Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An adrenaline autoinjector was observed to be stored on a child height shelf in Pandas room and was easily accessible to children. This posed a risk to the children. It was acknowledged that the staff removed the adrenaline autoinjector from the shelf when brought to the attention by the inspector. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: In the written response, the registered provider has detailed how staff have been reminded of the importance of storing medication out of reach of children. A new space within the high level shelving units in the care rooms have been clearly labelled as the designated storage space for medications
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider in relation to Regulation 23: Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child. The response received was adequate to mitigate the risk identified. Following the receipt of two Corrective Action and Preventative Action plans (CAPAs) a Regulatory Compliance meeting was held on 02 Sept 2025 with the Registered Provider in order to clarify non-compliant issues which had not been addressed via the CAPA process.
Immediate action notice. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance; however, on inspection additional non-compliance which posed a risk was identified under Regulation 8: Notification of Change in Circumstances. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulations within this report.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)(b) The registered provider had not ensured that safe recruitment practices were completed. There were no written and validated references available for one staff working on the day of inspection. (2)(d) The requirement for Police vetting could not be ascertained for two staff members, as curriculum vitaes were not available on file for assessment. (3) One staff had commenced in the service without appropriate references being in place. Not fully vetting staff prior to allowing them access to the children in the service posed a risk to the children attending. (4) There was no qualification or letter of temporary permission to practice from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for the staff employed on a temporary basis over the summer months
Provider's corrective action:
2(a)(b) The registered provider stated that references are now on file, and all references have been validated. The registered provider stated all references will be validated and held on file going forward for all staff. 2(d) Curriculum vitaes were provided, which showed that the two staff members did not require Police vetting. (3) At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held on 02 Sept 2025, the registered provider stated they would not employ any staff going forward until all necessary and safe recruitment practices were followed, prior to allowing the staff member to have access to the children in the service. (4) None provided as the staff member was not eligible to obtain a temporary permission to practice letter, as they were unqualified to work with early years children . At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held on 02 Sept 2025, the registered provider gave an assurance that they would not employ unqualified staff in any capacity to look after children in the service again
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(2) The required adult to child ratio was not observed on the day of inspection. • At 09:45am, there were 13 early years children in attendance including: four children, aged one to two years; one child aged two to three years; eight children, aged three to five years. In addition, there were five school aged children, aged five to seven years old. There were two staff present. Three adults were required. • At 12:22pm one staff member took their break until 12:51pm, leaving one staff member alone with 14 early years children, including: four children, aged one to two years; one child, aged two to three years; nine children aged three to five years. In addition, there were six school aged children, aged five to seven years old. Three adults were required. • From 12:52 to 13:45, there were two staff present with 14 early years children in attendance including: four children, aged one to two years; one child, aged two to three years; nine children aged three to five years. In addition, there were six school aged children, aged five to seven years old. It was noted the registered provider returned to the service at 13:15, and at that time a staff member went on their break, leaving two staff present. Three adults were required. (8)(a) The registered provider did not ensure that a minimum of 2 adults were on the premises at all times during the hours of operation. There was only one adult on the premises during the period of 12:21 to 12:52, caring for 20 children, whilst the other adult took a break
Provider's corrective action:
(2) The registered provider stated that the minimum ratios are now being maintained at all times and will continue to be maintained at all times while the service is in operation. Staff break cover would be given so ratios are maintained during breaks. (8) The registered provider stated that two adults would remain on the premise at all times while the service is in operation
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic Needs: 1. On observation and discussion with staff in the care room, it was noted that one child’s sleep needs could not be facilitated according to their requirements. The child displayed signs of tiredness including rubbing their eyes and crying. Staff stated that a nap would normally be accommodated at this time, but there was not sufficient staff available to allow this child to be put down for a nap when it was required. 2. The rest area in the Panda room required further development to ensure that the children were provided with comfort and their individual needs for rest and relaxation were met. On the day of inspection, the rest area consisted of a large cushion and a chair
