# Little Apples Ltd, Swords — inspection reports and findings > Little Apples Ltd (Swords, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Apples Ltd Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Swords, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2015FL155** · 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 19 June 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2) (a)(b) One staff member did not have 2 written and validated references on file. (d) A review of the documentation concerning the staff members' employment history demonstrated that police vetting was required for two staff members which was not available. (3) The registered provider had not ensured that all vetting procedures were completed prior to staff members commencing in the service. This was evidenced where 9 staff references for 7 staff were dated after they commenced working in the service. (4) The inspectors reviewed documentation and spoke to management staff on the day of inspection. Following this the inspectors could not confirm that three adults, who were observed working directly with the children on the day of inspection, held an appropriate childcare qualification at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications, or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent - (2) (a)(b) Written and validated references were provided for the staff member. (d) The police vetting required for two staff members was submitted and has been placed in their staff file. (3) The registered provider stated that in the future all references will be verified prior to any staff member starting and this was informed to all the Management team. A tick list of documents required has been added to the front of staff file document box. (4) The registered provider stated that one staff member without a qualification will not work with the preschool children and continue to work only with school age children. The service could not confirm another staff member held a level 5 qualification and they no longer worked in the service. However, the service subsequently submitted confirmation that the staff member had achieved a level 5 qualification. Through the corrective action process the inspectorate received the qualification for the third staff member which confirmed they held an appropriate childcare qualification at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. The registered provider did not ensure that all children were afforded with sufficient privacy whilst attending the service. The inspector observed a sample of nappy changes. At each of the nappy changes observed one child was waiting whilst their peer had their nappy changed. During one of these changes a child made a comment about their peer’s nappy being changed. This did not afford the child having their nappy changed appropriate privacy and dignity whilst the process occurred - 1. The registered provider stated that they had updated the nappy policy which clearly states that all children get changed one at a time, this is clearly displayed on the Nappy Changing wall and has been shared and signed by all staff members. As a preventive action the registered provider has stated that this is included in induction and regularly at staff meetings ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A Garda vetting disclosure available for one adult did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years. 2. The registered provider did not ensure that the nappy changing procedure sufficiently provided appropriate supervision. The inspector observed the following. • On two separate occasions one staff member brought two children in for nappy changing. At this time whilst they settled one child to wait for their nappy to be changed, their peer had climbed onto the nappy changing area which was at waist height. 3. Whilst children were waiting to have their nappy changed, they were observed climbing onto the back of a small seat. The service had a previous non-compliance about children waiting to have their nappies changed in the last inspection in February 2024. 4. A slide in the outdoor area was not anchored to the ground to prevent the risk of toppling or the risk of injury to a child. 5. A section of the low-level wooden fence between the two play sections located to the rear of the outdoor play area had become loose and was leaning to one side, which poses a possible risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 6. Inappropriate infection control practices were observed for example. a) Both staff members kept the same apron on whilst changing different children’s nappies. One staff member left the nappy changing room with this apron on and went through the care room to the garden. Both staff members were observed changing soiled nappies. b) One staff member was observed wiping different children’s nose with a tissue during nappy changing. The gloves worn for changing the soiled nappy were still on at this time. 7. The toilet roll and paper towels in the downstairs nappy changing area and hand towel and toilet rolls in the Montessori sanitary area did not support effective infection control. The toilet rolls and paper towels were not stored in a dispenser therefore, the repeated handling of the toilet roll, and paper hand towels increases the risk of cross contamination. This was a non-compliance on the last two inspections in February 2024 and May 2022. It is acknowledged that during the inspection the toilet rolls, and hand towels were added to the dispensers in the Montessori sanitary area. 8. A large selection of clothing was stored in the Montessori sanitary area, which poses a risk of cross infection. Administration of Medication: 9. The registered provider did not ensure the safety of children requiring prescribed medication. A child who staff confirmed required prescribed medication and was in attendance on the day of inspection did not have it available in the service. There was also no care plan available to support staff in identifying and managing symptoms. Therefore there was a risk that the staff members did not have written documentation or medication to support the child in the event of an emergency situation. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The registered provider was using the new Garda Vetting process for an owner of the service and will be vigilant in the future of allowing the time to process the application. 