Inspection of 1 July 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The registered provider did not take appropriate measures to ensure the three adults employed to work directly with the children since the last date of inspection on the 3rd May 2022 were suitable and competent prior to commencing employment in the service as follows;
- (a) (b) - There were no references available for one of the staff members working in the service. - The two references each available for the other two staff members had not been appropriately verified by the registered provider. (d) International police vetting was required for one of the adults employed since the last date of inspection. Although a document was available for the adult which appeared to be international police vetting, the contents of the document could not be verified by the inspectors as they were not written in the English language. (3) Documentation reviewed evidence that the procedures specified above under 9(2) had not been carried out prior to the three adults commencing employment in the service, as detailed above under (2). (4) The was no evidence available to show that one of the adults who worked directly with the children held at least a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider provided the following response;
- (a) (b) All staff files have been fully audited. Missing references have now been obtained and appropriately verified by us. Any unverified references previously on file have been replaced with newly obtained, signed references directly from past employers or other references. (d) The international police vetting document for the staff member in question has been officially translated into English by a certified translator and is now on file. A copy of the translation will be made available to inspectors. (3) Documentary evidence of all staff qualifications has been collected and filed. For the staff member whose Level 5 qualification was not evidenced at the time of inspection, a certified copy of their Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 6 has now been submitted and is retained in the staff file. All of the documentation has been reviewed and certified and photographed. (4) The provider has submitted the staff members level 6 certificate for early childhood education and care. The staff member has held this since 14/10/2024. A certified copy of their Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 6 has now been submitted and is retained in the staff file. All of the documentation has been reviewed and certified and photographed. A designated staff member has been appointed to review and verify all documentation before employment begins. All future international police vetting documents will be translated into English by a certified translator and stored alongside the original. A quarterly audit of staff files will be carried out to ensure continued compliance with all regulatory requirements under Regulation 9
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (j) Although it is acknowledged that records of the administration of medication which had been given to a child were available in the service, one of the records contained no evidence of signed parental consent
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider provided the following response; Corrective and Preventive Action
- The medication administration records for all children were immediately audited. The record in question has now been updated — the parent/guardian was contacted, and written consent has since been obtained, signed, and dated. All current medication forms have been reviewed to ensure parental consent is clearly signed before any medication is administered. The staff member involved was reminded of the importance of securing and recording written parental consent as per our medication policy. A designated staff member has been assigned to double-check all medication forms upon receipt to ensure consent is in place and correctly documented. The Medication Policy has been regiven to all staff to clarify that no medication may be administered without prior written consent, except in a medical emergency where verbal consent is followed up in writing. Staff have received a refresher briefing on the updated policy and procedure to reinforce compliance. Medication records will now be audited monthly by the room leader or manager to ensure all entries are complete and accurate
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years. Four staff members working in the service did not have a Garda Vetting disclosure which was dated within the last 3 years. 2. The surface of the outdoor play area did not meet the wall in multiple parts creating a foothold in the surface posing a potential trip or injury hazard to a child. 3. Trailing cables were in reach of the children at a low level in the downstairs children’s bathroom, the Montessori room, and the Playschool room posing a risk of injury to a child. 4. A record of an incident where a child banged their head in the service and received first aid contained no evidence that parents/guardians had been informed that the incident had occurred. This poses a risk to the continuity of care to a child following a head injury and was at variance with the policy and associated procedures in place in the service. 5. Part of the outdoor area which children walked through to access the designated outdoor play space contained a number of hazards which posed a potential risk of harm to a child. The gate in the outdoor play area which led to this space was also broken and not adequately secured. This allowed children access to the area and presented a number of risks to the children’s safety as follows; • The area contained a long hose pipe, buckets of stagnant water, a pest control bait box, tins of paint, a wheelie bin, mops and sweeping brushes. Infection Control: 6. The practices surrounding nappy changing observed on the day of inspection in the service were inadequate for infection control purposes as follows; - A staff member was observed taking three children to the nappy changing room whilst nappies were changed on two occasions during the inspection. During this time, two children were observed sitting on the floor of the nappy room playing while the staff member changed a nappy. On one occasion, a child was seen repeatedly throwing their soother on the floor of the nappy room and picking in back up to mouth it. Another child also picked the same soother up and mouthed it, posing a risk of cross contamination. 7. The handwashing practices observed in some care rooms were inadequate for infection control purposes and at variance with the policy and associated procedures in place in the service. - Throughout the inspection in the Wobbler and Junior Wobbler rooms, children’s hands were washed using a wet wipe including before meals and after nappy changing. - A staff member was observed to handle a child’s food prior to giving it to them to eat with no handwashing beforehand. - Facial tissues were in use in the children’s bathroom in the playschool for hand drying. The paper was observed sticking to children’s hands when they were attempting to dry them following handwashing. 8. Toilet rolls in the children’s bathrooms in the rear building were not appropriately stored in a dispenser for use meaning the rolls were repeatedly handled by children after toileting posing a risk of cross contamination. 9. Unlidded bins were in use in the Wobbler and then Montessori room which were accessible to the children. Administration of Medication: 10. Four of the medication records reviewed on the day of inspection were incomplete and at variance with the policy in place in the service. This posed a risk of harm or overdose to the children receiving the medication as follows: - The four records had no documented evidence that a second staff member was present to witness the administration of medication to a child. - One of the records did not detail the dosage of medication that was administered to a child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider provided the following response;
