Creche Inspection Reports

Little Haven Education Centre

Sessional · 1 - 6 Years · Birr, Offaly · Tusla ID TU2015OY061 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

4published inspections
3non-compliances at latest report read
1immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 30 June 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play

  • 1. The following safety hazards were noted in the outdoor play area: • The wooden window of the “ship” required repair as an exposed screw was noted due to the absence of a section of the wooden surround. • A coiled water hose pipe was accessible to children in the outdoor play area. • The side panel of the “green shed” used to store children’s play equipment required repair as there was a hole in the wood making this area potentially accessible to rodents, cats or other small creatures
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The registered provider stated in the response that: • The exposed screw has been removed. (Photograph included) • The water hose was removed and stored in the shed. (Photograph included) • The hole /damage at the side of the shed is temporarily fixed. The shed is being repainted and a long - term repair will take place then. (Photograph included) The play yard will be painted and updated over the coming weeks . A safety and risk assessment of all its contents completed and recorded by an assigned staff member on a weekly basis. Any items needing attention or noted by a staff member using the play yard with children will be reported to management immediately. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective actions taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 22 — Food and drink

  • 1. The main meal on day 2 did not meet the requirements of the “Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Services” • The main meal on day 2 did not meet the requirements of the “Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care services” due to the use of processed chicken product. Page 43 states that “processed meat or chicken products, fried foods, foods cooked in batter or breadcrumbs, or foods containing pastry, cannot be provided (for example bacon, ham, sausages, chicken nuggets and similar products)”. • The main meal on day 2 did not meet the requirements of the “Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Services” due to the absence of vegetables. Page 40 states that “every hot meal should include ½ to 1 serving of vegetables”. • The main meal on day 2 did not meet the requirements of the “Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Services” due to the use of the use of a curry sauce mix. Page 19 states that “gravy, stock cubes, jars or packets of sauce should not be used as they contain a lot of salt”. • Milk was not included on the menu plan and was not routinely offered to the children in line with the requirements of the “Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Services”
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated in response that: 1. The service has removed several items from the menu and are researching alternatives that are healthier, more nutritious and meet the required regulations. Currently the registered provider and the two cooks are researching and investigating alternative ways of food production and preparation. Cooking sauces from scratch, making our own sausage rolls, cooking joints of chicken and ham to slice for sandwiches. We are going through the requirements of the Nutrition Standards for ELC services, and our aim is to have over the next few weeks before the new school year commences a brand-new revamped set of two-week menus that will repeat itself and meet all the nutritional requirements. All families will receive a copy of this. Milk is now offered to all rooms with meals. Summary Comment The proposed actions in respect of (1) will meet the regulatory requirement but the non- compliance remains outstanding until the evidence of revised menu plans is completed and submitted by September 7th 2026