Provider's corrective action:
1. The registered provider stated that the childminding service is no longer in operation, and any child requiring sleep in the service will be facilitated to sleep when they need to. 2. The registered provider stated they have developed the rest area in the Panda room. Pillows, blankets and foam mats have been added to this area. At the Regulatory Compliance Meeting on 02 Sept 2025 the registered provide gave an assurance to further develop this area
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
Fourteen children attending the early years service on a full day care basis did not have a main hot meal. Children had sandwiches, pasta, yoghurts, crackers, cheese, and bagels. As per the regulations, children attending for more than five hours should have at least two meals and two snacks, of which one is a hot meal. This issue was identified in the last inspection, dated 8 February 2023. The previous CAPA responses noted all parents have been provided with information from the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Preschool Services regarding food that is suitable for their children’s snacks and meals. The Healthy Eating policy had been amended to include the number of meals and snacks that must be provided to early years children attending part time and full day care service. However, this had not been found to be the case on inspection
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated that she has written to parents to remind them a hot main meal must be provided for each child attending full daycare. The registered provider stated they will ensure all staff are aware there are spare hot meals available for any child who does not bring a hot main meal
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An Immediate Action Notice for Safety was issued 16 July 2025 in relation to the following events observed. One staff went on their break from 12:22 until 12:51. The remaining staff member left the care room for a period of approximately four minutes to attend to three children in the adjacent sanitary area, leaving no staff in the care room with 17 children present. • During this four- minute period one child climbed onto the windowsill, using the shelving unit below to aid them. The window was open and there was no safety latch in place posing a significant safety risk. The early years inspector notified the staff member, who intervened. • During this four-minute period three children were seated in highchairs and were eating posing a significant safety risk should a child begin to choke whilst unattended by staff. 2. Play equipment in the outdoor area had exposed bolts and sharp edges, posing a risk of injury to the children. 3. The foyer area outside the Panda room was cluttered with storage items and a storage box and posed as a trip hazard in the event of an emergency. This area was used for storage on the last inspection, dated 8 February 2023. The previous CAPA response noted that the area had been cleared of all obstacles. This was not found to be the case on this inspection. Infection Control: 4. A cloth towel in the children’s toilet area was used communally by the children for hand drying which posed as a risk of cross contamination. 5. A cloth towel was also used in the staff bathroom communally by the staff for hand dying. This issue was identified on the last inspection, dated 8 February 2023. The previous CAPA noted disposable paper towels had been provided in the adult’s toilet area to facilitate hygienic hand drying. However, this had not been found in practice on inspection. 6. The paint on the two wooden low children’s tables and shelving storage units was chipped, which posed a risk of cross infection as it could not be easily cleaned. 7. Some of the children's perishable snacks were not stored in the fridge, which posed a risk of food spoilage. 8. The nappy changing unit was not observed to be cleaned between uses. This poses a risk of cross contamination and cross infection between the children. 9. Children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing procedures. The inspector observed the procedure on a number of occasions during the day and did not see handwashing take place for these children. 10. The staff members did not wear gloves or aprons during the nappy changing procedures, posing a risk of cross infection at the service. 11. Mattress/ mattress covers on travel cots were not waterproof and therefore could not be adequately cleaned which posed a risk of cross contamination. 12. The toilet rolls in the children’s and adult bathrooms were loose and not placed on a toilet roll dispenser, posing a risk of cross contamination. 13. Staff were not observed to clean the tables before or after mealtimes with a suitable disinfectant, posing a risk of cross contamination. 