Immediate action notice. • The registered provider received two opportunities to submit a corrective and preventive actions on the 30 January 2026 and the 16 February 2026. Despite these opportunities the registered provider failed to provide assurances to the inspectorate that the non-compliances found on inspection would be rectified. • A regulatory compliance meeting was held on the 04 March 2026, and the registered provider received an additional five days to respond to outstanding actions. A response and evidence were submitted on the 11 March 2025. Assurance regarding regulation 30 remain outstanding, please see body of report.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(9) (3) The vetting procedures had not been carried out prior to an adult having direct access to the preschool child in relation to two adults employed since the last inspection
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: All vetting’s are fully completed. No employee will commence employment until the vetting process has been fully completed
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The service sleep policy was last updated in august 2020. The policy did not include the most recent sleep guidance to ensure that children under two years of age sleeping on a floor bed had the required sleep plan and parental consent in place
Provider's corrective action:
Sleep policy has been updated to include the updated guidance on sleep provision. Regularly review and update when required
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum ratio of adults to children were maintained at all times as follows: • On the afternoon of the inspection in the preschool room two adults supervised 18 children aged between three to five years of age. The correct ratio for children of this age is 1:8 adults to children
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: The staff roster has been reviewed and adjusted to ensure required ratios are met at all times
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
In the baby room, staff members could not sit comfortably and hold and comfort the young children when required throughout the day as there was no adult sized armchair provided. This was evident when adults were trying to comfort children prior to sleep time in a plastic chair with no arm support or on the floor and when feeding the younger children. This was identified on the services last inspection on the 25 February 2025 and actions submitted by the registered provider were not observed to be present on the day
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider submitted a picture of an adult-sized armchair
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the Toddler room, a blind cord was unsecured. It is acknowledged that it was out of the reach of children. Infection Control: 2. Hand hygiene was observed not to be completed routinely in the following situations to prevent the risk of spreading infection: • Staff in the baby room were not observed to wash hands prior to nappy changes. • Children in the baby room did not have their hands washed after having their nappy changed. • Children in the baby room did not have their hands washed prior to mealtimes. 3. In the Toddler room a number of items posed a risk of contamination as follows: • Cushions in the rest area were stained and in need of cleaning. • The soft foam mats underneath the play slide were stained and in need of cleaning. 4. At sleep time in the Toddler room and tweenies floor beds and stackable beds were not spaced 50cm apart as required posing a risk of infection control. Safe Sleep: 5. Contrary to the service sleep policy cot mattresses were not checked regularly for signs of damage and replaced. Three mattresses were observed to be torn with exposed foam posing a risk of safety to the preschool child 6. In the toddler sleep room, the time and position of the sleeping child was recorded on the sleep chart. However, the colour and breathing pattern of the sleeping child was not checked or recorded on the sleep record. When asked Staff confirmed to the inspector that colour and breathing pattern is not checked. This is contrary to the services own Safe sleep policy which outlines the steps for carrying out sleep checks. 7. In the Toddler room during sleep time, the room was dark which did not allow for accurate sleep checks to be carried out. This is at variance with the services own sleep policy which states that there should be ambient lighting in the sleep room when children are asleep. 8. Seven children under the age of 2 years were sleeping on floor beds, without the required sleep plan and written parental permission. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: In a written response the registered provider stated: 1. The blind chord has been secured; these will be checked regularly. Infection Control: 2. Room meeting held with staff to remind them of the importance of hand washing 3. Cushions and foam mats were replaced as the stains proved impossible to remove. Regular cleaning will be completed to prevent stains reoccurring. 4. Toddler/Tweenie floor beds will be positioned 50cm between each bed to ensure appropriate spacing. Safe Sleep: 5. Three new mattresses have been ordered. Mattresses will be checked regularly. 6. The sleep chart has been adjusted and now records the colour and breathing pattern of the sleeping child. Staff members have always been present in the room while children are sleeping. 7. Once the children are asleep the blind is raised up to allow light into the room to carry out accurate sleep checks
Regulation 27 — Supervision
Contrary to the service sleep policy the physical sleep checks in the baby room were not completed every ten minutes, this poses a risk of sudden infant death syndrome where sleeping children are not physically checked to ensure they are positioned correctly, sleeping on their back and in an ambient temperature
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: Staff members have been spoken with to ensure they carry out sleep checks. Ongoing review to ensure staff members comply
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) In the toddler room, a tap was missing from the sink in the sanitary accommodation
Provider's corrective action:
Contacted landlord to replace missing tap
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
There was insufficient floor space provided for the children in attendance in the Toddler, Tweenies and Playschool play rooms on the day of inspection. The minimum floor space required in line with regulations for the children in attendance in correspondence with their age and length of time in the service. Name of Room Age range of Children Type of care No of children in attendance Required clear Available floor space No of children Room can floor space adequately support. Tweenies 2 years to 3 years of age. Full day Care 18 2.35m² Total required = 42.3m² 31.95m² 13 Toddlers 1 year to 3 years of age. (8 children aged 1-2 years, 6 children aged 2-3 years) Full day care 14 2.35m² Total required= 36.8m² 31.31m² 13 Playschool 3 years to 4 years Full day care 18 2.3m² Total Required =41.4m² 33.742m² 14Children FDC This noncompliance was identified on the most recent inspection on the 25 February 2025 and actions taken by the registered provider failed to prevent this non-compliance reoccurring
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: Toddler Room: The toddler room was temporarily over the required capacity as we accommodated one additional child due to a family emergency. Measures have been put in place to ensure it will not exceed capacity again. Tweenie Room: The tweenie children have been split into groups of six and are utilising the physical room and the outdoor area. This will avoid congestion in their room. The service are currently restructuring the age range of children they cater for and so this will be a temporary measure until June 2026. This measure will be strictly enforced in the intervening time, and it will no longer be an issue from June 2026. Playschool Room: The response does not address the non-compliance found on inspection
Found compliant: Regulation 16, 19, 28.
