# Little Steps, Dublin 5 — inspection reports and findings > Little Steps (Dublin 5, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Little Steps Sessional · 2 - 5 Years · Dublin 5, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2015DY127** · 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 11 June 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (4) Evidence was not available to show that one staff member who worked directly with the children held at least a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent - (4) Documents have been requested in relation to the staff members qualification. Going forward we will ensure that all documentation is completed and on file ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (1) The registered provider did not sure that a person trained in First Aid Responder (FAR) was available and onsite throughout the opening hours of the service. It is acknowledged that a staff member held up to date Paediatric Firs Aid with an expiry of November 2026 - (1) A second member of staff will be completing FAR training during the summer. Management will ensure that a trained FAR person will be onsite Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 23, 26. #### Inspection of 11 November 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 12th November 2024 in relation to concerns under ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2) (a)(b) There was no evidence available to show that two written references which were available for one adult had been verified. Reference must be verified to allow the registered provider to adequately assess the suitability of candidates before they commence employment - (1) (a)(b) References for said worker have since been verified and filed. Going forward, any new employee references will be verified by manager, and this will be cross checked by assistant manager to ensure all is compliant ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - 1. There is no cosy/ rest area in room 2 that children can access independently. A cosy/rest area is important for children who may need a break from the activities or a quiet area to relax in. This was a non- compliance on the last inspection in September 2022. The preventive action proposed by the registered provider has not been sufficient to prevent recurrence. 2. In room 2 books were stored on two display units which were mounted to the wall at adult height, making them inaccessible to the children. Children should be able to access books independently. This was a non- compliance on the last inspection in September 2022. The preventive action proposed by the registered provider has not been sufficient to prevent recurrence. 3. Access to a range of toys and equipment was not observed for all children due to the structure of room 1 for example the children are split into two separate groups within the room. 4. One group is based in the narrower section of the room by the entrance door while the other group occupies the wider section to the rear of the room. Staff advised that they groups stay in their designated areas except for circle time which is done in a large group. Children in the narrower section of the room were observed to have access to a limited selection of toys and materials to support a range of play experiences and primarily had access to tabletop activities. Children require a variety of toys and materials to support a range of play experiences to test and extend their learning. 5. A varied programme of activities was not observed to be provided for one group of children in room 1 who were observed to spend a lot of the day sitting, for example the children were observed sitting at tables in their section of the room when the inspector arrived in the service at 9:40am, at 10:09am they were observed to sit for circle time, at 10:20am they returned to their section of the room and sat at the tables for lunch, at 10:42am children who were finished eating sat on their chairs and read books, from 10:46am to 11:40am the children sat at the tables for tabletop activities before putting on their coats and returning to the table for home time. Children require a variety of child and adult initiated play experiences and opportunities for movement to enhance their learning experience. 6. Children in room 1 did not access the outdoor area on the day of the inspection. At 11am a child was heard to ask if they could go to the garden, and they were told they could go another day. Outdoor play supports children to regulate and provides an opportunity for larger movements which are not appropriate for the indoor environment - 1. A cosy area of mattress, cushions quilt and books has been created. A permanent structure is planned in refurbishments as a dedicated cosy corner. 2. Books have been placed in the cosy corner. A bookshelf will constitute part of the new cosy corner structure during refurbishments. 3. Staff have reviewed and revised the use of the room space – We have also agreed increased outdoor space/reception space time to maximise physical movement / imaginative play of the children through the day. The plan going forward is to increase the size of room 1 and reduce the size of reception during refurbishments. This is to improve how we use space so as to enhance the children’s experiences and their learning. 4. A staff meeting explored activities undertaken with the children by each teacher. Related to 19.3 above, it was agreed that activities should minimise sitting for the children and outdoor space should be capitalised upon daily. 5. The two teachers in room 1 will join their two groups so that the space is used as one large space rather than 2 separate ones. This ensures all children use all of the space throughout all of the session. 6. At our staff meeting it was reiterated to staff that, weather permitting, all groups must have daily garden time. Teachers have agreed to rotate garden time to ensure that each group has garden play daily. Which group goes and at what time, will be determined on the day and dependant on what activities are happening in the various groups ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. Handwashing was not completed routinely throughout the day. Hand sanitiser was observed to be used in place of handwashing for example before eating. Hand sanitiser should not be used in place of adequate handwashing. 2. A bin which was in the sanitary area was not pedal operated and posed a risk of cross infection from frequent touching. Pedal operated bins are required for disposal of contaminated items such as used tissues. 3. A pedal operated bin in the care room was observed to have a broken foot pedal and staff were observed to open the bin using their hands which presented an infection control risk. Fire Safety: 4. A designated emergency exit in Room 1 which staff advised is used in the event of a fire evacuation was observed to be blocked by a bin at various times throughout the day. This could impede the safe evacuation of the children in the event of a fire emergency. