# Little Harvard Childcare Limited, Santry — inspection reports and findings > Little Harvard Childcare Limited (Santry, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 6 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Harvard Childcare Limited Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Santry, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2022DY005** · Registered since 23 December 2025 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 24 June 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. In one care room a staff member did not respond to the child’s needs during snack time which led to frustration for the child. The child was observed to repeat their request for assistance. Action was taken by the staff member when prompted by the inspector. It is important for staff to respond quickly and appropriately to children to ensure they feel safe, valued and develop secure attachments - 1. Expectations around responding promptly to children's requests and emotional needs were reinforced and training was provided to staff. The responsive supervision during mealtimes training card will be reviewed with all staff. Room Leaders will continue to monitor practice through regular observations to ensure responsive interactions are consistently maintained during mealtimes ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A child had uncut grapes in their lunch box posing a potential safety risk. It is acknowledged that once this was highlighted by the inspector, they were promptly removed. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. Staff were reminded of the service's procedures for identifying and managing choking hazards during mealtimes. The Mealtimes and Healthy Eating training card will be reviewed with all staff at refresher training. Daily lunchbox checks will continue, and parents will be reminded of the service's safe food preparation requirements, including the preparation of foods that present a choking risk Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25. #### Inspection of 16 September 2025 — Change in Circumstance Full report (PDF, Tusla) No non-compliance recorded in this report. #### Inspection of 25 June 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. In the Outdoor area there was a lack of props to develop and expand play. For example: • In the kitchen area there was no props. • The mark making area had no chalk or mark making tools - 1. The behavioural management strategies used within the Preschool 1 room were not consistent and in line with the service policy on behavioural management. Challenging behaviours were not consistently dealt with in a child centred and developmentally appropriate manner, for example: • A child between the age of 3 to 3.5 years was observed to throw mouldable dough at other children and around the care room, this child was redirected back to play, there was no modelling actions used to set limits or age-appropriate discussion around positive behaviour. • Following a dispute between two children during a time of transition, adults directed the children to stop their dispute but did not follow up or set limits to the negative behaviours, which is at variance from the behaviour management policy within the service. • A child who continually refused to put on their coat was informed that they could not go outside without the coat, the child ignored the request, and the staff member continued to ask the child to put their coat on. The child continued outside without a coat. Staff did not use developmentally appropriate strategies to engage this child and set boundaries around wellbeing. 2. The nappy changing process observed in one care room was not in line with the service policy and did not protect the privacy and dignity of the child being changed; the child was observed to become distressed refusing to have their nappy changed. The staff member was observed to struggle with changing the child’s nappy but continued in a functional manner, not picking up on the child’s cues. Another staff member was observed to provide support to the child; physically comforting them mid nappy change. The door to the changing area remained open while the staff member provided comfort to the child in full view of the staff and children in the care room. 3. Nappy changing records were not accurately recorded in relation to one child on the day of inspection; the record stated that the child’s nappy was changed at 11:53am however this was not observed to have happened by the inspector who was present in the care room at that time. The child’s nappy was then observed to be changed at 12:47pm. Accurate records are required to ensure timely management of nappy changes and accurate communication to parents. 4. The registered provider did not ensure that regular lunch or snacks were given to all children in Preschool 1. The following was observed: • Children were observed to be given a snack of melon and crackers between 10:15am and 10:30am. A hot lunch prepared by the service was served at 13:53am. It is acknowledged that three children indicated their hunger at 12:59am and were given dry cereal prior to their scheduled hot meal. The gap between snack and mealtime was longer than 3 hours and was not in line with the service policy which states that children should go no longer than 2-2.5 hours between meals or snacks. 