2&3 The registered provider stated that the nappy changing policy had been changed to one staff member and one child and staff have signed the updated policy. The step and seat have been removed, and they will not be permitted in the nappy changing area. 4. The slide was removed from the garden area. 5. The fence was replaced, and the outdoor risk assessment includes to specifically check the fence to avoid it occurring again. Infection Control: 6. The nappy changing policy has been updated which staff have signed. Discussions were had with staff on the changing of gloves and removal of aprons. The use of aprons and changing these and gloves will be discussed at regular team meetings. 7. The registered provider met with the cleaners in relation to this matter to ensure that all towels and toilet rolls are adequately installed to meet all safety standards. Staff have also been shown how to install both hand towels and toilet rolls should they need to do so throughout the course of a day before the cleaner arrives. 8. The clothes were removed for the sanitary area and staff were informed clothes should not be stored there. Administration of Medication: 9. A care plan was immediately written for this child in relation to their care. This has been shared with the parents of the child and the staff members. This is now on display in the care room and also in the nappy changing room. This child’s medication is now stored in a sealed labelled box in the child’s room and all staff are fully aware of it ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (2) (a) (b) The first aid equipment available in the service did not provide adequate resources in the event of a first aid emergency. A review of the two first aid boxes for the service demonstrated that there were insufficient resources for the size of the service. Some of the resources available such dressings and wipes were out of date - (2)(a)(b) The service has updated the first aid kits and have assigned the role of checking the first aid boxes for supplies to the Deputy Manager and they will be checked and signed for on a monthly basis ##### Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures - (1)(b) The registered provider did not ensure that annual services were carried out on the fire extinguishers. Records available for review on the day of inspection for the fire extinguishers were dated September 2022 - (1)(b) The registered provider submitted a maintenance certificate for the fire extinguishers for June 2025. The registered provider and maintenance company have a system in place as a reminder of maintenance requirements ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The registered providers had not ensured that rooms occupied by the children were appropriately cleaned and maintained effectively. 1. The inside glass pane on the window in the Montessori sanitary area was cracked and posed a risk of injury to a child. 2. The sink areas in the Montessori sanitary area had accumulations of dust present, and two trays were placed under both sinks which appeared to catch possible leaks, which poses a risk of harm to a child. 3. There was no cleaning records maintained or available for the Nappy changing, Preschool and Montessori sanitary areas. 4. The skirting board around the cosy corner area in the Baby room was not attached to the wall. 5. A small table for children’s play available in the Wobbler room had exposed chipboards making the surface difficult to clean effectively. 6. A small area on the internal stairs was damaged and made the surface difficult to clean effectively. 7. A corner of the wall in the overflow room located off the Junior Preschool room had chipped paint and plaster, which exposed a metal corner edging posing a risk of injury to a child - (d) The registered provider submitted the following corrective and preventive actions in relation to the maintenance and cleaning. 1. The window glass was replaced, and they will ensure that such cracks etc are reported and replaced as soon as possible. 2. Both containers under the sinks were removed. The Montessori sanitary area was deep cleaned and was discussed with the cleaners. A deep cleaning in these will be added to cleaning records. 3. Cleaning sheets have been updated and implemented. They will be signed by cleaners daily and checks completed by the manager. 4. The skirting board was repaired and discussed with staff the importance of reporting any hazards. 5. A new table was purchased discussed with staff the importance of reporting any repairs. 6. The step has been repaired and checking the stairs has been added to the risk assessment. 7. The area has been repaired, and management will check this area as it is used by different groups Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 28. #### Inspection of 20 February 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** This inspection was unannounced and focused on the area of governance, health, welfare and development of child, safety, premises and facilities. The inspection may also focus on other areas as required. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under regulations 9, 11, 19, 23, 24 and 25; however, on inspection additional non-compliance which posed a risk was identified under Regulation 29. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulations within this report. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2) (a)&(b) One staff member did not have any validated written references on file. One staff member did not have a second validated written reference on file. Five references that were on file had no record of validation to demonstrate that they had been verified with the person who provided the reference. (d) International police vetting was not available for 1 staff member who resided outside of the Irish jurisdiction for longer than 6 consecutive months as an adult - Corrective Action (2) (a)&(b) Validate the written references that are not validated. (d) Follow up on the international police vetting. Preventive Action (2) (a)&(b) Ensure all references are fully validated immediately & was also advised to registered provider that any comments in relation to the employee are added to the candidates file after the interview process. Validated references emailed to Tusla Inspector on 11/4/24. All staff files have been checked to ensure that validated references, garda vetting and police vetting where applicable are held on file in respect of all adults working in the service. Staff files will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the necessary documents as required are held on file. (d) Ensure that police vetting is done prior to the employee starting. In this case the person has been unable to get police vetting as she did not have a visa or public services number and was on an extended holiday. The employee in question has reached out to the relevant authorities to get further clarification on the situation. Going forward manager will as stated above do an annual review on all staff files, references, garda vetting and police vetting ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Physical and material environment: 1. In the Junior Preschool room 4 shelves containing a variety of play resources and materials were turned towards the wall and were therefore inaccessible to the children. The children had access to one shelving unit only and some books to use. This practice does not facilitate children’s choice and independence. 