# Kid Kare Créche & Montessori Pre-school, Donegal Town — inspection reports and findings

> Kid Kare Créche & Montessori Pre-school (Donegal Town, Co. Donegal): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Kid Kare Créche & Montessori Pre-school

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Donegal Town, Donegal · Tusla ID **TU2015DL056** · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md).

#### Inspection of 10 April 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: (1) The plastic cover on a steering wheel in the outdoor play area was cracked and broken posing a risk of injury. (2) The door to the staff room which was used to store medication, staff belongings and hazardous kitchen equipment was unsecured when checked by the inspectors. (3) A single use trampoline was observed in the outdoor area. Trampolines are prohibited for the use in the pew schools. (4) There were no restrictive opening devices on the windows in the little explorer’s room. Infection Control: (5) In the little explorer’s room, children’s handwashing was not carried out as required immediately after snack time. Fire Safety: (6) A cot was positioned in front of the emergency exit route in the sleep room off the little explorer’s sleep room and preventing safe evacuation in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

- General Safety: 1. The toy Car has been removed from Little Explorer’s playground. If we install a similar car in future, it will be checked for damage regularly. 2. Staff have been advised to keep the staff room door closed. This was addressed at a staff meeting. Child locks have been placed on the cabinets and a fridge lock has been installed in case the staff door is left open again. Staff in Little Explorers will advise if one of the child locks is broken and needs replacing. Spot checks will be carried out to ensure staff door is being kept closed. 3. Trampoline has been removed. Trampolines will no longer be used in the service unless for therapeutic needs, and with a letter stating such from an authorised specialist. Staff have been informed of this in a staff meeting. 4. Restrictive window locks have been installed. Staff in Little Explorers will advise if a window lock needs replacing. Spot checks will be carried out to ensure restrictive locks are being used. Infection Control: 5. All staff were advised about necessary handwashing after meals during a staff meeting. Spot checks will be carried out around snack times. Fire Safety: 6. A cot has been removed and there is nothing in front of the fire exit. We will ensure that a maximum of 11 cots in the Explorers sleep room to ensure that there is no cots blocking the fire exit. Spot checks will be carried out to make sure cots are far enough away from the fire exit

##### Regulation 29 — Premises

- 29 (d) The registered provider failed to ensure a consistent supply of water to the sunroom sanitary area. At 11:05 am, no warm water was available from either of the two washbasins in the children’s sanitary area due to inconsistent water pressure. This resulted in an inability to maintain effective hand hygiene and posed a risk to infection control

- 1. A new regulator has been installed for the sun room pipes. This will rectify the water pressure issue. Staff have been advised to contact the office if the water pressure issue returns

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26.

#### Inspection of 23 October 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

**Immediate action notice.** An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on 24 October 2024 in relation to Garda Vetting. The registered provider replied by return to confirm adherence to the directive given.

##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

- (c) Garda vetting disclosures were not on file for three staff members who had access to children. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 24 October 2024 in response to the breach of Regulation. (a) (b) There were no references on file for two staff members. (d) International police vetting was not available for one staff member whose employment record demonstrated that they had resided outside of the State for a period greater than six months as an adult. There was also no record of employment on file for a second staff member therefore the requirement for international police vetting could not be determined. (4) The evidence presented on the day of inspection did not adequately demonstrate that one staff member had completed a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent. (d)

- (c) Garda vetting was immediately obtained for the three staff members. The office has organised a system to ensure that expiration dates of garda vetting are clearly outlined. New staff will be added to this list as soon as their first garda vetting has been received. No staff will be granted hours of work until the appropriate garda vetting and international police clearance has been received, and their name is on the garda vetting list. (a) (b) The references were obtained. We will ensure to have two sets of references on file for new staff starting with us. These will be obtained at interview and verified prior to staff commencing work. We have a staff file requirement checklist that we will monitor to ensure that this oversight doesn’t happen again. (d) International police vetting is now on file for the staff member who required it. Staff record for the second staff member was found after the inspection (stored in an incorrect folder). No international police vetting was required. We were unaware that the police vetting from England that we had on file was insufficient until the day of inspection. We will ensure the ICPC is the version we have on file for any future staff. We will ensure that all staff files are maintained in the same location. (4) Letter has been received from the ATU Sligo to confirm staff member’s qualification to the equivalent of a Level 7. This letter has now been forwarded to the DCEDIY to confirm their current level of training with us and we await their reply. Amie has been taken off the roster until letter of confirmation is obtained. Copies of certificates or letters from the DCEDIY will be obtained prior to students commencing work. We have a new check list of items required prior to new staff / students commencing work

