Inspection of 2 March 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the person in charge as five blind cords on roller blinds covering shelving were accessible to children and were not in restrictive devices. Photographic evidence was received stating all blind cords are now removed. A second immediate Action Notice was issued to the Registered provider via email on the 3 March 2026 as garda vetting was not available for two adults. Both staff are now working in rolls with no access to the children. These were identified as posing a potential safety risk. The response from the registered provider was adequate to mitigate both risks. Further information can be found under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(a)(b) One reference and validation was not available in respect of one adult and two references available for two adults had no evidence of validation. (2)(c) A Garda vetting record was unavailable for two adults, who worked at the service. On 3 March 2026, an Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider, regarding the breach of Regulation 9. The senior area manager responded and stated that an application for Garda vetting had been submitted and that the two adults in question would have no access to the children. (2)(d) Police vetting was unavailable for one adult who lived outside of the state for longer than six consecutive months and it was not possible to determine if police vetting was required for two further staff members as there were gaps in the available curriculum vitae. (3) Seven adults employed did not have the correct procedures carried out prior to commencement of employment. This posed a possible risk to unsuitable adults having access to the children. (4) There was one adult working in the preschool service who did not have evidence of a qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education at level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualification or a qualification deemed by the minister to be equivalent. Not having suitably qualified staff, may compromise the safety of the children
Provider's corrective action:
- The following response was received from the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) A reference and validation for one adult was received and two validations were received for one adult. A second adult had two validations on one page. Going forward all validations and references will be obtained prior to staff commencing employment. (2)(c) Garda vetting has be en received for one staff member . One Garda vetting remains outstanding and this staff member will not work with the children until it is received . All Garda vetting will be obtained prior to staff commencing employment. (2)(d) Police vetting was applied for one staff member and two curriculum vitaes have been updated. The service will ensure that police vetting is obtained prior to commencement of employment and that no gaps are in the curriculum vitae. (3) Outstanding Garda vetting and police vetting has been applied for and the relevant paperwork has been submitted. The staff member with outstanding Garda vettin g will not work with the children. One staff member out on leave will update the curriculum vitae on return to work
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General safety: 1. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the person in charge as five blind cords on roller blinds covering shelving were accessible to children in the care room and were not in restrictive devices. This was identified as posing a potential safety risk. 2. Garda vetting was available for 14 adults; however, 1 vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspector Regulatory Notice ‘EUI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda vetting’. Infection control: 3. The inspector noted that the two bins used for the purpose of waste disposal in the care room were not pedal operated. This increased the risk of cross infection and contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following statement was received from the registered provider:
Provider's corrective action:
- General safety: 1. Cords were removed from all the blinds. Blinds purchased in the future will have the cords removed. 2. Garda vetting has been applied for. Garda vetting will be renewed as needed for all employees. Infection control: 3. Pedal bins were purchased for preschool. The service will ensure pedal bins are purchased as needed in the future
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1) (b) The service had no records available of maintenance carried out on the smoke alarm systems. This posed a risk of safety to the children and adults in the service in the event of fire
Provider's corrective action:
- The following response was received from the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action A serving company carried out the required maintenance. This will be completed quarterly in the future
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25.