Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of the inspection under Regulation 23, in relation to a non-compliance identified under Regulation 23. A response was received from the registered provider which mitigated the risk identified. See body of report for details.
Immediate action notice. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under Regulations 9,11,19,23 and 26. However, on inspection additional non-compliance which posed a risk was identified under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(3) Although a vetting disclosure was available for a staff member, there was no consideration of the disclosure such as a risk assessment undertaken by the service. Any disclosures should be assessed to determine any potential risk to the children
Provider's corrective action:
A risk assessment was done with the staff member on 27th Feb 2026. Kids Inc’s HR Manager is responsible for close monitoring of recruitment team’s review of police clearance forms and Garda Vetting. For any disclosures they will carry out risk assessments
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic needs: 1. Staff did not adequately support children with nasal hygiene aiding comfort in the Toddler room. Despite interaction with the children, staff did not address the need for nasal hygiene as children were observed to be left with nasal discharge for prolonged periods on the morning of the inspection. 2. Dinner was not served in a prompt manner to ensure a warm meal was provided in the Toddler room. The dinner arrived in the care room at 11.40am in a large plastic bowl, at 11.44am it was covered using two hand tissues and was not served till 12.09pm. Physical and material environment: 3. Resources in the Preschool room were limited and not laid out in an inviting accessible manner to promote play. This reduced children’s opportunity for choice and play experiences
Provider's corrective action:
1. Management met with staff to reiterate the importance of nasal hygiene. Staff were reminded that nasal hygiene must be addressed constantly and it is not acceptable that children are left with nasal discharge for any period of times. Staff signed off on Kids Inc infection control policy and confirmed they will abide by the policy at all times. All staff will continue to be reminded on monthly staff meeting about the importance of nasal hygiene and infection control. Management will observe practices onsite and staff will be regularly retrained in all compulsory policies. 2. Management held a meeting with staff to discuss the importance of communication between the room and staff on kitchen duty on any changes/ delays in the routine that could impact the mealtimes. Staff on kitchen duty were retrained in correct procedures of serving food ensuring covers are on when leaving the kitchen. All staff will continue to be reminded on monthly staff meeting about the importance of communication between team members and staff on kitchen duty. Management will observe practices onsite. 3. Management met with staff to discuss room layouts in line with Aistear/ Siolta Practise Guide – Pillar: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments. The room was completely reorganised with new room layouts and some new resources purchased to support needs, interests and abilities of children in the room. Management will support the staff in the room to make sure the room layouts are working for the room, are inviting for children and equipment is stored in an organized manner. Room Leaders will continue to attend cross collaboration meetings with other Kids Inc room leaders to share ideas with peers
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The lock on the low-level press under the sink was damaged and did not work correctly in the Toddler room. This resulted in cleaning agents being accessible to children and posed a risk of accidental poisoning. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection. The preventive action has not been maintained in line with the information provided to the inspectorate following the last inspection. 2. Exposed screws on a shelf in the Preschool room posed a potential risk of injury to children. Infection Control: 3. Hand hygiene practices were not completed in line with the service policy and posed a potential infection control risk. A staff member did not wash their hands following nappy changing. Inadequate handwashing practice was a non-compliance on the previous inspection. The preventive action has not been maintained in line with the information provided to the inspectorate following the last inspection. 4. Teddies and pillows in the Toddler room cosy area were observed visibly stained and posed a potential infection control risk. Administration of Medication: 5. The emergency medication available for a child with a medical need who was attending the service on the day of inspection was expired. This posed a significant risk to the child’s safety, and an immediate action notice was issued. Safe Sleep: 6. Safe sleep practices for children under the age of 2 sleeping in cots were not carried out in line with Tusla safe sleep guidance or service policy which posed a risk to children’s safety. o Between 1.29pm - 1.51pm no physical sleep check was conducted. Physical sleep checks are required every ten minutes. o An inaccurate record of sleep checks was maintained. The record detailed a physical sleep check that was not conducted. The practice and recording of comprehensive and timely physical sleep checks helps provide for children’s safety. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection. The preventive action has not been maintained in line with the information provided to the inspectorate following the last inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. A new lock was installed on the low-level press. The premises will continue to be monitored by health and safety officer. All defects will be reported to the manager who will update the maintenance list and will report it to Head Office. 