(2) The registered provider did not ensure the following: (a) (b) There was no documentary evidence of appropriate consideration of references for three files reviewed. The following was observed: • There were no references available for one file. • One file had only one reference available which was not validated. • One file had two references available, but they had not been validated. Full checks must be completed on references to establish that those in the service are appropriate to have access to children. This was identified as a noncompliance on the last inspection on the 29 May 2025 and the preventive actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a)(b) The registered provider submitted some of the required validated reference documents. A checklist was developed and is included in all files showing the documents required, with a reminder system in place to review the files
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(a) The registered provider did not ensure that drinking water was freely available to the children in one of the care rooms. It was noted that no drinks were available from 10.49am until 12.12pm when jugs of milk and water were brought into the care room. It is acknowledged that staff immediately sourced cups and a jug of water which remained in the room when it was brought to their attention
Provider's corrective action:
(a) Staff were reminded of the practice to ensure all rooms will have a designated drink station and will ensure this is always available
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A full record containing the details of an accident, injury or incident involving children was not consistently maintained. This can limit the effective and timely communication for the appropriate care of children following an incident. From a sample of fifteen records made available and reviewed on inspection, the following was found: • Three records did not contain children’s surnames. • Two records did not contain the dates that the parent signed the record. It is important that parents/guardians are informed of any accident/incident relating to their child on the same day so they can monitor their child appropriately. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 2. Children had access to stagnant water from a barrel containing rainwater which was dripping from a broken tap. Stagnant water can contain bacteria which can potentially cause illness if ingested. 3. Soothers were observed to be stored uncovered and accessible to children in one of the care rooms. This poses an infection control risk should a child access another child’s soother. 4. A child’s bottle containing milk was observed to be stored on a shelf in the care room. Perishable foods and drinks should be appropriately refrigerated to help reduce the risk of bacteria multiplying. 5. A staff member was observed to lift the lid of the waste disposal unit with their hand when disposing of waste after a nappy change. The foot pedal should be used to lift the lid of bins to limit the risk of cross contamination. 6. Cushions and blankets were observed to be stored directly adjacent to and touching a bin in one of the care rooms. There was an increased risk of cross contamination as a result. It is acknowledged that the items were removed immediately and stored elsewhere when brought to the attention of staff. Administration of Medication: The following impacted safe practice on the administration of medication: 7. The service did not ensure the safe administration of prescribed emergency medication for one child who was prescribed emergency medication for two different medical conditions. Evidenced by the following: • There was no plan in place to identify triggers, symptoms or the steps to follow to safely administer a prescribed medication which was present in the service. • There was a plan available for another diagnosed medical condition with two prescribed emergency medications. However, this plan did not contain sufficient details for staff to be able to safely administer one or both of these medications and treatment if required. In addition, one of the medications listed on the care plan was not available. It is acknowledged that there was a similar medication available. However, this similar medication required a different dosage and there was no administration of medication consent form available. This posed a potential risk of safety to the child in the event of a medical emergency where emergency medication was required to be administered. 8. Of the sample of 15 medication administration records reviewed, one did not record the dosage of the medication administered. Documentation with clearly detailed information must be maintained to accurately outline and account for safe administration of medication practice and prevent miscommunication on the administration of medication. Safe Sleep: Sleep practices were not in line with current safe sleep guidance. The following practices were observed: 9. Children under two years old were observed to sleep on low beds which are not suitable for this age range. Children in this age range require a suitable floor bed with a mattress depth of at least 6cm. 10. There was no risk assessment included as part of the sleep plans available in one of the rooms were children under the age of two years were sleeping on low beds. A risk assessment should be completed before moving a child from a cot to a sleep-mat to identify potential hazards and put controls in place. This was identified as a noncompliance on the last inspection on the 29 May 2025 and the preventive actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. 11. A child aged 21 months was placed to sleep wearing a hair bobbin which went unidentified during sleep checks. This posed a potential choke risk. 12. The cot room off the Beginners room was observed to be too dark making it difficult to carry out accurate visual checks on sleeping children. However, it was acknowledged that staff did carry out checks every ten minutes and recorded their findings in a sleep log. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Training was carried out on the completion of medication and accident and incident forms for all lead educators, who shared this information with other staff. A reminder system was set up to ensure checks will be carried out on a monthly basis. Infection Control: 2. A new tap was fitted to the water barrel and will be checked via a risk assessment. 