Creche Inspection Reports

Little Oaks Academy

Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Gorey, Wexford · Tusla ID TU2015WX080 · 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
0non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 20 April 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 23, 25, 26, 28.

Inspection of 15 May 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • There was no evidence to demonstrate that one staff member was qualified
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action Evidence of qualification is now on file. The service will ensure evidence of qualifications are on file in the future

Regulation 11 — Staffing levels

  • In the log cabin adult to child ratios were not fully maintained after the ECCE session was finished. Between 12:20 and 12:55 there was one staff member with 11 children present. Based on the number and ages of the children, two adults were required
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action The staff ratios will be maintained at all times. A plan will be put into place when cover is not available, such as to relocate children into other rooms that are within ratio for the short period or reschedule lunches to ensure all rooms are within ratios

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The service did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to re-new Garda vetting every 3 years. There were Garda vetting disclosures on file for all staff members, however the vetting disclosure for one staff member was not dated within the previous 3 years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda vetting. 2. The windowsill in the baby outdoor area had two exposed nails which posed as puncture risk to staff and children. 3. A number of staff involved in nappy changing were observed to have long, pointed and painted nails and wore bracelets which posed as an injury risk to children’s skin. This is at variance with the services dress code policy. Infection Control: A number of inconsistencies in practice were observed and at variance with the service’s infection control policy: 1. The door to the toilet on the corridor was left propped open on both days. This posed as a risk of cross infection. 2. Cot mattresses examined did not have waterproof covers and therefore posed as a risk of cross contamination. 3. Children in the baby room were not observed to have their hands washed after nappy changing which is not in line with the service’s nappy changing policy. 4. Children in the junior Montessori room did not have their hands washed before eating their afternoon snack on day two. 5. Children in the junior Montessori room had their faces cleaned with one communal cloth after their dinner on day one. This posed an increased risk of the spread of infection. 6. The sleep mats in the Montessori room were beginning to fray at the edges and therefore the service could not ensure they can be adequately cleaned. 7. The lobby area of the toilet in the ECCE room was used for the storage of toys and equipment. Items were stored unboxed on open shelves. This poses as a risk of cross contamination. Safe Sleep: 1. Young children in the baby room were placed to sleep on mats on the floor which was at variance with the service’s sleep policy. Staff in discussion with the inspector advised that sleep plans were not in place with parents for children who may have been developmentally ready to sleep outside of a cot on a sleep bed. 2. The sleep mats used for the children were unsuitable and not in line with the Safe Sleep Guidance for Children under 24 months. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider submitted the following response:
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was applied for straight away and is now on file. List of Garda vetting renewal dates created on a calendar on our office PC with renewals reminders. 2. The nails were removed immediately. 3. A staff meeting was held to discuss and address long nails & jewellery in the workplace. Staff were asked to shorten their nails immediately and to not wear jewellery in the workplace. Special accommodation will be given to those wearing an anxiety or a diabetic bracelet. Infection Control: 1. Discussed at staff meeting – all staff are aware the door needs to remain closed. 2. All cots have mattress protector sheets and are changed daily. 3. Hand washing was discussed at staff meeting. 4. Hand washing was discussed at staff meeting. 5. Infection control policy discussed with all educators at staff meeting and about the usage of face cloths. Safe Sleep: 6. New floor beds with mattresses were sourced immediately for under two years. 7. Safe sleep plans have been documented for the under two’s who are currently sleeping on floor beds

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • Fire drills were not completed monthly. Through discussion with four staff, it was established that fire drills are completed every three months and not monthly as recorded and outlined in the service’s fire safety policy
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action A fire drill was completed on the 20th of May. A discussion was held with all educators at staff meeting in May regarding the importance of monthly fire drills. A new fire officer was appointed and will ensure to carry out monthly fire drills and documentation of the fire drills

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (d) The following areas required maintenance: 1.The nappy changing area between the baby and wobbler room required painting as parts of the wall had peeling paint, were missing paint and therefore could not be adequately cleaned. 2.The area around the window in the baby and wobbler nappy changing area was unpainted and dusty. 3. The area around the window in the toddler nappy changing area was unpainted and therefore can’t be adequately cleaned. 4. The timber surrounds in the ECCE toilets required repainting as the paint had peeled off in parts
Provider's corrective action:
  • All points on maintenance have been addressed with a maintenance person. The team are currently waiting for a works schedule date but aim to have everything completed end of September. Monthly checks will be carried out and a schedule for any maintenance works

Found compliant: Regulation 20, 25, 28.

