Inspection of 26 February 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The staff files for one new member of staff and 3 students that were presented for inspection did not have the following required documents available: (2) (a&b) • Documentary evidence of a 2nd written and validated reference was not available for one student. • No documentary evidence was available to indicate that the 2 written references available for one student were validated. (d) Documentary evidence was not available of international police vetting for 1 new staff member who had resided outside the Irish jurisdiction for a period of 6 months or more as an adult. (3) From the documentary evidence available for inspection, one new staff member and 2 students had commenced working in the service prior to the required written and validated references and international police vetting being obtained. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to confirm that one new member of staff who works directly with the children held at least the minimum required level 5 childcare qualification on the National Framework of Childcare Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
- s (2)(a)&(b) A second reference is now on file and attached as evidence. Going forward, all staff and students will have two written and validated references prior to starting in the service. Staff files will be reviewed on a bi-annual basis to ensure the necessary documents are held on file. (d)The member of staff has now left our service. International Police vetting, in so far is practical, is undertaken by the individual and given to the employer before commencing employment. (3)Going forward, all staff and students will have two written and validated references prior to starting work in the service. Staff files will be reviewed on a bi annual basis to ensure the necessary documents are held on file. (4)The awarded Level 5 Certificate is now attached. Documentary evidence will be sought and kept on file to confirm that staff who work directly with the children hold at least the minimum required Level 5 in Early Years childcare on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Department
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) At 3.35pm it was observed that there were an inadequate number of adults working directly with the children attending the Hedgehogs Room. The following adult: child ratios were observed in the Hedgehogs Room: There were 9 preschool children (aged 3-5 years) attending this room with 1 staff member. Two staff were required
Provider's corrective action:
- s Management and relevant staff will regularly check the number of children in the rooms in order that the correct adult:child ratio is in place. Management and the Designated Person in Charge will maintain the minimum adult:child ratios at all times. Staff planning and the Staff Roster will be regularly reviewed by management to ensure an adequate number of staff are available at all times. Summary Comment The registered provider submitted details of the corrective and preventative actions taken in the service to address the non-compliance. Based on the information submitted, the non-compliance identified under Regulation 11 has been adequately addressed. Implementation and sustainment of the corrective and preventative actions will be assessed at the next inspection
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(h) In the Squirrels room at 11.45am it was observed that the children’s attendance record was partially pre- populated, with 5 children who were still present in the room already signed out for 1pm. In addition, 1 child who had already gone home earlier in the morning was not signed out. (j) Documentary evidence detailing the administration of a prescribed medication that had been administered to a child attending the Bunnies Room at 12.00pm was not available when requested by the inspector at 2.50pm. Three administration of medication forms available for one child attending the Foxes Room were also reviewed and were found to be incomplete. They did not contain all the required information e.g. form 1 did not detail the name or dose of the medication administered or a parent signature indicating that they had been informed. The 2nd and 3rd forms reviewed did not detail a parent signature indicating that they had been informed. This is at variance with the services administration of medication policy that states “2 members of staff sign and state the time that the medication was given. This is then counter signed by the parent at collection”. Additionally documented parental consent was not available for the administration of this prescribed medication for another child who also required a prescribed medication to be administered and who was attending the Foxes Room. (k) A sample of 39 accident and incident forms were reviewed. The records reviewed were not all fully completed. Four had no parental signatures to indicate the parent had been informed of the incident and 18 did not include the signature of the manager/ person in charge indicating that they had reviewed the information
Provider's corrective action:
- (h) Staff have been reminded not to prepopulate attendance records and arrivals and departures must be recorded in real time as children arrive and depart from the setting. Staff training has taken place to educate staff on their roles and responsibilities in managing the service records. Management will review/check attendance records on an ad hoc basis and monthly to ensure compliance. (j)Staff training on the importance of their role and responsibilities in ensuring the correct completion of Consent of Administration of Medication i.e. the form is fully completed by parents and signed by parents prior to the administration of any medication to a child. The administration of medication child record form is competed by staff x 2 in real time of the administration and signed by parents at the end of each day. Staff training on the importance of details being accurately recorded of any medication given to a child attending the service with signed parent or guardian consent completed beforehand. There will be a regular review of Administration of Medication Policy. Management will ensure that all administration forms are completed correctly. (k)All details included in the Accident / incident reporting forms have been reviewed by the Person in Charge and signed and dated. Staff training on the importance of their role and responsibilities in managing the service records including the comprehensive completion of the accident/incident reporting forms and signing by the Person in Charge at the time. Management will regularly review accident/incident forms to check that they are completed in full
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (3) At approximately 3.35pm in the Foxes Room, one child was observed crying over at the soft area. A staff member went over and knelt down beside the child to ask what was wrong. The child told the staff member that a peer sitting beside them had hit them. The staff member was then observed to turn to that child, still down at their level and point their finger at them saying “you can’t be hitting, that’s the 3rd time you hit today” and then got up and walked away saying to the other staff member “… is after walloping ….”. This is not an effective form of behaviour management as it did not adequately address the situation or provide sufficient support to either child involved
