Creche Inspection Reports

Little Penguins Firhouse T/A Firhouse Childcare

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Dublin 24, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2023DS004 · Registered since 11 January 2026

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

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

Inspection of 29 October 2025 — Change in Circumstance

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Inspection of 13 February 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 13th February 2024 in respect of Regulation (9) (2)(c) Garda vetting.

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (c) A Garda vetting disclosure was not available for one adult who has been employed and working directly with the children since November 2023. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on the 13th February 2023. (d) International Police vetting was not available for 1 adult who required it from two States where they resided for a period exceeding 6 months as an adult
  • A review of documentation evidenced that the procedures specified above under Regulation 9(2) had not been completed prior to some adults commencing employment in the service as follows: • References obtained for six of the adults had not been validated prior to them commencing employment in the service. • Garda vetting disclosures had not been obtained for eight staff members prior to them working in the • service. • International Police vetting was not considered for one staff member prior to them working in the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • (c) and (d) The staff member was informed of the fact that she could not work until her Garda and Police Clearance had been received. This process is ongoing as she awaits Garda Vetting clearance. Police Clearance from Moldova has been received. Only when GV is received will she return to work. Management and staff have all been reminded and informed that they are unable to attend work unless the proper Garda or Police clearance has been received. This is part of our recruitment policy
  • A staff meeting took place on foot of inspection. All staff and management were informed that no staff will be allowed to start until all qualifications, CV and references have been checked. A ‘Staff Record Form’ for this is in place on every staff file outlining that all checks have been done prior to commencement of employment

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (16)(1) (h) A record was not available in each room detailing the attendance of the children. No children were signed into the attendance book for any child attending Room 3
Provider's corrective action:
  • Staff were informed immediately that all children must be signed in to the register when they arrive and only signed out when they depart the facility. This process was highlighted again to all staff at subsequent staff meeting and they were reminded of the correct procedure and the importance of adhering to it

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The children accessed an enclosed outdoor area adjacent to the service. There was a requirement to cross a communal walkway that lead to the community centre, walk down some steps and pass an open container containing hazardous materials and equipment including paint and tools. The area is accessible to the public. The inspector observed a cigarette lighter on the ground when approaching the outdoor area. The manager had not completed a risk assessment prior to children accessing the area daily and stated there was no risk assessment in place which was at variance with the service Risk Management Policy. Infection Control: 2. The nappy changing practices observed on the days of inspection were at variance with the service Nappy Changing Policy and Procedures as follows: • Staff did not wash their hands prior to changing a child’s nappy. • Staff re-dressed the child with soiled gloves. • The nappy changing mat was not wiped down following each nappy change. The above practices pose a risk of cross contamination. 3. On the first day of inspection there were no paper towels available in 3 out of 4 sanitary accommodations. Children were observed leaving the toilet with wet hands wiping them on their clothing which is ineffective for infection control purposes. 4. There were large accumulations of dust and dirt in all of the sanitary accommodations around the pipes, toilet bowls, pedestals and walls. A number of different clubs and organisations use the same facilities outside of preschool hours. There were no cleaning schedules in place. This is at variance with the infection control policy in place. 5. Pedal operated bins were not available in the sanitary accommodations posing a risk of cross contamination. Fire Safety: 6. The attendance books in Room 1 and 2 were completed during the inspection. All children had been signed in and out of the service during the session. No children had been signed into Room 3. This would pose a risk of safe evacuation in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. Risk Assessment is now in place to be checked daily in advance of use of the outdoor space. Infection Control: 2. and 3. Staff reminded of the policy on Infection Control and that it must be complied with. Bathrooms must also be checked first thing to ensure there is an adequate supply of sanitary equipment (soap, towels, nappy changing requirements) in each bathroom at the beginning of the day
  • We have requested that the Community Centre put up a cleaning schedule on the door of each bathroom to confirm when cleaning is done and by whom. They have agreed to do this. 5. Pedal bins have been ordered for the bathrooms to replace the existing ones. Fire Safety: 6. All staff not just Room 3 have been reminded of their obligation to comply with process and procedure around attendance records

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • There was no documented evidence available to show when the firefighting equipment was last serviced. It is acknowledged that a photo of an extinguisher was sent to the inspector, however this was not accepted as certification from a fire safety professional is required
Provider's corrective action:
  • Fire Extinguisher Certification which verified that the extinguishers had been inspected on the dates marked on the extinguishers has been received. Firhouse Community Centre arrange for all inspections and they have been informed of the requirement to always get a certificate of compliance when inspections are done every year. They have agreed to do this

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (e) The service is not equipped with adequate sanitary facilities based on the number of children and adults attending the service. There are currently 3 toilets and wash hand basins and one nappy changing unit and wash hand basin available for 61 registered children. Staff stated there are 21 children who require nappy changing and 40 children who use the toilet exclusively. The requirement is one toile t and wash hand basin for 11 children and one nappy changing unit and wash hand basin for 11 nappy wearing children. An additional toilet and wash hand basin together with an additional nappy changing unit and wash hand basin are required based on the number and needs of the children currently attending the service. There are 10 adults employed in the service the requirement is 1 toilet and handbasin for every 8 adults. On the first day of inspection staff stated that one of the 4 toilets was used exclusively for staff, however the inspector observed children using this toilet during the inspection. Following a discussion with the inspector on the second day of inspection the manager stated that staff would now only use the communal toilets available in the adjacent Community Centre
Provider's corrective action:
  • (e) It has been agreed with Firhouse Community Centre that works to make the sanitary area compliant with regulations based on the class numbers will take place over the coming months. This process has been started by Firhouse Community Centre

Regulation not named in the report text

  • The registered provider failed to notify the Agency in writing of changes to the details in relation to the pre-school service at least 60 days before the change would take effect as follows: • The person in charge was different to the person named on the register. • The name of the service was different to the name recorded on the register and the person in charge on the day of inspection confirmed that the name was incorrect. • The hours of operation recorded on the register were not in line with the actual hours of opening. The service is registered to open from 9.00am to 12.30pm. There were children attending until 12.45pm and the staff confirmed they opened daily until 12.45pm. • The telephone number of the registered provider was not correct, staff gave the inspector the correct telephone number for the registered provider during the feedback meeting
Provider's corrective action:
  • A Change in Circumstances Form has been submitted to Tusla to amend the errors brought up

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25.

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