Inspection of 25 September 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play

  • There was a lack of an enriched learning environment within the individual rooms. Interest areas were not resourced or fully developed to meet the play and learning needs of all children. The toddler room had a number of empty shelves, with toys out of reach of the children. The canopied area located off the big ECCE room was used for storage and cluttered which was not fully developed for as potential space for play off the playroom
  • The rest area in the big ECCE room was poorly developed and not conductive for children to rest. The wobbler room did not have a blind to darken the room for children while sleeping
Provider's corrective action:
  • The new educators in the Wobbler room have engaged with the curiosity approach and have redesigned the room. Both educators have completed a course with the curiosity approach, and are waiting to engage with Better Start that will visit in November. The ECCE room have added a sofa, pillows and blankets to their rest area. Further training and support provided within the wobbler room Daily/Weekly canopy checks to ensure all materials are stored correctly

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • Infection Control: 1. The changing mats were torn and posed as a risk of cross contamination as they could not be adequately cleaned. 2. The sleep mattresses were not adequately spaced apart in the wobbler room as in the line with good infection control measures. 3. Personal items and equipment were stored in the toilet in the wobbler room which posed as a risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider submitted the following response to address the non-compliances:
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. New changing mats were bought. 2. Sleep mats are now positioned with adequate space between them and black out blind and curtains installed in wobbler room 3. Personal items removed from wobbler storage area. 4. All educators briefed individually about leaving adequate space between sleep mats. 5. Monthly visual checks on all changing mats and educators asked to communicate any rips/tears to management so they can be replaced. All educators briefed at team meetings about having personal items in the classrooms. Each educator has their own cubby in reception for their personal belongings

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) The mechanical ventilation in the big ECCE room toilets did not appear to be working sufficiently well. There was a foul smell noted on the morning of the inspection. (d) The premises needed some general maintenance and upkeep. The toddler room required painting and cleaning, with paint missing from walls and skirting boards. Skirting boards and behind equipment were dirty. The nappy changing area between the baby and toddler room required painting as parts of the wall were missing paint, therefore could not be adequately cleaned. The acrylic canopy outside the toddler and small ECCE room required washing. There was a heavy build-up of grime, dirt, leaves and debris covering it. In the small grass garden off the baby room, there were a large number of worn and broken ride on toys. The grass was excessively mucky and not suitable for young children. There were a number of storage sheds located outside, which were full to capacity with toys and equipment. Further boxes of excess toys and equipment were stored in the outdoor area and not in sheds and were exposed to the elements. Broken toys and parts of toys no longer in use were left on the roofs of the playhouses. Two reclining baby chairs appeared broken, the fabric was worn and torn, and they were unsuitable for use. (e) The nappy changing unit and toilet facilities used by the small ECCE room was not adequate for the changing of children who were toilet training. A staff was observed changing a child with the door open as the room was too small
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider submitted the following response to address the non-compliances: Corrective and Preventive Action (c) The mechanical ventilation in the big ECCE was checked by an electrician . The unit was hoovered, had a maintenance check and the filter was changed in the air purifying unit. (d) The toddler room has been painted (walls and skirting) since the inspection. The nappy changing area between the baby and toddler will be painted the first weekend in November. Work has been booked to replace all acrylic coverings in the canopy areas. The service has a large natural garden with eight large trees, mixture of oak and pine that hang directly over the canopy areas, due to it being autumn leaves and pines are naturally going to fall onto the canopy areas. The team hope to combine this work with redesigning the baby/wobbler garden so that is useable in all weathers. Staff have started do a clear out of sheds and any broken toys/materials have been taken away. The two reclining baby chairs fabric covers have been replaced. (e) Educators have been asked to change any children that may have had an accident in the adjoining bathroom that has more space. Team meetings to communicate timelines for the garden works. Team meeting to discuss the use of the bathrooms/changing areas

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 28.

Earlier inspections

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