Creche Inspection Reports

Juniper Tree Autism Services Ltd T/A Sundancers

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Castlepollard, Westmeath · Tusla ID TU2023WH001 · Registered since 29 August 2026

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

2published inspections
4non-compliances at latest report read
2immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 14 May 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued under Regulation 23, in relation to the non compliance identified under Regulation 25, to the registered provider on the day of inspection. A response was received from the registered provider on the 15 May 2025 which mitigated the risk identified.

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • Four references were not validated in respect of two staff members
  • The registered provider was unable to demonstrate that they had completed all vetting procedures as stated in the above non compliance (9)(2)(a)(b) for two staff members prior to commencement of employment in the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • Management to ensure no staff member commences employment until all references are validated either in writing or by phone. References will be checked by telephone and/or in writing to validate and verify the candidate’s identity and to check their employment history, qualifications, experience and suitability for the role. Successful candidates will have their references checked before an offer of employment is made
  • Vetting procedures were completed immediately and all staff files updated. Recruitment procedures reviewed to ensure it included ‘’no person to take up employment until all vetting is completed’’

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: An immediate action notice was issued under Regulation 23, in relation to the non compliance identified under Regulation 25, to the registered provider on the day of the inspection. A response was received from the registered provider which mitigated the risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • A FAR Course was immediately sourced for 1 staff member, starting on 16th May 2025 (two days after inspection) consisting of 3 Friday Sessions to end on 30th May 2025. A person trained in first aid for children was on site from 15th to 30th May inclusive. Management to ensure all staff are trained in First Aid for Children. Regular checks to be made to ensure all First Aid for Children certificates are up to date

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • There was no adult present on the day of the inspection who held a First Aid Responder training certificate. This posed a risk to the safety of children if first aid was required. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider under Regulation 23 Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child in relation to this non compliance
  • The first aid box was not equipped in line with TUSLA Quality Regulatory Framework document. • There were no wound dressings available. • The normal saline expired in April 2024
Provider's corrective action:
  • A FAR Course was immediately sourced for 1 staff member, starting on 16th May 2025 (two days after inspection) consisting of 3 Friday Sessions to end on 30th May 2025. A person trained in first aid for children was on site from 15th to 30th May inclusive. Management to ensure all staff are trained in First Aid for Children. Regular checks to be made to ensure all First Aid for Children Certificates are up to date
  • The first aid box was checked. 1 wound dressing was immediately replaced. The saline was also replaced. Management to be informed immediately if replacements are needed

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) Room occupancy temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius was not maintained in the playroom. At 10:15 the temperature of the playroom was recorded at 24.7 degrees Celsius by the services’ digital thermometer. It is acknowledged that the person in charge took a corrective action and turned the radiators off in the playroom. At 12:00 the temperature of the playroom was recorded at 24.1 degrees Celsius by the services’ digital thermometer. (d) The outdoor play area was not maintained and repaired as required. • There were gaps in the side gate where the bolts were placed and strained by use. The gate required replacement. • The wooden fence surrounding the outdoor play area required painting with a wood protector paint. • An exposed wooden post was noted in the fence which required to be rendered smooth and painted. • The two playhouses in the outdoor play area were worn due to exposure to the elements and required cleaning. • The mat on the left-hand side of the playroom was stained and required cleaning. • The couch in the playroom was ripped and required repair. • The toilet seat was missing from the toilet in the second cubicle in the sanitary accommodation. (e) The mechanical ventilation was not working in both cubicles in the sanitary accommodation
Provider's corrective action:
  • (c) All radiators were turned off and all windows and doors opened. Staff to ensure all radiators are turned off during hot weather and the room is well aired out before children arrive. A fan to be kept in storage for exceptional hot weather. (d) • A carpenter was employed to fix the gate and replace the bolts. • Outside fence and inside walls and woodwork to be painted before 11th July 2025. • Exposed post is now rendered smooth • Playhouses removed & replacement bought. • Mat washed - stain did not come out so mat removed. • Couch in the playroom removed and new ordered. • Toilet seat replaced. (e) The mechanical ventilation fans did work after inspection but do need to be changed. Electrician sourced to replace fans. The electrician will not be able to do this until the end of July. Management to ensure the fans are cleaned regularly and annual check by an electrician

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28.

