Inspection of 10 June 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. Corrective Actions and Preventative Actions (CAPA) The Early years inspectorate received the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) on 7 July 2026. The CAPA plan contained insufficient information to meet regulatory compliance. A second opportunity was afforded to the registered provider and this was submitted on 20 July 2026. The corrective actions and preventative actions submitted did not address the non-compliances.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) The registered provider did not ensure that each employee was suitable and competent as outlined below (a), (b) • There were no written validated references available for one staff member. • A second adult had two past employer references, but neither were validated by the registered provider before the employee commenced working in the service. • Three adult’s past employer references were not from their most recent past employer. (3) Documentation reviewed evidenced that the procedures specified above under 9(2) had not been carried out prior to one staff member commencing employment in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- 2(a&b) & 3 The staff member who did not have the required documentation on file has not returned to work. The person in charge has completed and documented verbal reference checks to validate the staff member's employment history. All correspondence and follow-up actions will be recorded on the staff file. An administrator has been recruited to support the management team with the maintenance and oversight of documentation, staff files, and record-keeping systems. In addition, the service has engaged with Better Start to provide support and guidance to the management team in relation to management roles and governance arrangements. The person in charge will oversee the implementation of these supports, with progress reviewed monthly to ensure all documentation and record-keeping requirements are maintained in compliance with regulatory standards
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- The registered provider did not ensure a record of employment history was available for one adult. Without this record, verification of the individuals relevant experience could not be determined
Provider's corrective action:
- The staff member identified has since ceased employment with the service. The staff file has been updated accordingly, and all relevant employment records have been reviewed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The service has engaged Better Start to provide support and guidance to the management team in relation to governance and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, an administrator will be recruited to support the management team with the organisation and monitoring of documentation and record-keeping systems. The person in charge will review documentation and service provision on a monthly basis to ensure ongoing compliance with all regulatory standards
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN0125 served. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN0127 served. 1. The service did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for a further two adults, one of whom is currently on leave and a second adult who usually does not have access to the children but did attend the service when the children were present, on the day of inspection. 2. A blind cord was loose and not secured to the wall in the Montessori room. This was in reach of the children and posed a safety risk. The inspector brought it to the attention of the person in charge who put a temporary measure in place to secure it out of reach of the children. 3. Shelving units in the Montessori room were not secured to the wall and posed a risk of injury. Infection Control: The following were observed on the day of inspection, despite the service having an infection control policy which informs the day to day running of the service: 4. Staff were observed to wear the same gloves throughout the nappy changing procedure. This included reapplying a clean nappy and redressing the children. Both the staff and the children then left the nappy changing area and did not wash their hands despite a sink being present in the nappy changing area. These actions increase the risk of the spread of infection. This is contrary to the service’s nappy changing policy. 5. Handwashing practices were inconsistent in the Baby room. Staff confirmed that the children use wipes instead of soap and water in the Baby room which poses a risk of transmission of infection. 6. In the sleep room, ten low-lying beds with sheets and blankets attached were stored on top of each other. This posed a risk of cross contamination. 7. Wipeable plastic couches and chairs were ripped and torn in parts in the Pre Montessori and Baby rooms. The main table in the Baby room was chipped and damaged. None of these could not be cleaned effectively for infection control purposes. 8. There was no system in place for cleaning toys after children put them into their mouths in either the Baby or Pre Montessori rooms, despite the infection control policy stating mouthed toys will be cleaned on a daily basis. 9. There was no tissue dispenser in use in either of the sanitary facilities. Dispensers minimise cross contamination of infection. 10. The highchairs and bibs which were used by the children in the Baby room were heavily stained with old food particles. Administration of Medication: 11. One staff member was not aware if the children in their care were on medication or if any of the children had an allergy. This posed a safety risk in the event of a medical emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting was applied for on the day of inspection for the adult who does not usually work in the presence of children and attended the service on the day of the inspection to complete an action that was required to be addressed by 5pm. In relation to the second staff member, guidance was received to defer the Garda Vetting application until further clarity is available regarding the end of the staff member's leave and confirmed return-to-work date. The person in charge will ensure that Garda Vetting is completed prior to the staff member returning to work. An administrator will be recruited to support the management team in maintaining and monitoring staff files to ensure that all required documentation, including Garda Vetting, is in place and up to date. The person in charge will complete audits of staff files every second week and maintain a tracking system to monitor renewal dates and outstanding documentation, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements. 