Inspection of 10 July 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) On the day of inspection an adequate number of adults was not working directly with the children attending the pre-school service. (2) The adult child ratio was observed to be incorrect in the Wobbler Room and ECCE 2 Room as shown in the table below; Room Number and age range of children Time Number of adults available Number of adults required Wobbler room 5 children aged 1-2 years old 1 child aged 2-3 years old 10.00 – 10.25 11.08 – 12.00 1 2 ECCE 2 Room 10 children aged 3-6 years old 12.15 – 13.43 1 2 During the inspection, a staff member scheduled to work, arrived to provide relief cover and support
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(2) The registered provider stated that a staff member who was scheduled to work arrived later than planned. Two other staff members due to start could not as their Garda Vetting had not been received and another staff member had finished following the end of term
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (16)(1)(h) The attendance records were not accurately maintained. The inspector observed that at 12.57 the attendance record for the Tweenie room had not been completed, as children were not signed in for the day. On the inspector’s initial walkaround at 10.16am there were 6 children in attendance
Provider's corrective action:
- (16)(1)(h) The registered provider stated that attendance records are normally completed / marked in as soon as a child enters and leaves the creche. This was an oversight on the morning of the inspection. The registered provider will ensure that the roll books are completed. Summary Comment The actions and evidence submitted by the registered provider, in their corrective and preventive action plan, has addressed the non-compliance and will be reviewed on the next inspection
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The storage of equipment did not support independent play in the Tweenie Room. The storage boxes were not labelled and were opaque, therefore children could not easily observe what is in each box to promote independent play
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The registered provider has stated they replaced the storage boxes with see through plastic boxes with new labels to show the children what is in each box
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The registered provider had not ensured all risks were identified and managed in relation to possible injury. A large dolls house available in the Tweenie room was not anchored and posed a risk of the house being pulled over and causing a possible injury to a child. Infection Control: 2. Inappropriate nappy changing procedures were observed and were a possible source of cross- contamination. The following was observed. • Staff members did not remove their gloves before redressing children after they had a soiled nappy. • A staff member was observed returning to the care room, from the nappy changing area and down a short corridor, with the apron on following nappy changing. 3. Bed linen was being stored inappropriately and were being stored in a manner which posed a risk of cross contamination. They were stored in the cubbies off the Tweenie Room and sheets had not been removed from the mattresses. Individual bed linen should be store separately. Administration of Medication: 4. A procedure was not available for the administration of emergency medication for a child attending the service on the day of inspection. Safe Sleep: 5. Safe sleep practices were not always implemented in the Tweenie room in-line with Tusla’s safe sleep guidelines for children under 24 months as evidenced by the following. • A child under 24 months was placed to sleep on a floor mat. This is at variance to the guidelines which outline the required sleep equipment for children under 24 months. • A sleep plan was not in place for this child. This is at variance to the guidelines that state a child can sleep in an approved alternative to a cot provided it is agreed with parents, and a sleep plan is established and signed. Fire Safety: 6. The registered provider had not ensured that the fire exit route was clear. The fire escape route was partially blocked as there was a mat draped over the handrail and an exercise bike stored on the first-floor exit had the potential to impede safe evacuation from the first floor
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. The large dolls house was removed and the registered provider stated they will invest in more appropriate equipment for the age group. Infection Control: 2. The registered provider stated they had revisited the nappy changing policy and trained each new staff member on how to change a nappy and stick to the proper procedures. As a preventive action the registered provider stated all staff to be trained in nappy training on induction and a follow up training be completed every month. 3. The registered provider stated that bed linen will be removed from each mattress after the child has slept and placed in a separate plastic bag for each child, clearly marked with the child’s name. Administration of Medication: 4. The registered provider stated that care plans and administration records are available with medication records now on an electronic application. Safe Sleep: 5. The registered provider stated that since the inspection they have invested in contour cocoon mattress for under 2-year-olds and all children under 2 years of age in the Tweenie room will be put to sleep on a cocoon mattress or put into a cot. The registered provider submitted a sample risk assessment for children under two who were not sleeping in a cot. Fire Safety: 6. The registered provider has stated that both items have been removed and were left in place by a contractor. The fire exit will be kept clear at all times
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- The registered provider did not ensure appropriate supervision during sleep for children in the Tweenie room. The children who were sleeping on day beds were observed to be unattended from 12.54 to 13.01 as the staff member was called to assist in the Wobbler cot room. At 12.54 there were five children sleep, one of whom was under 2 years old. The inspector noted that a child had woken up and informed two staff members. Children who are asleep on daybeds should be actively supervised whilst sleeping to ensure their safety should they wake
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that they were short staffed on the day and was called to support in the wobbler room. The registered provider will ensure there is always a member of staff with the children sleeping on mats and another staff member to cover during sleep time and lunches. Summary Comment The actions submitted by the registered provider, in their corrective and preventive action plan, has addressed the non-compliance identified and will be reviewed on the next inspection
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 25, 28.