# Happily Ever After, Tuam — inspection reports and findings > Happily Ever After (Tuam, Co. Galway): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Happily Ever After Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Tuam, Galway · Tusla ID **TU2018GY511** · Not Registered - Closed since 7 September 2024 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 26 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Mops and buckets were accessible to children in the outdoor area. The wooden gate to the cleaning equipment area was not secured, posing a safety risk to the children. 2. A broom, dustpan and brush were accessible to the children in the Playschool and ECCE 2 care rooms, posing a safety risk to the children. Infection Control: 3. The metal pedal on the bin in the Playschool care room was observed to be broken posing a risk of cross infection from the number of children and adults opening the lid with their hands 4. Two vinyl corner pieces of soft furnishings in the rest areas of the ECCE 2 and Naionra care rooms were damaged, and the foam was exposed, making them difficult to clean. Safe Sleep: 5. Physical sleep checks in the Playschool sleep room were not observed to be carried out every 10 minutes in line with the safe sleep policy of the service, posing a safety risk to the sleeping children. The inspector entered the sleep room at 13:25 and examined the sleep records of 3 of the 8 sleeping children. One of the children’s sleep checks had last been recorded at 12:55, 30 minutes previously, while the 2 other children’s records indicated their sleep checks were recorded at 13:00, 25 minutes previously. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following statements were received from the registered providers - General Safety: (1) The wooden gate in the cleaning area has been fitted with a hook and eye, not accessible by the children. Staff will supervise children to ensure they do not have access to the area while playing in the outdoor area. (2) Brooms, dustpans and brushes have been removed from the care rooms. Staff now store these out of reach of the children. New storage areas are planned to ensure that the children do not have access to these cleaning items. Infection Control: (3) New pedal operated bins for the care rooms and the sanitary areas have been purchased to prevent the risk of cross contamination from the number of hands lifting the lids. (4) The two vinyl corner pieces of soft furnishings in the rest areas of the ECCE 2 and Naionra care rooms have been repaired and staff will check and report on any defects as they occur. Safe Sleep: (5) Staff have been reminded of the requirement to conduct physical sleep checks every ten minutes ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (1) There was one staff member that had acquired First Aid Responder training for children, however the registered providers could not demonstrate that a FAR trained person was available to the children at all times during the operational hours of the service - (b) The inspectors observed that the following supplies were noted to be out of date in the first aid boxes of the ECCE 2 and Playroom care rooms: • 4 x Burn Gel expiry date 19/01/2024 • 5 x 20 ml of saline water expiry date 12/24 • 5 x 20 ml of saline expiry date 12/2021 • Expired antiseptic wipes - (1) Two staff have recently successfully completed First Aid Responder (FAR) training ensuring that there is an adult on the premises trained in FAR while the children are present. In addition, a staff member returning from leave is also trained as First Aid Responder - (b) All first aid boxes have been checked and expired items have been replaced. The first aid boxes will be reviewed regularly to ensure that there are adequate supplies that are in date and fit for use ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) (1) A vent on the ceiling in the upstairs toilet was covered in dust impeding the circulation of fresh air. This was observed as a non-compliance on the last inspection carried out on the 11 April 2024 in which the registered providers stated, in the corrective and preventive actions, that the vent was cleaned and would be monitored, this was not found on inspection. (2) There was no door on the staffroom kitchen, which was accessible to the children, where there was electrical equipment, posing a safety risk to the children. This had been highlighted on 2 previous inspections carried out on 18 February 2023 and 11 April 2024 in which the registered providers stated that it had been addressed, however this was not found on inspection. (3) Paint was peeling from a pipe located on the ceiling of the upstairs nappy changing area. (4) Tiles were missing in the adult toilet of the Toddler care room, this was highlighted on the previous inspection of 11 April 2024. In conversation, the registered providers stated funding is now in place and quotes are being prepared for the works required - (d) (1) All vents have been checked and cleaned. Management and staff will regularly check to ensure that the vents are clean to facilitate the circulation of fresh air and the removal of stale air. (2) A half door with a secure device, which is inaccessible by the children, is now in place ensuring the safety of the children. Staff have been reminded of the importance of keeping the door secured. (3) The area around the pipe of the upstairs sanitary area has been repaired and painted. Management will check to ensure the area remains in a good state of repair. (4) The area underneath the sink has been repaired and the tiles have been replaced. The tiles will be checked to ensure that they are not damaged and repairs will be carried out, if required Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 28. #### Inspection of 11 April 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. In the new nappy changing area in the Toddler room, there were no dividers between the nappy changing units to ensure that each child’s dignity was respected at nappy changing. 