##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

- 1. The dignity and privacy of children was not protected in the little explorers, little adventurers and little discoverers rooms during nappy changing. In both the little discoverers and little explorer’s room, the viewing panels in the nappy changing areas exposed children to the care room while being changed. In the little adventurer’s room, the nappy bench was located in a communal area which children had to pass through to access the sanitary accommodation

- 1. Adhesive panels were added to the nappy changing windows of Little Discoverer’s and Little Explorer’s rooms, to respect the dignity and privacy of the children. The panels come up far enough to offer privacy to the child, but staff can still see into the playroom where necessary. Little Adventurer’s nappy changing unit has had a privacy wall added to it, and the nappy changing facilities have been reorganised to ensure the privacy of the child. Staff have been informed at a staff meeting about the need to respect children’s privacy during nappy changing. Any damage to privacy panels is to be reported to the office immediately, so that replacements or repairs can be made

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- The following non-compliances may pose as a safety risk to preschool children: Safe Sleep: 1. In the little explorer’s sleep room, one child was placed to sleep beside a radiator which was switched on and reached a surface temperature of 48°C. 2. The air temperature in the little explorer’s care room was outside the maximum safe levels while children slept. At 1.00pm, the air temperature was recorded at 23.3°C while five children slept in the room. Staff members were not aware of the elevated temperature until it was brought to their attention by the inspector and remedial action was taken. When checked by the inspector, staff had not recorded the air temperature on the 10-minute sleep checks. The service policy on safe sleep does not require staff to record the air temperature of the room and staff confirmed that they do not record or measure the air temperature while children sleep. The record is maintained of the air temperature before children enter the room and it is not recorded thereafter. 3. The air temperature in the sleep room and care room in the little explorers could not be accurately measured by staff to ensure they were maintained within maximum safe levels. There was no thermometer in the care room and the thermometer in the sleep room did not provide an accurate reading. 4. The mats provided for children to sleep on in the Montesori sun and moon rooms were not intended for use by sleeping children therefore were inadequate. 5. There were eight cots in the little explorer’s sleep room that were fitted with mattresses which were unsuitable as they were either not covered with waterproof material, too small for the cot base creating a foothold, worn and torn exposing the foam underneath or worn below the required depth of 6cm. 6. Staff in the Montessori star room confirmed with inspectors that they did not carry out sleep checks on sleeping children in the room. General Safety: 7. Garda vetting was available for two staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 8. A cot was positioned in front of the emergency exit route in the sleep room off the little explorer’s sleep room and a frame with wet clothes was stored on the main corridor preventing safe evacuation in the event of a fire. 9. The water temperature in one of the wash hand basins in the Sky room was measured above the maximum safe limit of 43°C to prevent the risk of scalding. When checked by the inspector, the running water temperature measured 45°C. 10. Records detailing the attendance of preschool children in the earth and sky rooms were not maintained accurately in relation to children’s departure time. A review of the attendance records 12.18pm when the two rooms were brought together demonstrated that two children had not been signed out on leaving service. An inaccurate record of attendance poses a risk that children may be unaccounted for or overlooked in the event of an emergency evacuation. 11. There were no restrictive opening devices on first-floor windows in the Montessori sun and moon rooms. 12. The door to the staff room which was used to store medication, staff belongings and hazardous kitchen equipment was unsecured when checked by the inspectors. 13. Shatter proof diffusers were not fitted in the sanitary area off the Montessori moon room and the corridor leading to the Montessori star room. 14. The plastic cover on a steering wheel in the outdoor play area was cracked and broken posing a risk of injury. Infection Control: 15. The sleep equipment used by children in the little explorer’s sleep room was not maintained in a clean hygienic condition. Four of the cot sheets were stained and contained loose food particles. 16. The sleep position of children in the Montessori star room did not adhere to infection control guidance to prevent the risk of cross infection. Two children were placed to sleep on the same mattress and there was no gap of 50cm between sleep mats while children slept. 17. Individual bed linen provided for each child’s use was not always stored separately. In the little explorer’s room, there were four sleep mats/mattresses fitted with bedsheets stored together within another cot when not in use. 18. Children’s soothers were not stored in a clean, hygienic condition to prevent the risk of cross infection and ensure effective infection control practices. Children’s soothers were found on the floor of the little exploder’s sleep room and stored together in a divided container. Soothers were also stored on an open shelf in the sky room. 19. In the little explorer’s room, children’s handwashing was not carried out as required immediately prior to snack time, on return from outdoor play and after nappy changing. 20. Waste was not disposed of appropriately in the nappy changing areas. Soiled nappies were placed in bins that were not self-sealing, leak proof foot pedal bins. Gloves used by staff during nappy changes were disposed of in hand operated bins. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

