# Learn And Laugh Childcare, Balgaddy — inspection reports and findings > Learn And Laugh Childcare (Balgaddy, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Learn And Laugh Childcare Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Balgaddy, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2017DS502** · Registered since 30 September 2023 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 25 May 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Trailing electrical cables were in reach of the children and posed a risk of harm as follows; - A trailing electrical cable was hanging from a shelf to a low-level socket in the Toddler room. - A trailing cable was protruding from underneath a radiator cover along the ground to a low-level socket in the Montessori room. Infection Control: 2. The mat in use for changing nappies during the inspection was torn along the bottom exposing internal foam which appeared soiled and could not be effectively cleaned. 3. Perishable items in children’s lunchboxes including cooked meats, cheese, and yoghurts were stored in children’s bags at room temperature prior to consumption at 10:30am for morning snack. This posed a risk of gastrointestinal illness to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider submitted the following response: - General Safety: 1. The service has decided to take away the electronic item that was in the Toddler room have now replaced the socket with a safety plug. The service will make sure there will be no objects with trailing wires, all wires in future will be tacked to wall. The service has removed the extension lead from under the radiator cover in the Montessori room. Infection Control: 2. The service has gotten rid of the old nappy changing mat and replaced it with one. Each week nappy changing mat will be inspected. 3. All children’s lunches will now be stored in the refrigerator in the kitchen. The service will be purchasing a small fridge for the Montessori class so all lunches from both the Toddler class and Montessori class can be stored upstairs and preschool in fridge downstairs. Parents have been kindly asked to provide their children’s snack in a zip lock bag to fit all lunches into fridge Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25. #### Inspection of 29 April 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice (IAN) was issued to the registered provider on the 29th of April 2025 in respect non- compliance identified under ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. In the sanitary area upstairs the children’s toilet seat was loose and posed a safety concern for the children using it. 2. In the sanitary area upstairs the toilet sink was loose and could move easily which posed a safety concern to the children. 3. The attic door upstairs was broken and hanging down exposing an open stair ladder, children were observed to be walking underneath it on the day of inspection, this posed a significant safety concern to the children. Infection Control: 4. The nappy changing mat in the designated nappy changing area was torn, as a result it could not be effectively cleaned for infection control purposes. 5. The nappy bin in the sanitary area was not pedal operated which posed a risk of cross contamination. 6. The nappy change observed was at variance with the service policy. The staff member did not wipe down the nappy mat in between the nappy changes which poses a risk of cross contamination. Fire Safety: 7. Monthly fire drills were not recorded. The last fire drill recorded was dated 21st January 2025 posing a potential safety risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The children’s toilet seats upstairs have been replaced. All toilet’s will be monitored daily to insure this will not happen again. 2. The sink in the children’s upstairs bathroom has been replaced. This will be monitored daily to insure this will not happen again. 3. The lock on the attic door has been replaced. This will be monitored daily to insure this will not happen again. Infection Control: 4. The nappy changing mat has been replaced with a new mat. The nappy changing mat will be checked daily to insure it has no rips in it. 5. A new nappy bin with a pedal has been placed in the nappy changing Area. This is our new way of disposing nappies. 6. All Staff were given a copy of the nappy changing policy. All staff were reminded of the importance of wiping down mat after each child. Fire Safety: 7. Staff meeting took place after inspection. Management was reminded of the importance of recording fire drills monthly. Registered provider will spot check fire drills book to make sure these are recorded ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - A person trained in First Aid Responder (FAR) was not available to the children in the service at all times. An immediate action notice was issued following the inspection in relation to Regulation 25(1). This was found non-compliant on the previous two inspections dated 2nd November 2022 and 26th June 2024 - (1) Two staff members have started there FAR course. Evidence of booking has been sent, the two staff members are on day 2 of this Friday the 16th of May. Certs will be sent as soon as course is completed Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 22, 26. #### Inspection of 26 June 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (a)(b) There were no references available for one adult - Two adults who were working directly with the preschool children on the day of inspection did not hold a qualification at a minimum Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The non-compliance under (9)(4) was identified on the last two inspections dated 24 th February 2021 and 22 nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider to address the issue had not been implemented - References were not available for registered provider as registered provider does not work directly with children. Registered provider now has a folder with verified references for future inspections - On the day of inspection, there was one adult working directly with children in the downstairs class our ECCE class had finished up on Friday the 21st of June. Only adults with a minimum level QQI Level 5 will work will with early years children transitioning will not take place again ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (i) There was a staff roster available however, if was not reflective of the staff compliment on both days of inspection. The roster detailed the staffing for the previous weeks which included staff members who were not present on the day of inspection. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the reoccurrence of the non-compliance - This was the end of year new staff rosters have been processed for summer months. New rosters have now been put in place. All staff Rosters have now been updated these are updated weekly to comply with staff absences and cover work if needed ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. There was no specified menu in place in the service to detail what meal the children were going to be served each day. The person in charge showed inspectors a list of eight specified dinners which were displayed on a page in the kitchen, and reported staff decide each morning what to cook the children. This is at variance with the corrective actions submitted by the registered provider following the last inspection of the service which stated a nutritious rotating menu would be in place. This was found non-compliant on the previous three inspections dated 6th June 2018, 24th February 2021 and 2nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the reoccurrence of the non-compliance - There was a menu available, but the menu didn’t have specific days, but each parent was noted verbally each day of what dinner their child had. A two-week menu has now been put in place this is up in our parents notice board for parents to see and one in the kitchen area ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A cupboard containing the boiler on the first floor was accessible to children. The temperature recorded on an exposed pipe was 59.0o Celsius which could cause injury to a preschool child. This was found non-compliant on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. 2. The kitchen was accessible to the children attending the preschool room. A number of hazards were contained within including electrical cables, cooker and kettle were accessible. Infection Control: 3. The nappy change observed was at variance with the service policy. The staff member re-dressed the child with soiled gloves used during the nappy change which poses a risk of cross contamination. 4. The children in the Montessori room did not wash their hands following outdoor play. This is not conducive with the service policy. 5. A number of rubber couches in the Toddler and Montessori rooms were torn in places with exposed foam. These can’t be cleaned effectively and poses a risk of cross contamination. This was found non-compliant on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the reoccurrence of the non-compliance. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. A lock was put up on cupboard after last inspection unfortunately a staff member forgot to lock it the night before. A new lock has been put in place, and all staff are aware of how important it is to keep the lock closed at all times. 2. There was a gate on the door into kitchen yes it was damaged but always closed with the door shut. This gate has now been replaced. Infection Control: 3. Staff member was approached after inspection, staff said she however change the gloves before re-dressing the child, but inspector turned into toddler room to the other inspector and didn’t notice gloves been changed. This nappy policy has always been followed. 4. Staff members are well aware of the importance of hand washing. We Have addressed our infection control policy at our staff meeting. 5. Couches have since been removed and we are waiting on new ones. Couches are waiting delivery ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - A person trained in First Aid Responder was not available to the children in the service at all times. It s acknowledged that a number of staff members had paediatric first aid however the requirement for a person trained in First Aid Responder was not met. This was found non-compliant on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the non-compliance from re-occurring - (a) The first aid box was not stored in a conspicuous position within the service. The inspectors had to ask where the first aid box was located and it was stored in a cupboard under a desk in the kitchen. There was no signage identifying it’s location. (b) The first aid box was not suitably equipped. There was no sterile wipes or water available to clean cuts and only two plasters were available - (1) Staff member was trained in FAR did finish up on the previous Friday all other staff do have First Aid certs. Two More staff have now been signed up to do FAR Training, this means a staff with FAR training will always be on the premises. (2)(a) Signage was in all rooms but clearly too small for the inspectors to see, all staff are aware of the first aid box location. Signage has been updated in larger print in all areas. (b) As it was the end of year our first aid box was due an update, these products are stored in the kitchen as spare and a list is sent to registered provider by management of what is needed. New first aid box ordered from early childhood ##### Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures - (a) It