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. All staff whose Garda vetting had expired have now had their re-vetting applications submitted through the National Vetting Bureau. This was completed promptly following the inspection. The service will now track to flag vetting renewals three months in advance. Staff vetting records will be reviewed monthly by the manager to ensure timely renewals 2. The surface of the outdoor play area has been repaired and now fully meets the boundary wall. This eliminates any gaps that previously posed a trip hazard to children. The outdoor play surface is now included in the daily visual safety check conducted by room leaders, and any maintenance needs will be logged and addressed promptly. 3. All trailing cables that were within children’s reach in the bathroom, Montessori, and Playschool rooms have been either securely fixed to the wall or removed completely. Trailing cables are now part of the weekly room safety inspections. Staff have been instructed to report any new hazards immediately. 4. The incident form regarding the child who bumped their head has been fully completed and signed by the child’s parents. The parents were informed, and documentation was updated. Staff have been reminded of the importance of following the incident and accident policy. Forms must be completed the same day and reviewed weekly by management to ensure compliance. 5. All hazards in the outdoor access area, including buckets of water, tins of paint, and a bait box, have been removed. A hose holder has been installed, and wheelie bins have been now placed behind a white fence. This access area is now included in daily outdoor checks. Infection Control: 6. The nappy changing area has been reorganized and new procedures have been introduced. Staff now use walkie-talkies to request the manager to supervise their room while they change nappies, ensuring children are never brought into the nappy changing room. All staff have been trained on the updated procedure, and walkie-talkies are now used in all rooms. Compliance is monitored by room leaders and management through weekly observations. 7. A new handwashing policy has been rolled out to all rooms. Staff have been briefed, and children are being guided through proper handwashing routines. Child-friendly posters have been placed by all sinks, and handwashing is now supervised at key times. Babies, Wobblers and toddlers will be brought to the bathroom to wash their hands. 8. Toilet roll dispensers and paper towel holders have been installed in the playschool and Montessori bathrooms to prevent cross-contamination. These dispensers are now checked daily by the cleaning team and restocked as needed. Their condition is also reviewed during weekly health and safety audits. 9. All open bins in the Wobbler and Montessori rooms have been replaced with foot-operated, lidded bins that are inaccessible to children. The service is now going forward only going to used closed bins with foot pedals at all times. Administration of Medication: 10. All medication records were reviewed and updated to include proper details and witness signatures. Parents have also signed where required. Staff were reminded of the importance of full documentation. A second staff member must now co-sign all medication administration records, and files are checked weekly by the Health & Safety Officer. Kiddies Korner is committed to upholding the highest standards of care, safety, and compliance. All corrective actions have been addressed, and ongoing preventive measures are in place to ensure full adherence to Tusla’s regulations
Regulation 29 — Premises
- Areas of the service were found to be in need of maintenance on the day of inspection as follows: 1. In the children’s nappy area upstairs, the lacquered surface of the nappy changing table had worn away exposing the porous wood beneath which could not be effectively cleaned. 2. The linoleum flooring at one of the doors into the Toddler room was lifting exposing the flooring underneath and creating a trip hazard. 3. The lacquered surface of one of the radiator covers beside the children’s toilet in the rear building had worn away exposing the porous wood beneath which could not be effectively cleaned. 4. The gate leading into the outdoor play area was broken and could not be secured. The gate and the wooden fence attached to it were broken in a number of places, exposing rusted nails and sharp splintered wood posing a risk of injury to a child. 5. In the outdoor play area, gaps and holes in the shock absorbent surfacing created an uneven surface posing a risk of injury to a child
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The upstairs nappy changing table with a worn lacquered surface has been newly wrapped with vinal wrapping to ensure the surface can be cleaned properly. This ensures the surface is hygienic and suitable for daily use. All furniture in changing areas is now checked monthly as part of the maintenance schedule. Any signs of wear will be reported and addressed immediately. 2. The damaged linoleum at the door to the Toddler room has been repaired, and the flooring has been secured to remove the trip hazard. The area was made safe on the same day. Weekly checks are now carried out on all door entry flooring to identify and fix any lifting or damage early, preventing similar risks in future. 3. The damaged radiator cover near the rear toilet has been sanded and sealed, and painted with washable paint All radiator covers have been reviewed for wear and are now part of the bi-monthly maintenance inspection. Any worn surfaces will be promptly refinished or replaced. 4. The broken outdoor gate and its attached wooden fence were removed and replaced with a secure removable, child-safe gate. All broken wood, splinters, and rusted nails were safely disposed of. Outdoor structures will be inspected weekly by staff and formally checked monthly by management to ensure all equipment remains secure and hazard-free. 5. The gaps and holes in the shock-absorbent surfacing have been filled and repaired, creating a smooth, even surface. The play surface is now checked daily before outdoor time and included in the monthly facility audit. Repairs will be arranged immediately if damage is found
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 24, 28.