Inspection of 25 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. A Regulatory Compliance meeting was held with the registered provider on the 6th of May 2025 due to outstanding non-compliances that were not addressed through the Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) process within the timeframes set out. Following the Regulatory Compliance Meeting, an additional CAPA response was submitted to the inspectorate on 12th of May 2025. This was deemed to satisfactorily address some of the non compliance outlined in the inspection report. The outstanding non-compliances will be subject to review at the services next inspection.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
One staff member who worked directly with the children attending the service did not have written documentation to confirm that the qualifications they held was at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs (DCEDIY). Inspectors were informed at a closing meeting that a letter has been sent to the DCEDIY for equivalence of qualification and proof of this was forwarded to the inspectorate on 26/02/25
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: We are awaiting confirmation of the qualification, We will aim to have this verified prior to the start date but it can take a while for DCEDIY to respond
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum adult to child ratios were provided in the service as follows: • In the Toddler room on the morning of inspection at 09.45 to 13:00, three adults cared for 16 children aged from one year to two years. The minimum adult to child ratio for children aged one to two years is one adult to five children. • In the Tweenies room, during adult lunch breaks between 14:19. and 14:35, two adults cared for 18 children between the ages of 1 year 11 months and 3 years. The minimum adult to child ratio for children aged from 1- 2 years is one adult to five children and for children aged 2-3 years is one to adult to six children
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: The Registered provider sated that staff rosters have been reviewed and adjusted to ensure required ratios are met at all times. The Registered Provider will complete regular review of staffing and children's attendance to ensure ratios are adhered to
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (i) The registered provider had a rolling roster in place where the staff members were aware of their weekly hours and start and finish times. However, the service did not provide times when staff members take their break or the name of the staff members that provides break cover. It is acknowledged that at closing meeting the inspectors were informed that the staff that also work in the school age service staff provide break cover, however the roster did not demonstrate this on the day
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: The Registered provider stated that staff rosters have been reviewed and adjusted to ensure required ratios are met at all times. The Registered Provider will complete regular review of staffing and children's attendance to ensure ratios are adhered to
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Physical and Material Environment: 1. In the ‘sessional room’ there was a lack of age-appropriate play materials for the children to engage in outside of adult led craft activities. Child initiated activity was limited to engaging with a small number of books, magnet boards and alphabet magnets, wooden blocks and plastic bricks and a small selection of dinosaurs. The range of materials was inadequate for the effective provision of challenging, diverse, creative and enriching experiences for children to promote all areas of development. For example, sensory materials such as sand and water were not available to children, nor were equipment or materials with real world representation to support imaginary play such as dress up, small world materials, a home corner or figurines. Materials to support fine motor development such as play dough, puzzles or jigsaws were not available to the children. 2. The quantity and accessibility of play equipment and materials in the ‘playschool room’ was inadequate to meet the learning and development needs of the 20 children attending the play school room. The room had no defined areas of interest and resources were scattered across the room resulting in children having limited opportunities for play as observed in the following situations: o One child was playing with a jigsaw and unable to finish this jigsaw as there was missing pieces, resulting in the child becoming upset at not being able to accomplish a task. o There were limited resources stored on shelving, one play kitchen was provided, however resources to facilitate imaginative and role play in this area were not available to the children. o Drinking water was brought into the classroom at approx. 11.47, A group of children drank some water and then proceeded to place their hands in the cups and flick water as a sensory experience. A water table would provide the appropriate sensory play opportunity for children. 3. The insufficient number of resources in the ‘Playschool’s room led to children becoming frustrated and a number of disagreements and physical altercations between children occurred. These included children being hit on the head with train tracks, pulling chairs away from other children, throwing blocks at each other and hitting out. While staff members intervened to deescalate these situations easy access to resources would reduce confrontation and disagreements. 4. In the baby room, staff members could not sit comfortably and hold and comfort the young children when required throughout the day as there was no adult sized armchair provided. This was evident when adults were trying to comfort children prior to sleep time in a plastic chair with no arm support and when feeding the younger children
