# Little Rugrats, Skerries — inspection reports and findings > Little Rugrats (Skerries, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 1 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Rugrats Sessional · 1 - 6 Years · Skerries, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2015FL186** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 4 July 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 7 July 2025 in relation to Garda vetting requirements under ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(a)(b) The registered provider had not ensured the following: Three written and validated references were not available for two adults employed in the service. (c) Garda vetting disclosures were not available for one staff member who was present in the care rooms working with the children when the inspector arrived in the service. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to confirm that one adult who works directly with the children held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Minister - Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) Three written and validated references for two adults have been obtained. (c) Garda vetting was obtained for one staff member. The registered providers stated that this staff member did not attend the service while awaiting Garda vetting. (4) One adult who was working directly with the children has started her QQI Level 5 Course in Childcare Early Childhood Care and Education. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) On the day of inspection the manager discovered that some items were missing from staff files e.g. previous garda vetting and CVs etc. The staff files are now secured locked. (c) Calendar alerts have been set up 3 months in advance of each staff members vetting renewal. (4) The registered providers will ensure that new staff members who have started in the service have the required qualifications ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (1)(a) In respect of 4 adults, there was no recorded history of past employment and relevant experience available for inspection. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether international police vetting was required in accordance with Regulation 9(2)(c). (i) While there was a staff roster available, there was no record of the staff signing in on the day of the inspection - Corrective Action (1)(a) An updated Curriculum Vitae for 4 adults are now on file. (i) At the time of the inspection staff were using a manual sign in/out sheet. A clock in/out system using a digital application has since been implemented. The staff scan a QR code when entering and leaving the premises where they are clocked in and out. Preventive Action (1)(a) As stated in Regulation 9 Compliance staff files have been secured and a checklist for recruitment of new staff has been implemented so that all items are in place in advance of commencement of employment. (i) New Clock in/out system, which is automated, so more efficient and seamless ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Basic needs: 1. There were no water bottles accessible to the children in the care rooms for children to access independently. Physical and material environment: 2. There was a lack of natural and sensory materials in the Toddler room in order to facilitate sensorial play experiences. For example, sensory type materials such as sand, rice or pasta trays were not available to the children in this room. This did not provide opportunities for children to engage in play experiences that enhanced their sensorial development, stimulating senses in active play experiences; combining the senses of touch, vision, hearing, taste and smell. 3. In the Montessori room, a shelving unit was observed to be turned away from the children and stored against the wall, which prevented the children from accessing the play resources contained within, which included Montessori materials. This practice restricts children’s freely chosen play through reducing their access to play materials and resources. It is acknowledged that a staff member turned the shelf around at 12.15pm when children asked to use the materials. A non-compliance identified under regulation 19 under point 1 was identified at the last inspection on the 13 July 2022. The corrective actions submitted following that inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non- compliance - Corrective Action Basic needs: 1. While staff always give children a drink when they ask and at meal/snack times, staff have now set into the schedule that jugs of fresh water are placed in each room during the day with cups so that it is available. Physical and material environment: 2. More sensory toys and natural materials have been introduced into the toddler room. A sensory play schedule has been implemented in this room to prompt and assist in more sensory play. 3. The staff acknowledge this has been a practice over the years to turn the shelves to protect the Montessori equipment. The registered providers accept this is not necessary now and children should not be restricted from using these items. During the staff meeting after the inspection this was agreed between all staff members that shelves will remain outward facing going forward. Preventive Action Basic needs: 1. Access to jugs of fresh water and cups for children has now been integrated into the daily routine. Physical and material environment: 2. The registered providers have committed to making sure that the sensory materials in this room are monitored to ensure they are available to the toddlers at all times and replaced regularly especially food based sensory items. The manager will ensure this is assessed during weekly room inspections. 3. It will not be normal practice to turn shelves going forward so will not long arise as an issue ##### Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials - In the kitchen area where children sit to eat their meals together, one of the chairs was not age appropriate for one child in the Toddler room as it was too big - Corrective Action New highchairs have since been purchased which are more comfortable and slightly lower, so they allow for more interaction with toddlers and older children. Preventive Action At a recent meeting this noncompliance was communicated to staff ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. Five Garda vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. In the Toddler room infection control measures were not always followed. The possible risk of the spread of infection was increased due to the following: • The children were not assisted to wash their hands after nappy changing, before snack time and before dinner time. • Handwashing was not always carried out by staff in between nappy changing of children. • The nappy changing mat was not cleaned using disinfectant in between nappy changing of 2 children. • Wipes were used to wash children’s hands and faces after snack. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been renewed for 5 staff members. Infection Control: 2. At the staff meeting this non-compliance was discussed. Nappy changing procedures have been printed and placed in the changing area to prompt and reinforce this compliance. Staff have been instructed to ensure they assist children in handwashing before snacks, after nappy changing and before dinner and teatime. A printed prompt and instruction sheet has been placed in the changing and sanitary area. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Calendar alerts have been set up to remind 3 months in advance when Garda vetting is required. Infection Control: 2. Continual monitoring by manager and reinforcement of compliance at staff meetings. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures for 5 staff members and screenshot of calendar. Infection Control: 2. Photographic evidence of nappy changing checklist. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliances under Regulation 23 have been addressed. Garda vetting disclosures have been renewed and submitted for 5 staff members ##### Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance - (1) The details of the attendance of 3 children, 2 from the Playschool room and 1 child from the Montessori room had not been accurately recorded in the attendance record on the digital application. One child was not recorded as present until 10.47am and two children not marked as present until 10.50am. It is acknowledged that this was rectified when the inspector brought this to the attention of staff. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in an emergency - Corrective Action (1) There was a d iscussion at the staff meeting regarding all staff members being responsible for marking attendance as soon as a child arrives/departs. The responsibility is on the person answering the door or accompanying the child to the door at home time. A tablet or device will be left on the shelf beside the front door to assist in this process. The manager will monitor this situation to ensure all staff are confident in using the online digital application. Preventive Action (1) The manager will monitor the recording of attendance particularly at busier times (morning & evening). Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliances under Regulation 24 have been addressed ##### Regulation 27 — Supervision - On the day of the inspection children were observed to be left unsupervised. The following was observed: • On arrival into the kitchen at 9.35am there was a group of 4 children sitting at the table and the inspector observed that the staff member left the kitchen to answer the door. This group of children included 1 pre- school child. This posed a potential safety risk to the children - Corrective Action On the day of inspection, the staff member left the room to answer the door leaving 4 children sitting at the table. This is not normal practice and should not have happened. It never happens under normal circumstances. Preventive Action This was addressed at a recent staff meeting and all agreed that it is not acceptable. There are always enough members of staff on the premises to ensure children are supervised at all times. The entry/exit policy has also been changed. The ring doorbell is now used, so now when it rings, it can be answered through the creche device and advise the parent waiting that they will be there in a minute or two with their child. This has definitely helped in the smooth running of collections and drop offs as there is no need for two trips to the door ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The registered provider did not ensure that the premises was being maintained in an appropriate condition as evidenced by the following: 1. There was a leak in the children’s sanitary accommodation off the Imagination room on the day of the inspection. It is acknowledged that this area was closed off to the children whilst waiting for the plumber to arrive and that there was sufficient sanitary accommodation for the numbers of children attending on the day. Staff informed the inspector that the plumber had been contacted. 2. There were exposed pipes in the children’s sanitary accommodation off the Imagination room. 3. The paint on the wall in the Toddler room was peeling with plaster exposed underneath. 4. The large plastic slide in the outdoor area was damaged and had a hole in it, which was fixed with some tape - Corrective Action (d) 1. The leak has been fixed. 2. Exposed pipes have been covered. 3. Damaged paintwork has been repaired. 4. The large slide has been removed and replaced by new one. Preventive Action (d) 2. Pipes have been covered. 3. Regular monitoring by manager on damaged areas and to address immediately. 4. Continuous monitoring by manager that all equipment is in good repair Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28. ### Other services in Dublin - [Little Saints Creche](/creche/little-saints-creche-rathcoole.md) Rathcoole - [Little Scholars](/creche/little-scholars-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [Little Scholars Montessori & Childcare Limited](/creche/little-scholars-montessori-childcare-limited-lusk.md) Lusk - [Little Squirrels Montessori](/creche/little-squirrels-montessori-dublin-3.md) Dublin 3 - [Little Treasures Playgroup](/creche/little-treasures-playgroup-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [Lyons Den Scoil Maelruain Junior](/creche/lyons-den-scoil-maelruain-junior-dublin-24.md) Dublin 24 - [Na Fianna Preschool](/creche/na-fianna-preschool-dublin-9.md) Dublin 9 - [Pitter Patter Community Play Group](/creche/pitter-patter-community-play-group-dublin-7.md) Dublin 7 - [Sunflowers Childcare](/creche/sunflowers-childcare-lucan.md) Lucan - [Daisy Chain Montessori and Childcare Ltd](/creche/daisy-chain-montessori-and-childcare-ltd-dublin-16.md) Dublin 16 [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/little-rugrats-skerries/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11