- Safe Sleep: 1. The cot has been moved away from the fire exit when in use, which moves it out of the way of the radiator as well. The heat in the Little Explorer’s room will be set to come on before scheduled sleep times, and scheduled to be off during nap time. That particular radiator is been turned off when the children are using the cot beside the radiator. Spot checks will be carried out by management to ensure that the radiator surface temperature is at a reasonable level to maintain heat in the sleep room. 2. Room thermometers have been bought and distributed to the necessary rooms. We have included 10- minute temperature checks to our safe sleep policy and sleep record sheets. These have been introduced to all rooms to use going forward, and we have checked to ensure that all rooms are including the temperature checks as needed. It was also mentioned in our staff meeting. All new staff will be given the most recent policies to review before starting work- so they will be informed of this necessary check. Sleep sheets are monitored by the office and signed off by management regularly (whenever a sleep sheet is fully finished and ready to file away). Any lapse of temperature checks will be noted by management and discussed with the room. We will also do spot checks to ensure that recorded temperatures are accurate. 3. Room thermometers have been bought and distributed to the care room and sleep room. At the staff meeting, staff were told to notify the office if their thermometers are broken or damaged so that replacements can be purchased in a timely manner. Digital thermometers will be bought for rooms going forward. Management will buy new thermometers as soon as we have been notified of a rooms need for a new one. 4. Stackable beds have been provided to the rooms. The previous mats have been repurposed for use during yoga, meditation activities only. Appropriate mattresses/beds will be provided to rooms that highlight the need for them in future. 5. Some of the cots in Little Discoverer’s are not needed, so these cot mattresses (which are the appropriate depth and size) have been moved to the Little Explorer’s sleep room. Seven new mattresses were ordered for Little Explorers to accommodate the required needs of the room. Mattresses will be regularly checked by staff and management to ensure that the depth has not been worn too thin. If there are any changes of cots in sleep rooms, staff and management will ensure that the mattresses are the appropriate size for them as well. 6. Sleep check records have been created for Montessori Star to record length of child’s sleep and times of sleep checks, and the temperature in the room during sleep. This has been updated in our Safe Sleep and Rest Policy. These sleep checks will be submitted to the office at the end of each week for filing and review. Management will review these before filing. Spot checks will also be carried out by management to ensure checks are being carried out as required. General Safety: 7. Garda vetting has been obtained for both staff members. The office has organised a system to ensure that expiration dates of garda vetting are clearly outlined. This list will be checked monthly to ensure that any upcoming expirations are applied for in a timely manner. Staff were reminded in the staff meeting that completing the garda e-vetting application is their responsibility and must be completed within the necessary timeframe to avoid non-compliance. 8. An extra cot is being moved into the playroom during sleep time. This means that the cot blocking the Little Explorers fire exit can now be moved during sleep time to allow for adequate space for exits. The clothes horse has been removed from the hallway during operating hours, and a sign has been posted in that area to ensure that staff do not block the hallway in future. Cot sleep positions guideline has been amended to ensure that all staff know of this change for future sleeps. A sign has been posted in the front building hallway to ensure that staff do not block the hallway in future. 9. The water heater for the Sky room is located underneath the sink. When checked after inspection, it was set too high and so the water temperature was too hot. The dial was turned down on the water heater- leaving the water to an appropriate temperature. Water temperature was measured with a probe to ensure it met the safe limits. We will do spot checks on water temperature to ensure it doesn’t go above safe limits in future. 10. This was addressed in our staff meeting following the inspection. It was highlighted to staff the importance of accurately maintained sign in sheets at all times. Spot checks will be carried out by management to ensure that children are being signed out in a timely manner, and not after the fact. 11. Restrictive devices have been added to the windows in Montessori Moon and Sun. In our staff meeting it was addressed to staff the importance of the window restrictors for child safety. It was also outlined that any damage to these window restrictors needs to be brought to management’s attention immediately. All staff were advised to notify management about any other windows that they feel needs a restrictor. 