Inspection of 17 June 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- Inspectors identified that the governance arrangements and management structure were inadequate, given the scale of the service, to ensure that risks were appropriately monitored and responded to. Following the previous inspection in February 2026, the actions submitted by the registered provider included the creation of three quality liaison posts to prevent a recurrence of non-compliance. However, on the day of the inspection the following was noted: 1. Following the previous inspection, the registered provider stated that management would regularly monitor to ensure sleep checks were completed correctly. The absence of this oversight contributed to an ongoing and increased risk to sleeping children. The findings regarding room temperatures, absence or inaccessibility of thermometers were consistent in each of the six rooms where children slept. Please refer to Regulation 23 Safeguarding health, safety, and welfare of child. 2. Procedures for recruitment were found to be ineffective during the previous inspection in February 2026. This included the absence of police vetting for four staff members. Measures to reduce the likelihood of this known risk re-occurring were not implemented effectively following the previous inspection. Please refer to section Regulation 9 Management and recruitment (2) (d). 3. The registered provider submitted assurances through the CAPA process that management would monitor any potential works required within the service. These checks were ineffective to reduce the likelihood of non-compliance reoccurring. Please refer to section Regulation 29 Premises(d). 4. Based on the layout of the service and the number and age of the children, management structures were ineffective to ensure effective governance of fire safety risk. Please refer to Regulation 23 Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child and Regulation 26 - Fire Safety Measures. (2) (a)(b) While it is acknowledged that validated references were available in 16 files, a validated reference was not available for one staff member. This had been a previous non-compliance in February 2026 and April 2025. The corrective and preventive action submitted by the registered provider stated that a review of all staff files had been completed to ensure all relevant documentation was present. (d) See Statutory Notice section - Immediate Action Notice IAN 3261
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that: 1. A meeting was held with the liaison staff to emphasise the importance of regular sleep check logs, it was agreed that management and the liaison staff would regularly spot check sleep logs to ensure they are completed correctly and any irregularities are to be acted on immediately. A system to monitor the temperature for the office is to be installed. Digital thermometers were sourced and going forward the new monitoring system will support management to monitor safe sleep and react accordingly. 2. A full internal audit of the staff files was completed to ensure there will be no more discrepancies going forward. Going forward at interview stage, prospective staff will be required to provide information on previous work history and if they resided outside of this jurisdiction for six months or longer. This will ensure the required documentation is available for each staff. 3. Management have planned weekly meetings with maintenance personal for updates and a maintenance log has been created to record this. 4. In consultation with the fire officer all fire risk has been eliminated. Fire evacuation cots have been purchased. Weekly check swill be carried out to ensure all fire measures are in place
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Mealtime practices regarding equipment and materials were not aligned with the service healthy eating policy as follows: a. The tables and chairs in the Penguins room were not suitable for the age of the children. During dinner time on day 1, it was observed that the chairs were too big and eight children’s feet did not reach the floor. The tables were too high which contributed to three children being at the same height as the bowl with their dinner in it. The service policy stated that tables and chairs are suitable to children’s age and stage of development. b. Children in the Penguins, Jellyfish and Dragonflies rooms were observed to eat their 10am snack from the table. Plates were not provided for the children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that: a. The table height has been reduced to ensure the children are comfortable and new chairs have replaced the old ones. b. Plates have been provided for all rooms and extra plates are available if required
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
- Evidence of ongoing engagement with the Quality Mentoring programme was visible in the work that had happened since last inspection. However, there remained areas for development in the Penguins room and Messy Monkeys room: 1. There were insufficient supporting materials in the home corner in the Penguin’s room. This room caters for up to 20 children aged 2 to 2.5 years. In the home corner, there were 8 plastic food items which constituted the layers of a plastic beef burger and three real-life containers. Other supporting equipment was not available. Based on the number and age of the children, the equipment and materials available were insufficient. 2. The equipment and materials which were available to children who did not sleep in the Messy Monkeys room was not sufficient. Staff outlined that each day, the Messy Monkeys care room was sub-divided from 11.10am to 1pm to cater for up to five sleeping children. During this time, the upper section of the room was available for the 16 awake children aged 2.5 to 3 years to play in. There was a lack of resources during this time, as the equipment and materials in the lower section of the room were inaccessible. 3. The rest areas in the Penguins, Messy Monkeys and Rocking Racoons rooms were inadequately equipped to provide the children with a space to rest or retreat to during the day. The floor furnishing in the rest area was a thin foam material. Soft floor furnishings were required to provide comfort for children sitting or lying in the rest areas