2. On the day of the inspection, the blind cord was secured immediately as a temporary control measure to eliminate any immediate risk to children. A permanent wall-mounted safety cleat has since been installed, and the blind cord has been securely fastened in accordance with safety requirements. The identified hazard has been fully addressed, and the area has been checked to ensure there is no ongoing risk to children. The person in charge will continue to complete and document daily health and safety checks to ensure that blind cords and any other potential hazards remain secure and do not pose a risk to children. Any issues identified during these checks will be addressed immediately, documented, and, where required, added to the service's risk assessment. Regular environmental audits will also be undertaken to ensure that all areas of the service continue to meet health and safety requirements and that potential risks are identified and mitigated promptly. 3. The shelves were relocated to a lower level, and sturdier shelving units have been put in place of the previous toy shelves to ensure the safety and accessibility of materials for children. The shelving units will remain at the lower level on a permanent basis to reduce the risk of instability and ensure children's safety. The person in charge will monitor the condition and positioning of shelving units as part of ongoing daily safety checks and risk assessments. Any changes to room layout will be reviewed to ensure that safety is maintained and unnecessary damage to walls is avoided. Infection Control: 4. The staff members involved were individually met with by the person in charge to discuss the findings and reinforce the service's nappy changing and infection prevention and control procedures. Each staff member was reminded of the importance of adhering to the correct handwashing procedure and changing gloves between each stage of the nappy changing routine in line with the service's policies and best practice. The relevant policies were reviewed in detail with each staff member, and they re-read and signed the policies to confirm that they understood the required procedures and their responsibility to adhere to them consistently. The person in charge documented these meetings and confirmed that the identified practice issues had been addressed immediately. All staff have reviewed and signed the service's nappy changing and infection prevention and control policies to confirm their understanding of the required procedures, including effective handwashing practices and the correct use and changing of gloves during each nappy changing routine. The person in charge will continue to carry out regular observations of practice, supervision sessions, and spot checks to monitor compliance with the service's policies and best practice guidelines. Infection prevention and control procedures will also be reinforced through regular team meetings, staff supervision, and ongoing training to ensure consistent, high-quality practice is maintained. 5. The staff members concerned met individually with the person in charge to review the inspection findings and discuss the service's hand hygiene and infection prevention and control procedures. The importance of consistently following the service's hand hygiene policy at all times was reinforced. The relevant policies were reviewed with the staff members, who re-read and signed them to confirm that they had read, understood, and would adhere to the procedures outlined. The person in charge documented the discussions and reinforced the expectation that best practice and the service's policies are followed consistently throughout the day. All staff have reviewed and signed the service's hand hygiene and infection prevention and control policies to confirm their understanding of the required procedures and their responsibility to implement them consistently in practice. The person in charge will continue to monitor compliance through regular observations of practice, staff supervision, and spot checks, providing guidance and support where required. Hand hygiene and infection prevention and control will also remain a standing item for discussion during team meetings and supervision sessions to reinforce best practice and ensure ongoing compliance within the service. 6. A shoe organiser was purchased and securely installed on the back of the sleep room door to provide individual storage for each child's bedding. Each child has been allocated their own clearly designated compartment, ensuring that bedding is stored separately, remains hygienic, and is protected from cross- contamination when sleep mats and beds are stacked. The person in charge has checked that the new storage system is being used consistently, and the identified non-compliance has been fully addressed. The individual bedding storage system will remain in place to ensure that each child continues to have their own designated compartment for the hygienic storage of their bedding. The person in charge will monitor bedding storage practices through regular room checks and routine health and safety audits to ensure that bedding is stored correctly, remains separated, and complies with the service's infection prevention and control procedures. Any issues identified will be addressed immediately and discussed with staff to ensure ongoing compliance. 