3. Staff were reminded to store soothers in individual storage boxes and lead educators reviewed the infection control policy with staff. 4. The bottle was removed and washed on the day of the inspection. Staff were reminded on the appropriate storage of bottles and lead educators reviewed the infection control policy with staff. 5. A poster is now displayed reminding staff to use the foot pedal. Staff were reminded at the staff meeting on appropriate hygiene practice. 6. These were removed with immediate effect. Staff were reminded on the appropriate hygiene practice and lead educators reviewed the infection control policy with staff. Administration of Medication: 7. Training was carried out on Friday 27th February on the administration of medication and what needs to go into a care plan for all lead educators, who then shared this information with other staff. Staff from each room updated the care plans for children using the information taken from the training session. 8. Lead Educators attended the training on 27th February on medication administration, who shared this information to staff. A reminder system was set up to ensure checks on these will be carried out on a monthly basis. Safe Sleep: 9. An order was placed for appropriate beds for this age range. 10. A risk assessment was developed for children sleeping on low beds. A reminder system was set up to ensure checks on these will be carried out on a weekly basis. 11. Staff were notified to ensure to remove hair accessories prior to sleep. This is now included on risk assessment. 12. Blinds are now kept partially open allowing sufficient light through. A sign is now displayed as a reminder
(2) (a)(b) There was no documentary evidence available to show that the two references available for a staff member had been considered or checked prior to them commencing employment. Full checks must be completed on references for staff members in order to establish they are appropriate to have access to children
Provider's corrective action:
Two new references were sourced and verified for the staff member and places on file. As part of the induction process with new employees a checklist was written up to ensure all documents related to Regulation 9 is included in the new employee’s file
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) The registered provider did not ensure the following records were sufficiently maintained: (h) The system for recording the attendance of children did not consistently record the arrival and departure time of the children. The risk associated with this is detailed in the non-compliance under Regulation 23. (j) A full record in writing with signed parental consent for the administration of medication was not maintained. From a sample of 15 records, the following was observed: • Three records did not have the signature of a second staff member witnessing the administration of the medication. • One record did not have a parent’s signature. • Four records did not detail the child’s full name. A full record with the child’s full name, details of two staff who administer the medication, and an acknowledgment of the administration by the parent must be maintained in order to accurately account for safe administration practice and prevent miscommunication on the administration of medication
Provider's corrective action:
(h) The registered provider will ensure that all parent sign in sheets will be signed and checked by the Lead Educator on arrival and departure each day. Following a meeting; staff were told that it is their responsibility to ensure the parents sign their child in and out each day. The arrival and collection policy was shared with staff. Deputy managers will check the signed, sign in sheets at the end of each week to ensure they are filled in correctly. Lead educators were told to carry the sign in sheets with them when going to outdoor area. (j) The service will ensure the lead educators from each room will check medicine permission forms at the end of each day to ensure they are completed fully. Following a meeting with the Lead educators of each of the childcare rooms, the importance of filling Medicine permission slips in correctly was explained to staff
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1)(b) The registered provider did not ensure the following: 1. Adequate food was not provided to a child. An alternative meal was not offered to a child who did not like the meal that was offered. The child was not observed to have a hot meal on the day of the inspection. Further discussion with staff, and a review of the service policy identified there were no procedures in place to provide for adequate nutritious alternative meals. Children require a varied selection of food from across the food groups on a daily basis. 2. There was no evidence or documentation in place to record and track what the children have eaten. This was not in line with the service policy which states parents will be advised on what their child eats each day. A record of what the child has eaten should be maintained to track and ensure that a child’s nutritional needs are being met
Provider's corrective action:
1. A meeting was held with the lead educators and staff who were told that if children do not eat the dinner provided a choice would be offered. The service ensure additional food will be stored in the fridge which every room has access to. Staff have been given training on healthy eating and the healthy eating policy was updated. 2. The service has reviewed the communication used to pass on information regarding mealtimes. They report they have placed a white board in baby and toddler room with children’s names on which informs parents what children ate
