# Little Acorns Montessori Playschool, Buncrana — inspection reports and findings

> Little Acorns Montessori Playschool (Buncrana, Co. Donegal): what Tusla inspections found — 1 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Little Acorns Montessori Playschool

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Buncrana, Donegal · Tusla ID **TU2020DL005** · Registered since 19 October 2023

An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md).

#### Inspection of 4 September 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

- Physical and material environment 1. The indoor environment did not support the preschool children in initiating and sustaining play activities. The preschool room layout did not adequately meet the needs of the children present due to a lack of clearly defined interest areas and lack of available equipment. For example, during painting time, there was insufficient table space for each of the children to work at. This resulted in some children placing their paper on the floor and on the large windowsill. Minor disagreements between the children in relation to lack of space at the table occurred during this time. 2. There was no soft furniture or seating to provide a rest area, should the children require it. 3. A limited number of books were present in the room; however, these were stored on high shelving out of the children’s reach. 4. Some of the equipment in the preschool room was not functioning properly. For example, a play kitchen was missing both the “tap” and all the doors. Equipment that is not working or broken does not provide an enjoyable play experience for children and they do not get the benefit developmentally from these toys that can promote cause and effect rewards

- 1.Staff have created areas within the preschool room. 2. Staff have created a quiet area with soft furnishings. 3. Staff have moved books to children’s level. 4. Management have purchased a new play kitchen and staff have removed any other broken equipment. Management will do monthly spot checks to ensure the preschool room has areas, quiet area, books at children’s levels and no broken equipment

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: • Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure 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’. • In the outdoor area, a piece of equipment for the mud kitchen was broken exposing a piece of sharp and rusting metal, posing a risk to children. • In the preschool room, a cover cap was missing from the radiator, exposing a sharp point, posing a risk of injury to children. • In the sanitary accommodation, a cover was missing from the mechanical ventilation. • In the second sanitary accommodation, a large accumulation of dust had gathered in the mechanical ventilation, reducing the extraction required as there was no openable window in the toilet area. • In the preschool room, the metal grill on top of the radiator had become detached, exposing a large accumulation of dust and objects underneath. This posed a risk of injury to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

- General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting application was put through and has been returned. 2. Broken equipment removed. 3. New cover cap purchased and installed 4. New cover purchased and installed 5. Vent has been cleaned 6. Metal grill fixed

Found compliant: Regulation 8, 11, 25, 26, 28.

### Other services in Donegal

- [Little Acorns Montessori Playschool](/creche/little-acorns-montessori-playschool-carndonagh.md) Carndonagh
- [Little Acorns Nursery](/creche/little-acorns-nursery-buncrana.md) Buncrana
- [Little Bears Afterschool & Activities](/creche/little-bears-afterschool-activities-donegal.md) Donegal
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- [New Beginnings Pre-school](/creche/new-beginnings-pre-school-burnfoot.md) Burnfoot
- [Barnesmore Montessori School](/creche/barnesmore-montessori-school-barnesmore.md) Barnesmore
- [Naíonra Ghleann Cholmcille](/creche/naionra-ghleann-cholmcille-gleann-cholm-cille.md) Gleann Cholm Cille
- [Small World Childcare Afterschool](/creche/small-world-childcare-afterschool-donegal-town.md) Donegal Town
- [Kiddlywinks CC LTD](/creche/kiddlywinks-cc-ltd-donegal-town.md) Donegal Town

[Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md)

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Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/little-acorns-montessori-playschool-buncrana-2/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11