(2)(d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IAN 1301 served. (2)(a) One staff member did not have two written and validated references. This was found to be non-compliant at the last inspection on 11/4/25. The corrective actions submitted following that inspection stated that all members of staff will have two sufficient written references. The service was to complete a checklist so that staff commencing employment would have two written references in place. The actions outlined did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. (4) One staff member did not have documentary evidence of having a qualification equal to a minimum Level 5 in childcare this is a recurring non-compliance and at variance to the registered provider’s response at the previous inspection, Service will “ensure all staff in preschool rooms have a minimum level 5 in qualification in Early Years or an equivalent”. The actions outlined did not prevent the recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) Staff member obtained new references, which were verified by management. The staff list for each member has been re -checked and new management has been made aware to ensure staff do not start working within the service until all relevant documentation has been received. (4) The staff member has sent in their application to the DC DE and does not currently work with preschool age children. The registered provider will ensure that staff send their qualification in to the DCDE if they do not have a childcare qualification
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) During the period of inspection there were not an adequate number of adults working directly with the children attending the pre-school service at all times. (2) The following adult: child ratios which were observed in the Busy Bees Room during the inspection were incorrect: From 9am – 11.25am there were 15 preschool children (aged 3-4 years) attending this room with 1 qualified staff member and 2 students. A second qualified adult arrived to the room at 11.25am and remained for the rest of the inspection. Two qualified adults are required at all times to satisfy the requirements of this regulation
Provider's corrective action:
The service has hired another full-time member of staff and are awaiting vetting. The registered provider has also introduced an emergency staff ration procedure and risk assessment, going forward. The registered provider will also use relief staff when necessary. The emergency staff ratio procedure and risk assessment will be applied when 2 staff are unable to attend
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A lead from a wall-mounted electric heater was trailing and potentially accessible to the children in the Butterfly Room. This is a health and safety hazard. 2. Unprotected sharp corners were present on one side of a brown shelving unit in the Butterfly Room, posing a risk of injury to a child. 3. The water temperature in the sanitary areas where mixer taps were fitted reached a maximum of 44°C in the middle sink, and then reduced to 41.3 °C. It is acknowledged that staff outlined that the risk assessments include water temperature checks; however, no record was available on the day to demonstrate that the water had been checked. The maximum temperature for safe use of children is 43°C, anything higher presents a risk of scalding. Infection Control: 4. The pedal operated bin in the sanitary accommodation off the Busy Bee Room was broken and required the lid to be lift by hand. This is an infection control risk. 5. The nappy bin used in the nappy changing area required staff to touch the bin in order to fully dispose of the soiled nappies, this is an infection control risk
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Lead has been pinned to the wall. Recent staff training conducted to remind staff to add details to risk assessments. 2. Protecters added to the unit in question. Recent staff training carried out with all staff to ensure that risk assessments performed in the morning and to document these dangers going forward. 3. The thermostat pumps were turned down at the mains. Following staff training the staff are now aware of where the thermostat controls are located for completing check and adjusting if necessary. Infection Control: 4. The registered provider replaced the bin. Recent staff training to include staff must report any broken or damaged equipment to management immediately. 5. Replaced nappy bin with a new one. These will be the exact bins that will be used going forward
The registered provider had not completed the required vetting procedures for all staff working in the service. (2) (a)&(b) • Four staff members did not have a second written and validated reference. (4) One staff member who was employed to work directly with the preschool children did not have documentary evidence available for inspection of a qualification equal to a minimum Level 5 childcare qualification