5. A table in Preschool 4 was too high for the children to use while seated. This table was at chest height to the children with children observed to kneel while eating their lunch. This does not allow children to engage comfortably in mealtimes or tabletop activities. This was identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection held in January 2025. 6. A child was observed to play in wet clothing for 15 minutes while four adults were present in the room. It is acknowledged that the child was promptly changed once the wet clothing was noticed. Adults should be vigilant to children in their care to ensure the children’s needs are identified and addressed in a timely manner - (a) All areas have been restored to their intended setup, with new procedures in place to ensure consistent access to resources and mark making opportunities regardless of weather conditions. Daily monitoring procedures are now in pace to ensure resources remain in their designated areas. Staff have been instructed in the importance of maintaining resource organisation and outdoor learning readiness. This will be reinforced during team meetings and supervision. (b) 1. All staff have been trained on Positive Behaviour Management Policy focusing specifically on modelling positive behaviour in daily interactions and setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries to support emotional wellbeing and consistent expectation by using the training cards regarding Positive Behaviour Management policy. Ongoing supervision and monitoring will be implemented to reinforce best practices and behaviour management will be a standing item on team meetings to support reflective proactive and continuous improvement. 2. The registered provider has stated that all relevant staff have received individual refresher training on the Nappy Changing Policy, covering hygiene practises, respectful handling and proper recording and disposal procedures. Training was documented through individual training cards which are now on file. On going monitoring and regular refresher sessions will be implemented to ensure continued compliance with policy and best practise standards. 3. The registered provider has stated that all relevant staff have received individual refresher training on the Nappy Changing Policy, covering hygiene practises, respectful handling and proper recording and disposal procedures. Training was documented through individual training cards which are now on file. On going monitoring and regular refresher sessions will be implemented to ensure continued compliance with policy and best practise standards. 4. The registered provider has stated that mealtime procedures have been reviewed and clarified with the chef to ensure meals are served at consistent intervals in line with the creche policy, including maintaining a maximum 3-hour gap between snack and lunch in accordance with the service policy. The chef and management will ensure compliance with this. Staff have been reminded to use class phones to notify the kitchen and office if meals need to be served earlier. On going monitoring and regular checks will be carried out to ensure mealtimes remain consistent and appropriate to the children's needs. Local and senior management will ensure compliance. 5. The registered provider has stated that classroom furniture arrangements have been reviewed and the table in question will only be used by the senior after school class. Local management will ensure all furniture is child appropriate and suitable for children’s age. 6. The registered provider stated that all staff have received individual retraining on effective supervision, timely response to children's needs, and maintaining a child approach with appropriate adult guidance. Local management will reinforce the importance of maintaining vigilance and promptly addressing children's care needs. Training has been documented through completed individual training cards and ongoing supervision and support will be provided to ensure consistent implementation. Local and senior management will ensure compliance with all aspects of Regulation ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Hazardous material was accessible to children in an unlocked low-level press within Preschool 1, this was brought to the attention of adults and removed on the day of inspection. 2. A child in Preschool 4 was observed to be eating large uncut grapes, this is a potential risk of choking and not in line with the service policy. 3. There was an absence of working foot operated pedal bins in the Toddler 2, Preschool 1, Preschool 2 and sanitary areas. 4. The sinks which were accessible to the children exceeded the recommended temperature of 43 degrees. This posed a scald risk to children. The inspector recorded a temperature of 48.7°C in the Preschool 4 and 48.1°c in Preschool 1. This was brought to the attention of the manager on the first day of inspection and a plan was commenced to address this. 5. The nappy changing unit available in the Toddler 2 room and Preschool 4 rooms were not being used in accordance with the manufacture’s guidelines. These guidelines specify that the units are designed for children up to 3 years of age in the Toddler 2 room, and 3.5 years of age on the Preschool room. However, children using the units were all over the specified age limits and required nappy changing. This practice posed a potential risk to children’s safety. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The registered provider has stated that the issue was removed immediately on the day of inspection. All presses have been fitted with child safety locks, with staff instructed to promptly report any damaged or faulty locks to management for immediate replacement. Regular safety checks will be incorporated into daily routines to prevent reoccurrence by the local management. 2. The registered provider stated that all classroom doors now display safe grape cutting reminder posters. This information will be included in the ECCE Welcome pack starting in September in order to promote food safety awareness at home. Staff have been informed to ensure the grapes being served to children have been cut lengthways. Staff will be regular reminded of safe food handling practises and compliance to ensure continued adherence. 3. The registered provider has stated that all broken bins have been replaced with working pedal bins and staff have been reminded to promptly report damaged equipment to management to ensure timely replacement. Regular checks will be implemented to monitor equipment condition. 4. The registered provider has stated that the water system issue identified on the first day of inspection has been checked and adjusted by an external contractor to ensure the required safe temperature is maintained. Regular maintenance checks and monitoring procedures have been established to prevent re occurrence and ensure ongoing compliance and safety standards. 5. The registered provider has stated that a decision was made to source two small grey beds and two appropriate changing mats to be used on top. Management will ensure that age and weight appropriate changing units are only used in the future ##### Regulation 27 — Supervision - The registered provider did not ensure that preschool children attending the service were adequately supervised at all times. This was evidenced in the following ways: • In the Preschool 1 room a child over 3 years of age was observed to have placed a small cylindrical plastic animal into their mouth. This was highlighted to staff by the Inspector and removed. This posed a potential risk of choking. • In the outdoor area a child was observed to remove items from the bin and place them in their mouth. This was highlighted to staff and the items were removed. This poses a risk of hazardous ingestion of materials and infection control risk. • An incident of biting was observed to have occurred unnoticed by adults in the care room, this occurred around a time of transition during play. Adults must remain vigilant during times of change to ensure child safety. • A child was observed to eat mouldable dough unnoticed to the adults in the care room, it is acknowledged that once observed the adults acted promptly to intervene. • A child was observed to climb on a chair and table to access toys, unnoticed by adults in the room. This posed a risk of falling. • Two children were observed to play with the water in the sink of the sanitary area for 5 minutes. Throughout this time the door was closed over and the children could not be supervised by sight or sound - The registered provider has stated that all incidents have been reviewed in a staff meeting. Staff have been reminded of the importance of extra vigilance, particularly during free play, transition between activities, at unstructured movements like toilet breaks or tidy up time. These topics were reinforced through additional training on effective supervision strategies, child-led approaches with active engagement and safety oversight. Individual training cards were completed to support staff reflection and accountability. Regulation 27 will feature as a prominent aspect on monthly staff meetings to ensure compliance Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 31, 32. ### Earlier inspections - 20 January 2025 — Inspection Report · PDF - 8 May 2024 — Inspection Report · PDF - 16 October 2023 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Dublin - [Little Harvard Childcare Ltd](/creche/little-harvard-childcare-ltd-dublin-9.md) Dublin 9 - [Little Harvard Childcare Ltd (Rathfarnham)](/creche/little-harvard-childcare-ltd-rathfarnham-dublin-14.md) Dublin 14 - [Little Harvard Creche & Montessori](/creche/little-harvard-creche-montessori-dublin-14.md) Dublin 14 - [Little Learners Dublin Adult Learning Centre](/creche/little-learners-dublin-adult-learning-centre-dublin-1.md) Dublin 1 - [Little People's Montessori School](/creche/little-people-s-montessori-school-dublin-6w.md) Dublin 6W - [Little Stars Childcare](/creche/little-stars-childcare-dublin-11.md) Dublin 11 - [Maureen's Playgroup](/creche/maureen-s-playgroup-dublin-20.md) Dublin 20 - [Once upon a time](/creche/once-upon-a-time-dublin-15-2.md) Dublin 15 - [St Mary's Early Years Service](/creche/st-mary-s-early-years-service-dublin-1.md) Dublin 1 - [Cocobee Childcare](/creche/cocobee-childcare-dublin-18.md) Dublin 18 [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-harvard-childcare-limited-santry/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11