Inspection of 13 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action notice was issued on the 14 January 2026 regarding the absence of a Garda Vetting disclosure for one staff member. The registered provider submitted a response which mitigated the risk on 16 January 2026.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) There was no evidence on the day of inspection that the two written references for one staff member had been validated. This was a non-compliance on the previous inspection in November 2023. The actions submitted following that inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. (c) The registered provider did not have a Garda Vetting disclosure available on the day of inspection for a staff member who had worked in a relief capacity in the service. An Immediate action notice was issued on the 14 January 2025
Provider's corrective action:
- (a)(b) The registered provider has stated the references have been validated. However, the registered provider has stated that the relief staff member is no longer involved in the service. An assurance was given that the Pre School Leader will ensure any new members to the team will have two validated written reference before they commence. (c) The registered provider responded to the immediate action notice. The registered provider stated that the relief staff member is no longer involved in the service and if relief staff are required this will be from another service owned by the registered provider. Summary Comment The registered provider has addressed the non-compliance as the staff member is no longer working in the service and assurances were given that steps are being taken to ensure these do no re-occur. This will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There was no dedicated relaxation area available for the children on a daily basis. The staff members discussed that they may bring in soft furnishings for children to relax on. However, on the day of inspection this facility was not available to provide children with an opportunity to relax in a quiet area if they required
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) The registered provider stated that on certain days soft furnishings were being brought in by staff members to create a cosy corner. This was not available on day of inspection, following a discussion there is a dedicated relaxation space
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. Following a review of staff members employment in the service one staff member required an updated vetting disclosure. 2. The light fittings were not provided with protective coverings and there was no confirmation that the light bulbs were shatterproof. This presented a possible risk of injury should the light bulbs shatter as they are positioned over the children’s workspace. Fire Safety 3. The registered provider did not have a suitable smoke detection system in place in the preschool. The registered provider advised that the smoke alarms were battery operated rather than being wired to the mains electricity supply. A smoke detection system which is wired to the electricity supply is required to ensure the safe evacuation from the service in the event of fire. 4. The registered provider did not ensure that there was regular maintenance of the fire extinguishers. The maintenance certificate for the fire extinguishers demonstrated they had last been serviced on 1 February 2024. This did not demonstrate that annual maintenance had been completed to ensure the effective functioning of the firefighting equipment
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that the relief staff member is no longer involved in the service and if relief staff are required this will be from another service owned by the registered provider. 2. The registered provider submitted evidence that shatterproof light bulbs had been purchased. Fire Safety: 3. The registered provider has stated they were in discussion with a fire safety consultant, but no information was provided. 4. The registered provider submitted a maintenance certificate for the fire extinguishers for 14 January 2026. The registered provider stated that there will be annual maintenance of the extinguishers
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 21, 26, 27, 29.