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a)&(b) • All members of staff have two sufficient written references. • Complete the checklist to staff commencing employment to ensure there are two written references. (4) This staff member is currently in senior afterschool care only. Ensure all staff in preschool rooms have a minimum level 5 in qualification in Early Years or an equivalent
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1)(g) The service did not have a policy for the care and storage of soothers in the service
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(g) Safe sleep policy amended to include sufficient care and storage of soothers. All staff immediately informed of the change in the policy. Soother containers purchased and labelled for each individual child who sleeps in the setting. Keep new and current staff/parents up to date with the amended safe sleep policy. Use the policies clear instructions to educate new and current staff about correct soother care and storage
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. In the Senior ECCE during a tabletop activity all the jigsaws in plastic bags or boxes were observed not to have a picture of the completed jigsaws on them to guide a child to complete it independently and successfully. 2. The nappy changing room door on the hallway was wedged open for the duration of the inspection. This does not maintain the privacy and dignity of the children who are having their nappies changed in this area
Provider's corrective action:
1. All boxes/zip-lock bags in the Senior room, containing jigsaw contents have been labelled with the matching laminate images. Regular checks will be carried out by staff as part of the deep clean process to ensure all boxes/trays and zip-lock bags have labels for their matching contents. 2. Door to the nappy changing room is closed over enough to ensure that the children have their privacy while undergoing nappy changes. All staff were verbally notified of this change in the nappy changing procedure and will be monitored by management to ensure it is being implemented,
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
(1)(b) There was no soft cosy area in the Junior Preschool Room for the preschool children attending this room to go and relax in or take a break from activities
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(b) Junior preschool have a cosy, quiet area for children to enjoy. It includes a sofa, soft mat, bean bags, teddies and a bookshelf. Staff reminded of the importance of a ‘quiet area’ for young children. Checks will be carried out by management to ensure the cosy area is available at all times for the children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. There were unprotected sharp corners on some of the shelving units and tables in the Junior ECCE Room. These are a potential injury hazard. Infection Control: The following infection control risks were observed; 2. The nappy changing policy of the service was not being fully implemented. For example; a staff member was observed to wipe the nappy changing mat with a “baby wipe” after the procedure which is at variance with the services nappy changing procedure that details the requirement to wipe down the nappy changing mat with chlorine-based solution after each nappy change. 3. Soothers were observed to be stored loosely in children’s bags and this practice was confirmed by staff. 4. Table tops and surfaces were observed being cleaning with a disinfectant in the Junior ECCE Room. The registered provider and deputy in charge also confirmed that water and a disinfectant were used to clean toys and surfaces in the service. This is at variance to best practice infection control and cleaning guidelines
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. All tables and sharp edges have been covered with protectors. Staff encouraged to use risk assessments frequently to ensure no sharp corners are visible or harmful. Infection Control: 2. Antibacterial spray and wipes are available to clean down nappy changing surfaces between changes. There is always antibacterial spray and wipes available to staff readily accessible to use between nappy changes. 3. Soothers all stored in individual labelled containers. Soother containers labelled and stored in childrens individual sleep boxes. 4. All table tops and surfaces are cleaned at the end of each day with hot soapy water. Toys are also cleaned with hot, soapy water. Table tops and surfaces are sprayed with antibacterial spray and wiped with anti- bacterial surface wipes during the day Infection control policy ‘Cleaning’ amended to include cleaning methods for all toys, table tops and surfaces
Found compliant: Regulation 11.
