# Little Harvard Creche and Montessori, Fingal — inspection reports and findings > Little Harvard Creche and Montessori (Fingal, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Harvard Creche and Montessori Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Fingal, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2017FL500** · Registered since 25 August 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 8 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A risk of injury was observed in the small outdoor area located off Preschool 3, to the side of the premises. A part of the fencing, which was at a child’s height was broken and contained sharp edges, and a nail was protruding from this section of the fence, which presented a risk of possible injury to the children. It is acknowledged that this area was not observed in use on the day of inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The registered provider replaced the fencing and submitted a photograph of the new fencing in place Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 19, 26, 28. #### Inspection of 22 May 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (9)(2)(d) International police vetting was not available for 1 staff member whose curriculum vitae indicated that they had lived resided outside of the Irish jurisdiction for more than 6 consecutive months as an adult. (4) One staff member who was working directly with the preschool children in the service did not have documentation available to demonstrate that they were awarded an appropriate childcare qualification - Corrective Action (9)(2)(d) The staff member has since applied and is awaiting police vetting to be provided by officials in the country involved. (9)(4) Staff’s qualification has been obtained and placed on her file. Preventive Action (9)(2)(d) Senior Management and HR will monitor the Police vetting more closely. Going forward no staff will commence work until Police vetting is provided. (9)(4) Local and senior management will regularly inspect staff files to ensure compliance with Regulation 9 going forward ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - (1) While the adult to child ratio in each room was correct on both days of the inspection there was a period of time between 11.10am and 2.30pm on the first day of inspection where an inadequate number of staff was working with the children in Toddler 1 room. The following events were observed. • The following events were observed in the Toddler room from 11.10am on day 1 of the inspection. The inspector observed that one staff member was caring for 6 children and carrying out nappy changing duties. • While carrying out nappy changing duties the door to the nappy changing area was propped open in order for the staff member to supervise the children who remained in the care room while changing each child in turn. • In the care room three children were stacking large plastic building blocks. One child pushed the blocks over which then fell and hit a child who cried and said they were hurt. Although the staff member offered verbal words of comfort while changing a child’s nappy, they were not available to attend to the children. • While the staff member continued to change nappies, at 11.15am a parent dropped off their child to the room. There were now 7 children in the room and the inspector informed the staff member of the child’s arrival. At this time, the child who had previously been upset was now in the nappy changing area. The child was touching surfaces and stepping up to reach the sink. The staff member asked the child numerous times to wait in the room while she finished changing another child’s nappy. • Soon after the arrival of the 7th child the service manager came to the room, but the level of supervision continued to be inadequate. The staff member carrying out nappy changing duties was trying to remove the child (who was now playing in the sanitary area) while a 2nd child was also attempting to go back into the sanitary area following their nappy change. This child was visually impaired, and the staff member had previously described that the child enjoyed water play. The staff member explained to the 2nd child that although they were looking for water play they could not play in the sanitary area and lifted the child out of the space. The child then lay on the care room floor upset. The service manager was reading a book with 3 children. • When the staff member had completed nappy changing the service manager suggested that the staff member continue reading with the children while the beds were prepared. At this point one child wearing a t-shirt and nappy said they were cold, and their t-shirt was wet from having previously accessed the sink in the sanitary area. The child’s t-shirt was not changed, or additional clothing provided. • At 11.35am the children began to go down on their beds for sleep. The inspector also observed that the furniture and materials in the care room was pushed back against the walls in preparation for sleep time from 11.10am – 2.30pm. The staff member explained that this was because they did not have the time to re-arrange the room following sleep time as they put beds away and supervised lunch with the children alone. The observations above, along with the information shared with the inspector from staff member on the day about the developmental needs of the children in the group, indicated that the number of staff available to the children was inadequate during the period of time stated above. The inspector was also not assured that there was a robust system in place for the provision of additional support to lone working staff members when personal care needs needed to be attended to - Corrective Actions (1) The registered provider states that the following actions have been taken: • Rosters have been drawn up to ensure that ratios are maintained at all times and enough cover is in place for when staff need to attend to the personal care needs of the children. This will ensure that the manager and/or deputy is available for assistance