2. The screws on the shelf were removed on the evening of the inspection, and a new foam protector was put on bottom of the shelf. The premises will continue to be monitored by health and safety officer. All defects will be reported to the manager who will update the maintenance list and will report it to Head Office. Infection Control: 3. Management had a meeting with staff to discuss the importance of hand hygiene practices following changing nappies. Staff reread and signed off on Kids Inc nappy changing policy. The manager retrained the staff in the nappy changing protocol. All staff will continue to be reminded on monthly staff meeting about the importance of following a correct protocol for nappy changing. Management will observe practices onsite and staff will be regularly retrained in compulsory policies. 4. Management had a meeting with staff to discuss infection control and cleanliness and hygiene. Staff reread and signed on Kids Inc infection control policy and cleanliness and hygiene. New schedule for washing soft toys, cushions and dress-up was introduced for the Toddler Room. Administration of Medication: 5. On the day of the inspection, the parent was contacted and the new emergency medication was requested before the child was allowed to come back to the centre. The staff members reread and signed Kids Inc Policy on administration of medications. Monthly checks will be completed on all emergency medications by staff and spot checks completed by management. First aid officer will continue to run additional audits on medications. Safe Sleep: 6. On the day of inspection, a meeting was held with the staff involved to remind them of the importance of carrying out comprehensive and timely physical checks in the sleep room and recording correct information on the sleep chart in line with Kids Inc policy on safe sleep. The sleep policy will continue to be discussed with team at staff meetings. Management will do regular spot checks on sleep check forms and comprehensive physical checks being carried out
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) During the inspection it was obserevd that the premises was not cleaned and maintained as required. The following was observed: o The anti-slip flooring on the staircase was damaged and torn. o The light in the Toddler room by the sink area was not operating correctly and was flickering intermittently. o A shelving unit in the Toddler room had a sticky residue which held dirt and debris and had exposed sections of chipboard. o Low level tables in Toddler room were heavily stained. o The blind in the Toddler room was heavily stained. o The flooring in Toddler room was visibly dirty with a layer of residue
Provider's corrective action:
o The anti-slip flooring on the staircase was repaired. o A bulb was replaced in the light fitting in the Toddler Room by the sink area. o The shelving unit in Toddler Room was repaired, and the residue was cleaned off o The low-level table in Toddler Room was replaced. o The blind in Toddler Room was cleaned thoroughly. o The flooring in Toddler Room was cleaned and buffed. o The premises will continue to be monitored by health and safety officer. All defects will be reported to the manager who will update the maintenance list and will report it to Head Office
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on day one of the inspection regarding a non- compliance identified under
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Between 11.00am-11.16am on day one of the inspection staff did not respond in a timely manner to a child’s cues for food. A child from the Toddler group communicated a want for food through physical and verbal gestures while in the garden observing children from the Montessori group have snack. Staff were observed to comment on the child’s actions and key indications of wanting food. Staff attempted to move the child away explaining they would eat later. This is at variance with the service policy that advises there is flexibility around mealtimes and that children will have access to food if they are hungry between meals. It is acknowledged at 11.16am a staff member passed some fruit to the child who was then content
Provider's corrective action:
1. A discussion was had with all staff around the importance of meeting children’s needs in a timely manner and the Healthy Eating policy. It was reminded that a child who is hungry or thirsty should be provided with the snack or water, not to be asked to wait till mealtime. Management will observe practices onsite and staff will be regularly retrained in all compulsory policies
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. On day one of the inspection a sink in the Toddler room 2 had a temperature which exceed the maximum allowed temperature of 43℃. The temperature of the sink was recorded at 51℃ at 11.31am which increased the potential risk of a scald. It is acknowledged that signage was displayed to alert staff to the issue and that the service had engaged in measures to work towards resolving the issue. Additional measures were observed on the afternoon of inspection to prevent the tap being used. 2. The garden area contained a number of hazards which posed a risk of injury to children. The following was observed: • A toy tractor was observed in use with a damaged seat. • A large plastic storage box accessible to children was cracked with sharp edges. • A wooden play kitchen had rusted exposed screws. 