# Oaklands House Creche and Montessori, Swords — inspection reports and findings

> Oaklands House Creche and Montessori (Swords, Co. Dublin): what Tusla inspections found — 1 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Oaklands House Creche and Montessori

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Swords, Dublin · Tusla ID **TU2015FL236** · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md).

#### Inspection of 18 June 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

**Immediate action notice.** An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of inspection for excessively hot water at two wash hand basins adjacent to the nappy changing mats in the sanitary area of the service. The registered provider provided the inspectorate with written assurances of appropriate preventive actions being implemented in the service to reduce the likelihood of the hot water temperature exceeding 43oC within 24 hours of the notice being issued with further confirmation received within 48 hours.

##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

- (2)(d) One staff member did not have international police vetting available for 1 of the 2 countries outside of the Irish jurisdiction that they had resided in as an adult for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months

- Corrective Action (2)(d) Staff member originally applied for police vetting in March 2024; this was followed up on 02.07.2024; the service has still heard nothing back and has since emailed again for another follow up. Preventive Action (2)(d) Ensure vetting is obtained prior to new staff member commencing

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: 1. The hot water supply provided at the two wash hand basins adjacent to the nappy changing mats in the sanitary area of the service exceeded the maximum safe water temperature of 43oC as detailed in table 1.1 below. When identified, the inspectors informed the practitioners of this scalding risk and the children were subsequently supervised when hand washing, using the cold-water supply at the mixer taps to reduce the temperature of the flowing water to a safe level for the remainder of the inspection. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider in relation to the water temperatures. Location Water temperature Time recorded Sinks adjacent to the nappy changing mats in sanitary area of the main building of the service. 49.5°C (both taps) 10:45am As above 51.5°C (both taps) 11:19 am As above 54.5°C (both taps) 12:05pm As above 55.5°C (Tap on left hand side) 1:25pm 48.5°C (Tap on right hand side) As above 49.1°C (Tap on left hand side) 50.3°C (Tap on right hand side) 3:20pm Table 1.1 Water temperature readings recorded on the day of inspection. 2. On arrival to the service the door leading from Montessori room 1 to the front of the building was open This could result in a child exiting the building unsupervised or an unauthorised person gaining access to the room. Infection Control: 3. No handwashing was observed being carried out by adults or children prior to morning snack in the Playschool room. It is noted that the staff wore disposable polythene gloves when handling the children’s food. 4. The children in the Playschool room were not provided with plates to eat their morning snack, the children ate their snack directly from the table. Safe Sleep: 5. There was not sufficient space available for the safe use of 12 stackable beds being used for sleep time in the Playschool room. Stackable floor beds were made available in the Playschool room after dinner time for 8 sleeping children from the Playschool room and 4 children from the Toddler room. The beds made available for the 4 Toddler children were in an area of the room where there was not sufficient space to place the beds a minimum of 50cm apart. With 12 beds and 2 large tables in the room the clear floor space was limited and could also increase the risk of delay in the event of an emergency evacuation. 6. When the children were asleep in the larger cot room the room was in darkness, the practitioners switched on a reading lamp to provide light when checking the children and, apart from this light, adequate visibility was not provided for monitoring the sleeping children. The lack of lighting increased the risk of health and safety hazards such as trips or falls. 7. Four children in the Montessori 1 room were sleeping directly on a floor mat without a sheet provided. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Service’s plumber was called immediately to rectify the situation. Upon inspection, there is an immersion in the attic that was on constantly alongside the heating system in the main kitchen. The immersion has been turned off and the water is heated using the heating system only in the kitchen. 2. A meeting was held with each team in each room to discuss the importance of ensuring all exits are securely closed at all times. Manager also brought it to the attention of parents who are inside the building to make sure to close all doors when they enter/exit. Infection Control: 3. A meeting was held with each team in each room to remind them of our handwashing policy. 4. Manager discussed with team to use plates at all mealtimes. Safe Sleep: 5. As all the children sleeping in this room are over two years, staff are using 12 stackable beds and have rearranged them in such a way that they are 50cm apart. The two tables are stacked one on top of the other, taking up less floor space. Manager carried out a risk assessment for this and are satisfied it does not pose a risk as the room is fully supervised at all times. Staff is also mindful of the escape route and maintain a clear evacuation route in the case of an emergency. 6. Service’s electrician has installed a dimmer light switch and new main light. During sleep time, the light is left on a low dim, so the cot room is adequately lit during sleep time. 7. Staff team in Montessori 1 room were shown where the sheets are kept for immediate use and for changing them on their laundry days and started using them immediately. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Manager is confident this will not reoccur because the immersion in the attic is now off. Water temperatures were taken in the following days and were all at a satisfactory temperature. 2. With immediate effect, it was communicated to all relevant stakeholders i.e. staff team and parents/guardians to make sure all doors and gates are securely closed when entering/exiting the premises. Infection Control: 3. With immediate effect, children’s and adults’ hands will be washed before mealtimes. Staff will wear food handling gloves when handling food directly. Otherwise, gloves are not a requirement if using utensils or children can manage their own food. 4. With immediate effect, staff are using plates at all meal. Safe Sleep: 5. The layout of the beds is on display to maintain the correct layout. 6. Service’s electrician has installed a dimmer light switch and new main light. During sleep time, the light is left on a low dim, so the cot room is adequately lit during sleep time. New system is working perfectly. 7. Staff team in Montessori 1 are aware of where the fresh bed linen is kept; use them on their beds for those who sleep; and change them according to their laundry days or more often if required. Supporting documentation submitted Email confirming plumbers attendance at the service to rectify the raised water temperatures at the two wash hand basins adjacent to the nappy changing mats in the sanitary area of the service. Photograph of dimmer light installed in sleep room. Summary Comment The evidence submitted by the registered provider in relation to regulation 23 - Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child has been reviewed and accepted. The non-compliances have been addressed

##### Regulation 25 — First aid

- (1) A person trained in first aid including first aid responder (FAR) training was not immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service as evidenced in the staff roster and the in-date FAR certifications, a member of staff with FAR training was not present in the service between 7:30 am and 8:30am on the day of inspection

- Corrective Action (1) Manager has enrolled two more team members for FAR training. Preventive Action (1) With two more team members FAR trained, staff will arrange the roster to have adequate cover for the entire day

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 22, 26.

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Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/oaklands-house-creche-and-montessori-swords/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11