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. There was inadequate supervision of children in the outdoor play area. A large dog on the public pathway outside the service was observed to come to the fence with their snout through the gap in the fence. Children were observed to attempt to touch the dog, and staff did not intervene to restrict this engagement. This was not in line with the service policy on outdoor play which stated staff will be vigilant in the outdoor play area. Children should not have access to dogs on the public pathway outside the service, this posed a potential risk of serious injury to children. 2. Garda vetting was available for a staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. This was identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection held on the 7 October 2024 and actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 3. In the Investigators room, the seal where the flooring met the wall was damaged leaving a gap by the doorway into the room and the doorway to the sanitary area. This gap had a build-up of dirt and debris and could not be effectively cleaned. 4. There was no warm water available in any of the sinks used by staff and children. This reduced effective handwashing. If is acknowledged that management were aware of this issue and a plumber was scheduled to attend the service on the 3 June 2025. 5. Nappy creams were not stored clearly labelled in the sanitary area between the Baby and Toddler room. A box containing six nappy creams had only two creams labelled, and only three of the four creams stored on the internal window ledge were labelled. There was potential the wrong cream would be used on a child thereby risking cross contamination. 6. The swing bin in the sanitary area between the Investigators and Voyagers rooms was not a suitable means of waste disposal in a sanitary area as it required repeated hand touch. This was identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection held on the 7 October 2024 and actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. 7. The child sized sofas in both the Investigators and Voyagers rooms were damaged and torn leaving unsuitable surfaces for effective cleaning. 8. The bedding used by the children in the Toddler room was not stored individually but was stored rolled up by the side of a storage press. This posed a risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 9. There was no documented care plan available for a child on a specific medication. This was not in line with the service policy or safe practice on the administration of medication. Clearly documented instructions must be available in order to provide clear procedures on when and how to administer medication. Safe Sleep: 10. Sleep practices were not in line with current safe sleep guidance. The following practices were observed: • A child under 2 years old was allocated a stackable bed for sleep time. This is not suitable sleep equipment for a child less than two years old. This was not in line with the service policy on safe sleep which stated all children under two years will have access to a standard cot or suitable sleep facilities. • Although it is acknowledged there was an agreed sleep plan available with parental permission for this child, there was no risk assessment in place. A sleep plan, incorporating a risk assessment, should be completed before moving a child from a cot to a suitable floor bed. Children under two years old who move from a cot must be provided with suitable sleep equipment in a risk assessed environment in order to minimise the potential risks associated with moving from a cot to a bed. Fire Safety: 11. The details of the attendance of the children were not accurately recorded in the attendance sheet. The following was observed: • Children were signed in by parents with no time of arrival or departure recorded. • A child was not accounted for in one of the care rooms. • Staff reported that these sheets are used for fire drills. • Staff reported that an additional log is maintained and is completed at the end of the day with the sign in and out times however this is not contemporaneous. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in an emergency. 12. The hallway by the Baby and Toddler was used as storage for chairs. This partially obstructed the hallway which could potentially impede the save evacuation of children in the case of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Safety in the outdoor area was discussed at a team meeting with the lead educators, and the outdoor policy was reviewed and to be shared with all staff. This issue was raised at the service board meeting on 19th June and the board of management agreed to enclose the downstairs play area with a suitable enclosure. The manager is in the process of approaching companies and getting costings to secure the outdoor railings to secure the safety of children from the public. 2. The updated Garda Vetting was applied for. To ensure this won’t happen again the service have set a reminder on their calendar when updates are due. Infection Control: 3. Floor adhesive was used to glue the area of flooring that was damaged. Staff were asked to risk assess all areas of the flooring in their rooms weekly and any risks identified to be logged into the caretaker’s journal for fixing. When jobs are complete the caretaker needs to sign off and date. 4. Engineers were called to the service on 30th May, and a new boiler was installed. The water issue is now resolved. 5. Lead educators are responsible to ensure all creams are clearly labelled and child’s name is clearly marked on each cream. Information was shared to staff at a staff meeting to ensure that all creams/medication are stored correctly and clearly marked with child’s name. 6. Three new pedal bins were purchased, and all non-pedal bins were removed from toilets and changing areas. All staff including cleaner and caretaker were asked to risk assess the toilets daily and a sign is displayed reminding staff to use the correct bins. 7. Child sofas were removed from both rooms. Staff were asked to risk assess their rooms weekly and any risks identified needs to be logged into the caretaker’s journal for fixing. When jobs are complete the caretaker needs to sign off and date. 8. Bags were purchased for each bed. Each bed now has its own bag with child’s name clearly marked on them. The service has included this in their sleep policy that each bed has its own bag and should be clearly marked with child’s name. Administration of Medication: 9. A suitable care plan was developed for the child. Medicine policy and associated documents were reviewed and updated to ensure that a medical care plan is to be completed for children on specific medication. These will be clearly available in rooms for all staff to access and read. A calendar reminder was set up to review relevant policies. Safe Sleep: 10. The service report training was given to all staff on safe sleep practice and management reviewed policies to ensure they are in line with safe sleep practice. A risk assessment was developed and is now displayed in the care room. The risk assessment is to be reviewed monthly by the lead educator, the team and management and the sleep policy to be reviewed at staff meetings. Fire Safety: 11. Staff were reminded at a staff meeting to ensure that parent’s sign their children in and out at the correct time. The arrivals and collection policy was shared with all staff. Lead educators will check the signed sheets daily to ensure they reflect a true picture of what happened that day. 12. The baby chairs were removed from hallway. Alternative suitable stage was found