3. Cleaning products were stored in a low-level press without a lock accessible to children in Toddler room 1. This posed a potential risk of accidental poisoning. Infection Control: 4. Hand hygiene practices were not completed in line with service policy and posed an infection control risk. A staff member did not wash their hands or the child’s after assisting with nasal care. 5. A foam block was present in the outdoor area with torn edges which exposed the foam preventing effective cleaning. This posed an infection control risk. 6. The press door in the Montessori sanitary area had a damaged covering which exposed the wood underneath and posed an infection control risk. 7. Toilet roll in cubicle one of the Montessori sanitary area was not hygienically dispensed and was placed on top of the cistern which posed an infection control risk. Administration of Medication: 8. There was poor practice regarding the management of medications on the premises which posed a potential risk to the correct and timely administration of medication. The following was observed: • There were six expired medications stored in the Montessori room. • The storage of emergency medication did not allow for ease of access in the event of an emergency as it was located at the back of a press with numerous items placed in front. • Two emergency medications were not clearly labelled for staff to identify. One medication was kept in zip seal unlabelled bag and a second medication was stored in lunch bag that had no labelling on the outside. These practices are at variance with service policy that advises expired medications will be returned to parents or disposed of safely in the local pharmacy and medications are stored accessible to authorised persons with emergency medication readily accessible. Safe Sleep: 9. Physical sleep checks were not completed and recorded in a timely manner for children sleeping in the Toddler 1 room. The practice and recording of comprehensive physical sleep checks help provide for children’s safety. 10. An ambient room temperature of 18-22℃ was not maintained in a room where children over 1 year of age were sleeping. The temperate was recorded at 23.9℃ at 1.25pm. It is acknowledged that staff took measures to reduce the temperature when brought to their attention by the inspector. Fire Safety: 11. During the morning greeting at 10.21am staff in the Montessori were unable to confidently advise the inspectors of the number of children present in the group. Staff showed signs of confusion for the number of children present by advising of different numbers and attempting to inform the inspector a child was on the premises who had yet to attend that day. This posed a potential risk of hindering safe evacuation of the premises in the event of an emergency. 12. Attendance records in the Montessori were not maintained in a timely manner to reflect the children present in the service. At 10.41am a review of available attendance records demonstrated that one of the eighteen children present had not yet been signed in. This posed a potential risk of hindering safe evacuation of the premises in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. An anti-scalding unit is now in place. Health and Safety Officer continues to do spot check on water temperature across all the rooms. Staff are reminded on regular occasions to report higher temperature not only during the checks twice a day but also when they wash their hands during the day. 2. The tractor was put into the bin straight after the inspection. The storage box was binned after the inspection. The screws were removed the following day by a maintenance staff. Daily Outdoor Hazard forms continue to be completed by staff. Health and Safety Officer to link with staff on hazards in the centre and to do weekly audits of premises. 3. The door was locked away straightaway. We discussed during the staff meeting importance to keep presses with cleaning supplies locked at all times. The Health and Safety Officer and Manager will continue to do daily spot checks on the presses in all the care rooms and auxiliary rooms. Infection Control: 4. Staff were retrained on the importance of handwashing. Management will continue to do daily spot checks on handwashing practises. 5. The foam block was removed and put into the bin on the day of inspection. Daily Outdoor Hazard forms continue to be completed by staff. Health and Safety Officer to link with staff on hazards in the centre and to do weekly audits of premises. 6. The press has now been fixed. Daily Hazard forms continue to be completed by staff. Health and Safety Officer to link with staff on hazards in the centre and to do weekly audits of premises. 7. The toilet roll holder has been fixed. Daily Hazard forms continue to be completed by staff. Health and Safety Officer to link with staff on hazards in the centre and also to do weekly audits of premises. Administration of Medication: 8. Following the inspection all medications were checked. All expired medications were returned to parents, and the parents were requested to provide new bottles of medicine. The storage of emergency medication has been reviewed. All emergency medications are put in sealed containers clearly labelled with the photo of the child and allergy details, stored out of reach of children and easily accessible to staff. Monthly checks will be completed on all emergency medications by staff and spot checks completed by management. First aid officer will continue to run audits on medications. Safe Sleep: 9. On the day of inspection, a meeting was held with the staff in Toddler 1 room to remind them of the importance of recording correct information on the sleep chart in line with our safe sleep policy. Staff reread and were retrained in Safe Sleep Policy by the manager. Safe sleep policy was discussed with team at staff meeting. Management will do regular spot checks on sleep check forms. 10. The heating in the centre was turned off the day of the inspection and staff were reminded to inform manager if the temperature is above recommended 18-22℃ even with windows open. Daily temperature checks will continue to be taken by staff and if above 22 degrees, actions will be taken to reduce the temperature of the rooms. Fire Safety: 11. On the day of inspection, management spoke to staff about the importance of ensuring all children are accounted for and that regular role calls are taking place to prevent any Health & Safety risk. It was also highlighted to the team in our staff meeting. Regular spot checks will continue to be carried out by management. 12. On the day of inspection, management spoke to the staff about the importance of ensuring that attendance books are updated as soon as the child comes. It was also highlighted to the team in our staff meeting. Regular spot checks will continue to be carried out by management
