Inspection of 16 April 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs: 1. The basic needs of children in the Junior Wobbler, Junior and Senior Toddler rooms were not always facilitated by staff as the following practices were observed. • In the Junior Wobbler room, the children were given a limited time to drink their water before staff removed the drinks for them before dinner. Children should have access to drinking water to satisfy their individual thirst. • The children from the Junior Wobbler room and a child in the Senior Toddlers room were not provided with a dimmed environment for sleep as the window was missing a blind. A restful space should be made available to all children to enable them to relax and sleep. • Children in the Junior Wobbler room had their noses persistently wiped with an abrasive paper towel. The use of the paper towel did not ensure the integrity of the children’s delicate skin. • A child that was toilet training did not have their skin cleaned after staff removed wet clothing. The inspector intervened and the dry clothes were removed and the skin cleaned. Not cleaning skin after removing wet clothing during toilet training can cause skin rashes and discomfort for the child. • Staff were not observed prompting or assisting a child to remove their soother while they played. This can reduce their overall oral development and speech. 2. The transitions between lunch and sleep time in the Senior Toddler room was observed to be disorganised and took from 11:15 to 11:45am. This did not create a restful and calm environment for the children before sleep time. For example. • Staff did not work together in supporting the children and preparing the room for rest. A clear plan and routine were not evident in the room with staff beginning a task and then changing to another. • Children were observed jumping, rolling, climbing and crawling on care room equipment and materials while staff cleaned the care room and moved furniture. Physical and Material Environment: 3. The physical and material environment of the Junior Wobbler and Senior Toddler rooms did not create an inviting and enjoyable environment for the children. For example. • Cause and effect toys in the Junior Wobbler room were not working, removing the play and developmental purpose of the toy from the children. • The rest and relaxation area in the Senior Toddler room was cramped and used to store sleeping mats and child size sofas. • Areas of interest in the Senior Toddler room were poorly equipped with materials and toys to enable the children to develop and sustain their interests. For example, the equipment for the play kitchen was stored out of reach of the children. Supporting Relationships: 4. A behaviour chart in the Senior Toddler room was not conducive in supporting positive relationships with the children. Staff outlined that it was used to acknowledge and document behaviour both positive and negative within the care room. A sticker of a red ‘angry’ face was used for any behaviour issues, and a green ‘happy’ face was used for good behaviour. Stickers were positioned at a picture of the child. This is at variance with the service behaviour management policy and best practice guidelines due to the following. • This behaviour strategy did not create and develop each child’s self-esteem by focusing on the positive. • Staff were not consistent in their approach as some children that behaved well were not acknowledged on the chart. • Staff did not communicate with their colleagues in their absence to update the chart at the end of every week, as a child that received a red ‘angry’ face a week prior to the inspection was still on the chart. • The children in the care room were aged from 2-3 years of age and therefore not at a developmental age to understand the concept. 5. Birthday and family wall displays along with activities and artwork completed by the children in the Junior and Senior Wobbler and the Senior Toddler were not displayed at the children’s eye level to enable the children to see their images and promote the relationships between family and home and give the children a sense of belonging and ownership of their care room
Provider's corrective action:
- Basic Needs: 1. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • A staff meeting was held on the 25 May 2026; staff were reminded that children must have continuous access to drinking water to satisfy their individual thirst needs. The Wobbler Room timetable has been adjusted to allow additional time for dinner so children can eat and drink at their own pace. Management will continue to monitor all of the above practices through regular observations, room checks, staff support meetings, to ensure these improvements are consistently maintained and embedded into daily practice. • The blind was replaced on the day of inspection. In addition, lighting is now temporarily blocked during sleep time to ensure children have a calm and restful environment. The Safe Sleep Policy was reviewed and re-read by all relevant staff. Locking out direct light has been added to the sleep risk assessment. • Staff now know to use only soft tissue roll or water wipes, where appropriate, for wiping children’s noses. • A clear toileting and toilet-training procedure has now been developed and will be displayed in the changing area. This procedure was reviewed in detail during a staff meeting, and staff were reminded of the correct hygiene practices and expectations when supporting children with toileting accidents. 2. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • Daily routine in the Senior Toddler Room has now been adjusted to support a smoother transition from lunch to sleep time. A floating staff member has been assigned to assist during busy periods to ensure that children are adequately supervised and staff are supported during transitions. • The floating staff member is responsible for preparing the sleep environment, this allows the core room staff to remain focused on supporting and supervising the children, helping to maintain a calm and settled atmosphere. Management will ensure that the floater remains part of the toddler team and continues to follow the daily routine. • Management will also ensure that the updated routines are consistently implemented and will continue to monitor transitions from dinner time to sleep time to ensure that a calm, organised, and consistent experience is being implemented for the children Physical and Material Environment: 3. