Inspection of 26 May 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. Non-Compliance Information (1) The registered provider did not notify the Inspectorate of the change in person in charge in the service. The registered provider was the named designated person in charge for the service however the registered provider was also the named designated person in charge for the Celbridge service. Corrective & Preventive Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective and Preventive Action (1) Following the inspection, the management arrangements were reviewed. A new designated person in charge has been appointed for the Celbridge service, ensuring that the registered provider is no longer the designated person in charge for both services. The r equired notification regarding the change in person in charge has been submitted to the Inspectorate, and service records will be updated accordingly once the approval has been received. Ensure that the PIC of each service is different people Supporting documentation submitted (1) Screenshot of the online application. Summary Comment The written response and attached documentary evidence submitted by the registered provider has been assessed by the Early Years Inspectorate. The corrective action taken meets the regulatory requirement.
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(i) There was no staff roster maintained in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(i) Staff roster is on the noticeboard of the office
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Physical and material environment: Room 1 1. It was observed that activities were adult led rather than enabling the children to be independent to make choices and decisions about their play. 2. The physical and material environment in Room 1 required to be reviewed to ensure that these areas are presented and adequately resourced to enable the children to engage in child led imaginative play. There was a play kitchen, and shop carcass which ha d a small number of associative toys available. This limited the play value in these interest areas, and the children were observed to not play with them. 3. Dress up clothes were observed in a metal basket in another part of the room rather than hung up on a rail to assist children’s choice. 4. There was no mark making area, paint and paper, art and crafts or open ended materials available to the children to provide child led creative opportunities. 5. A large storage unit ha d trays of various play toys including trains and train track set , plastic and wooden building blocks, small world animals, cars and trucks however they were not taken out or put on top of the storge unit as an invitation to play. The children were not observed to play with them. 6. A tuff tray was available for sensory play but was not used. There was no sensorial play available to the children in the room on the inspection. It is acknowledged that a messy play ice cream activity had been provided earlier in the service however it was tidied away and no other sensory play material was available for the remainder of the morning. Room 2 7. It was observed that there was no mark -making area with paper/crayons available for the children to readily access; the staff member advised the inspector the crayons were stored in a closed cupboard in the pre-school room. It is acknowledged the adults provided the children with colouring templates and crayons after dinner. 8. The interest area containing a wooden shop unit was observed with no associative play equipment and the wooden play kitchen was observed with minimal associative props to encourage the children to use the space for creative and imaginary and meaningful play. It is acknowledged a container of wooden play food items were brought to the room mid-morning; however, the container was placed in a storage unit at the other side of the room and not organised in or close to these areas to promote invitations for the children to play
Provider's corrective action:
- Toys were being sterilised that morning and returned to the appropriate areas once the sterilising was complete. A clothes rack has now been moved into each classroom where the children can access the dress up clothes. Painting and creatives expression are a regular and consistent feature of our provision and are generally available within the environment on a daily basis. The storage unit which we have placed in the middle of the floor space is easily accessible to the children throughout the day. We have always believed that allowing the children to choose, retrieve, and put away their toys is a fundamental pillar of early childhood education. Choosing a tray, carrying it to a play space, and deciding when they are finished gives children a sense of agency and control over their learning environment. On the morning of inspection, an extended sensory play experience had taken place across the environment including both construction and role play themes. Crayons, paper and mark making material readily available for the children to participate with. We will ensure that the toys continue to be available as usual when not being sterilised
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. It is acknowledged some of the children attending Rooms 1 and 2 did have fresh fruit pieces, a selection of sandwiches with healthy fillings, yoghurts and cheese, provided for snack from home, however, the registered provider did not ensure that suitable and nutritious food was being provided for each child attending the service as observed by the following: • In Room 2 , ten children were observed with a high sugar content snack in their lunch box, for example, foods observed included chocolate spread on bread or crackers, chocolate biscuits, pain au chocolat, chocolate mini muffins, chocolate chip muffin, cake and an iced donut. This was at variance with the health eating policy which states that the service “does not allow chocolate.” 2. The registered provider did not ensure that all children attending on a full day care basis were provided with a hot meal. Examples of the foods provided for the main meal for individual children was observed to include: • One child had a sandwich, banana and water , o ne child had two brioche rolls, o ne child had crackers, cheese, apple pieces, a yogurt and chocolate buttons. • One child was observed eating reheated tinned spaghetti hoops in tomato sauce while another child was observed eating reheated tinned alphabet type spaghetti in tomato sauce. This was at variance with healthy eating policy for the service which states that “meals and snacks should be…. healthy for children.” This was a non-compliance following inspection conducted on 4 December 2025. The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
- All parents have been informed in writing of the requirements to provide a balanced hot meal that is appropriate for their child’s age and nutritional needs. Guidance has been issued to parents outlining examples of suitable hot meals and foods that meet healthy eating recommendations. We will continue to remind parents of our healthy eating policy and sent home brochures from Offaly County Childcare Committee regarding healthy eating on 19 th June 2026. Communication regarding the healthy eating policy was sent on the 23rd June 2026. This also included information about the hot meals. We will remove any unhealthy items from their lunch boxes and place it back in their bag to go home with them. We will also continue to remind parents of our healthy eating policy regularly. Staff now check lunchboxes daily to ensure children have an appropriate hot meal. Where a meal provided is not considered adequate, staff will discuss this sensitively with parents and offer guidance for future lunches. A record will be maintained of any concerns regarding inadequate meals and the actions taken to support families. A team meeting was completed with staff which included our healthy eating policy