at all times. • Staff have been spoken to in carrying out the correct nappy changing procedures and to ensure that the door of the sanitary area stays close while carrying out nappy changing to avoid cross-contamination. • Manager and staff have been spoken to and reminded of the importance of supervision of children at all times and the importance in engaging with the children on an ongoing basis and attending their needs. • Training has taken place with the staff concerned relating to the changing of wet clothes in a timely manner. • An extra staff in Toddler Room 1 will be allocated following sleep time to ensure adequate supervision and to support these transition periods. Preventative Actions The regional and senior management will visit the premises on a regular basis to ensure compliance with all aspects of Regulation 11 ##### Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child - (1) Five registration forms did not contain appropriate information as required under Regulation 15 (1)(f). • Three children identified on the care rooms allergy list did not have details of their allergy or information relevant to the provision of special care or attention on their record forms. • One child’s record form indicated the child experienced a reaction to peanuts but had no additional information relevant to the provision of special care or attention on their record form. • One child’s medical form indicated the child has a long-term medical condition but had no additional information relevant to the provision of special care or attention on their record form. The registered provider must ensure that details of any illness, disability, allergy or special need of the child, together with all the information relevant to the provision of special care or attention, is recorded and kept on file to ensure that the needs of the child can be met while attending the service - Corrective Action (1)(f) All three care room allergy lists have been updated including comprehensive information about each child’s needs and care instructions. Additional information to the care room allergy list has been added to the child with a peanut allergy. Additional information has been added for the child with a long-term medical condition on care room allergy list to help facilitate the needs of the child. Preventive Action Local and Senior management will monitor and inspect such documentation on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with all aspects of Regulation 15 ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Basic needs: 1. In the Toddler 1 room the children had been stripped down to their tops/t-shirt and nappy as nappy changing was being carried out and in preparation for sleep time. Nappy changing had begun before the inspector arrived to the room at 11.10am and the children did not go on their beds until 11.45am. During this time the children were actively playing in the care room and moving in and out of the sanitary area. Following further observations and discussions with staff this practice was carried out as a time saving exercise and was not child-centred practice. Physical and material environment: 2. The Wobbler room lacked identifiable interest areas and the selection of materials available were limited in range, variety, and sensory experiences with a reliance on plastic toys. Children’s opportunities to engage in self-directed and interesting play experiences were impacted. 3. The home corner in the Wobbler room was poorly resourced, with 1 small basket consisting of plastic plates, cups, pots and 1 item of plastic food which out of children’s reach for the day furthermore the home area in Preschool room 1 was poorly equipped. 4. There was a lack of sensory play opportunities for the children in the Wobbler and Toddler 1 room. It is acknowledged that there was sand provided in a tray in the garden area, but it was low in quantity and there were no other sensory opportunities available indoors or outdoors. 5. There was a poor selection of books accessible to the children in the Wobbler room, Toddler 1 room and Preschool room 1. Supporting relationships around children: 6. The family wall in the Wobbler and Toddler 1 room were on display high up the wall out of children’s direct eyeline limiting opportunities for interaction with family photographs alone or with peers - Corrective Action The registered provider states that the following actions have been taken: 1. Staff in Toddler Room 1 have been spoken to and cautioned not to engage in this practice in the future. 2. The Wobbler Room has been rearranged to ensure each area is clearly defined and easily accessible to children and additional variety of materials to cater for different sensory experiences have also been added in the room. 3. Additional variety of play materials that are safe and suitable for the age groups have been added to the home corner, all within easy reach of the children to encourage independent play. 4. Additional sand was added in the tray in the garden area and sensory props are now in place for indoors and outdoors. 5. Additional age-appropriate books have been added in all three rooms to ensure compliance with best practices and standards. 6. The family wall was repositioned to be at the children’s eye level and easy accessible for children to view and interact with. Preventative Action: The regional and senior management will visit the premises on a regular basis to ensure compliance will all aspects of Regulation 19 ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. The documentation available in the care rooms detailing children’s allergies did not adequately outline the symptoms of a child’s allergic reaction to assist staff in identifying reactions or indication of a response in the event of a reaction, for example, the requirement for medication or special medical attention. This information was also not available in children’s files. The lack of information regarding reactions and medical treatments can impact on children’s safety and welfare, particularly when movement of children in the service to maintain ratio occurs. 