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: 1. The Registered Provider stated that following discussion with staff, re: equipping of the room with suitable and sufficient materials A regular review of rooms to ensure there are sufficient and stage appropriate materials provided for the children using the room. 2. The Registered Provider stated that following discussions with staff members, suitable and appropriate materials have been introduced into the room. Water play will be regularly provided for the children There will be ongoing review to ensure staff members comply with the changes. 3. The Registered Provider stated that additional materials have been provided, and all staff members have attended positive behaviour support training provided by Canavan Byrne. There will be on-going review to ensure practices are appropriate to the children being cared for in the room. 4. The Registered Provider stated I am currently trying to source an appropriate chair as requested. The Registered Provide will provide a chair for the adults
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Leads from electric heaters were not secure in the ‘Tweenies room’ and ‘Playschool room’ posing a risk to the preschool child. 2. A blind cord in the ‘Tweenies room” was unsecured to the wall. It is acknowledged that the cord was out of reach of the children. Infection Control: 3. One mattress in the baby sleep room was torn exposing foam, resulting in an inability to clean the mattress effectively and posing a risk of infection control. This was also a noncompliance on the most recent inspection in June 2024. 4. A fish tank in the ‘Playschool room’ had large accumulations of algae on the glass and surface of the water, resulting in stagnant water. This was also a non-compliance on a previous inspection in December 2023. 5. All walls in the ‘Playschool’ and much of the ‘wooden shelving’ were covered with crayons and markers and required cleaning and painting. 6. Waste bins in the ‘playschool room’ and ‘sessional room’ were not the required foot operated pedal bins to reduce the risk of cross contamination. This was identified on the most recent inspection as a non- compliance in June 2024. 7. The general hygiene of the care rooms required attention for infection control reasons as follows: • Floors in the toddler room and Play school room had evidence of a build-up of black dirt. • Windows in the ‘playschool room’ ‘toddlers’ and ‘tweenies’ had a build-up of a white substance. • Nappy changing areas in the ‘Toddler room’ did not appear to be cleaned with a build-up of dust under the nappy mat. This was previously identified as a non-compliance on a previous inspection in December 2023. 8. Appropriate delph was not provided to the children at snack time. In the sessional room, coconut bread was served to the children on paper napkins posing a risk of infection control. 9. There were no hand towels available in the sanitary accommodation in the sessional room to allow for adequate hand hygiene. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The Registered Provider stated that all leads have been secured appropriately and will be secured at all times. 2. The Registered Provider stated that the cord has been secured, and all cords will be checked regularly. Infection Control: 3. The registered Provider stated that there was a mattress cover in place which protected the mattress. Unsure why Inspector removed cover Previous inspection agreed that mattress covers were acceptable. The Registered provider stated they will try and source alternative mattresses. 4. The Registered Provider stated that the fish tank has been removed 5. The Registered provider stated that the room has been cleaned, and painting will be completed over the Easter break when the service is closed. 6. The Registered Provider stated that new bins have been purchased. 7. The Registered provider stated that the cleaner has been advised of shortfalls and deep clean of areas has taken place. The Registered provider will review the areas regularly. 8. The Registered Provider stated that appropriate delph will be provided for snacks. 9. The Registered Provider stated that the dispensers have been refilled with towels and will be checked regularly
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
There was insufficient floor space provided for the children in attendance in the Toddler and Tweenies play rooms on the day of inspection. The minimum floor space required in line with regulations for the children in attendance in correspondence with their age and length of time in the service. Name of Room Age Range of Children Type of care Provided Number of Children in Attendance Required clear floor space Available Floor space Maximum children allowed for available floor space Tweenies Room 1 year 11 months-3 Years Full day care 18 2.35m² Per child (42.3m² ) 31.195m² 13 children Toddler Room 1 years to 2 years Full day care 15 2.8m² per child (42m2) 31.31m² 11 children Therefore, and additional 11.10 square meters was required in the Tweenies room to meet the clear floor space required for the number of children in the full day care service. An additional 10.69 square meters was required in the Toddler room to meet the needs of the children on the day of inspection. Adequate floor space in the toddler and tweenies room was identified as a non-compliance on a previous inspection in 2022
Provider's corrective action:
The Registered Provider stated that the groups have been split, and they are utilising the physical room to avoid congestion. This will be reviewed regularly
