Inspection of 28 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, the vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice Renewal of Garda Vetting. 2. A cabinet door located at children’s level in the Playschool room was found to be inadequately secured to its hinges, creating a potential safety hazard. 3. Electrical cables were not securely attached to the wall in the Playschool room, posing a potential risk to the children’s safety. 4. A staff member was observed carrying two children up a stairs during a transition from the outdoor area to the care room leaving no free hand to hold the handrail. This practice posed a risk to the safety of both children and the children walking behind the staff member. 5. A blind cord in the Wobbler room was not safely attached to the wall posing a risk to the children’s safety. Infection Control: 6. A number of nappy changing practices observed during the inspection posed a risk of the spread of infection as follows: • One staff member was observed placing a nappy bag containing a soiled nappy and wipes into the handwashing sink used by staff to wash their hands following nappy changing. Although there was a pedal operated bin provided, the staff member was observed to use their hand to open the bin and dispose of the waste. • Two children were not provided with the opportunity to wash their hands following nappy changing. • A staff member did not wash their hands after cleaning a soiled nappy changing mat. 7. A number of areas in the service were observed to have a noticeable accumulation of dirt and dust, posing a risk of the spread of infection. The areas included: • the nappy changing mats in both sanitary areas • the floor and sinks in the ground floor sanitary area • the shelving in one of the care rooms 8. Children’s bedding was not stored individually in the Wobbler room, posing a risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 9. The registered providers did not ensure the children’s administration of medication records contained the required information. A sample of six records were reviewed and found to be missing the following information: • Parents signature • Details of why the child was receiving the medication • Childs date of birth Safe Sleep: 10. The inspector observed one child under the age of two in the Playschool room and three children under the age of two in the Wobbler room sleeping on low level stackable beds. This practice does not align with current safe sleep guidelines. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been obtained for the staff member, and the registered providers have created a log of vetting requirements, including dates for renewal of Garda vetting for each staff member. This log will be checked monthly to ensure compliance. 2. The door was repaired the day after the inspection, and a DIY to do list has been added to the service’s compliance checklist. Additionally, the staff handbook contains information on the requirement to alert the registered providers of any repairs required 3. The cables have been secured, staff were advised to ensure cables are tidy, and the checking of cables has been added to a checklist. 4. Staff have received training on using the stairs safely, and the policy on using the stairs has been updated. 5. The blind cord has been safely secured, checks on blind cords have been added to the service checklist, and staff have been asked to alert management of any equipment requiring repair. Infection Control: 6. All staff have been retrained in the nappy changing procedure, with a particular focus on handwashing and a space has been created to hold nappy bags until they are disposed of in the pedal bin. Staff will be reminded regularly of the importance of hand washing and following the nappy changing procedure. 7. The nappy changing mats have been cleaned, and a deep clean of the changing mats has been added to the bathroom cleaning checklist. Management will ensure the bathrooms are cleaned daily, and staff have been advised to use the cleaning checklist and to clean handwashing sinks after messy play. 8. Individual baskets have been provided for children’s bedding, and staff have been advised that they are to be used going forward. Administration of Medication: 9. Staff have been retrained in completing the medicine book. A guidance note has been placed on the front of the medicine book and checks on the book has been added to the compliance checklist. Safe Sleep: 10. Staff are now using the sleep policy and an individual risk assessment for any child under the age of two requiring a floor bed. In addition, new floor beds have been purchased
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (a) During discussions with the inspector, staff reported that regular fire drills were not carried out in the service. Documentation reviewed evidenced that no fire drills were conducted in March, May, June, July and September 2025. The absence of regular fire drills poses a safety risk, as staff and children may be unprepared in the event of a fire
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) A fire drill was carried out in November and drills will be conducted monthly going forward. Fire drills have been added to the managers task list to ensure they are planned and carried out consistently
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- During the inspection, it was observed that a staff member left two babies unattended in the Baby room to carry out checks on sleeping babies in a separate sleep room across the corridor. This practice posed a risk to the welfare and safety of the babies
Provider's corrective action:
- Staff will ensure there is cover in the room when carrying out sleep checks and have been advised to contact management or relief staff if needed. Signage has been placed on the wall in the care room detailing steps to follow when cover is required
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 19, 25.