2. At 3:10pm a parent collected a child from the Toddler 2 room. A staff member advised the parent that the child needed additional nappies to be supplied. In response to this the parent left the room and accessed the sanitary area via the Toddler 1 room to check the child’s nappy supplies whilst another child was using the toilet unscreened. The staff members did not respond to this incident. A parent should not have unsupervised access to other children while in the service. 3. A large dolls house in Preschool room 1 was unstable and was at risk of toppling over and causing an injury to a child. 4. Cleaning materials were stored on top of a low-level cupboard and accessible to the children in Preschool room 6. Infection Control: 5. In the Toddler 1 room on day 1 of the inspection the door to the sanitary facility was propped open for the duration of nappy changing from 11.10am – 11.25am. This created opportunities for children to move freely in and out of the sanitary facility, touching surfaces and increasing the risk of cross-contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action: The registered provider states that the following actions have been taken: General Safety: 1. A review and update of all existing allergy records have been conducted to include comprehensive information about symptoms and required responses. Staff will ensure updated allergy information is readily accessible in care rooms and children’s files. 2. As mentioned on the day if the inspection, this is not common practice and staff will ensure that parents are not left walking along unsupervised within the setting. 3. The doll house in Preschool room 1 has been removed. 4. Cleaning materials in Preschool room 6 have been stored in a secure, high-level area inaccessible to children. Infection Control: 5. Staff involved were spoken to and retrained on our nappy changing policy and to ensure that the door to the sanitary facility remains closed during nappy changing times. Preventive Action: Local and senior management will inspect the service to ensure compliance across Regulation 23. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: Documentary evidence of updated allergy information and records Photographic evidence of cleaning materials stored appropriately Infection Control: Evidence that staff training was completed. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 23 has been adequately addressed Found compliant: Regulation 22, 24, 25, 26. #### Inspection of 4 October 2023 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Basic needs: On the first day of inspection one child attending the Toddler room 1 who was not tired and did not sleep at the prescribed sleep time, was encouraged to stay quiet in the darkened room while the other children slept. The child was not provided with an alternative environment to facilitate relaxation, play or activity when not sleeping, in order to support their well-being. Additionally, some children may have struggled to settle to sleep or to remain asleep due to being distracted by the child who was awake - The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Children who do not wish to sleep are now being facilitated to play in another classroom or the garden area during sleep time. Local and senior management will continue to carry out unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with all aspect of Regulation 19. Summary Comment The corrective action and preventive action submitted by the registered provider have addressed the non- compliance identified on inspection in relation to Regulation 19(1)(a) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: A child in Pre-school Room 1 was provided with whole grapes from home for their morning snack. These were observed in the child’s open lunch box on the table in front of the child whilst the child was eating from the lunch box at snack time. Staff members did not cut the grapes into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of choking for the child until requested to do so by the inspector. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: All staff were spoken to regarding the importance of cutting grapes lengthwise. Notices have also been displayed around the premises. Local management and staff will ensure that grapes which supplied from home are always cut lengthwise. Management sent a notice to all parents to inform them and also spoke to all staff regarding the importance of cutting grapes lengthwise. Supporting documentation submitted • Copy of the notice sent to parents highlighting the importance of cutting grapes, cherry tomatoes and berries lengthwise to reduce the risk of choking. Summary Comment The corrective action and preventive action submitted by the registered provider have addressed the non- compliance identified on inspection in relation to Regulation 23 Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 22, 25, 26. ### Other services in Dublin - [Little Harvard Creche & Montessori](/creche/little-harvard-creche-montessori-dublin-14.md) Dublin 14 - [Little Jack's Corner](/creche/little-jack-s-corner-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Little Learners Creche](/creche/little-learners-creche-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Little Monkeys Playschool](/creche/little-monkeys-playschool-dublin-11.md) Dublin 11 - [Little Rainbows Limited](/creche/little-rainbows-limited-dublin-5.md) Dublin 5 - [Little Stars Montessori](/creche/little-stars-montessori-dublin-3.md) Dublin 3 - [Meadows Montessori](/creche/meadows-montessori-dublin-9.md) Dublin 9 - [Once upon a time](/creche/once-upon-a-time-dublin-24-2.md) Dublin 24 - [St. Michael's Preschool & Afterschool Service](/creche/st-michael-s-preschool-afterschool-service-dublin-10.md) Dublin 10 - [Cocoon Childcare Clonsilla](/creche/cocoon-childcare-clonsilla-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 [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-creche-and-montessori-fingal/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11