2. There was no door in the cubicle of the children’s sanitary area used by the children attending the upstairs ECCE playroom. The outer door leading into the sanitary remained open throughout the inspection, staff informed the inspectorate team, that children have in the past left this door open, while using the facilities. The dignity of the child was not respected - The registered provider stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1. We are awaiting dividers to attach to the nappy changing table, to protect the dignity of the child. In the meantime, we will ensure that one nappy changing unit is used at a time, thus respecting protecting the child’s dignity. 2. A door was erected in the cubicle of the children’s sanitary area and staff will monitor and assist the children to ensure that is closed when in use ,thus protecting the dignity of the children ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. There was no door on the entrance to the staff room, children could have access to staff’s personal items and household electrical items that may pose a risk to the children attending. This was highlighted on a previous inspection. (18/02/2023) Infection Control: 2. Powdered infant formula for the young children in the Baby room was prepared on the premises by the staff and not prepared in accordance with the Food Safety Authority best practice guidance. 3. There was evidence of mould around the pipe work in the ceiling in the nappy changing area in the upstairs sanitary area, which may pose a risk to the children and staff using this area. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated the following in their reply: - General Safety: 1.The original door was located and will be installed when treated and cleaned, this process is ongoing. 2. An information leaflet will be supplied to all new parents staring in the creche and all current parents have been informed of the Food safety Authority best practice guidance in making of infant formula. Infection Control: 3. Work was completed on the removal of mould in the nappy changing area. In future all areas of the creche will be inspected more thoroughly and more often ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) 1. A number of interior wall areas had patches of peeling paint and marks where a putty like adhesive was used to stick posters/pictures and required repair. It is acknowledged that some areas were repainted, and the register providers are awaiting construction works to commence in the building. 2. There was unfinished tile work in the staff toilet in the Toddler room area. 3. The air vent in the sanitary area in the upstairs sanitary area, required cleaning. Dust as evident on the outer grid - The registered providers stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1.2. We are awaiting works to be carried on the building, which will include tiling and painting . We will inspect all areas more frequently and carry out maintenance in a timely manner. 3. The air vent in our upstairs sanitary area was cleaned and will be monitored and cleaned as needed Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11. #### Inspection of 28 February 2023 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. A balance of adult and child led activities were not observed on the days of inspection in the Naionra playroom. Activities were adult led and gave children limited opportunities to make their own choices. 2. In the Naionra playroom on the morning of day 1, children were observed being asked individually to go and select different items in Irish for example, colours, objects and animals. When a child got the answer wrong, the response from the staff member was “Mi cheart”, the child had to make another attempt to get the right answer. This atmosphere was not encouraging or an enriching experience for the children. A number of children had a few attempts before they got the answer correct, it is unclear if they understood the concept or just guessed the answer - 1& 2. The staff will ensure that there is a balance between child centred and adult based activities during each session. Staff have taken more notes on their activities and will complete courses in the coming months to assist them. Evidence Submitted No evidence submitted. Summary Comment The actions as stated by the registered provider will address the non-compliances identified, however no evidence has been submitted to support these actions. These will be reviewed on next inspection ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. There were trailing leads and a heavy object stored on a shelving unit that was directly above a sleeping child. The inspector asked the staff member to remove the items from the shelf as it posed a risk as falling onto a sleeping child. 2. There was no door on the entrance to the staff room , children could have access to staff’s personal items and household electrical items that may pose a risk to the children attending. 3. There were no restricted openings on the windows in the first-floor window of the library. This was rectified by the 2nd day of inspection. 