7. The existing cosy corner couches were removed from the service and disposed of as they were no longer considered suitable for use. Replacement furnishings and resources were ordered immediately to ensure that the cosy corner is equipped with safe, clean, durable, and age-appropriate furniture. The person in charge has ensured that only equipment which is in good condition and suitable for children's use will be introduced into the environment, and the identified issue has been fully addressed. The new cosy corner furnishings will be maintained in accordance with the service's cleaning, maintenance, and infection prevention and control procedures. The person in charge will continue to include all cosy corner furniture and equipment in regular environmental inspections, health and safety checks, and risk assessments to ensure that they remain safe, clean, suitable for use, and in good condition. Any items showing signs of wear, damage, or deterioration will be removed from use immediately and replaced without delay to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for children. 8. The person in charge will monitor compliance through regular room checks to ensure that all mouthed toys are consistently removed, stored appropriately, and sanitised each day. 9. Tissue dispensers were ordered and are scheduled for installation. The tissue dispensers will be installed as soon as they are received to provide a permanent solution and ensure continued compliance with infection prevention and control requirements. The person in charge will ensure that hygiene materials, including tissues and toilet roll, are checked regularly as part of daily room inspections and health and safety checks. Stock levels will be monitored to ensure supplies remain readily available while awaiting the installation of the tissue dispensers. Once installed, the tissue dispensers and toilet roll holders will be included in routine environmental checks to ensure they remain fully stocked, well maintained, and fit for purpose. Any shortages or maintenance issues identified will be addressed promptly and recorded where appropriate. 10. Highchairs are cleaned daily after each use following meals to ensure they are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition. Where bibs are used, they are also cleaned immediately after use in line with infection control procedures. The person in charge will continue to monitor the condition and cleanliness of highchairs and bibs through daily cleaning routines and regular inspections. Highchairs and bibs will be cleaned and sanitised after each use in accordance with the service's infection control procedures. Administration of Medication: 11. Following the inspection, the person in charge reviewed the service's medication management procedures with the staff team to ensure all staff understood the process for communicating medication requirements, obtaining parental consent, and administering medication safely. It was reinforced that, when a child require medication in the future, all relevant staff will be informed prior to the child's attendance, and the required documentation will be completed and communicated in accordance with the service's medication management policy. The person in charge will continue to ensure that all staff are informed of any child requiring medication or with identified medical needs through staff handovers, individual care plans, and regular team communication, in accordance with the service's medication management policy. Where a child requires medication, the person in charge will ensure that all required documentation, including parental consent and medication records, is completed before medication is administered. Compliance with the medication management procedure will be monitored through regular audits of children's records and staff supervision to ensure ongoing adherence to policy and regulatory requirements
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) Throughout the premises, areas were found not maintained and repaired as required as detailed below: 1. In the sanitary unit upstairs, holes were observed where plaster was missing. 2. In the Pre Montessori room, paint was chipped off the pillar and a mesh beneath was exposed. The radiator cabinet was warped and chipped in parts. Holes in the walls were observed where plaster was missing. 3. In the Baby room, the windowsill was chipped and in need of repair and painting
Provider's corrective action:
- Following the inspection, a painter attended the service to assess the required work and commence preparatory repairs. The painter is scheduled to return on 20 July 2026 to fill all remaining holes and complete the repainting of the entire setting. This work will ensure that the premises are maintained in a good state of repair, are clean and well maintained, and continue to provide a safe, suitable, and welcoming environment for children. The person in charge will continue to monitor the condition of the premises through daily environmental checks, regular health and safety inspections, and ongoing risk assessments. Any maintenance issues identified will be recorded, prioritised, and addressed promptly to ensure the environment remains safe, clean, and well maintained. A planned maintenance schedule will also be maintained to support the timely completion of repairs and to ensure continued compliance with regulatory requirements
Regulation not named in the report text
- The registered provider did not notify the Agency in writing of the following changes; The number of children the service can accommodate at one time and the opening hours of the service. The service is registered to provide care to a maximum of 36 children, however on the morning of inspection there were 37 children present. The service is operating their service between 7:45am -5:30pm but is registered to operate from 8am-5:30pm. This was a non-compliance on the last inspection on 1 December 2024. The service has been referred into the Services Operating Outside of Registration Department (SOORS)
Provider's corrective action:
- The building has been regularised, and all required documentation has been submitted to SOORS. The service is currently awaiting an inspection from Building Control Management System (BCMS). The person in charge will follow up with BCMS every two weeks until the inspection is completed, and all correspondence and outcomes will be recorded to ensure the action is progressed to completion. No further preventive actions can be implemented at this stage, as the service is awaiting an inspection and outcome from BCMS. The person in charge will maintain regular contact with BCMS and monitor progress until the inspection has been completed and any recommendations arising are addressed
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 27.