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The most recent Garda vetting disclosure presented in respect of one staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. This non -compliance was previously noted on the inspection of April 10 and 11 2025 The corrective and preventative actions submitted following those inspections failed to prevent recurrence of this non - compliance. 2. Visibility strips were not in place on the glazed panels of six doors opening onto the outdoor play area. 3. The digital display monitors in the pre-school rooms were set to Fahrenheit and the staff did not know the Celsius equivalent to accurately monitor and ensure that a safe room temperature was maintained in the occupied rooms where young children were sleeping. Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing practice observed was inadequate for infection control purposes as aprons were not worn by staff when carrying out nappy changing. The nappy changing procedure displayed detailed the wearing of aprons “if badly soiled or has vomited”. This non -compliance was previously noted on the inspection of April 10 and 11 2025 The corrective and preventative actions submitted following those inspections failed to prevent recurrence of this non - compliance. 2. The grids for the mechanical ventilation in the sanitary accommodation and nappy changing areas throughout the premises were full of physical debris and required cleaning. This non -compliance was previously noted on the inspection of April 10 and 11 2025 The corrective and preventative actions submitted following those inspections failed to prevent recurrence of this non - compliance. 3. Foot operated pedal bins were not available in the pre -school rooms and sanitary accommodation for the hygienic disposal of paper towel and other waste . Swing bins which required touch and handling were in place instead. This non -compliance was previously noted on the inspection of April 10 and 11 2025 The corrective and preventative actions submitted following those inspections failed to prevent recurrence of this non - compliance. 4. Mechanical ventilation in the sanitary accommodation incorporating nappy changing for wobblers located on the ground floor and the sanitary accommodation for Montessori room 1 and room 2 located on the first floor was not working. 5. In the sanitary the nappy changing areas cleaning solutions were decanted into a bottle labelled as “disinfectant” without content or instructions for use attached. 6. A dispenser was not in place for the blue paper roll used to wipe down the nappy changing mat which resulted in the handling the paper roll by multiple staff after nappy changes which posed a potential infection control risk. 7. The material covers of the sofas used to provide the rest facilities in some of the pre-school rooms were stained and required cleaning or replacement. 8. The trickle vents on the windows in the pre-school rooms on the first floor were full of physical debris and required cleaning. Safe Sleep: 1. The temperature of the three sleep rooms were not monitored by staff. 2. The temperature of the sleep rooms were not recorded or documented by staff on the sleep logs as the sleep logs used did not include a space to record the temperature of the sleep rooms. 3. The sleep procedure displayed in sleep room 1 stated that sleeping children were physically checked every 15 minutes instead of the recommended 10 minutes. 4. Pillows were in use in cots for children under the age of two which was at variance with safe sleep best practice. It is acknowledged that the registered provider took a corrective action and removed the pillows from the cots. 5. At 12.20 in sleep room 1 ten children from the toddler room were put down to sleep on low level beds in their full clothing and covered with blankets. The occupied temperature recorded was 24.9◦Celsius. Upon discussion staff were unaware of the room temperature or the practices necessary to reduce the temperature or to make the children comfortable in the heat. The registered provider took a corrective action to allocate a staff member to the sleep room to provide constant supervision of the children while they slept and undertook to move the children to sleep room 3 where there was more space and due to its location within the building the room temperature was in line with safe sleep best practice. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: The registered provider stated in response that: 1. Garda Vetting for the one staff member that had expired was completed and submitted during the inspection. I have recruited a new experienced and qualified staff member who along with my two deputy managers are going to share the various administrative responsibilities and review all staff files on a regular basis to ensure this does not happen again. 2. Visibility strips are on all glazed panels of doors opening out into play yard. Checking that all visibility strips are in place and in condition will become part of a new risk assessment checklist. (Photograph included) 3. The service has changed the temperature gauges to Celsius, and those that could not change have been replaced. Room thermometers are in place in all sleep rooms and care rooms and monitored daily. (Photograph included) Infection Control: The registered provider stated in response that: 1. The nappy changing guidelines have been edited to include an instruction that aprons are worn for all nappy changing. A staff member is assigned to the policies and procedures, to review regularly and to ensure all staff members have familiarised themselves with the required procedure. (Photograph included) (Procedure sign off by staff included) 2. The grids on all vents throughout the building have been dusted. The dusting of these vents has become part of a new cleaning checklist. (Photograph included) 3. The service has replaced bins with foot operated bins. (Photograph included) 4. New fans were purchased and installed in the bathrooms where mechanical ventilation was not working. The checking of these fans to ensure they are working has become part of our new checklist. (Photograph included) 5. All cleaning solution bottles were replaced. Cleaning solutions are now in labelled spray bottles with the details of contents and instructions clearly labelled. (Photograph included) 6. The correct size of paper roll which fit into the wall mounted dispensers have been ordered. (Photograph included) 7. The couch covers have been washed and dried. The washing and drying of these couch covers will become a regular part of the cleaning routine. (Photograph included) 8. Staff members have cleaned the trickle vents on windows. (Photograph included) A cleaning company is booked for August to clean all windows in the building before the new school year. The trickle vents will be cleaned as part of that job. (Booking confirmation included) Safe Sleep: The registered provider stated in response that: 1. All sleep rooms have correct room thermometers and are being checked and recorded by staff members. Temperatures of sleep rooms are currently being checked and recorded. 2. A quantity of new industry specific sleep logbooks which have the correct layout for the required information to be recorded have been obtained and and will be used in all sleep rooms. (Photograph included) 3. The guidelines for safe sleep practice were updated to the correct time between checks and all staff were made aware of this change. All staff members are required to keep refreshed on safe sleep practice and complete all records correctly. (Photograph included) (Procedure sign off by staff included) 4. All pillows were removed from cots during the inspection in use in cots and are no longer in use. (Photograph included) 5. A large new airy sleep room is now in use, a staff member stays in the room at all times and socks and layers of clothes are removed from children during warm times while in bed. The service will continue to use the new larger airy sleep room and research possible air conditioning units to purchase for the sleep rooms. (Photograph included) Summary Comment The non- compliance in respect of general safety, number 1 remains outstanding until the required evidence is submitted by September 7th, 2026. In respect of all other corrective actions taken to date photographic and documentary evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet regulatory compliance

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 17, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28, 33.

