Inspection of 29 August 2025 — Inspection Report
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
Provider's corrective action:
- 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
Provider's corrective action:
- 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
Provider's corrective action:
- : 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
Provider's corrective action:
- 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
Provider's corrective action:
- 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.