requested the sleep records for these children at 12.15pm, documentation of sleeping children had not commenced for any child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Safe Sleep: Staff in the Namibia room were retrained regarding the documentation required for sleeping children

Found compliant: Regulation 11.

Earlier inspections