Inspection of 11 April 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. • The inspection was informed by information received by the Inspectorate. • An Immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 12 April 2025 in respect of

Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances

  • Two written validated references were not available in respect of six adults. (c) Garda vetting procedures were not carried out by the service in respect of six staff members prior to their employment. It is acknowledged that student Garda vetting was available for review in the service. An immediate action notice was sent to the registered provider on the 12 April 2025 by the Early Years Inspectorate. The registered provider response submitted on the 14 April 2025 was accepted by TUSLA
  • Two adults working directly with children as part of the adult to child ratio did not hold a level 5 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
  • An induction training checklist for the service was not available for review with evidence included to indicate that staff had read and understood the policies and procedures of the service
  • In respect of twenty-five staff there was no evidence of training undertaken in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provided stated the following in the response:
  • All staff files have been fully reviewed and checked; all non-compliant issues have been rectified. References have been acquired for some staff members and all references are validated. (References submitted). (c) Garda Vetting by Little Haven for the six staff who had College Garda Vetting was immediately applied for on the day of the inspection. The Garda Vetting Disclosures were submitted to and accepted by Tusla. (Garda Vetting Disclosures submitted)
  • The two staff members are currently completing the final stage of their course and awaiting written verification of completion from their college. The two staff members have not been included in the adult: child ratio in the service. The two staff member have been allocated to ancillary duties within the service; meal trays, preparing activities, administrative work and cleaning
  • The service has developed a staff induction checklist to ensure that each and everyone knows all the policies, procedures, best practices, checklists, running and maintenance of all rooms and areas of the service. The staff are each picking a few items from the checklist each day and ensuring they fully understand it. (Staff induction checklist submitted). In each room folders for the policies and procedures and best practices for the service have been established. (Verifcation submitted). Each week some regulations, policies and best practice guidance is placed in the folders for all staff to read, understand, put into practice and then to sign that they have read & understood. (Staff sign off submitted). There is a full copy of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 in each staff room for staff reference. (Photograph submitted). A plan has been created for all staff members to complete the Tusla Quality Regulatory Framework (QRF) training over the coming months. (Email outlining proposed QRF training plan submitted). By implementing all the above paperwork and checklists and by assigning the responsibility of reviewing them on a regular basis by myself or the duty managers, this will ensure that all required paperwork and knowledge is kept up to date. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken documentary and photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

  • 1. There was no risk management policy available for review in the service. 2. The accident and incident policy presented did not include the following: • The measures to be taken in the service to prevent accidents and incidents. • The procedures to be followed when an accident or incident involving a pre -school child occurs while the child is attending the service. • The steps that are to be taken to contact the parent or guardian of the child or the emergency services if necessary. • The policy did not describe how information is recorded, documented and stored regarding accidents and incidents. • The policy did not state the risk assessment procedures to be taken following an incident/ accident occurring in the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following in the response: The service has compiled a risk management policy based on the requirements of the Regulations. (Risk management policy submitted). The service has reviewed and amended the accident and incident policy based on the requirements of the Regulations. (Accident and incident policy submitted). All policies and procedures as per regulations will be listed and stored in a folder in main office and each care room. All policies will be reviewed on an annual basis by management and signed. Any updating required will be included. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken documentary evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 11 — Staffing levels

  • The minimum ratio of adults to children were not available in the service during the inspection. Day 1, there were 117 children attending the service supervised by twenty-one adults. Day 2, there were 110 children attending the service supervised by nineteen adults
  • 1. It was observed that there was an insufficient number of adults present in the service to maintain the adult: child ratio during nappy changing for the thirty-two children attending the wobbler, toddler and Junior pre-school room 1 on both days of the inspection. 2. The adult noted on the staff roster to work in the wobbler room was on leave for the week of the 7 to the 11 April 2025 and was not replaced. Adults in the wobbler room did not seek relief cover when carrying out nappy changing procedures during the inspection leaving the ratio of one adult to six children aged 1-2 years while the second adult carried out nappy changing. 3. At 11:45 a staff member left the wobbler room to collect the dinner from the kitchen which compromised the adult to child ratio leaving the second adult to care for seven children aged 1 – 2 years. Records indicated that the maximum number of children attending the wobbler room is 15 children. 4. Between 13:30 and 14:00 on day 1, a staff member left the junior pre-school room one to carry out nappy changing which compromised the adult to child ratio leaving the second adult to care for ten children aged 2 – 3 years. Records indicated that the maximum number of children attending the junior pre-school room one is 16 children. 5. There was inadequate relief cover for staff breaks in the toddler room on both days of the inspection. At 13:05, In the toddler room it was observed that one adult went on lunch break and 2 adults remained in the room with 13 children aged 2- 2.5 years. Records indicated that the maximum number attending the toddler room is 18 children
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1)(2) The registered provider stated the following in the response: In the last few weeks six new qualified staff have been employed. (Rosters submitted). Two more are joining the team next week once vetting procedures are completed. We now have floating staff available on both floors. (Rosters submitted). Together with the team of staff we have looked at the whole staff set up, setting out new plans for covering rooms for breaks, lunches and nappy changing. The adult: child ratio in the room always is the priority. The kitchen staff are now dropping and collecting meal trays to and from rooms. We have purchased a huge amount of extra stock, equipment and materials to prevent the need for staff to leave the room to get something for example, thermometers, art supplies, cleaning products. (Photographs submitted). As manager of the service, a new routine has been developed to check in with all rooms regularly throughout the day to see if they require anything, for example an accident form signed, or completed photocopying. This is to eliminate staff members having to leave the room and to ensure adequate and required adult: child ratio in rooms. Each room has a sign highlighting the adult: child ratio for that room and that it must be always adhered to. (Signage submitted). Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken documentary and photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate and reviewed by the Early Years Inspector. The practices if implemented should meet the regulatory requirement. The practices as stated will be reviewed on the next inspection

Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child

  • A record of children’s immunisations was not available in respect of seven children of the eighteen records reviewed
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following in the response: All child record files have been checked and any missing details in respect of immunisations been acquired and attached to child files. (Records submitted). All new child booking forms will be fully checked before admission and the office staff will ensure all sections are correctly completed. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The most recent Garda vetting disclosure presented in respect of two adults was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. An unsecured side entrance was accessible via the glazed door in junior pre-school room two. It is acknowledged that junior pre-school room two is currently closed and not in use or occupied by children. 3. The kitchen and its contents within were accessible to children which posed a potential risk of injury. 4. A delivery of cleaning agents was noted to be stored in open plastic crates on the main corridor. Upon the request of the inspector a corrective action was taken and the items were removed to a storage area. 5. The blind cord in sleep room two was not contained within its holder. Upon the request of the inspector a corrective action was taken and the blind cord was secured. Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing practice observed was inadequate for infection control purposes due to the following: • Staff did not wash their hands before nappy changing. • Aprons were not worn by staff when carrying out nappy changing. • The children were redressed with the same gloves used for nappy changing. • Staff did not wash their hands after nappy changing. • Children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing. • Staff wore used gloves while returning children to their pre-school rooms. 2. A step-by-step nappy changing procedure was not available or displayed in the sanitary accommodation incorporating nappy changing in the service. 3. The ventilation grid s for mechanical ventilation in the sanitary accommodation incorporating nappy changing were full of physical debris and required cleaning. 4. Foot operated pedal bins were not available in the pre -school rooms and sanitary accommodation for the hygienic disposal of waste. 5. Plates were not provided to children after the main meal when fruit was offered. Chopped fruit was placed directly on the table which presented as a potential infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following in the response: General Safety: 1. The out-of-date Garda Vetting for two staff members was applied for. (Garda Vetting disclosures submitted). 1. Two new side exit gates were constructed post inspection. (Photographs submitted). 2. New entry code locks were put on the kitchen entry doors. (Photographs submitted). 3. The morning of our inspection we had just collected a delivery of cleaning and toiletry products; the crates had been carried from the car to the hallway outside the store just before our Inspectors arrived and would have been moved into the storeroom within the next few minutes. These crates were moved within minutes of the inspector noting them. (Corrective action observed by the inspector). 4. The loose blind cord was immediately repaired when notified by the inspector. (Corrective action observed by the inspector). Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing procedure has been reviewed as per regulation and infection control procedures. The deputy manager for the junior rooms has completed the nappy changing course and has met all staff to train. Many more staff members in our junior rooms are completing the course over the coming weeks. (Certificate submitted). 2. All changing rooms have picture procedures as well as step by step written procedure displayed. (Photograph submitted). All rooms have read the updated nappy changing policy. (Staff completion submitted). 3. All vents in all bathrooms, toilets and changing rooms have been cleaned and dusted. (Photograph submitted). 4. New foot operated pedal bins are in place in all changing rooms, bathrooms, staff rooms. (Photographs submitted). 5. The service is now providing plates and dishes for all meals and snacks in all rooms, instead of placing some foods directly on the tables. (Photograph submitted). Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • Monthly fire drills were not carried out in the service. A fire drill was not recorded as taking place in March 2025. A review of records indicated that fire drills were conducted every two months in 2024 and to date in 2025. Consistent monthly fire drills are required to ensure familiarity with evacuation procedures in the event of a fire in the premises
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following in the response: Fire drills have taken place recently in the service. Fire drills now take place monthly and records are kept. (Drill records submitted). Staff members are enrolled to complete fire safety training. (Confirmation of enrolment submitted) Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken documentary and photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents

  • (d) The notification of incident form was not submitted to the Early Years Inspectorate within the required three working days of the incident occurring in the service as the incident occurred on the 11 March 2025
Provider's corrective action:
  • (d) The registered provider stated the following in the response: All required paperwork has been submitted to Tusla regarding this incident. Management has received a letter of acknowledgement from Tusla. (Letter submitted). The service is now familiar with procedures following such an incident and all timelines will be adhered to in the event of a notifiable incident occurring in the service. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken documentary evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement

Found compliant: Regulation 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 28, 33.

Inspection of 17 October 2024 — Change in Circumstance

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Earlier inspections

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Alert me when a new report is published · Dated report on this service — €19