Provider's corrective action:
- s (3)Staff in the afternoon Foxes room have been spoken to by management. All interactions with children are aimed at promoting their wellbeing and staff expectations for children’s behaviour should always be developmentally appropriate. All staff will complete Positive Behaviour Management training on 13th and 20th April 2026.Certificates will be kept on file. Management, Room Leaders and all other staff shall ensure that no practices that are disrespectful or degrading are carried out in respect of a preschool child in our service. Ongoing staff training and supervision in the use of Positive Behaviour strategies. The key components of Regulation 19 (3) and (5) has been provided to all staff, read and signed and is available in all care rooms
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection General Safety: 1. The following elevated hot water temperatures were observed during the inspection: At 11.35am the hot water temperature in the sanitary area off the Bunnies Room was recorded at 49.1°C At 12.00pm the hot water temperature in the sanitary area off the Foxes Room was recorded at 44.7°C At 12.00pm the hot water temperature in the sanitary area upstairs was recorded at 45.5o C and 45.3o C. These temperatures exceeded the recommended maximum hot water temperature of 43°C. Additionally, the risk assessment sheets that were on display in the sanitary areas did not detail the hot water temperature as a potential risk even though this is also a recurring non-compliance from the previous inspection on 05/06/2025. 2. A number of low-level sharp corners were exposed in the Montessori (Owls) and Squirrels Rooms and are a potential injury hazard. 3. The CD players in the Montessori (Owls) and Squirrels Rooms were unsecured and at an accessible level to the children. These are a potential impact and injury risk. In addition, this is a recurrent non-compliance and is at variance to the registered provider’s previous response that “ the CD player has been moved to a shelf that is inaccessible to the children”. Infection Control: The staff did not always take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of infection in the service. For example; 4. In the Foxes room one staff member was observed to carry out a number of nappy changes and did not wear the required disposable apron during the procedure. This same staff member did not wash their hands or the children’s hands following each nappy change. This is at variance with the best practice infection control guidelines and the services own infection control policy. 5. In the Foxes room the staff member carrying out nappy changes was observed to keep the used gloves on and proceed to empty the room bin and dispose of the bin bag outside, with multiple touches of door handles with the used gloves still in place. 6. In the Bunnies and Foxes Rooms the nappy changing mats observed in use were torn with foam exposed and this does not allow for effective cleaning. 7. Hand washing was not observed being carried out prior to lunch time in the Foxes Room. This is a cross- contamination risk. Safe Sleep: 8. The sleep room temperature was not documented as part of the 10-minute physical sleep observation in the Bunnies Room or the Foxes Room when it became a sleep room. 9. There was no room thermometer in the Foxes Room for staff to check the room temperature during sleep checks. 10. The Foxes Room was very dark when the blinds were pulled to facilitate the sleeping children. This does not allow staff to adequate check children’s breathing and colour
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Actions 1. General Safety 1. The temperature of the running water in the sanitary areas have been checked. A risk assessment on the temperature of the hot water in the hand wash sinks has been carried out. See evidence Safety Checks example 1 and 2. Staff have been instructed to ensure that each wash-hand basin is equipped so that the user has access to, running cold and hot water and that the hot water temperature should be no more than 43°C.Daily and Monthly risk assessments carried out in each room. Staff have been instructed on the potential hazard of the hand wash sinks hot water and are to inform Management of any issues identified. 2. The 2 corner protectors have been replaced. Staff have been trained on the safety hazard that sharp corners can pose. Our service keeps a supply of corner protectors in stock at all times in order that protectors can be renewed immediately Management will ensure that all aspects of the service are reviewed and assessed to ensure the safety of all the children attending. Daily and Monthly Risk Assessments carried out in each room. 3. Staff have been reminded that after use CD players are to be wrapped up and put safely away out of reach from the children. Daily and monthly risk assessments are carried out. Regular review of safety statement including risk assessments Infection Control 4&5 The key points of the nappy changing procedure are displayed in nappy changing areas. Regular review of Nappy Changing Policy. Staff have been trained in the correct nappy changing procedure as per our nappy changing policy. 6. New changing mats have been purchased. Our service always keeps spare nappy change mats in stock. Daily safety and risk assessments are carried out. 7. Staff have been reminded of the correct hand-washing procedure including the use of warm running water. Staff training and Supervision on the correct implementation of the handwashing policy. Ongoing review of Infection Control procedures and policies including the handwashing policy Safe Sleep 8. Physical safe sleep observations were carried out every 10 minutes and documented as required according to the services safe sleep policy and best practice guidelines. Sleeping children are supervised at all times by; a staff member remaining in the room where children are sleeping; or a staff member going into the sleep room at least every 10 minutes and observing each child (only where children are sleeping in standard cots). Physical checks of sleeping children (at least every 10 minutes) are recorded in accordance with the service’s policy on safe sleep. 9. A room thermometer is now in place in the Foxes room for sleep time. Staff training and supervision on the correct implementation of our Safe Sleep Policy. 10. There is low level dim lighting in the Foxes room during sleep time. The staff member on sleep duty sits right next to the children and every 10 minutes (or as required e.g. if a child wakens) gets up and moves around the individual children to check on their breathing and colour. Regular safety audits are carried out to ensure health and safety hazards are minimized. Our Safe Sleep Policy has been reviewed to explain in detail the requirements involved in observing children during sleep / rest times. Management and Room Leaders will regularly review all staff practices to ensure compliance with health and safety and the Safe Sleep Policy
Found compliant: Regulation 26.