Inspection of 21 November 2023 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. 27 November 2023 An immediate action notice was issued to the Registered Provider in respect of

Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

  • 1.The accident and incident policy reviewed did not contain the required information in keeping with the requirements of Regulation 10. • Measures to be taken in the service to prevent accidents and incidents. • The procedures to be followed when an accident or incident involving a pre-school child occurs while the child is attending the service. • The policy did not include the steps that are to be taken to contact the parent or guardian of the child or the emergency services if necessary. • The policy clearly defines how a record should be shared with the parent or guardian of the child to whom it relates. • The policy sets out how notifiable incidents will be informed to the Early Years Inspectorate. • A risk assessment is taken following an incident/accident occurring in the service. 2.The following policies were not available in the service. • Risk Management policy. • Outdoor Play policy. • Staff absence policy. • Toileting policy. • Settling in policy. 3.Evidence to show that all staff had reviewed the updated policies and agreed to their implementation was not available. 4. The policies and procedures on the day of the inspection noted the Child Care Act 1991(Early Years Services) Registration of School Age Services Regulation 2018. The designated person in charge subsequentially submitted the policies and procedures underpinned by the Child Care Act 1991 Child Care Regulations 2016 to the Early Years Inspector
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1.Accident & Incident policy has been reviewed and updated in accordance with the requirements of regulation
  • • Measures to taken in the service to prevent accidents and incidents. • The procedures to be followed when an accident or incident involving a pre-school child occurs while the child is attending the service. • The policy did not include the steps that are to be taken to contact the parent or guardian of the child or the emergency services if necessary. • The policy clearly defines how a record should be shared with the parent or guardian of the child to whom it relates. • 5.The policy sets out how notifiable incidents will be informed to the Early Years Inspectorate. • 6. A risk assessment is taken following an incident/accident occurring in the service. All policies to be regularly reviewed by person in charge, with input from the staff - yearly (sooner if changes are needed). 2. A risk management policy, outdoor play policy, staff absence policy, toileting policy and settling in policy are attached. Policy documents will be cross checked to ensure comprehensive required policies are in place and available. 3. Please see attached evidence all staff have reviewed, understood and agreed to the implementation of the updated policies and procedures. Staff will be included in policy review, yearly where they will be signed off and agreed for implementation. 4. Policies have been double checked to ensure proper Regulations and Acts details are recorded (Already submitted). All policies and procedures are checked to ensure they are underpinned by the Childcare Act 1991 and Childcare Regulations 2016

Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child

  • A detailed health care plan was not available for a child with a defined medical condition
  • There was no record of immunisations documented in respect of six children
  • Ten children attending the service did not have written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency. An immediate action notice was issued to the Registered Provider in respect of Regulation 15 (i) Record of pre- school child on the 27 November 2023
Provider's corrective action:
  • 15(1)(f) A detailed care plan was completed by the parents/lead educator and emailed to inspectorate on 22 November 2023. Manager to ensure a detailed care plan is completed before the child with a defined condition starts in the pre- school service
  • Immunisation documents were provided by the parents. Manager to ensure immunisation documentation is provided before a child commences with sundancers. If there is a case where a parent is unwilling to provide immunisation records parent must sign a disclaimer form. All registrations to be double checked before child starts in the preschool service
  • Ten written parental consent forms for appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency were completed by parents (emailed to inspectorate). Manager to ensure registration forms are completely filled before a child commences in the preschool service

Regulation 17 — Information for parents

  • The parental information available was underpinned by the Child Care (Pre-school Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and did not contain all the necessary information in respect of 16 (1)(a) to (g)
Provider's corrective action:
  • Sundancers parent handbook has been reviewed and updated to include 16(i) (a) to (g). Parent handbook to be reviewed pre-enrolment to ensure all relevant information is included

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • An annual maintenance certificate for the firefighting equipment was not available. The fire extinguishers were last serviced on the 24 September 2022
Provider's corrective action:
  • Fire Extinguishers have been serviced. À contract has been established with Fire Safety company to provide yearly servicing of our fire safety equipment

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) 1. Appropriate environmental temperatures were not maintained in the pre-school room and areas occupied by pre-school children. At 10:45 approximately the environmental temperature of the pre-school room felt cold. The room temperature was recorded at 14.7 degrees Celsius in the home area section. The room temperature was recorded at 16.6 degrees Celsius in the dining area. The temperatures recorded were below the recommended temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. At 11:55 the room temperature when rechecked and the environmental temperature recorded remained cold at 16.3 degrees Celsius
Provider's corrective action:
  • All radiators are fitted with time clocks, the heat is timed to start earlier in the morning to reach regulation temperatures by start of preschool service. Temperatures will be monitored closely throughout the day to ensure constant 18 – 20 degrees is achieved

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28.

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