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that: 1. More supporting equipment has been added to the Penguins room including real life containers and going forward they will ensure that real life equipment is replace regularly to ensure good quality equipment. 2. The sleeping arrangements have changed – children in Messy Monkeys room will now sleep in the Rocking Racoons room allowing children who do not sleep access to a room for play. The internal sleep room has been removed on the advice of the Fire Officer which allows more space for children to sleep in a dedicated area. 3. Penguin room now has an enhanced rest area if children require a break or a rest away from the main play area. These areas are being developed in the Messy Monkeys room and the Rocking Raccoons room
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Children in Starfish room were observed to use the toilet adjacent to an unlocked external door to the carpark. While it is acknowledged these children were supervised, the exit to the carpark was unsecured which posed a risk of a child leaving the building. 2. A review of 12 accident and incident records took place. Eleven of these records did not demonstrate that parents had been told about the incidents. 3. The flooring in the kitchenette area of the Dragonfly room was lifting creating a trip hazard. 4. There was a trailing cable within reach from a cot in the Caterpillar room where children under 2 years slept. This posed a risk of strangulation to a child. 5. There was an unfinished countertop edge in the Rocking Racoons room at a low level which had sharp edges. Based on the age and height of the children in the room, the countertop edge posed a risk of injury to a child. 6. The nappy changing table in the Jellyfish sanitary area was not suitable for the age of the children. According to the manufacturer guidance, the changing table was for the use with children up to 12 months. The children in the Jellyfish room were aged between 2.5 to 3 years. This posed an increased risk of a fall or an injury to a child. 7. The registered provider did not ensure that monitoring actions were in place following the previous inspection in February 2026 regarding pinch risks. Pinch risks were identified in a child safety lock in the Rocky Racoon room, an unsecured radiator cover in the Penguins room and the platform of a climbing frame in the garden. 8. The position of a cot in the sleep room between the Ladybirds and Cubs room posed an increased risk of children bumping their heads. The cot was located under a shelving unit. During both days of the inspection, children were observed to stand up in the cot at the same height as a section of the shelving unit. 9. A repair had been made to the cot in the Caterpillar room by affixing a piece of rigid plastic to the top bar. This hard plastic posed a risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 10. The way in which beds were stored created a risk of the spread if infection. Throughout the two days, low level beds were observed to be stacked with the children’s individual bed sheets intact. This was observed before and after sleep in the Penguins, Messy Monkeys, Rocking Racoons and Jellyfish rooms. 11. Beds were stored in the sanitary area in the Messy Monkeys room. This posed an increased risk of cross contamination. 12. Hand washing and drying practices observed were inconsistent with the service’s infection control policy. These practices posed an increased risk of the spread of infection. The following was noted: • Handwashing following nappy changes and children’s toileting in the Messy Monkeys and Jellyfish rooms was carried out in the care room, despite a sink being present in the sanitary area. • Staff members used baby wipes to clean children’s hands and faces following dinnertime in the Penguins room on day 1. • A communal hand towel was in use in the Messy Monkeys room. 13. The toilet roll was stored on top of the toilet roll holder in the toilet in the Penguins room. Toilet roll which has been handled poses an increased risk of the spread of germs. 14. The procedures for drying of bed linen in the Rocking Racoons and Ladybird/Cubs rooms were unsuitable. On day 1, the 11 cots in the sleep room between the Ladybird and the Cubs room had bed linen drying on them. On day 1, in the Rocking Racoons room there was two clothes airers with bed linen in the care room and the sleep room. Due to increased moisture, this practice posed a risk of mould growth and respiratory illness. 15. The extractor fan in the sanitary area of the Dragonfly room was dusty with gathered lint and cobwebs. 16. Sweeping brushes were stored within the Penguins sanitary area. The storage of items in a sanitary area poses an increased risk of the spread of infection. Administration of Medication: 17. The administration of medication records did not include the required signatures. The inspector reviewed nine forms, of which only two included the parental signature to evidence that they had been informed that their child had received medication during the day. This procedure is required by the service’s medication policy Safe Sleep: 18. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN3301 served. 19. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN3303 served. 