Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The practices of the service did not meet the basic care needs of a pre-school child attending on full day care on the day of inspection. On arrival to the service, a child aged 2 years was present within the service with 7 school age children. During the inspection, it was observed that the based on age of the child, their needs were not met as follows; • At 2.35pm, the pre-school child was observed to wander in the outdoor area with a soother in their mouth holding a soft comforter. The child was observed to watch the older children and did not engage in any activity or play during this time. • At 3.05pm while in the outdoor area, the child expressed to the staff member that they needed the toilet. The staff member brought the child to the entrance door between the outdoors and the main care room. The staff member prompted the child to use the toilet which was adjoining the care room. The staff member was unable to accompany or provide support to the child, as they were also supervising 7 school age children in the outdoor area. Taking into account the child’s age and stage of development, the staff member was unable to fully meet their needs. As should the child have required support or assistance, the staff member was unable to provide it. • At 3.20pm, the school age children went indoors for snack time. The pre-school child was not observed to be offered food or observed to eat food. In discussion with the staff member, it was outlined that the child would be collected shortly. According to the services records, the child was in attendance of the service from 9am. • At 3.30pm, the child stated to the staff member that they were tired while rubbing their eyes. The child was prompted to lie on the low-level couches and listen to a story being read by the school age children. The child was observed to lie on the couch and continued to rub their eyes. At this time, the school age children asked the staff member when they were returning outdoors. At 3.45pm, the staff member advised all of the children that they were going outside. The child was lying on the low-level couch. The child stood up, continued to rub their eyes and went outdoors with the other children
Provider's corrective action:
A staff meeting was held, and it was communicated with staff members that children who are not attending ECCE were not permitted to attend the service. The registered provider stated in their CAPA response that it was also communicated with staff members that they were not permitted to allow any child to extend their hours to stay in the service longer. The registered provider provided assurances to the inspectorate that this would not reoccur
Regulation not named in the report text
The service was registered to provide a sessional service from 9am-12pm and from 12:30 to 3:30pm. On the inspector’s arrival to the service, the staff member present confirmed that the pre-school service was closed since 12pm and that it was only school age children in attendance. However, there was a pre-school child aged two years present attending on a full day care basis. On review of records, the child was in attendance from 9am and departed the service at 4.15pm
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated through the CAPA process that they immediately ensured that no children would be attending outside their own approved regulatory hours or outside the age group attending the service
Inspection of 14 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued on the day of inspection for the following non-compliance.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)(b) One file was produced on request for staff which contained elements of the required documentation for each staff but not all the required documents. While there was one reference available on file for one staff member, there was not a second reference available. There were no references available on file for the other two staff members employed in the service. (3) Due to absence of some recruitment records in the service, the inspector was unable to determine if all the procedures specified in paragraph (2) of regulation 9, were carried out prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service. (4) There was no evidence of a qualification in early childhood care and education on file for the relief staff member who was not present on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider has responded stating that they have ensured all Garda vetting certificates, references and copies of qualifications certificates are maintained on file for each staff member
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) The registered provider did not ensure that there was always an adequate number of adults working directly with the children attending the pre-school service. (3) On arrival to the service the inspector observed that there was 1 qualified staff member and 1 post- primary student present with 13 preschool children aged 2 years and 3 months to 4 years 6 months. The staff member confirmed that they were present with the children since opening at 09:00 hours. The minimum ratio of adults to children as specified in Schedule 6 was not satisfied. It is acknowledged that the registered provider arrived onsite at 10:55 hours, and from that time the minimum ratio of adults to children were maintained
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider states that they are committed to ensuring the adult to child ratios are maintained in the service as is required by regulation. An additional relief worker has been employed in the service
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1)(e) – (i) The children’s registration forms were missing some key information which can pose risks to the health and safe care of the children attending the service. The following examples were found: 1.Parental consent for appropriate medical treatment in the event of an emergency was not clearly documented. 2.There was no documented record on 6 of the registration forms to demonstrate if the child had received their vaccination schedule. The inspector observed that the incorrect forms had been used; parents had been asked to complete school age care enrolment forms which did not request vaccination information. 3. One registration form did not record the names of those authorised to collect the child or who were the designated emergency contacts. 4. One child attending the service, who had a serious medical condition, had incorrect information recorded in their registration form. 5. The inspector observed that there was no registration forms present for 2 children who attended the service on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider has responded stating that they distributed new appropriate pre-school registration forms and have checked to ensure all information was correctly recorded. The registered provider stated that it is their intention to carry out frequent audits on all records to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance. The registered provider stated that all staff will be trained on how to complete records, policy revision on how to maintain records and will ensure that adequate staffing is maintained for staff to have dedicated time for administrative tasks
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1)(a) 1. While there were several interest areas in the classroom, they were not clearly identified with associated themes or play materials. The interest areas were observed to be messy, not well maintained and lacking resources that invited and stimulated the children to play. It is acknowledged that the registered provider intends to re-engage with the early years specialist and has also submitted photographic evidence that corrective actions have been implemented to enhance the physical environment since inspection. 2. The toilet facilities adjacent to the entrance hall contained two child sized toilets which were divided by a partition but had no door in front of each of them to preserve the dignity of the children while using the toilet. It is acknowledged that a second toilet unit was available at the other end of the classroom, however the inspector observed that most of the children used the one off the entrance hall. (b) 1.The inspector observed that it was the post- primary school student present on the day who engaged most with the children and supported the children’s activities and responded to the children’s needs and interests. The staff present were not observed to be actively engaged with the children and their activities. 2.There was no evidence of curricular planning documented and available for review. On observation of the progress of the session, the inspector observed that there was no schedule in place or planned activities. At 10:45 hours the children sat at the tables provided for circle time supported by the post -primary school student however when the registered provider arrived at 10:55 hours, the registered provider decided that the children would suddenly transition to having their snack. It is acknowledged that since the previous inspection on the 04 February 2022, the service had engaged with the national quality development initiative, but this was not reflected in the physical environment or in the practice observed on this inspection
