Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. Children in the Junior Wobbler room did not have their hands washed before eating their lunch. This increased the potential risk of cross infection. 2. Eight cots at sleep time were observed to be positioned less than 50 cm apart to reduce the potential risk of cross infection while children sleep. The space between the cots was measured as between 24.6cm and 36.9cm. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. In response to the non-compliance the registered provider has stated that staff have reviewed the service infection control and hygiene, nappy training policy. 2. In response to the non-compliance the registered provider has stated that a cot layout plan has also been developed and displayed to ensure all staff are aware of the correct positioning of the cots. In addition, the Safe Sleep Policy has been reviewed by staff, and this will continue to be reinforced through regular supervision and team meetings to always ensure compliance with safe sleep practices
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 28.
Inspection of 4 September 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic Needs: 1. The transition of children from the garden to dinner time in the Senior Wobbler room was not managed by staff in a calm and organised manner. For example. From 10.40-11.16am the process was observed to be busy and disorganised as one staff member assisted the children with removing their wet coats while the other staff member started changing the children’s nappies. As a result, the children began to get upset and disagree with one another. Staff continued to change the children’s nappies while they sat at the table waiting for lunch. This did not support a relaxed and sociable experience for the children. 2. At 10.46 am in the Senior Wobbler room , when a child aged 18 months of age showed signs of tiredness by lying on the mat in the care room and closing their eyes, staff did not demonstrate awareness, responsiveness or flexibility in the care room routine and place them to sleep on a low contour bed. As a result, the child cried when placed sitting at the table for lunch at 10 .50am and refused to eat any food. At 12.03pm, the same child was observed unable to settle to sleep. This practice was not child led to meet the individual needs of the child
Provider's corrective action:
1. In response to the non-compliance the registered provider has stated that the Junior and Senior Wobbler rooms now have two key staff assigned to each room daily. In addition, a designated floater supports both rooms from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to assist with transitions and provide extra support when children are upset or need one-to-one attention. To improve efficiency and supervision during key transition periods, a timetable has been developed for the support staff member (floater). This ensures time is effectively shared between both the Junior and Senior Wobbler rooms providing more consistent support during busy periods and smoother transitions. Management have met with staff to reinforce the importance of carrying out only “one task at a time”, while ensuring that one or more staff members are always supervising and engaging with the children. Routine updates have been implemented to support smoother workflow and transitions throughout the day. The Manager will oversee operations to ensure that the "one task at a time" approach is consistently followed and maintained. 2. In response staff members have re-read the Inclusion Policy to remind them that routines are a guide and to structure the day but should be flexible to meet the children’s individual needs. Daily routines have been adjusted to follow a "one task at a time" approach ensuring staff can respond more attentively to children's individual cues (including tiredness), There is always one staff member available to supervise and offer comfort. Staff will also be reminded at further staff meetings about the daily routines only being a guide and that routines must also be flexible to suit the children’s needs. Managers will also continue to ensure that staff remain mindful of non-verbal cues, particularly in rooms with children who are not yet able to verbalise their feelings
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 renew Garda vetting every three years for one staff member. Infection Control: The infection control procedures and practices to reduce the potential risk of cross infection in the Senior Wobbler room were observed to be at variance with the service policy and best practice guidelines. For example. 2. At 11.00am while the children sat at the table waiting for dinner, staff provided each child with hand gel to clean their hands. This is at variance with the service policy which documents that warm running water and liquid soap should be used for effective hand hygiene before meals. 3. Nappy changing was not completed as per the service policy and best practice. This increased the potential risk of cross infection. For example. • The staff member wore one glove for the procedure; two gloves are required. • Staff touched the lid of the bin when disposing of the removed items, the pedal of the bin should be used. • The nappy mat was not consistently cleaned between children. • The children did not have their hands washed directly after nappy changing and before returning to the care room. Safe Sleep: 4. Three children under two years of age were observed sleeping on low contour floor beds. Completed documentation was not available to demonstrate that parents had been communicated with, and their written permission was obtained before this practice commenced. This is at variance with best practice sleep guidelines issued to the sector in September 2023. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that they will continue to update the garda vetting as required. General Safety: Infection Control: 2. In response to the non-compliance the registered provider has stated that staff have re-read the Handwashing Policy and the Infection Control Policy and will implement the procedures consistently throughout their daily practice. Managers emphasised the importance of effective hand hygiene for both adults and children. The correct technique for handwashing, along with the key times when hands must be washed, were reviewed in detail. Handwashing was demonstrated at the staff meeting and staff were given the chance to practice. A clear Handwashing Procedure will be visibly displayed above all children’s and staff handwashing sinks as a reminder and prompt for best practice. 3. To address the non-compliances staff have re-read the Nappy Changing and Toilet Training Policy as well as the Infection Control Policy to ensure consistent adherence to best practices. A clear and detailed Nappy Changing Procedure has been developed and shared with the team. Staff have been asked to read and familiarise themselves with this procedure. To support consistent implementation, the Nappy Changing Procedure will be displayed in the nappy changing area as a visual reminder, allowing staff to reference it as needed while carrying out the steps. During our staff meetings, managers will demonstrate the correct nappy changing procedure, followed by time for staff members to practise the procedure together. Safe Sleep: 4. In response to the non-compliances the service managers and staff have re-read the centre's Safe Sleep Policy. Managers and staff were reminded to follow the correct protocol when a child (over 15 months and under 2 years of age) needs to transition from a cot to a floor bed and to ensure that the appropriate consent form is completed and signed by the parents prior to the transition
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) On review of the staff roster and on discussion with staff it was confirmed that a staff member with First Aid Responder (FAR) certification was not always available to the children attending the service. It is acknowledged that a staff member with paediatric first aid was available to the children at all times
Provider's corrective action:
(1) To address the non-compliance training has been booked for 3 more staff, to ensure a FAR trained staff member will be on the premises during working hours. FAR training records will be maintained as part of our overall staff training records. This ensures that all FAR certificates are monitored for expiry and that FAR courses are booked well in advance to maintain compliance. FAR-trained staff members will be clearly marked on the staff rota, guaranteeing that there is always a qualified FAR-trained individual on the premises during operating hours
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 26.
Inspection of 11 November 2024 — Inspection Report