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following • The physical and material environment in both the Junior Wobbler and Senior Toddler Rooms was reviewed to ensure that the environment is welcoming, engaging, and age appropriate for all children. • The importance of maintaining all toys and equipment in good working order was discussed during a staff meeting. Staff were reminded that ensuring all cause-and-effect toys are functioning correctly is important, as these toys play a significant role in supporting children’s learning and development. • Staff were informed that checking batteries and ensuring toys are in working order will now be part of the daily morning checks, and this requirement has been added to the daily checklist. • The cosy corner area in the Senior Toddler Room was reviewed and reorganised to create a more comfortable and spacious area for the children. • Sleeping mats and beds will no longer be stored within the room during the day. Staff were reminded of this during the staff meeting. • Additional toys, play materials, and resources have been put into the Senior Toddler Room to better support children’s interests and learning in the play area. • Staff were reminded during the staff meeting that toys and equipment must remain accessible at children’s level throughout the day to encourage independent play and choice. Staff were reminded that they are responsible for ensuring that all interest areas are appropriately equipped, inviting, and regularly rotated to maintain children’s engagement. • The play kitchen equipment and other resources are now stored within children’s reach to promote independent and meaningful play experiences Supporting Relationships: 4. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • A staff meeting, managers discussed the importance of staff understanding the age-appropriate behaviour and development of the children in their care, and the importance of responding to behaviour in a positive and meaningful way. Staff were reminded that their role is to teach and guide children, and examples were given on how to approach different situations. • Managers also reminded staff that if they are struggling with managing certain behaviours, they should approach a manager for support. Managers will work with staff to help them manage behaviours in a positive and appropriate way and will continue to monitor staff practice through regular observations, mentoring, and support to ensure that positive behaviour management strategies are implemented across the service. Ongoing staff meetings and training will also be provided to ensure children are supported in a respectful, positive, and developmentally appropriate manner 5. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • The display areas within the Senior Toddler Rooms were reviewed to ensure children’s artwork, family photographs, and birthday displays are accessible for the children to look at. • Displays have now been repositioned to a lower level where possible so children can view and engage with their own artwork, photographs, and family
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1.Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, the vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. There was evidence to demonstrate that no regular and routine risk assessments were completed by staff in the care rooms or outdoor area to reduce the potential risk of injury to a child. For example. • In the Senior Toddler room, a blind cord was loose and not secured. • Cleaning materials and liquids were stored in and unlocked cupboard accessible to the children in the Senior Toddler room, staff were alerted to the issue and locked the cupboard. • Twelve sleep mats were positioned on a low shelf unit which created a potential risk of harm to the children as they moved around the area. • A wooden slide in the outdoor area was observed to be badly damaged with splintered wood. • The last recorded service risk assessment was completed on the 14 January 2026. The service policy stated that risk assessment should be completed monthly. 3. The registered provider did not ensure that accurate records of staff and children’s attendance in the service were maintained to ensure effective evacuation in the event of an emergency. For example. • A child in the Senior Toddler room that arrived to the service at 9:30am was not recorded as being present until the inspector identified the error at 12:30pm. • Five staff employed by the service but not reflected on the service daily roster did not sign in on their arrival to the service. Infection Control: 4. The nappy changing practices observed in the Junior Wobbler and the Junior and Senior Toddler rooms were at variance with the service policy and best practice guidelines to reduce the potential risk of cross infection. For example. • A staff member used the same gloves and apron when changing three children. On completion on the process the staff member stored the apron for the next child. • The nappy mat was not cleaned after each child. • The children did not all have their hands washed after the process and before returning to the care room. • Children waiting to have their nappy changed were observed crawling and lying on the floor in the sanitary facility. • Staff stored care room equipment and toys in the sanitary facility. • A pedal operated bin in the sanitary facility was broken and as a result staff used the lid of the bin to dispose of waste. • A damaged child size sofa was in use in the Senior Pre School room. 5. The procedure and practice of storing soothers in the Junior Wobbler and Toddler rooms were not followed by staff as the following was observed. • A soother was observed sitting on an open shelf and was handed to a child at sleep time. • A child that was using a soother did not have it removed before getting their nappy changed. 