Regulation 27 — Supervision
The registered provider did not ensure that preschool children attending the service were adequately supervised at all times. This was evidenced by the following: 1. On day one of the inspection one staff member was observed at the sanitary area with six children aged 2-3 years. Two children were observed to engage in risky behaviours and climb on the staircase by the sanitary area while the staff member assisted a child using the toilet. Four of the children were observed to push through a door returning to the care room unsupervised while the staff member remained in the hallway trying to encourage the children climbing on the stairs back to the care room. The staff member did not have sufficient supervision of all children until they returned to the care room. 2. On day two of the inspection three children aged between 3-5 years were observed unsupervised in a care room as they placed an item in the room and lingered. There was no staff member present in the room or on corridor at this time. The supervising staff were in a separate care room down the corridor. This is not in line with service policy that advises all children are in sight of one staff member at all times
Provider's corrective action:
1. A meeting was held with staff. Management explained that staff must ask for cover when needed and retraining on the supervision of children policy was carried out. Management will continue supporting staff during transitions such as nappy changing and toilet runs. 2. A meeting was held with the staff to retrain them on the policy on the supervision of children. Children need to be in view of the staff members at all times. Management will continue to observe practises in the rooms
Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents
The registered provider failed to notify the inspection department within Tusla of a serious injury to a pre-school child within the required timeframe. It is acknowledged that the service did email Tusla however the email address used was for the incorrect department within Tusla
Provider's corrective action:
Once the inspector informed us to use a different email address – we resent it immediately while inspector was still on the premises. New email address recorded on our system in case of future reports
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 21, 25.
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of inspection in relation to two non- compliances identified under
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The mud kitchen in the outdoor area had no supporting materials available. This impacted the children’s ability to engage with the resource as intended and reduced play opportunities
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action In Kids Inc we understand that outdoor play is very important for overall development for children. Mud kitchen is an important part of the play. The toys for the kitchen play were misplaced. We have now new toys available for children to play in the garden. The set consists of pans, pots (real life kitchen equipment and plastic ones) and food toys. These are stored in a box in the shed at the end of the day. Preventive action Some areas in the garden to be set up for the children before they come out to the garden and other areas to be set up with support of children when they come out to play. Staff in the rooms will continue to review resources in the garden and pending children’s interests and disposition on the day resources will rotate and be added to facilitate all types of play
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Radiators accessible to the children on the first floor of the service had a surface temperature which exceeded the maximum temperature of 50℃. The temperature of the radiators was recorded as 63.8℃ at 11:05am which increased the potential risk of burning a child. It is acknowledged that once the designated person in charge was advised of the potential risk the radiators were turned off. 2. During nappy changing a staff member momentarily moved away from the child to dispose of waste materials in a bin in another part of the sanitary facility. This is at variance with the service policy and increased the potential risk of a child falling and injuring themselves. 3. The baby gate at the Toddler 1 room door was not secure and lifted away from the frame. This posed a risk of injury. 4. Areas within the outdoor area were observed to be worn and damaged which increased the potential risk of injury to a child. For example: • The wooden boarded attached to the fence in the outdoor area was worn and the edges of the laminate covering were lifting. This posed a pinch risk. • The foam numbers attached to the wall in the outdoor area were damaged posing a risk of ingestion and choking. 5. A press in the Montessori room was unlocked accessible to children and contained a cream cleaning product. This posed a risk of injury if ingested by a child. Infection Control: 6. The nappy changing procedure was not in line with best practice or the services policy and procedure which posed a risk of infection control. For example: • A staff member did not wash their hands after changing a nappy. • Gloves worn for nappy changing remained on while the child was redressed, and the changing mat was disinfected. 7. Children did not wash their hands after returning indoors from the outdoor area. This posed a risk an infection control risk. 8. Three material sofas in the outdoor area were observed to be torn and damaged. This posed an infection control risk. 9. The material adult chair in the baby room was observed to be stained and did not have a removable cover which prevented effective cleaning. This posed a risk of infection. 