Creche Inspection Reports

Little Buddies

Sessional · 1 - 6 Years · Sligo, Sligo · Tusla ID TU2015SO030 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections
2non-compliances at latest report read
1immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 3 December 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on the day of inspection as there was no person present with FAR training present in the service between 14:00 and 18:00 Please see body of report under Reg 25 with more detail. An adequate response was submitted by the registered provider.

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The door of the sluice room was observed to be opened which contained chemicals that were accessible to the preschool children. 2. The radiator cover in the blossom room was broken with sharp wooden edges that were accessible to the children posing a risk of injury. 3. In the sensory room leads and cables were accessible to the preschool children posing a risk of injury. Infection Control: 4. On the day of inspection, after nappy changing, the hands of the babies were observed to be not consistently washed, posing a risk of infection. 5. Gloves and aprons were observed not to be removed after disposing of an unclean nappy, and prior to moving onto the next care activity of placing on a clean nappy, followed with redressing the child. This could lead to a risk of cross infection. 6. Two Children in the sunflower room were observed using soothers, it was noted that the children were sharing soothers. Additionally, when soothers fell on the floor, children were observed placing them back into their mouth without been cleaned or sanitized. 7. Waste bins in both the sunflower and bluebell rooms were broken, children were observed using their hands to open and close the bin lids, posing a risk of cross contaminations. 8. There was an insufficient supply of hot water across all preschool rooms. The water temperature in the bluebell bathroom was measured at 13.1◦C which is inadequate for effective handwashing. 9. A child-sized couch in the sunflower room and adult- sized couch in the blossoms room had exposed foam and could not be cleaned effectively. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: (1) Once this non-compliance was brought to the attention of the management at the inspection the manager ensured the door was fully secured and locked. The manager then proceeded to each care room that evening and the following morning to verbally remind each staff member the strict importance of ensuring that the Sluice room door is secured and locked at all times. During the staff team meeting held the following evening 04/11/2025, the manager reiterated to the staff Team the significance and importance of ensuring that the sluice room door is securely closed and locked at all times. Domestic/kitchen staff have taken on the role of ensuring the sluice room door is shut at all times these staff members are across the hall and are not bound to be in the rooms. All staff members assured management at the staff meeting to take extra care and vigilance to nsure the same.New signage was immediately stuck on the door as a reminder. The manager’s daily checklist now includes the sluice room door being securely locked. (2) The radiator cover was removed the next morning 04/11/2025.During staff meeting the staff were reminded to include such damages to radiator covers on the daily risk assessments so these can be addressed swiftly adressed and shown the importance of completing the daily risk assessment as these inform any potential risk to the children and to also verbally advice management of same. (3) Trailing lights and cables were removed from the sensory room until the electrician was available. Staff were reminded and shown the importance of completing the daily risk assessment as these inform any potential risk to the children and to also verbally advice management of same. Trailing lights and cables were removed from the sensory room until the electrician was available.Trunking was installed by the electrician to ensure the low-lying lights and cables were safe and not trailing. Infection Control: (4) At the staff meeting the nappy changing procedure was reinforced via retraining, infection control was also included in this session of the staff meeting. Manager implemented an induction template for lead educator to complete with newly appointed educators. Peer mentoring template for nappy changing procedure has also been introduced to reinforce good practices in line with Little Buddies policies and procedures. This is to eradicate forgetfulness or oversight when completing these tasks which fall under these procedures. (5) At the staff meeting the nappy changing procedure including removal of ppe after each nappy change was reinforced via retraining, infection control was also included in this session of the staff meeting. Manager implemented an induction template for lead educator to complete with newly appointed educators. Peer mentoring template for nappy changing procedure has also been introduced to reinforce good practices in line with little buddies’ policies and procedures. (6) The Infection control policy was outlined and retrained to staff during a staff meeting and focus was on the procedures to follow when children share and drop their soothers. It was also looked at times when soothers should not be offered to the children, e.g. when playing. Lead educator Induction Template newly introduced includes Supervision of the children and infection control topics to be observe and monitored by the Lead educator. (7) Age-appropriate bins were purchased and supplied in the Sunflower Room and the Blubell room. During the staff meeting staff team were reminded of the importance of ensuring the daily risk assessment to include items such as the bins being broken. (8) Plumber and electrician were already sourced to fix this problem with water temperature. Plumber reduced the water thermostat 19th November 2025. Daily risk assessment informs and highlights any irregularities with the water temperature. (9) Child sized couch in sunflower room and adult couch in blossom room were both removed. Dress up area was extended into the space of the adult couch, which is demonstrated in the photographic evidence provided. The child sized couch in the sunflower room was replaced with beanbags until finances ensure replacement child sized couches. Manager reminded staff to please use the daily risk assessment to inform of risk management systems and outlined the importance of this to children’s safety and wellbeing. Management will closely monitor the completion of these risk assessments during the weekly sign off

