Inspection of 5 March 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 8 — Change in circumstance – (1)
- The registered provider did not submit the required notification of proposed change in circumstances to notify Tusla in advance of changes being made to the person in charge
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)Notification form submitted to Tusla outlining the temporary change in Person in Charge during staff leave. The Registered Provider is responsible for ensuring all future notifications are submitted within required timeframes. This will be reviewed quarterly
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- 1. Two written references were not validated by the registered provider in respect of a staff member. 2. A second validated reference was not available in respect of a staff member
- The registered provider did not ensure all vetting procedures were in place prior to the employment of the staff members in the service as references were not validated in respect of the staff members
Provider's corrective action:
- All staff files were reviewed and updated. Missing references were obtained, validated and signed. A Staff File Checklist has been implemented. No staff member will commence employment without two validated references and Garda vetting. Quarterly checks will be completed by the Person in Charge
- Vetting was obtained by the registered provider. The registered provider has put a system in place to ensure that vetting is completed before the 3-year expiry date
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- Immunisation records were not available in respect of seven out of the twelve child enrolment records reviewed
Provider's corrective action:
- All parents were contacted and immunisation records were obtained and updated. Added to enrolment that no child will start until immunisation record is on file. The person in charge will be responsible for assuring this. The registered provider will check at the start of term
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The lock mechanism was broken on the cupboards in the activity room. A large sharp knife and cleaning agents were accessible to children. Upon the request of the Inspector the designated person in charge took a corrective action and moved the knife and cleaning agents to ensure it was out of reach of children. 2. A kettle on top of the kitchen unit was accessible to children posing a potential risk of injury to a child. 3. A trailing cable from a television was noted in the activity room which posed a potential risk of harm to a child. 4. A trailing cable from a lamp was noted in the pre-school room which posed a potential risk of harm to a child. 5. The white lamp in the rest area in the pre-school room was not secured and could fall over onto a child if a child should knock against it. 6. There were no safety checklists for the indoor and outdoor environments in place to ensure that the environment was kept safe for children to play and work in. 7. The most recent Garda vetting disclosure presented in respect of a staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYIRN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 1. Children’s lunches with perishable goods were stored in the children’s bags instead of in the fridge provided in the activity room. 2. A foot operated pedal was not available for the disposal of waste in the pre-school room. Outing: 1. The bus policy in place for the transport of children from the sessional service to the sister full day care service required more detail in respect of the adult; child ratio, safety checklist, first aid box, insurance and consent from parents for transfer. The policy should be dated and signed off by the registered provider and signed by staff members upon reading. 2. There were no outings checklist or risk assessments in place for local outings that are carried out from the service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Hazards removed, broken safety locks replaced. 2. Kettle was moved out of reach of children behind a locked cupboard. 3 & 4. All trailing cables have been secured. 5. The long lamp has been secured to the timber platform. 6. Checklists have been implemented for indoor & outdoor environments. Daily/weekly Safety checks implemented for the above corrective actions. 7. Garda vetting has been received. System in place to ensure that vetting is completed before the 3 year expiry. Infection Control: 1. Children’s lunch storage has been corrected and is now stored in the fridge. Infection control practice is now in place and monitored by staff. 2. Foot-operated bin installed. Daily/weekly checks implemented. This will ensure the bins are provided and up to standard. Outing: 1. The bus policy has been updated to include more details in respect of ratio, safety checklist, first aid box, insurance and consent. Procedures include ratios maintained, headcounts, seatbelts secured, parental consent obtained. Checklist completed and reviewed monthly by Person in Charge. 2. Checklist & risk assessment in place for local outings. Checklist and risk assessment implemented and reviewed monthly by Person in Charge
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- A visitor log for the service was not available for review with the following details included. • Date. • Person’s name. • Contact number. • Reason for entry. • The name of person who approved access. • The check in and out times
Provider's corrective action:
- Visitors log is now in place at the setting. The visitor log will be available at all times and checked by the person in charge
Regulation 25 — First aid
- 1.A burns dressing was not available in the first aid box. 2.The hinges were broken on the portable first aid box and required replacement. 3. There was no monthly checklist in place in line with TUSLA Quality Regulatory Framework
Provider's corrective action:
- First aid box replaced and checklist introduced. Check list implemented for First aid box which will be done monthly
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28.