Inspection of 27 November 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. 27/11/24 Two Immediate Action Notices were issued under Regulation 23: Safety and Regulation 9: Garda Vetting. 28/11/24 A response was received from the designated person in charge which was accepted by the Inspectorate.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
The registered provider had not completed the required vetting procedures for staff working in the service. (2) (a)&(b) • Four staff members did not have 2 validated written references either from a past employer or from a reputable source. • One staff member did not have a second validated written reference either from a past employer or from a reputable source. (c) Garda vetting was not available for 1 staff member. (d) Police vetting was not available for 1 staff member
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a)&(b) Written references have been received and validated. The registered provider will ensure 2 validated written references are available on file before a staff member commences employment. (c)Application has been made for Garda vetting. At present this staff member does not work in the service during the hours of operation. The registered provider will ensure that garda vetting is sought for all staff members who are working in the service during the hours of operation. (d)An application will be made for police vetting. At present this staff member does not work in the service during the hours of operation. The registered provider will ensure that police vetting is sought where required for any staff member who is working in the service during the hours of operation
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
It was observed that no sheets were provided on the stackable beds to provide comfort between the child and the plastic surface. The children were placed to sleep directly on the plastic surface
Provider's corrective action:
Sheets have now been ordered for the stackable beds. The registered provider will ensure that sheets are available and placed on the beds before the children go to sleep
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
1. In the Pre-ECCE room some of the play equipment to support the areas of interest were placed on high shelving with limits a child’s choice in self-directed play. 2. The outdoor area was poorly equipped with a mud kitchen and water wall with no supporting equipment. There was no additional play equipment available to bring out
Provider's corrective action:
1.All play equipment has been made accessible to children on low-level shelving. The registered provider will ensure that all toys, puzzles, books are available and within reach of children. 2. New play equipment has been purchased for the outdoor area. The registered provider will ensure that play equipment is available in the outdoor area on a daily basis
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
There was no hot alternative meal if a child did not like what was served for dinner
Provider's corrective action:
The main hot meal is now provided by a catering company. Summary Comment 04/12/2024 A referral was made to the Environmental Health Service regarding facilities for the preparation of food. The response received has been reviewed and accepted. The registered provider has addressed the non- compliances and this regulation will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 1 staff member, however, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. At 11:15am in the ECCE Year 1, the surface area temperature of the wall mounted radiator which was within reach of children was recorded at 57◦C. At 12:10pm the temperature was re-checked and had come down to 32.5◦C. At 13:55pm in the Senior ECCE Year 2 room the surface area temperature of the wall mounted radiator which was within reach of children was recorded at 62.7◦c. At .14:15pm the temperature had reduced to 46◦c. Although immediate action was taken and the heat was turned down with furniture placed in front of the heaters, surface areas of radiators above 50◦c and posed a burns risk to children. Infection Control: 3.In the sleep room off ECCE Year 1 room, bed linen was stored together in a box which poses a risk of cross contamination. 4.There was no handwashing carried out by staff and children after nappy changing. 5.Staff were observed taking the nappy bags out to the outdoor bin at the front of the service while still wearing the gloves used for nappy changing contaminating door handles on the way. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. An application has been made to update this staff members garda vetting. The registered provider will ensure that all garda vetting’s are renewed every 3 years. 2. New thermostatically controlled radiators have been purchased. The registered provider will ensure that the surface area of the radiators are checked on a daily basis to ensure the temperature is below 50◦c. Infection Control: 3. Individual boxes are now available for the storage of the children’s bed linen. 4 & 5.A copy of the Nappy Changing Policy was given to each staff member and the prevention of cross contamination was discussed at a staff meeting. The registered provider will ensure that these practices are implemented on a daily basis
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(b) An up to date record was not maintained of the mains powered smoke alarm
Provider's corrective action:
The smoke alarm has now been serviced. The registered provider will ensure that the smoke alarm is serviced on an annual basis
Regulation 29 — Premises
(a) 1.To the rear of the building in the outdoor area water was flowing from a pipe onto the artificial grass. (d) 2. The following was observed in the children’s sanitary facilities: • In the nappy changing area, the hot water tap was loose on the sink. • In the children’s sanitary facilities there was a slow flow of water from the hot water tap at the first sink and no flow of water from the hot water tap at the second sink. • The lino on the floor in the first toilet closet was torn which did not provide a smooth surface for cleaning. 3. The wood around the base of the staff toilet was not painted and therefore did not provide a smooth surface for cleaning. 4.The foot operated pedal bins were broken in the nappy changing room and in the Pre-ECCE room
Provider's corrective action:
(a) 1. A new water heater/ boiler has been installed. The pipe was frozen and burst on the morning of the inspection. The outdoor area will be checked on a regular basis to ensure all items are maintained and repaired if required. (d) 2.The hot water tap has been repaired. Water flow is now steady from the taps in the children’s sanitary area. The lino on the floor has been replaced. 3.The wood around the base of the staff toilet has been painted. 4.Two foot operated pedal bins have been replaced. Staff have been informed to report any maintenance work immediately so as to ensure swift action is taken