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 03/11/2025 as it was observed that there was no person present in the service between 14:00 and 18:00 was trained in First Aid Response (FAR). An adequate response was submitted by the registered provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • Staff member who possessed the FAR in date training was rostered to be on the premises for the rest of the week. Staff team then completed training that evening of the Inspection 03/11/25 and on the Thursday 06/11/2025. Attendance records to the FAR training were provided to the Inspectorate. Management will ensure scheduling issues will not take precedence over the importance of ensuring staff have completed the training in timely manner

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 28.

Inspection of 1 December 2023 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (c) The vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Síochána on file for one staff member was from a previous employment in the service and had not been updated on the employee’s return to the service as required. It is acknowledged that up to date Garda Vetting has since been submitted
Provider's corrective action:
  • An updated Garda vetting disclosure has been received regarding one staff member who returned to employment in Little Buddies. This disclosure is now placed on staff members' file and a copy has been sent to the EYI office on 12.12.2023. As per regulation and Policy, new and updated vetting disclosures will be available on file regardless of any break in employment. Staff files will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the necessary documents as required are on file

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (1) (k) On the day of inspection, at 12:15hrs, a child from the sunflower room was observed to slip and fall while running. The child banged their cheek off the floor. The child was visibly upset, and a red mark appeared on the child’s cheek. At 13:12 the child’s cheek was still visibly red. On discussion with the room leader, they were unaware the incident had occurred. On review of the incident book no entry regarding this accident had been documented. It is noted that at the time of the fall, socks were removed from the child to prevent further slipping
Provider's corrective action:
  • The parent of the child involved in the accident observed during the inspection on 01.12.2023, was verbally notified of the occurrence of the accident on the next day of the child’s attendance 08.12.2023. An accident report was completed and signed by the Lead Educator, Parent, and Manager. Copy of accident report submitted to the EYI with CAPA form on 21.02.2024. One-to-one Individual meetings took place with the educators working within the Sunflower room. The incident observed by the EYI was discussed with the staff members. These staff Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years members were retrained on the updated accident and incident policy. The accident and Incident Policy was updated to include the roles and responsibilities in addressing and preventing accidents and incidents. The manager will maintain Continuous monitoring of practices and operations through liaison with the lead educators, one-to-one supervision meetings, and staff team meetings. Identification and completion of Continuous professional development to be completed if any gaps in practices and operations are identified through these preventative actions. During this process of retraining the lead educator in the practices and procedures preceding the Inspection, it was identified that training in effective room leadership would be beneficial and supportive to the Lead educator's role within the Sunflower Room. Effective Room leadership training certificate submitted with CAPA to EYI office on 21.02.204