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The cupboard under sink in the sanitary area used by Room 2 was not secured. An aerosol container of shaving gel and a large plastic bag containing nappies were observed . This was a non -compliance following inspection conducted on 4 December 2026 . The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 2. The heating boiler for the heating system in the service located in the children’s outdoor play area; this was accessible to the children and required to be blocked off. Infection Control: 3. The facilities used to reheat and prepare food prior to serving to the children were located in the office. A written referral was sent to the Environmental Health Office. 4. The children’s perishable snacks were not refrigerated in Room s 1 and 2 despite a fridge being available. They remained in the children’s bags. This was a non-compliance following inspection conducted on 4 December 2025. The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 5. The nappy change mat was torn, and the inner foam was exposed which was not suitable for infection control purposes. 6. A roll of paper was placed on the work surfaces and not in the wall mounted dispensers provided in the two sanitary areas for the service and Room 2 for the hygienic dispensing of paper towels. It is acknowledged the registered provider placed the roll of paper towel into the dispenser in Room 1 sanitary area when it was brought to their attention. This was a non-compliance following inspection conducted on 4 December 2025. The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 7. The wooden window ledges were absent from both windows in Room 2 exposing the cement blocks and foam filler on one window and the plaster work exposed on the second window. This area could not be adequately cleaned. Administration of Medication: 8. There was no temperature reducing medication available in the service to manage a child’s raised temperature should it occur and a parent/guardian not immediately available to collect the child. Fire Safety: 9. The door in Room 2 used as the primary fire evacuation route could not be opened or closed easily as the door was too large for the door frame and required some force to close it. A written referral was sent to the Chief Fire Officer in Offaly County Council Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. A suitable lock has been installed on the press to ensure it remains securely locked at all times. Daily health and safety checks have been updated to include checking that all storage presses and cupboards containing potentially hazardous items are securely locked. All staff have been reminded of their responsibilities to ensure storage areas are secured throughout the day. 2. A permanent protective barrier has been installed to prevent children from accessing the heater boiler. Risk assessments for the outdoor play area have been reviewed and updated to include the heating boiler and other fixed equipment that may pose a risk to children. Infection Control: 3. A separate kitchen area has been constructed and is now used exclusively for the preparation and reheating of children’s food. All food preparation and reheating activities has been moved from the office to the dedicated kitchen, ensuring that food is prepared in a suitable, hygienic environment. 4. Following the inspection, staff were reminded that all perishable snacks brought in by parents must be placed in the fridge immediately upon the child’s arrival. This procedure has been implemented in rooms 1 & 2 to ensure that perishable food is stored safely until required. The daily room routine has been updated to include checking and placing all perishable food items in the designated fridge. 5. The nappy changing mat was removed from use immediately and replaced with a new, intact, wipe-clean nappy changing mat that is suitable for effective cleaning and infection prevention and control. The bathroom checklist to include the assurance that the changing mat is in good condition. 6. The bathroom checklist has been updated to ensure this is included. The team meeting held on 23 rd June – discussion with staff regarding the importance of ensuring the paper towels are dispensed at all times 7. The missing wooden window ledges in Room 2 were replaced. The exposed cement blocks, foam filler, and plasterwork around both windows were repaired and finished to a smooth, sealed surface. The new window ledges were securely fitted, and all surrounding ar eas were made fully cleanable. The room was cleaned following completion of the repairs. The person in charge will carry out regular environmental and infection prevention audits to ensure all equipment remains in good condition and is suitable for safe use. Administration of Medication: 8. Temperature-reducing medication appropriate for children has been purchased and is now available within the service for use in accordance with the service's medication administration policy and with prior parental consent. The medication has been stored securely and is monitored to ensure it remains within its expiry date. The medication audit checklist will be completed and communicated to the person in charge to purchase any items which are required. Fire Safety: 9. The door in Room 2, which serves as the primary fire evacuation route, was assessed and adjusted to ensure it opens and closes freely without the need for excessive force. The door and frame were repaired to provide unobstructed access and safe egress in the event of an emergency. Following the repair, the door was tested to confirm it operated correctly
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) There was no person trained in First Aid Response (FAR) training on the premises and immediately available to the children between the hours of 7:30am – 8:00am and 17:00 – 18:00 hours. This was an area of non-compliance following inspection conducted on 4 December 2026 . The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) All staff members have been booked to attend First Aid training on 1st August 2026. On successful completion of the training, all staff will hold a FAR qualification. A training matrix will be maintained to monitor certification expiry dates and ensure refresher training is completed in advance, supporting ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements. PIC currently holds a CFR Certificate and is on site between the hours referenced
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (e) 1. There was no wash hand basin available for the nappy change area
Provider's corrective action:
- There was no corrective and preventive action submitted
Regulation not named in the report text
- (1) The registered provider did not notify the Inspectorate of the change in person in charge in the service. The registered provider was the named designated person in charge for the service however the registered provider was also the named designated person in charge for the Celbridge service
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) Following the inspection, the management arrangements were reviewed. A new designated person in charge has been appointed for the Celbridge service, ensuring that the registered provider is no longer the designated person in charge for both services. The r equired notification regarding the change in person in charge has been submitted to the Inspectorate, and service records will be updated accordingly once the approval has been received. Ensure that the PIC of each service is different people
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 28.