Two adults who are presently studying a level 8 in childcare did not have the required letter of temporary qualification recognition of their current qualification equivalence by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). It is acknowledged that this letter had been applied for prior to the day of inspection. In addition, a further two adults did not have the certification of their qualification available to inspectors on the day
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the Registered provider stated: I have contacted the department and left a message to request that they prioritise the letters outstanding since April 24. I have applied for recognition of one staff members certificates and the other works in afterschool so qualification is not required
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (b) The practice observed transitioning the children from lunch to afternoon sleep in the toddler room was not managed appropriately to facilitate children to prepare to sleep. In the toddler room at 12.20pm staff began to bring beds in to the room sporadically resulting in children trying to play, jumping on tables, while one staff member told the children ‘no’ …’be quiet’…..’ stop playing.’. This was in contrast to the transition to sleep in the tweenies room where the sleep room was set up prior to entering, room was dimmed, and staff spoke in a gentle voice soothing children to sleep. (1) (b) Portable drinking water was not freely available throughout the day in the Toddler or preschool room. This was in contrast to the tweenies and baby room where portable drinking was available at all times stored on low level shelving accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: (1) (b) A staff meeting was held and the following was decided: • Following discussion, children will be removed from the room while it is being set up for sleep • Water is usually provided, and will continue to be provided
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. On the day the children in the baby room and the toddler room were not observed to be supported to wash hands prior to snack times and after coming in from outdoor play. 2. At approx. 09.47 in the baby room an infant was observed to be lying on a pillow drinking a bottle of milk. It is acknowledged that when this was brought to the attention of staff by the inspector, staff member picked up the infant and held the infant while being bottle fed. 3. Garda vetting was available for all 29 staff members. However, one adult’s vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’ Infection Control: 4. The nappy bin in the baby room had a broken foot pedal resulting in staff members using their hands to open and close bin, posing a risk of cross contamination. 5. The bin in the tweenies and pre-school room for disposing of paper towels did not contain a lid and this bin was used to dispose of used tissue paper and rubber gloves, therefore posing a risk of cross contamination. 6. The aprons for nappy changes provided by the registered provider in the tweenies room were stored hanging over the door of the children’s toilet posing an infection control risk. 7. A number of soothers in the toddler room were stored on top of a bookshelf, not in individual containers to reduce the risk of contamination. 8. When a sippy cup or cutlery fell it was picked up of floor and given back to the child thus posing a risk of contamination. 9. Wet clothes used to clean children’s faces and hands after mealtimes in the toddler room were left on a window sill in the care room for some time prior to use posing a risk of infection control. 10. The nappy changing area in the pre-school room was untidy with cleaning brushes resting with nappies and other items of storage. 11. Each child in the toddler room was given a floor bed which was to have their own individual name as bed linen was individual and changed weekly. On the day it was observed that there were only names on two floor beds and therefore children were placed in any bed for naptime resulting in a risk of cross infection. Safe Sleep: 12. Three of the mattresses in the designated baby sleep room were torn with exposing foam, resulting in an inability to clean the mattresses effectively. Fire Safety: 13. An emergency exit door in the Kitchen leading out to the children’s outdoor area was tied to a crate for increased ventilation. This would potentially lead to an obstruction in evacuation in the case of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider gave the following information: General Safety: 1. Staff Meeting to ensure awareness of good hygiene practices regular checks will be carried out 2. Staff members spoken to about practice and regular checks will be carried out. 3. Garda Vetting received. Infection Control: 4. New Bin purchased; regular checks will be carried out. 5. New Bin purchased; regular checks will be carried out. 6. Aprons will be stored on a shelf. 7. Staff advised of non-compliance. Soothers will be stored in individual containers 8. Staff advised of non-compliance at staff Meeting. 9. Cloths will be stored in a basket. 10. Area tidied and staff advised to keep area tidy. 11. All beds are now named and will be checked regularly. Safe Sleep: 14. New mattress protectors purchased and will be checked regularly. Fire Safety: 15. Crate removed, and staff advised this is not to happen again
Regulation 25 — First aid
(2) (a) (b) In the toddler room the first aid box was not suitable equipped. A number of items such as plasters and bandages were out of date with an expiry date of May 2023. First ais boxes were available in all care rooms, however the stock in the first aid boxes had an expiry date of May 2023
Provider's corrective action:
First aid boxes removed from individual rooms and the main first aid box stored in the office will be used