20. The procedures, as set out in the service’s safe sleep policy, were inconsistently carried out. During the two days of inspection, the sleep practices observed across the seven care rooms which catered for children aged 0-3 years posed a safety risk. The following was noted: a. The safe sleep policy stated sleep records were maintained, which included the recording of the temperature in the room. It outlined that a thermometer was in place to ensure that the appropriate room temperature was maintained while children slept. However, thermometers were fixed on a wall/ cabinet over sleeping children and could not be accessed by staff members or the early years inspector. On day 1, the thermometers in the Cubs/ Ladybird room cot room, Messy Monkeys cot room and Rocky Racoons care room were inaccessible. On day 1, the temperatures of the above sleep rooms exceed the recommended 18-22°c for children over 1 year as follows: • The room temperature was 23.2°c in the Ladybird/Cubs sleep room at 12.24pm while 12 children aged 1-2 years slept. • At 12.37pm, the sleep room temperature in the Messy Monkeys sleep room was 24.8°c while 6 children aged 2-3 years slept. • In the Rocky Racoons care room, the room temperature was 24°c at 12.59pm while 12 children aged 2-3 years slept. b. In discussion with staff members supervising sleep in Butterfly and Penguins cot rooms, they advised that the room was 18°c. However, the thermometer, which was accessible, was displaying temperature which exceeded the recommended sleep room temperature of 18-22°c for children over 1 year. • On day 1, at 12.05pm the temperature in the Penguins cot room was 22.9°c while four children age 2 to 3 years slept. • At 12.29pm on day 2, the temperature in the Butterfly cot room was 24.8°c while five children aged 1 to 2 years slept. It is acknowledged that the sleep room temperatures were maintained within the required range on day 2. 21. On day 1, in the Ladybird room, the staff member responsible for sleep checks did not enter the room where a child aged 1 years slept. They recorded that the room temperature was 18°c while the actual temperature of the room was 23.4°c. This was not in line with the service safe sleep policy which stated that staff members physically enter the sleep room or the Tusla guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months. Fire Safety: Reasonable measures were not taken by the registered provider regarding fire safety within the service. The following was observed: 22. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN3302 served. 23. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN3304 served. 24. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN3306 served. 25. The sleep room between the Ladybirds and Cubs rooms was overcrowded and posed an increased risk of a delayed response in the event of an emergency evacuation. In total, there was 13 cots in the sleep room for children aged 1.5 to 2 years. These cots were side-by-side with no space in between for staff members to easily access the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The registered provider stated that: 1. There is an external magnetic locked gate outside this exit preventing children from access in the car park in addition to ongoing supervision of children using the toilet. 2. A new online application is being installed which has a safeguard system to ensure parents have the capacity to sign these forms remotely 3. The flooring in the Dragonfly room has been removed. 4. The trailing flex has been secured, and cables will be removed or placed in conduit. 5. The countertop is no longer in use and will be fixed by the maintenance team. 6. The changing table has been removed. 7. A new safety lock has been installed; the radiator cover has been secured and the platform in the slide had been covered. The maintenance team will ensure equipment and materials are in good order. 8. The sleeping arrangement have been altered to allow one dedicated room for sleep creating more room for cots and staff can access the children easily. 9. The cot in question has been removed and replace with an evacuation cot. Infection Control: 10. Sheets are now stored in the children’s own baskets 11. Low beds are now stored in the dedicated sleep room – the Rocking Racoons room. 12. A meeting was held with staff reminding them of the services policy and procedures for hand washing and hand dryers are being installed in rooms. 13. Toilet rolls will be placed inside the casings moving forward. 14. Wet clothes will be air dried outside going forward. 15. Management will add checks of the air vents to the cleaning lists. 16. Sweeping brushes are now stored in the Penguins room. Administration of Medication: 17. The new parent online application will have the addition of a safeguarding system to ensure parents sign the medication form- this application is to be launched shortly. Safe Sleep: 20. Digital thermometers have been installed and a system where management can monitor the rooms temperature in real time. A temporary air conditioning unit has been installed to regulate the room temperature. A permanent solution is being sought regarding air conditioning units. Reflective foil has been put on windows to help with the temperature control. 21. Staff have been retrained in the Safe Sleep policy; this has been updated and displayed on each sleep room with ah check list to ensure the correct information has been recorded. Fire Safety: 25. The rooms have been reconfigured, and the Ladybird room is now a dedicated sleep room
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (4) While procedures to follow in the event of a fire were displayed throughout the service these did not reflect the actual fire exit routes. In discussion with the registered provider, it was confirmed that the displayed evacuation routes for four care rooms on the first floor were not reflective of the actual rooms or the exit routes in place
Provider's corrective action:
- No actions were submitted
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (1) There was insufficient clear floor space for the children in the Rocky Racoons room at times. The staff members explained that this care room was divided by a curtain each day between 12 to 2pm to facilitate the children to sleep. On day 2 at 1.50pm, there was 16 children aged 2-3 awake in the care room. Based on the age of the children, 37.6m2 clear floor space was required, however, only 32.07 m2 was available
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that the internal room has been removed and this space in the Rocky Racoons room is now a dedicated sleep area to accommodate children’s sleep needs
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 29, 32.