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: The following was observed on the day of inspection and could lead to a risk of injury to a child. 1. The hot water provided at the children’s wash hand basins was not controlled to a safe temperature below 43°C for hand washing. The water was recorded at 44.4°C and 46.3°C in the children’s bathrooms outside the Blossom room. 2. A 4 wheeled ride on was observed to have a cracked wheel, posing a risk pinch to a child. 3. A plastic climbing frame had come loose on one side, posing a risk of injury to a child. 4. Wooden equipment, such as play kitchens were observed to need repainting. These items could not be cleaned effectively. Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years 5. A lid with rope handles from a sand pit was observed lying on the ground in the outdoor area posing a risk of tripping to a child. 6. A child was observed to be standing freely on the nappy changing unit after changing had been completed, while the staff member tidied the area, posing a risk of injury to the child. Infection Control: The following was observed on the day of inspection and could lead to a risk of cross infection. 7. Childrens hands were not observed to be washed after nappy changing. Staff were observed not to remove gloves or apron after disposing of unclean nappy, and prior to moving onto the next care activity of placing on a clean nappy and redressing children. 8. Childrens hands in the Sunflower room were not observed to be washed prior to food being served at 11.55am. 9. Radiator covers were observed to need painting. These covers could not be effectively cleaned leading to a risk of cross infection. 10. The sand pit in the outdoor area was left uncovered when not in use, posing as a risk of infection should vermin access it. Safe Sleep: The following was observed on the day of inspection and could pose as a risk to a child. 11. The sheets in the sleep room were observed to have visible debris present. It is acknowledged that bedding is changed and laundered each Thursday. Fire Safety: The following was observed on the day of inspection and could lead to delays in the event of a fire. 12. One fire door to the rear of the building was partially obstructed by a clothes horse on the day of inspection. This could cause delay or injury if there was a need for evacuation. 13. The fire extinguisher was not easily accessible or visible due the clothes horse being placed in front of it. This could result in delay in the event of an emergency. 14. The stairwell to the rear of the building contained various materials, equipment, and furniture posing as a risk in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years 1. The plumber reduced the water temperature thermostat in the main hot water tank to >43 °C on 07.12.2023. Water Temperature readings have been below >43°C and recorded accordingly on the Risk assessment record for the Blossom room. A copy of the Risk assessment record submitted to EYI 21.02.2023. All staff members are to record the temperature in their risk assessment booklet after measuring the water temperature. This was reasserted verbally after inspection and again during the staff meeting on 29.01.24. 2. The four-wheeled ride-on was removed on 06.12.2023 from the Sunflower play area due to a cracked wheel. Sunflower room outdoor risk assessment record submitted to EYI office 21.02.2024. Management to sign off on all risk assessments weekly for the previous week. Staff members to advise management immediately if there is any risk to children's safety within the service. 3. The Plastic Climbing frame was removed from the sunflower room play area due to the structure being loose on 06.12.2023. Sunflower room outdoor risk assessment submitted to EYI office 21.02.2024. Staff team meeting was used to reassert the expectations, roles, and responsibilities with regards to risk assessments being an actively utilized tool to inform alleviating any potential risks to the general safety of the children attending the service. 4. Play kitchens were removed and replaced with new wooden play kitchens as the Play kitchens in place at the time of inspection inhibited effective cleaning. Purchased 04.12.2023 and placed in 3 care rooms. 14.12.2023. Invoice and Photos submitted to EYI with CAPA 21.02.202. 5. Hazard removed. The manager discussed the importance of preventative actions to ensure hazards are prevented and the observation by the EYI of the sand pit lid being on the ground posing a tripping hazard for the children should not occur. A safe place for the lid of the sand pit during use was agreed to be behind the gated fence; propped one side of the shed where the children have no access to it during play times. The outdoor Risk assessment record for the week of 04.12.2023 was submitted to EYI with the CAPA form 21.02.2022. Infection Control: 6. To ensure quality practices are adhered to and maintained during nappy-changing times, the Nappy changing policy and procedures were expanded to include expected practices and procedures in maintaining infection control. Retraining of the nappy changing policy and infection control policy was provided to the staff working in the sunflower room. To ensure a whole service approach and best practice adherence to these policies retraining of these policies was provided at the scheduled staff team meeting on these policies and procedures on 29.01.2024. Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years 7. Due to an observation of the children's hands not being washed in the Sunflower room before mealtime at 12.55, the infection control practices were reaffirmed to the 3 staff members working within the Sunflower room during retraining of policies and procedures during individual meetings held on the 06.12.2023, 08.12.2023, 12.12.2023. 8. Radiator covers were replaced with new radiator covers which have a prefinished coating to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination. Photographs supporting evidence were submitted to EYI on 21/02/2024. 9. Owing to the outdoor sandpit not being covered after use the sand was changed and staff was reminded to ensure the cover is placed on the sandpit after each use and that this is documented in the outdoor risk assessment record. Outdoor risk assessment record submitted to EYI. Safe Sleep: 10. Owing to debris present on sheets in the Sunflower sleep room the following day, the sleep room is to be inspected each morning to ensure the sheets are clean and free from any debris. This action is to be reflected within the sleep room risk assessments and cohesively recorded in the cleaning record. Both risk assessment records and cleaning records for the sleep room were submitted to EYI. Fire Safety: 11. The clotheshorse was removed from the vicinity of the rear fire door. Photograph submitted to EYI. 12. The clotheshorse was removed and relocated to another area not in use and with no fire extinguishers in this location. Photographs submitted to EYI. 13. The stairwell to the rear of the building was cleared from any materials, equipment, and furniture observed to be posing a risk in the event of a fire. Photograph submitted to EYI

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 20, 26, 28.

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