is acknowledged that there was a record of fire drills kept in the service however the details recorded were at variance with the opening times and attendance records of the service. A fire drill was recorded to have taken place on the 6th May 2024, however the service was closed on this day due to it being a bank holiday. On the 7th February 2024 the record stated there were 5 staff and 23 children present however, attendance records showed that there were 31children present that day. On the 17th January 2024 the fire drill record stated that there were 5 staff and 24 children who took part in the drill however the attendance records on that day stated that there were 31 children present at the time the fire drill took place. A failure to practice fire drills can cause a risk to the safe evacuation of children in the event of a fire - Unfortunately, this was a mistake on my behalf of my manager. Dates were incorrect as she had thought it was a Monday after the bank holiday. Manager has been approached by registered provider of how serious fire drills are and to make sure these are done correctly every month. Staff member has been spoken to about the importance of the safety of fire drills, staff member was reminded to look at dates and to count the children correctly on days of fire drills. As the registered provider I have stood in on recent fire drills and checked the fire drill has been done and recorded correctly ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - Adequate sanitary facilities were not available in the service. There were three toilets, a nappy changing unit and three wash hand basins available on the premises. On the busiest day there were 32 preschool children attending the service and 8 staff. The required number of nappy changing units, toilets and wash hand basins are 1 nappy changing unit and sink to every 11 nappy wearing children, 1 toilet to every 11 children and 1 toilet to every 8 adults. This was found non-compliant on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the re-occurrence of the non-compliance - Once again, we went on staff ratios rather than space and sanitary facilities. From September our numbers are 25 children whom some will still be in nappies therefore we will and always remain this way. We have now reduced the number of children in upstairs Montessori room to 9 children therefore the ratio now matches the sanitary facilities of 1:11 We have now reduced the number of children in the downstairs pre-school class to 11 children therefore the ratio now matches the sanitary facilities of 1:11 The Toddler class has 5 Toddlers therefore the ratio now matches the nappy changing facilities of 1:5 ##### Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements - The registered provider did not ensure that there was adequate clear floor space available to the children all care rooms in the service as follows: Room Name No of Children currently attending the Room Floor Space Available Required Floor Space Montessori Room 12 children on a sessional basis. 17.85sqm 21.81sqm for 12 children on a sessional basis Preschool Room 16 on a sessional basis 23.72sqm 29.08sqm Preschool Room following the sessional service 16 children on a full daycare basis. 17.85sqm 36.8sqm This was found non-compliant on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the re-occurrence of the non-compliance - Again, I went on ratios rather than floor space. As explained in an email previously to Tulsa this will never happen again, and we completely understand the risks involved ##### Regulation not named in the report text - (1)(2) The registered provider did not notify the Agency in writing that the number of children registered and attending the service had increased from twenty-five to thirty-two. Staff and attendance records confirmed that thirty-two children were registered and attending the service from September 2023 to June 2024. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection dated 22nd November 2022. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider did not prevent the reoccurrence of the non-compliance - Our explanation as to why the change was not notified to the regulator before implementation on the 29th of August 2023 is that all classes were done to staff ratios rather than floor space, again we apologize and realise that this is a serious matter. We do understand that our floor space cannot accommodate over 25 children, and we are following this requirement most definite from September 2024. I as the owner and all staff members have had serious meetings over this matter. Classes going forward from September 2024 will meet all space requirements: Toddler Room: 5 Children Preschool downstairs: 11 Children Montessori room: 9 children Found compliant: Regulation 11, 24. ### Other services in Dublin - [Learn and Play Preschool and Afterschool CLG](/creche/learn-and-play-preschool-and-afterschool-clg-dublin-17.md) Dublin 17 - [Learning For Life](/creche/learning-for-life-lucan.md) Lucan - [Let's Play Pre-School](/creche/let-s-play-pre-school-dublin-16.md) Dublin 16 - [Lily Pads Créche & Montessori](/creche/lily-pads-creche-montessori-dublin-14.md) Dublin 14 - [Links Childcare](/creche/links-childcare-dublin-18.md) Dublin 18 - [Little Eaton Montessori](/creche/little-eaton-montessori-dublin-18.md) Dublin 18 - [Little Scholars](/creche/little-scholars-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [My Ohana IKEA](/creche/my-ohana-ikea-dublin-9.md) Dublin 9 - [Seed To Tree Childcare](/creche/seed-to-tree-childcare-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Buttercup Creche](/creche/buttercup-creche-dublin-14-2.md) Dublin 14 [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/learn-and-laugh-childcare-balgaddy/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11