2. The interest areas in the Toddler room and Junior Preschool care rooms were poorly resourced. For example, the kitchens had no associative equipment such as play crockery or cooking utensils for the children to extend their play. Furthermore, the construction area and dolls house in the Toddler room did not have any materials available for the children to extend their play. 3. The home areas in Montessori room 1 and Montessori room 2 had limited supportive play materials available or accessible to the children. This did not support the children in initiating and sustaining role play activities and limited opportunities to stimulate and enhance imaginative play experiences. 4. There was a lack of natural and sensory materials in the care rooms on the ground floor in order to facilitate sensorial play experiences or encourage the children’s creativity and imagination. For example, sensory type materials such as sand, water, rice or pasta trays were not available to the children to enjoy sensory experiences in the Junior wobbler room, Toddler room, Junior Preschool room or in the outdoor area of the service. 5. There was an insufficient range of dress-up costumes available in the care rooms to support role play experiences for the children. 6. There was no supportive equipment available at the play kitchen in the outdoor play area directly outside the Junior preschool room to enable the children to extend their play - Physical and material environment: Corrective Action 1. Manager spoke to the Junior Pre-school team about the importance of having all the activities and equipment available to all children at all times throughout the day. Staff is working together as a team to encourage full choice and independence within the child’s day. Manager has sent an application in to Better start via the hive to get support in helping the staff understand the importance of providing full opportunities to all children at all times. 2. Service has a huge amount of resources for the Toddler Room and the Junior Preschool Room but they are stored away so manager has implanted a rota system to ensure the children are being exposed to a wide variety of equipment. Manager has asked staff and parents to bring old equipment from home that they no longer use such as pots, wooden spoons, kitchen utensils etc. to help extend the children’s learning and experience in the home corner. 3. As with above staff is using a lot more materials from home to help support the children’s learning in Montessori Room 1 & 2. 4. There are sand water and sensorial tables available to the ground floor in their spare room on the ground floor. Manager has spoken to all the staff about bringing these tables into the rooms and giving the children the opportunity to access these learning opportunities at all times. These tables will also need to be brought outside at outdoor play time. 5. Service has a large range of children’s dress up and costumes which staff has ensured are available at all times in the care room. 6. Manager has added utensils to the outdoor kitchen. Preventive Action Rooms will be monitored until such a time that the staff are comfortable, and it becomes the norm to follow the guidance of the Better Start and managers will oversee this and ensure that all recommendations are being taken on board and to consistently increase the use of natural materials in all the rooms ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 2 staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The staff members in the Junior wobbler room stated that they used a microwave oven to warm children’s bottles. This is an inappropriate method of warming milk due to the risk of heating milk unevenly and potential risk of scalding to a preschool child. Infection Control: 3. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not available for hand washing at the wash hand basins in the sanitary accommodation on the first floor at all times. The water in both the hot taps and the cold taps felt cold to touch at 2.40pm. Cold water does not support pre-school children to effectively wash their hands. 4. Throughout the care rooms of the service and in the sanitary accommodation on the first floor and at times in the nappy changing area on the ground floor the paper towel that was available was not hygienically dispensed. The paper that was provided did not fit the paper dispensers available and could not be freely retrieved from the exit portals and was subject to repeat handling thereby increasing the risk of cross contamination which was inadequate for infection control purposes. This noncompliance was observed at the last inspection of the service on the 25/05/2022. 5. There was an increased risk of cross contamination during scheduled nappy changing time in the Junior wobbler room as a number of children were brought to the nappy changing room with 1 staff member available to change and supervise. While the staff member changed a nappy, the inspector observed the waiting children sitting on, crawling and touching the floor. This increases the risk of cross contamination of surfaces and children’s hands. 6. Handwashing was observed not to be carried out at the following times: ➢ The children attending the Toddler and the Junior wobbler room did not have their hands washed after nappy changing. ➢ The children attending the Junior wobbler room did not have their hands washed before they ate. 7. Staff members were observed to wear seamed polythene gloves for nappy changing, these gloves are not suitable due to the risk of splitting or tearing in addition to not having good barrier properties. This noncompliance was observed at the last inspection of the service on the 25/05/2022. 