Regulation not named in the report text
(1) The registered provider did not submit the required change in circumstance documentation regarding a change in the service opening hours from 9.00am to 4.00pm to 8.30am to 4.00pm
Provider's corrective action:
(1) The change of circumstances form was submitted on 30th May 2025 regarding the change of opening hours from 9am to 8.30am and subsequentially approved. Change in Circumstances procedures have been written up and kept on wall in service office to ensure staff know how to submit a change of circumstances form when operational changes take place in the nursery
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider on day one of the inspection under Regulation 23, in relation to a non-compliance identified under Regulation 23. A response was received from the registered provider on the 3 October 2024 which mitigated the risk identified. See body of report for details.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
The registered provider had not ensured the following: (2)(a)(b) Documentation was not available for the following: o One adult had only one written validated reference available. (2) (d) International Police vetting was not available for one staff member who had resided outside of the jurisdiction for more than six months as an adult. (4) The registered provider did not ensure that one employee who was working directly with children attending the service held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) Written reference was obtained on 8th October, validated and is now on file for this staff member. (d) Relevant police vetting was applied for, which is currently in progress and should be received in due course. (4) The staff member has applied to DCEDIY for a letter to eligibility to practice which was received on 6 November 2024. Until this was available the service did not count this staff member in Adult/Child ratios. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b)(d) (4) A checklist was developed for staff files. The checklist has been placed on everyone’s file showing all essential documents required. The service ensures regular quarterly monitoring of all staff files, with an alert system in place when documents need reviewing and updating
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The water temperature in the wash hand basin accessible to the children in the Investigators room exceeded the recommended temperature of 43oC. A temperature of 56.3oC was recorded by the inspector at 11.58am. This posed a significant scald risk to the children. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of the inspection in relation to this risk. A response which addressed this risk was received to the inspectorate on the 3 October 2024. 2. Garda vetting was available for a staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. A bottle of spray cleaning agent was observed to be accessible to the children in the Investigators room. This posed a risk of eye or skin irritation to the children. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 4. The nappy changing mat in the sanitary accommodation between the Investigators and Voyagers rooms was observed to be soiled, and there was a build-up of debris under the mat. 5. The bin in the sanitary accommodation between the Investigators and Voyagers rooms was not pedal operated. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Corrective action: The service booked an engineer to come to the nursery immediately after receiving the immediate action notice, this person attended the service the next morning where the hot water valve leading to this sink was shut off. Preventive action: A temperature gauge for the water pipe has been ordered. This was observed to be in place on day 2 of the inspection. 2. Corrective action: Garda Vetting for the staff member was received on 14/10/2024. Preventive action: A checklist was developed for staff files. The checklist has been placed on everyone’s file showing all essential documents required. The service ensures regular quarterly monitoring of all staff files, with an alert system in place when documents need reviewing and updating. 3. Corrective action: A bottle of spray agent was removed from room immediately and placed on shelf out of reach of children. Preventive action: the service held a meeting on 8/10/2024 giving feedback from the Tusla Inspection. This included the storage of all cleaning agents and risks to children. Lead Educators were asked to meet with staff in their rooms to give feedback to all staff on same. Posters were placed in all childcare rooms, changing rooms and children’s toilets reminding staff store cleaning agents out of reach of children. Infection Control: Corrective actions: 4. The nappy changing mat and changing table were cleaned immediately. 5. The bin was removed and replaced with a foot-peddle operated bin. Preventive actions: 4. The service manager held a meeting with Lead Educators and changing policy was discussed with all staff. Poster reminding staff to wipe down and clean the tables after every use were placed in all changing areas in the nursery. Staff were reminded to sign off when cleaning the changing mat and tables. Regular checks are scheduled to check changing rooms for cleanliness. 5. The service manager held meeting with Lead Educators and gave feedback on Tusla Inspection. All staff are aware there must be a pedal bin in sanitary areas and the bin must not be removed or changed for any reason