12. A latch has been fixed to address the issue of the door opening when it is pushed. Staff have been asked to inform management if they notice the door is not latching shut again, so that it can be fixed immediately. 13. Shatterproof bulbs have been installed for both lights. These bulbs are made of PVC rather than glass. Staff were informed in the staff meeting to be mindful of the safety hazard posed by lights without shatterproof covers. They are to inform management of any bulbs they identify without a shatterproof cover, or any damaged shatterproof covers. These will be replaced immediately. 14. The steering wheel in the Little Explorer’s playground has been repaired to avoid injury. In our staff meeting it was mentioned to staff to please keep an eye on the playgrounds for any areas of damage or repair that might be required. They have been asked to communicate these issues to the office as soon as possible so that it can be addressed and fixed as quickly as possible. Infection Control: 15. This was addressed at the staff meeting. It was discussed that while cot sheets are washed every week, they must be cleaned whenever they are noted to be soiled in any way. Kid Kare has spare cot sheets to use in situations such as this. Management will carry out spot checks of sleep equipment to ensure that they are of sufficient cleanliness and state. 16. Individual beds have been provided for the Star room children. Markings of 50cm distance have been marked on the skirting board of the room to identify the appropriate distance between beds. It was addressed in the staff meeting that all cots/beds/mattresses must be 50cm apart for infection control. Any rooms that require their children to sleep and are unsure if their beds/cots adequately spaced can ask management to help them mark out the distances on skirting boards, etc. to help ensure consistency. 17. In the staff meeting it was outlined that mattresses with cot linens cannot be stored inside other cots. Cot linens need to be removed from mattresses and stored on the shelf. The mattresses are to be stored in the sleep room- not inside another cot. Spot checks will be carried out by management. 18. Parents in the Little Explorers room were emailed to remind them to send in individual, labelled storage boxes for dummies. It has been added to our ‘parents provide’ document that individual and labelled storage boxes for dummies need to be provided by parents. 19. At the time of inspection, the sink in Little Explorers room was not in working condition. The sink has now been fixed to ensure adequate handwashing facilities. Staff were reminded of the requirement of handwashing as part of infection control procedures in our staff meeting. Management will carry out spot checks of all rooms to ensure that hands are being washed regularly and at key times of the day. 20. Leak proof, self-seal, pedal operated nappy bins have been provided to the rooms. Hand operated glove bins have been removed from the service and will no longer be used. This was highlighted in our staff meeting. When the new bins are delivered, we will inform staff that any damage to the nappy bins must be reported immediately to ensure that this non-compliance does not arise again. Any new nappy bins that are required for other rooms will also be leak proof, self seal, and pedal operated

##### Regulation 29 — Premises

- (e) There was an inadequate number of nappy changing stations and wash hand basins available to children attending the little explorer’s room. There were 14 children in attendance on the day and one nappy changing station. One nappy changing station and one wash hand basin is required for every 11 children attending, therefore an additional changing station and wash hand basin was required

- (e) A second nappy changing unit has been added to the Little Explorer’s nappy changing room. A sink has been ordered and will be installed upon delivery. This issue should not arise again as these extra requirements will be added. However, to avoid such issues in another room in future, appropriate counts of children in nappies will be carried out at the start of each academic year

Found compliant: Regulation 11.

#### Inspection of 27 August 2024 — Change in Circumstance

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

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Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/kid-kare-creche-montessori-pre-school-donegal-town/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11