# Little Acorns Creche, Carrigallen — inspection reports and findings > Little Acorns Creche (Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Acorns Creche Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Carrigallen, Leitrim · Tusla ID **TU2015LM024** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 29 August 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2) (a) (b) One adult did not have a second reference on file. On a review of the employment record, the employee had previous employment - In a written response the registered provider stated: A second reference was received; in the future we will have two references on file for all adults ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - The registered provider did not ensure that an adequate number of adults were working directly with the preschool children at all times as follows. On the morning of the unannounced inspection 5 adults worked directly with 31 children aged from 10 months to six years of age as outlined below. The person in charge worked in the office, kitchen and provided break cover for the childcare workers. At 10:08 approximately the following ratios were observed: • Toddler Room; Two adults worked directly with 11 preschool children. Four children were aged under 1 years of age, Four children aged between one and two years of age and three children aged three children aged two years of age. The correct ratio for children aged under one year is 1:3 and children between 1 to 2.5 years is 1:5. • Preschool Room: Two adults worked directly with 17 children aged from 2 years to 6 years of age, the correct ratio for this age group is 1:8. At 13:01 the following ratios were observed: • Toddler Room; Two adults worked directly with 12 preschool children aged between 10 months and two years. • Preschool room: Two adults worked with 18 children aged between 2 years to 6 years of age - In a written response the registered provider stated: The Manager will ensure that staff child ratios in each room will be maintained at all times ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - (1) (b) A piece of foam was provided in the baby sleep room as a mattress in one cot for children under two years of age. This mattress did not provide evidence of meeting the EU safety standards therefore posing a risk to the preschool child - : In a written response the registered provider stated: A new mattress has been ordered for the cot. Staff will carry our weekly checks and risk assessment on all mattresses to maintain safety. Safety checks will be signed and dated ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Staff in the baby/toddler room were observed to place children into the highchairs without securing them using the harness provided resulting in a safety risk to the young child. 2. Infant formula was observed to be made up on site using the cooled sterilised water sent in from home. Infant formula should be made up with cold water as this poses a safety risk. 3. A baby was observed to be given a bottle while lying horizontally in a bouncer, once the inspector intervened and asked the staff member not to feed in this position as it is a choking risk, the staff member immediately held the baby in their arms to feed the bottle. 4. A cot was positioned beside an electric socket with no protector cover. As this socket was in easy access to a child, this could pose a safety risk. 5. Garda vetting was available for ten adults in the service . However, two of these vetting disclosures 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’. Infection Control: 6. The nappy bin in the nappy changing room did not have the required foot pedal operated mechanism posing a risk of infection control. 7. The bin in the downstairs bathroom had a broken pedal resulting in a risk of cross infection as the lid had to be manually opened. 8. Hand hygiene was observed not to be completed by adults or children throughout nappy changes observed in the baby/toddler room. Thus, posing a risk of infection control. 9. Three mattresses in both baby sleep rooms did not have the required waterproof protector cover for infection control. Administration of Medication: 10. A sample of medication records reviewed on the day of inspection did not have the required witness signature as per the service medication policy. This could pose a risk to the preschool child Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. This was discussed at a staff meeting and all staff are aware of the importance of ensuring the harness are in place. Posters have been put up to remind staff and the policy has been updated. 2. It states in the Parents Handbook that we do not store formula onsite, and the manager informed parent of same. The formula was returned to the parent immediately. Manager reminded staff of the policy and no formula will be stored onsite in the future. 3. The manager reminded the full staff team that it is not safe to feed a child while the child is lying horizontally in a bouncer as it is a choking risk and therefore is not acceptable. The policy states that staff must hold the child upright when they are feeding to avoid a choking risk. We reviewed feeding policy with all staff which states that children must be upright for feeding and babies under 12 months must be held. 4. The manager has checked that all sockets are covered with appropriate safety covers at all times. Staff will carry out safety checks of their rooms each morning an evening. 5. Garda vetting was applied for and received. Garda vetting will be renewed every three years. Infection Control: 6. A new foot operated pedal bin has been purchased. This will be added to our check lists. 7. A new foot operated pedal bin has been purchased. This will be added to our check lists. 8. We discussed this with staff as the policy states that staff must wash their hands each time after changing a child’s nappy. 9. New waterproof mattress protectors were purchased. These will be checked regularly. Administration of Medication: 10. Medication amended to include a required witness signature and staff informed of the updated change ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (2) (a) (b) There was an inadequate number of in date first aid equipment for the number of children attending the service - In a written statement the registered provider stated: The items purchased for the first aid box. Checked against the recommended contents of first aid box as listed in the QRF. The manager will review the first aid kit to ensure items are in date and there is a sufficient amount. This check will be done regularly Found compliant: Regulation 16, 22, 27. #### Inspection of 26 September 2023 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2) (c) Garda vetting was not available for one adult. It is acknowledged that the vetting has been applied for and the adult does not directly work with children - (2) (c). Garda vetting received on the 29.10.2023. Garda vetting will be received prior to employment for future employees ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. One highchair did not have the required safety harness in place to safeguard the child. 2. On the day of inspection, it was observed by the inspector that at dinner time in the baby and Toddler room, one child was placed in a highchair and the safety harness was not used to secure the child. 3. A baby walker was observed to be in use in the outdoor area. Baby walkers are prohibited in preschool services. 4. On the day of inspection water temperature measured in hand washing sink of the designated nappy changing area measured 55°C, which poses a risk of scalding Infection Control: 5. Two of the cots provided in the sleep room did not have the required waterproof cover. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The harness was attached immediately, and staff have been informed to always have the straps secure. 2. At the staff meeting, the manager went through the importance of securing children in the high chairs. This will be discussed in all staff meetings. 3. The baby walker was removed from the service. 4. The temperature valve was reduced, and the water is now a safe temperature. Water temperature checks will be completed daily. Infection Control: 5. New waterproof protectors were purchased Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 25, 26, 28. ### Other services in Leitrim - [Little Learners Ltd](/creche/little-learners-ltd-manorhamilton.md) Manorhamilton - [Manorhamilton Childcare Services CLG](/creche/manorhamilton-childcare-services-clg-manorhamilton.md) Manorhamilton - [Shannonside Community Childcare Centre](/creche/shannonside-community-childcare-centre-carrick-on-shannon.md) Carrick On Shannon - [Ballinamore Childcare](/creche/ballinamore-childcare-ballinamore.md) Ballinamore - [Eivers Lane Childcare CLG](/creche/eivers-lane-childcare-clg-mohill.md) Mohill - [Childhood Days](/creche/childhood-days-drumshanbo.md) Drumshanbo - [Kinlough Child Care Ltd](/creche/kinlough-child-care-ltd-kinlough.md) Kinlough [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/little-acorns-creche-carrigallen/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11