10. Bins for the disposal of food waste were open and accessible to the children in the Toddler 1 and Montessori room, this posed an infection control risk. 11. Lino flooring in the Montessori room was damaged and cracked preventing sufficient cleaning and posed an infection control risk. Fire Safety: 12. Obstructions were observed which could prevent safe evacuation in the event of an emergency: • The fire exit on the corridor between the baby room and kitchen was blocked by mattresses in storage. • Equipment was stored outside the cot room preventing easy access to the evacuation cot. An immediate action notice was issued on the day of inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. The cover for radiators in the hall on the first floor had a small narrow open part on the top. Once the temperature was brought to our attention as a part of inspector’s feedback, we took the following actions: • Temperature of the creche heating system was lowered. • A cover was placed on the open part of a cover to prevent risk of burning child’s fingers. 2. A meeting was held with staff. We discussed Kids Inc Policies and Procedures and retrained the staff on a correct nappy changing protocol with reiteration of the point, the adult must never move away from the child’s side. All staff have also been retrained on correct nappy changing procedure as a part of the staff meeting. They all signed off that they had been re-trained on these policies, understood and agreed to implement these into their daily practices. 3. The maintenance manager was contacted immediately, and the gate was fixed the morning following the inspection. 4. Both wooden boards were removed. A new set of sensory resources is currently being sourced out and will be placed on wooden boards to enhance play experiences outside. 5. According to our policies and procedures on Accidents and Incidents and Infection Control ‘All hazardous cleaning materials are stored in a locked cupboard out of reach of children’. On the day of inspection, staff failed to adhere to the policy. A key was misplaced, and the press was left open. A new lock was put on the press in the Montessori room. Staff were spoken about the correct storage of cleaning materials. Staff read through Kids Inc policies on Infection Control and Accidents and Incidents. Preventive Action 1. Health and Safety Officer will complete regular checks in the centre to identify any hazard and remove risks to children, staff and visitors. 2. Frequent spot checks made by Manager and Deputy Manager to ensure all staff follow the correct nappy changing procedure. Regularly retrain staff on nappy changing during staff meetings. 3. Health and Safety Officer will continue to complete regular checks in the centre to identify any hazard and remove risks to children, staff and visitors. 4. Health and Safety Officer will continue to complete regular checks in the garden to identify any hazard and remove risks to children, staff and visitors. 5. Frequent spot checks made by Manager and Deputy Manager to ensure all staff follow the correct protocol on storage of chemicals in the rooms. Infection Control Corrective Action 6. Retraining was provided in nappy changing protocol and hand hygiene for both adults and children. 7. Retraining was provided on hand hygiene for both adults and children and on infection control. 8. The couches were removed from the garden immediately following the inspector’s feedback. 9. The adult chair has been removed from the room and replaced by a new one. It is a stain resistant vinyl chair (hard wearing fabric used in hospitals and medical centres) that can be easily sanitised. 10. The compost bins were introduced to promote eco awareness among children and importance of waste segregation. We also want to promote childrens independence in cleaning after themselves at mealtimes. The standard practise is that the bins are open at the mealtimes. After meal is finished the bins are emptied and a new bin bag is replaced. The bins should be kept closed when not in use. Staff were reminded of the correct protocols. 11. Due to the size of the room, the floor can be only replaced when the room is closed for a few days. We have contacted a few suppliers but are awaiting more quotes and times/dates for fitting. As it can be only done when the room is closed, we will have it plan for Easter Break when we have no ECCE in the morning or afterschool in the afternoon. Preventive Action 6. Continue to run internal audits on nappy changing practices in the centre. Regularly retrain staff on infection control and nappy changing policies 7. Continue to observe hygiene and infection control practices across the centre. Regularly retrain staff on Infection Control Policy. 8. Health and Safety Officer will complete regular checks in the centre to identify any hazard and remove risks to children, staff and visitors. 9. Continue to observe hygiene and infection control practices across the centre. Regularly retrain staff on Infection Control Policy. 10. Health and Safety Officer will complete regular checks in the centre to identify any hazard and remove risks to children, staff and visitors. 11. Corrective action will rectify issue identified. Fire Safety: Corrective Action 12. Following on from the inspector’s feedback, the equipment was removed from outside the cot room and mattresses were removed from the hallway. Preventive Action 12. Manager and deputy continue to do checks of fire exits during the day and remove any hazards identified. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: Photographic evidence with new cover in place. Photographic evidence of gate. Photographic evidence of hazards removed from garden. Photographic evidence of lock on press. Infection Control: Record of staff sign off on nappy changing policy, infection control policy and accidents and incidents policy. Photographic evidence of new chair. Photographic evidence of sealed compost bins. Quote from contractor. Fire Safety: Photographic evidence of obstructions removed. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the corrective and preventive actions taken and evidence submitted. The non- compliance identified under Regulation 23 has been addressed