8. Two of the 3 nappy changing mats in the nappy changing area were torn with foam exposed and therefore were unable to be cleaned effectively. The area beneath the nappy changing mats were dusty and dirty. 9. The lid on one of the bins in the nappy changing area was broken and was unable to be opened by the foot mechanism resulting in staff members opening the lid using their hands, this increases the risk of cross contamination of staff members hands. 10. The child sized couch in Montessori room 2 was torn along the full seam joining the seat to the back of the couch leaving a large section of the inner foam exposed. This couch was unable to be cleaned effectively and was an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been re- done for the two staff members, one of the staff members is the cleaner and has no interaction or access to the children at any stage but manager has sent in all records to be renewed for their files. 2. A new bottle warmer was purchased for the Pre-school room and staff were informed that they should never use the microwave for heating the bottles. Infection Control: 3. Cold water repaired. 4. Handtowels replaced in the care rooms and a new system of ordering is in place to ensure that they don’t run out going forward. 5. Manager has changed their system of changing nappies and the children are being brought down one at a time to ensure that no one is sitting on the floor. 6. All staff were reminded of the importance of washing the children’s hands as well as their own after nappy changing and prior to eating to avoid any cross infection. 7. Gloves were changed to the appropriate seam free gloves. 8. Nappy mats replaced immediately. 9. Bin replaced. 10. The child couch was replaced on 28/2/24. Preventive Action All staff files including Garda and Police vetting to be reviewed on an annual basis going forward. A full review of all infection control issues to be done going forward on a monthly basis. At their most recent staff meeting all staff reminded to report any issues they come across throughout the day and report to management to be added to the Hazard list ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (1) A person who held in-date First Aid Response (FAR) training was not immediately available to the children attending the service at all times. One member of staff currently holds in-date First Aid Response (FAR) training; however, the staff roster confirmed that the staff member is not always present in the service from opening to closing on a daily basis - Corrective Action (1) There are currently two staff now with FAR. Manager employed a new member of staff who has her full FAR completed so that is two people trained now. Manager is planning to train one more person on their team in May 2024. Preventive Action (1) A Bi- yearly check on all first aid and manual handling certificates to be put in place ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c)The nappy changing area and the adjoining corridor on the ground floor was a strong foul odour indicating that the ventilation system in place in the nappy changing room was inadequate. (d)The registered provider did not ensure that the premises was being maintained in an appropriate condition as evidenced by the following: 1. A section of the wooden moulding located between the wooden floor and the skirting board in the Toddler room was cracked and damaged and could potentially pose a splinter risk to children who may be playing on the floor. 2. The area adjacent to the wall mounted paper towel dispenser in the nappy changing area had wall plugs and screw holes visible. 3. The outer veneer was peeling on a number of cupboard doors under the wash hand basins in the larger sanitary facilities on the first floor leaving the inner pulp fibres exposed. These surfaces could not be adequately cleaned. 4. The floor covering at the base of a number of step risers on the stairs was torn and in a defective condition. These surfaces could not be adequately cleaned, and dust had accumulated in the cracks. 5. A significant amount of the veneer surface of one of the tables in the Junior preschool room was missing with the woodchip exposed beneath it which could not be cleaned effectively. This is an infection control risk. 6. On the countertop in the nappy changing room on the ground floor excess silicone was present which created an environment that could harbour germs and therefore posed an infection control risk. 7. The inner surface of the counter rim in the nappy changing room was exposed chipboard which was observed to be flaking and crumbling in places. This area was unable to be cleaned effectively and was an infection control risk - (c) The fan was thoroughly cleaned. (d) 1. The damaged wooden mounding was removed and replaced. 2. The wall plugs and screw holes were plastered over. 3. The cupboard doors were stripped down and treated and replaced, 4. The stairs were fixed. 5. Table removed and replaced on 21/2/24. 6. The excess silicone was removed. 7. The chipboard was repaired. Preventive Action (c) The fan to be checked on a weekly basis as part of our risk assessments. (d Manager has reviewed their hazard lists and is going to review on a weekly basis going forward Found compliant: Regulation 11, 24. ### Other services in Dublin - [Little Apples Pre School](/creche/little-apples-pre-school-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Little Bambinos Childcare](/creche/little-bambinos-childcare-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [Little Brightstars Montessori Ltd](/creche/little-brightstars-montessori-ltd-ballyboughal.md) Ballyboughal - [Little Dale Academy](/creche/little-dale-academy-kilmacud.md) Kilmacud - [Little Harvard Childcare](/creche/little-harvard-childcare-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Little People Playgroup](/creche/little-people-playgroup-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Lovable Me Preschool](/creche/lovable-me-preschool-dublin-13.md) Dublin 13 - [NCR Childcare](/creche/ncr-childcare-dublin-1.md) Dublin 1 - [Snowdrop Creche](/creche/snowdrop-creche-dublin-6w.md) Dublin 6W - [Cherryorchard Community Childcare Service Ltd](/creche/cherryorchard-community-childcare-service-ltd-dublin-10.md) Dublin 10 [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-apples-ltd-swords/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11