6. There was evidence to demonstrate that no regular and routine cleaning schedules were completed by staff in the care rooms to reduce the potential risk of cross infection. For example. • No documented list of cleaning duties was displayed or completed by staff in the Junior Toddler room. • A cleaning schedule was displayed in the Senior Toddler room; however, it had not been completed for the previous three days. Safe Sleep: 7. There was evidence to demonstrate that daily safe sleep safety checklists were not completed by staff in the care rooms to reduce the potential risk of harm to a child, as per the service policy. For example. • No record of a safe sleep checklist was displayed or completed by staff in the Junior Toddler room. • A checklist was displayed in the Senior Toddler room; however, it had not been completed for the previous three days. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1.In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • Garda Vetting schedule has been put in place to remind managers when Garda Vetting renewals are due. Managers have also agreed to record these dates in their yearly diaries two months before the renewal is due, to ensure vetting is completed in advance and remains up to date at all times 2. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • Blind cord was fixed, cleaning products have been taken out of the room, each room will only have a bottle of anti-bacterial spray in each classroom and changing room which will be stored in the high presses. • Mats will no longer be stored in the classrooms, will only be placed down in the room when children are ready to sleep. • The wooden slide was repaired in the garden • Daily risk assessments have now been created for all rooms where checks are carried out daily, Management monitor these each morning to ensure they are being carried out and completed daily. At the meeting we spoke about the importance of risk assessments and the new daily risk assessments sheets and how they work. Staff and management re-read the risk management policy too 3. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • At the meeting staff were reminded of the importance of signing the children in and out as they enter and leave the building especially for Fire Safety. The Fire Safety Policy and the Evacuation Policy was re-read management and staff were reminded of the importance of signing in and out of the building for fire purposes too. • A signing in sign has now been displayed at the front desk as a reminder to people to working at the desk will make it a priority to remind people as they come through the front door to sign in. • A sign has been displayed in at the desk in reception as a reminder for all people entering the building to sign in. • Management will monitor and carry out regular spot checks of children's sign-in and sign-out records throughout the day to ensure they are being completed accurately and in real time as children arrive at and depart from the creche. Infection Control: 4. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • On the 26th May a manager spent the day training all relevant staff with demonstrations on Nappy Changing and Hand-Washing Procedures. • Opportunities were given throughout the day to all relevant staff to practice the procedures, as the manager watched on in support. • The visual nappy changing procedure and handwashing procedure displays have been ordered and displayed. • A support staff member has been assigned to the two toddler rooms to work between 9.50am- 4pm to support staff with the children and extra duties, to ensure smoother transitions and to ensure less stress around nappy changing only taking in one toddler at a time to nappy change. • At the staff meeting staff were told that they were not to store toys in the changing room, a sign has also been placed on the changing room door to remind staff on entry that no toys or equipment have to be stored in the changing room. • The broken bin has been replaced. • The sofa has been removed from the and practices and nappy changing will continue in our training evenings • The visual display will remind staff of the nappy changing and handwashing procedures. • We will ensure toddlers continue to have the support staff member. • Signs were placed in all changing rooms to ensure that all staff remember not to store toys or equipment in the changing room. • Management will monitor and ensure all the following mentioned above is continued and 5. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • A staff meeting was held to discuss soother hygiene and the sterilisation procedure. Staff were reminded that soothers could not be brought into the changing room while changing nappies. Soother sterilisation procedure has been displayed in the toddler room beside the soother box to remind staff of the soother sterilisation procedure. • A sign reminding staff that no children should have their soothers in the changing room has been displayed on the changing room door to remind staff to remove soothers before entering the changing room 6. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • Cleaning schedules were immediately reintroduced in all care rooms after the inspection. At the staff meeting held on 25th May, staff were reminded of the importance of following the cleaning rotas, completing the cleaning tasks assigned to them, and signing them off once completed. It was explained to staff, that cleaning sheets helps maintain high standards of hygiene and infection control throughout the creche. Safe Sleep: 7. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated the following. • At the meeting staff were reminded of the importance of carry out a daily sleep risk assessment and signing off to say they were completed. Staff re-read the Safe Sleep Policy and the Risk Management policy. Management will oversee that the Safe sleep risk assessments are being carried out and ticked daily
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) 1. A tap in the Senior Toddler care room was observed to be loose fitting and difficult for a young child to operate
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) 1. In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated that the tap was fixed and has been included in the daily risk assessment
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 28.