Inspection of 14 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The records available did not demonstrate that adequate consideration had been given to the suitability of staff prior to their employment. None of the 13 references on file had been validated and there was only one reference available for one of the staff. (d) Police vetting disclosures were not on file for one staff member who had lived outside of the state for a period of longer than six months as an adult
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted the following response to address the non-compliances: Corrective and Preventive Action All staff reference validations have now been recorded, and each staff member have two references in their file. The staff member without a Police vetting disclosure has applied for her police certificate, however, her employment with us has ended as from today, 30/01/2026. Staff references will be validated, and record of validation will be kept in their staff files. Extra care will be taken in future to ensure all staff are police vetted where relevant
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- The rest/quiet area in the playroom was inadequate and was not sufficient to meet the needs of the children. The area was cramped into a corner that was not conducive to rest
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted the following response to address the non-compliances: Corrective and Preventive Action The cushions and mats are washed weekly. The committee will plan to budget for a carpet area in and around our quiet area and our board of directors will add it to the agenda for our next financial meeting
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The service did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to re-new Garda vetting every 3 years. There were Garda vetting disclosures on file for all staff members, however the vetting disclosure for one staff member was not dated within the previous 3 years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda vetting. Infection Control: 2. There were no disposable hand towels available for hygienic handwashing. Communal cloth towels were used by the children and staff which posed as a risk of cross infection. 3. The second smaller first aid box was covered in mould which was a health risk. Administration of Medication: 4. Prescribed medication stored on the premises for a child was out of date. A system was not in place by the service to ensure that medication was checked on a regular basis. 5. A parental consent form for the administration of medication was not available for two children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service submitted the following response to address the non-compliances:
Provider's corrective action:
- : 1. The staff Garda vetting that needed to be renewed have been sent in for renewal. Staff Garda vetting will be renewed every 3 years. A record of date renewed will be kept on file to keep note of when renewal is needed. 2. Our hand towel delivery has been delivered, and the children and staff are using disposable hand towels for hand washing and drying. We will ensure the delivery comes on time going forward. 3. Our first-hand box has been cleaned and reorganised. Our travel first aid box that we use yearly for school tour. We will keep on top of our cleaning and first aid storage. 4. New EpiPens have been brought in by parents that are in date. Expiry dates have been recorded to ensure staff are aware of they need to be replaced. Dates will be checked regularly. 5. A parental consent form was signed which is attached to the child’s EpiPen storage box and available on the day. A more detailed consent form was drawn up and parents have signed this
Regulation 25 — First aid
- There were no staff trained in a first aid responder (FAR) course immediately available to the children attending the preschool service. There was evidence on file that two staff held in date Paediatric first aid, however they were not available to the children at all times
Provider's corrective action:
- The service submitted the following response to address the non-compliances: Corrective and Preventive Action Staff members have been booked into a FAR training course, to be completed in March 2026. All preschool staff with valid first aid certificates are on display on the wall
Regulation 29 — Premises
- There was a general lack of maintenance and cleaning within the service. For example: Areas in the playroom required painting and walls needed treatment for dampness. The cabinet designated for the safe storage of medication was cluttered and used for non-medical items. Open low shelves in the playroom which were accessible to children were cluttered and mixed with items such as files and equipment not for the sole use by the children. Blankets, mats and cushions in the rest area were not adequately clean
Provider's corrective action:
- The service submitted the following response to address the non-compliances: Corrective and Preventive Action A finance meeting with our Board of Directors will take place in the coming weeks to discuss a budget for painting and treating our preschool room. We are also in the process of applying for a grant through the Dept of Rural and Community Development, to help us fund maintenance works in our building. Our medicine cabinet has been cleaned and organised with only medical equipment. Our shelves have also been organised. These shelves can quickly untidy as we about our very busy days. Our quiet area mats and pillows are washed regularly
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 21, 26, 28.