4. There was a window from a first-floor corridor leading to an external fire exit ,that did not have a means to restrict the opening, children could access the fire exit and this posed a safety risk to the children. 5. The children had access to the adult toilet and cleaning detergent was stored on the floor which may present as a safety risk for children, these were removed by the 2nd day of inspection. Infection Control: 6. Staff in the Playschool room cleaned the children hands using wipes, this is not a suitable means of hand washing and may pose a risk of cross infection. The inspector bought this to the attention of the staff members and they bought the children to a nearby sanitary area to clean their hands under running water. 7. Broken foot pedal bins were observed in the ECCE 1,2 and Naionra playrooms and may pose a risk of cross infection for a preschool child. 8. The adult chair in the Toddler room requires covering, as there were a number of areas that had exposed foam, making hygienic cleaning difficult. 9. There was no adult hand washing sink in the nappy changing area attached to the Toddler room, which posed a risk of cross infection. This was highlighted in a previous inspection report (22/09/2022). 10. The nappy disposal units in the nappy changing areas were not appropriate as they were hand operated as opposed to foot pedalled, this posed a risk of cross infection. 11. There were unlabelled nappy cream and powder in the nappy changing area used by the playschool children, which may pose a risk as cross infection. These creams were removed by day 2 of the inspection. 12. There was no means to sterilise baby bottles and baby soothers in the Baby room, which may pose a risk of cross infection. 13. There was no running cold and thermostatically controlled hot water in the baby room ,where food is been reheated in the microwave for the young child attending. Fire Safety. 14. As a result of the recent construction work a number of hazards(construction material ) were left on the floor and the corridor, which caused an obstruction of the fire exits, this posed a risk to both staff and children attending the service - 1. All heavy objects have been removed and all leads encased in “trunking” on the walls. The service will not be storing anything heavy on the shelves and will be checking regularly. 2. A new door is being measured and specially fitted. When this is fitted it will be kept closed so children will not have access to staff belongings. 3. Restricted opening devices had been fitted by day 2 of the inspection. 4. Following review by the Fire Officer it was agreed that a restricting opening device could be fitted to this window and this has been fitted. 5. All cleaning products will be stored out of reach of children and a daily check will take place to ensure this. 6. All children will be brought to the nearest wash hand basin to wash their hands under running water. 7. New foot operated bins have ordered. 8. A new chair has been purchased. 9. All sinks in the nappy changing area have been completed. 10. New nappy bins have been purchased. 11. All sanitary areas will be checked, and any product not labelled will be removed or disposed of. 12. A new sterilising unit has been purchased. 13. Have seek advice from EHO in relation to installing sink for adult hand washing. 14. All fire exits will be checked daily to ensure they are clear of all obstruction. Evidence Submitted Photographs of changes and purchases. Summary Comment The actions as stated by the registered provider will address 13 of the 14 the non -compliances identified, the regulatory requirement has not been achieved. However, point 13 remains outstanding as there is no running cold and thermostatically controlled hot water in the baby room ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - 1. The service opened a toddler room with an adjoining sleep room with sanitary accommodation without prior notification and approval from the registration office of the Early Years Inspectorate. 2. The service made alternations to the baby room, without approval from the registration office of the Early Years Inspectorate. This was highlighted in a previous inspection report dated the 22/09/2022 - The registered provider stated that in future they will contact the Early Years Inspectorate prior to making any changes. Summary Comment The response from the registered provider will ensure that any proposed changes will be made to the Early Years Inspectorate and approval sought prior to any changes being made Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11. ### Other services in Galway - [Happy Days Preschool](/creche/happy-days-preschool-ballinasloe.md) Ballinasloe - [Happy Feet Creche](/creche/happy-feet-creche-barna.md) Barna - [Happy Tots](/creche/happy-tots-tuam.md) Tuam - [Ionad Curam Leanai Bogha Ceatha](/creche/ionad-curam-leanai-bogha-ceatha-spiddal.md) Spiddal - [Kilnadeema Montessori & Afterschool](/creche/kilnadeema-montessori-afterschool-loughrea.md) Loughrea - [Little Rascals Day Nursery & Montessori](/creche/little-rascals-day-nursery-montessori-knocknacarra.md) Knocknacarra - [Pixie Garden Creche](/creche/pixie-garden-creche-gort.md) Gort - [Ballyconneely Community Playschool](/creche/ballyconneely-community-playschool-clifden.md) Clifden - [Sona School Servces CLG](/creche/sona-school-servces-clg-kinvara.md) Kinvara - [Coldwood Montessori](/creche/coldwood-montessori-craughwell.md) Craughwell [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/happily-ever-after-tuam/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11