14. The cover of the large cushion in the rest area was stained and torn, posing a risk of cross contamination. Safe Sleep: 15. Ten- minute sleep checks were not observed to be carried out on the three children who slept upstairs in the Beaver 1 and Beaver 2 room. 16. The cots used by three children on the day of inspection were travel cots, not standard cots, posing a safety risk to children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The registered provider responded to the IAN on 17 July 2025. They stated that the shelving unit under the window has been removed permanently, to reduce the climbing risk. At the Regulatory Compliance meeting on 02 Sept 2025, they stated a safety latch had been installed onto the window. The registered provider stated all staff had been further trained to be clear not to leave children alone. The registered provider stated that they have stopped using highchairs in the service and will not allow children under age two to be in the service going forward. They stated they have decreased the number of children in attendance, and increased the staffing numbers, to ensure they have sufficient staff to safely care for the children each day. 2. The registered provider stated they have risk assessed all outdoor equipment and removed all dangerous equipment. They stated staff are required to carry out a daily risk assessment of the outdoor area and report any safety hazards to the registered provider who will manage this. 3. The registered provider stated that the foyer has been cleared of all storage, and a notice is now posted stating this area cannot be used for storage. Infection Control: 4. The registered provider stated all cloth towels have been removed, and a paper hand towel dispenser has been installed in the children’s toilet area. 5. The registered provider stated a paper towel dispenser for staff has been installed in the staff toilet 6.. The registered provider stated both tables, and the shelving unit have been repainted and resealed and these will be monitored and resealed as required going forward. 7. The registered provider stated staff have been reminded that all perishable food must be stored in the refrigerator. 8. The registered provider stated that they have displayed a step-by-step procedure for all staff, which includes that the nappy changing unit must be cleaned between each use. 9. The registered provider stated that handwashing is a priority, and all staff have been reminded about this, and the policy is on display to guide staff in this process now. 10. The registered provider stated that gloves and aprons are now in place for all staff to use going forward. Staff have been given the nappy changing policy, and this is on display to remind staff. 11. The registered provider stated that all travel cots have been removed from the service and will not be used by children in attendance going forward. They stated no children under age 2 will attend in future. 12. The registered provider stated all toilet paper rolls in both toilet areas are in the dispensers and will only be kept in these going forward. 13. The registered provider stated that staff have been reminded to clean tables before and after each meal, and a poster is on display to prompt this practice. 14. The registered provider stated the torn and stained cushion has been permanently removed, and there is a cleaning schedule in place for the new cushions. Safe Sleep: 15. The registered provider stated that children will only be allowed to sleep in the designated rest area in the childrens room. 16. The registered provider stated all travel cots were removed from the service and will not be used again
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) There was no staff member on duty trained in First Aid Responder (FAR). This posed a risk to the children in the service in the event of a child requiring emergency medical treatment. It is acknowledged that there was a staff member trained in paediatric basic first aid and that the registered provider was attending FAR training on the day of inspection and returned to the service at 13:15
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider subsequently completed FAR training. They stated a second staff member has also been booked to attend FAR training in October 2025
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The inspector noted unclean areas and equipment in the Panda room, sanitary area and outdoor area. The inspector observed areas that required maintenance such as large holes in the ground in the outdoor area, broken toys outdoors, and the paint on the walls indoors was marked and chipped. The staff noted cleaning schedules were not in place during the summer months
Provider's corrective action:
(d) The registered provider stated that they have rectified issues in the indoor and outdoor areas and reminded staff about the cleaning schedule to be followed. The registered provider stated they will ensure a daily risk assessment is completed of areas for ongoing maintenance needs to be identified and addressed
Regulation not named in the report text
(1) The service was operating outside its registered status. 1. The service was found to be operating from 08:00am to 17:30 pm each day. The service is registered to operate from 09:30 to 17:30pm. 2. The service was found to be accommodating early years children age one to six years old. The service is registered to accommodate children age two to six years old. Following the inspection, the service was escalated to the services operating outside registered status (SOORS) unit of Tusla
Provider's corrective action:
(1.) Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The registered provider submitted a Change in Circumstances form to notify Tusla that she will operate from 08:00am to 17:30 pm each day going forward. The registered provider gave a written assurance that should she decide to change the hours of operation in future, she will notify Tusla 60 days prior to making any change. 2. The registered provider stated they have ceased their childminding service, in their home adjacent to the service, which the RP had moved into in the service on the day of inspection. The registered provider stated children under age two will not be accommodated in the service