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(a) 1. The registered provider responded, stating that the physical environment had been revised to include a literacy and language area, dramatic play area, art and creativity area, sensory area, science and discovery area, music and movement area with associated play materials and resources. The registered provider stated that they have returned to the quality initiative engagement. The registered provider stated that the classroom will be kept clean, safe and well equipped. 2.The registered provider has responded stating that there are two designated children’s toilets, one inside the main door and one beside the sensory area. The registered provider and staff have spoken to the children and explained that only one child can use the bathrooms at a time. The registered provider stated that the staff will ensure that there will only be one child using the designated children’s toilets at a time. (1)(b) The registered provider stated that they have displayed their curriculum and are following it. The service is maintaining a learning journal for each individual child
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: Garda vetting was available for the staff members, however one of the Garda vetting disclosures available was not dated within the previous three years, in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Administration of Medication: While there was an adequate documented policy on administration of medication in the service, the inspector on triangulation of evidence observed the following non-compliances. 1.A child registered to attend the service with a serious medical condition did not have an appropriate administration of medication plan documented as stated in the service’s administration of medication policy. 2.There was no evidence to demonstrate that the registered provider had arranged appropriate training for the staff in administration of specific emergency medication for this child. 3.The staff informed the inspector that a child’s emergency medication was stored in their school bag on a low wall hook while the child attended the service. The inspector observed that the child’s bag could easily be accessed by the children in the service. 4.The administration of medication policy provided information on self-administration of medication which was not appropriate or safe for preschool children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The registered provider responded stating that she will ensure all required Garda vetting documentation is maintained within the required timeframes. Administration of Medication: 1.The registered provider responded stating that she had developed a nut allergy policy which included declaring the service a nut free environment. The registered provider also stated that an individual health plan will be developed for any child with a diagnosed allergy in conjunction with the child’s GP and parents. 2.The registered provider stated that all staff will complete annual training on allergy awareness and emergency response. 3.The registered provider stated that all medications will be stored safely and not in the children’s school bags. Any emergency medication will be stored high on a shelf out of the reach of any children however easily accessible to all staff. 4. The registered provider stated that staff will be trained to ensure that all administration of medication forms will be completed correctly, that medications will be stored safely and under no circumstances will there be medications stored in children’s bags
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
The inspector observed that 3 children who were also present in the service had no record of their times of arrival maintained. The inspector observed that 3 children were collected by a childminder at 11:15 hours but staff did not record this time on the attendance records until later when the inspector asked if they had been signed out
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted a response stating that clear guidelines have been communicated to staff on recording the times of entry and exit of the children in the service. A designated staff member will record the entry and exit times of children. Staff will be requested to also sign the record. The registered provider states that the sign in and sign out book will be reviewed weekly to ensure compliance and accuracy in record keeping in line with the service’s newly developed Record Keeping policy
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) There was no staff member with current First Aid Responder (FAR) training immediately available to the two children who remained with the registered provider, from 12:00 until they were collected. There was evidence that previous certificates of FAR training had expired on 17 November 2022 and basic first aid training had expired in 2021. It is acknowledged that an email submitted to the office of the early years inspector following inspection confirmed that a second staff member would attend training on the 15, 22 and 29 May 2025
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded, stating that she had obtained first aid training for all other staff members in the month of May 2025. The registered provider stated that she will ensure that all staff have first aid responder training and there will always be a staff member with FAR training with the children in the service
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(a) The registered provider informed the inspector that fire drills are carried out in the service, however a documented record of same was not maintained and not open for inspection. (b) While a maintenance date for the fire-fighting equipment was recorded as having taken place in November 2024, there was no date recorded for any previous smoke alarm maintenance checks. The last date recorded on a previous inspection on 15 October 2019 for a previous smoke alarm maintenance check was 13 November 2018
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted the following response stating that she has ensured that all the service fire drills are documented accurately in the service fire book and will also ensure that this is done in the future. A contractor is engaged with the service to maintain annual fire alarm and fire safety equipment checks
Regulation 29 — Premises
1. The inspector observed that the classroom temperature was recorded as 15°C at 11:15 hours on the day of inspection. This was not within the recommended temperature range of 18 - 22°C. On checking the room temperature again at 12:00 hours the temperature remained at 16.9 °C. The inspector also observed that since her arrival to the service at 11:15 hours the registered provider had continued to wear her coat and a hat indoors. 2. The inspector observed that the running water from the hot taps in each of the wash hand basins was cold. On checking the temperature of the running water, the inspector found the temperatures ranged between 6-8.4 °C, which did not provide a comfortable environment for the children to wash their hands in
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded stating that she had met with the community centre committee and the heating system is now reverting to oil heating which will enable the room temperature and running water temperatures to be maintained within the appropriate recommended ranges. Thermometers will be used to ensure that room temperatures and water temperatures are maintained within the recommended ranges required