Guardian Angel Montessori

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Ballina, Mayo · Tusla ID TU2015MO048 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

2published inspections

3non-compliances at latest report read

0immediate action notices

0registration conditions

(a) A second written validated reference from a past employer was required for one adult. There were no written validated references available for a second adult. (d) There was no employment history/experience available for one adult and there were gaps in employment history details for one adult new to the service

Provider's corrective action:

The registered provider stated in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action
(a) A second written validated reference from a past employer for one adult was received and validated. Two written references were received for the second adult . All new staff will have two written references which have been validated and up to date curriculum vitae on their file before their start work in the service. (d) A curriculum vitae has been obtained for one adult and the gaps in the employment history for the other adult been addressed. All new staff will have two written references which have been validated and up to date curriculum vitae on their file before their start work in the service

General Safety: 1. The recycled microwave positioned on the wooden mud kitchen in the outdoor area was not adequately secured and posed a potential safety to children. Infection Control: 2. The metal waste bin in the children’s sanitary unit was rusty in places posing difficulties for effective cleaning and required replacement. 3. A number of ride on toys and a stool in the outside area were rusty posing difficulties for cleaning the equipment effectively. 4. Sweeping brushes and mops used to clean the playroom area and staff belongings were stored in the nappy changing area and posed potential infection control risks. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety: 1. The recycled microwave has been moved to the ground where it does not pose a potential safety to children. Staff will carry out risk assessments of materials in the service to ensure they are safe for all children to use. Infection Control: 2. The metal bin in the children’s sanitary unit has been replaced. Bins will be replaced as needed and well maintained. 3. Three bikes with rust on them have been removed to be fixed over the summer and the stool with rust on it has been disposed of. Outdoor equipment is subject to rust, but the service will look at getting a preventative measure to ensure equipment lasts longer. 4. Sweeping brushes are now placed in the hall when not in use, out of reach of children. The mop handle is also stored there, and the mop head is replaced after each use so is not considered a potential infection risk. Staff will place their belongings in their car or in the kitchenette if needed

(d) Sections of the paintwork on the walls had peeled away in places in the playroom and required maintenance. The registered provider stated in a written response that:

Provider's corrective action:

A full paint of the classroom is due over the summer. Both staff and children’s toilets have been freshly painted but due to the scale of painting the large room it will not be done until the summer when the service is closed and availability of funds. Regular maintenance of the walls and using a satin paint which is easy wipe will help make the upkeep of the walls easier for staff

Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 15, 19, 27, 28.

The following polices reviewed by the inspectors on inspection did not contain adequate detail to meet the requirements of the regulation as follows: (j) The service’s policy on accidents and incidents did not outline that a risk assessment is undertaken following an incident/accident in the service. (r) The service’s risk management policy required additional detail on how risk assessments are completed to identify any potential hazard. The policy did not state that risk assessments completed by the service are documented or that the risk assessment must show who is involved in the risk assessment process. The risk assessment policy did not set out how long risk management records will be kept

Provider's corrective action:

The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action The policies will be reviewed and amended to reflect the changes needed in the accidents and incident policy and the risk assessment policy. There will be regular review of policies to ensure the service remain compliant. It is planned to review a policy every week

(k) Three recent accident/incident reports had not been signed by parents which was not in accordance with the service’s accident and injuries policy that outlines that all incident forms are to be signed by parents when the child is collected

Provider's corrective action:

The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action The staff will ensure that all incident/accident reports will be signed when the child is collected by the parent, and they will be given a copy. In future the accident/incident report book will be completed by the time the child is collected so the parent can sign it

Infection Control: A bin used by children to dispose cups and paper towel during the inspection was open top and not foot pedal operated as required. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider advised in a written response that:

Provider's corrective action:

Infection Control: The outside bin has been replaced with a foot pedal bin. The service will ensure that the foot pedal bin is operational and to the correct standard of the regulations

(d) The wooden gate and frame controlling access to and egress from the outdoor area was loose and unstable and required maintenance to stabilise it. It is acknowledged that the registered provider submitted photographic evidence to the Early Years Inspectorate of maintenance repairs to the gate and wooden frame to stabilise it on the 18 December 2023

Provider's corrective action:

The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action The wooden gate has been reinforced to stabilise it further with a wooden frame and an additional securing mechanism on the outside. Risk assessment of the equipment will be undertaken regularly to ensure it is maintained

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 27, 31.

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