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider. 5. An up-to-date risk assessment was not available in relation to the designated fire assembly point used by the service which is located behind the outdoor area adjacent to a loading bay. Staff advised that they have recently started using this area for evacuation however the risk assessment reviewed was from 2017 and did not assess the risks in this area. On the day of inspection trucks were observed in the area and children may have access to large storage shed type buildings. An up-to-date risk assessment is required to identify hazards in the assembly area and mitigate risks. 6. The time of arrival and departure of the children was not recorded in a timely manner to ensure the safe evacuation of children in the event of an emergency. 7. The following was observed; • The times of arrival of the children were complete at 9:56am on the day of inspection. Children had been present in the service since 9am. • Two children were not recorded on the roll books. It is acknowledged that they were present on a secondary roll book in which ticks are used to record the children presence however their times of arrival and departure have not been recorded since they commenced in September 2024. • Two children were observed to be present in the service at 12:08pm; a departure time of 11:50am was recorded for one of these children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. Staff were advised of inspection findings re: handwashing. It was agreed that each teacher will ensure that hands are also washed with soap and warm water before lunch. The children’s daily routine now includes a set hand washing time after circle time, prior to lunch. 2. A pedal bin has been bought for the bathroom and children have been taught how to operate it. 3. The pedal bin mechanism is repaired on existing bin. Teachers were instructed that they must use the pedal mechanism and advised of cross contamination implications of using hands. Staff meeting advising staff of above plus an undertaking from teachers to ensure compliance. Fire Safety: 4. The bin is now kept outside the exit door to the right rather than in the room. Staff undertook a review of fire safety. This included a revision of strict requirements around fire exits being clear at all times. 5. A risk assessment of the area is currently being written up and will follow this report. As a staff, we reviewed the fire meeting point, and each staff member contributed to identifying possible risks and control measure to minimise said risk. We have also requested high vis jackets for staff from RSA. This risk assessment will be reviewed annually at first staff meeting of the year which takes place before the children return. Revision will also take place if there are any material changes to the yard. 6. Arrival and departure times of each child to be kept in ‘master’ roll book. Teachers can keep a secondary copy in their smaller roll books. Each child’s times noted should accurately reflect same. Going forward, the ‘master’ roll book will document times to facilitate inspectors. Each teacher will log her own group and ensure times are accurate ##### Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance - (3) The registered provider did not ensure a record of visitors to the service was maintained although did recognise that they do have professionals who attend the service to conduct assessments. An accurate record of visitors is required to be maintained by the service to ensure the safety of the children - (3) A visitor sign in sheet is now kept. All visitors are required to sign in. The visitor sheet will be kept in reception and must be signed before entry to school proper is permitted ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (1) The registered provider did not ensure that an adequate number of staff trained in First Aid Response (FAR) were present in the service during the opening hours for example one staff member holds FAR certification however this person was not present in the service when the inspector arrived but did attend later that morning - (1) A second staff member (deputy manager) will undertake FAR training in the new year. Going forward there will always be 2 FAR trained staff ##### Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures - (1) (b) A record of the maintenance of the smoke alarms was not available for review. The registered provider stated that this is conducted by the building owners. A sprinkler system was observed in the service however a smoke alarm system was not. A smoke alarm system which is adequately maintained is required as an early warning system in the event of a fire - (1) (b) A record of the maintenance of the fire detection system was sought from the building management. Going forward this will be requested annually and kept it in our Fire Safety File ##### Regulation not named in the report text - (1) The registered provider did not notify the agency of two changes in relation to the preschool service which were observed to be present on inspection; • The service is registered as a sessional service for up to 3.5 hours per day however two children were observed to attend on a part-time basis for more than 4 hours on the day of inspection. The RP advised that the children have been allowed stay late on a number of occasions. • The service is registered to provide care for children aged 3-6 years however seven of the thirty-two children present were aged 2 years old. Acknowledgments The inspector wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of the registered provider, staff and children who were present on the day of the inspection Found compliant: Regulation 11. ### Other services in Dublin - [Little Steps Montessori](/creche/little-steps-montessori-dublin-4.md) Dublin 4 - [Little Tots Creche & Montessori](/creche/little-tots-creche-montessori-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [Little Treasures Playgroup](/creche/little-treasures-playgroup-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Littlebells Playschool](/creche/littlebells-playschool-dublin-10.md) Dublin 10 - [Luttrell House Creche](/creche/luttrell-house-creche-dublin-15.md) Dublin 15 - [Mead Day Care Centre](/creche/mead-day-care-centre-dublin-13.md) Dublin 13 - [Naíonra Montessori](/creche/naionra-montessori-dublin-17.md) Dublin 17 - [Precious Children Childcare](/creche/precious-children-childcare-dublin-12.md) Dublin 12 - [The Bandroom Montessori](/creche/the-bandroom-montessori-malahide.md) Malahide - [Dimples Creche & Montessori](/creche/dimples-creche-montessori-dublin-18.md) Dublin 18 [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-steps-dublin-5/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11