(2)(a)(b) The registered provider did not take adequate measures when recruiting two new staff members. Of the four references required, two were not available for one staff member and for a second staff member one reference available was not validated. (3) The registered provider did not take appropriate measures to ensure that all employees were suitable to work in an early years service prior to their commencement. (4) From the records available on the day of inspection, it was not evident that one new staff member held the required qualification in early learning and care at the minimum level 5 or equivalent as recognised by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE). (7) Corrective and preventative actions submitted by the service in response to non-compliance identified on inspection on 21 January 2026 were not implemented. New staff members were not provided with training on the services policies on commencement in the service. In discussion with the person in charge, existing staff members have not had time to review the services policies since the last inspection
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a)(b) Two references are now in staff members file, validated by registered provider and available for inspection. Going forward, any advertisement for staff will include request that two references are supplied at interview level. The position will not be filled until references are checked, validated by registered provider. (3) (4) The staff member is no longer in ratio and has sent her qualifications to DCDE to see if her modules match the required for Level 5. If not, she will complete the missing modules over the next couple of months. Before any new member of staff is employed, we will ensure that copies of all Childcare Qualifications are given to interview panel at interview stage and will be then checked insuring they meet the DCDE/Tusla requirements (7) All staff have now been informed and have read policies. Any new member of staff will be trained on policies on the day of their induction, given a copy of policies to take home and study before commencing employment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Statutory Notice IAN3281 served. 2. The registered provider had failed to take adequate risk assessment and mitigation measures to manage the ongoing construction in the service. Contrary to the service policy on risk management there was no risk assessment in place to manage the hazards that might arise during construction. Infection Control: 3. A low-level bed, sheet and blanket observed in use by a child were stored in the staff sanitary accommodation, posing a risk of cross infection. Outing: 4. The service did not adhere to its outings policy and failed to implement adequate risk management in the planning and implementation of outings as detailed in the following examples: • The policy required that risk assessments took place in advance of outings. The inspector found that on an outing in June 2026 during which an incident took place, no risk assessment had been carried out in advance. It is acknowledged that a completed risk assessment was provided to Tusla in the aftermath of the incident which took place during this outing. • The policy states, in relation to recording an incident of a missing child, that ‘on return the occurrence is recorded as an incident on the incident form’. The incident occurred 16 June, the incident record form was dated 17 June, and the parent signed the form on 18 June. The parent was also not informed in a timely manner on the day of the incident by phone. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 2. Gate to grass area has been locked at all times and only opened if a child is being collected or needs to use the toilets, child is accompanied by a staff member. Whether we have builders or not the outside area will be always supervised and access to grass are gate will be locked while children are playing. This also applies to main gate when children are outside playing. Infection Control: 3. The stackable bed and bed sheet and blanket have now been removed from the staff sanitary accommodation and stored in the main room while building is continuing. The stackable bed, blanket and bed sheet will remain in the ECCE room until building is complete and will then be stored with the other ones in a press. Outing: 4. The incident and the delay in reporting it to the parents and delay in writing the incident report has been discussed with all staff. New policy for walks around the area and to the hurling club/ball ally has been implemented and will be followed. A copy of the policy to all staff to study, accept and sign stating they read and understand it
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the registered provider on 22 January 2026 in relation to sleep practices observed on day one of inspection. Further information can be found under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(1) (a)(b) On arrival at the service on day one of the inspection the named designated person in charge was rostered off and staff members present could not confirm who the assigned deputy designated person in charge was. It is acknowledged that the designated person in charge was present on day two of the inspection and clarified arrangements for deputy designated person in charge. (2) (a)(b) Two validated references were not available for a student on a work experience programme from either a past employer, or from a reputable source. (4) On review of records available, it could not be determined if an international certificate of qualification for one staff member met the minimum qualification requirements as detailed by the minister. (7)(a) The service had no system in place to confirm that staff members had received information on the service’s policies and procedures. On day one of the inspection staff members and the registered provider were unable to locate the service policies. Policies were available on day two of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(a)(b) Unfortunately on the day in question the person in charge was absent. Since this matter was brought to the registered providers attention, we are now making sure that nominated person in charge is aware of her duties. (2)(a)(b) We will request references going forward prior to commencement. (4) We have notified DCDE and requested clarification regarding Qualifications. (7) All policies and procedure are being reviewed at the moment. Copies will be given to all staff. Staff were aware the policy folder was in the press. New policies are being drawn up and all existing staff and new staff will be given a copy. They will also sign that they have read and understood same
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
On review of the service policies and procedures the following contained information which was inadequate: 1. Safe Sleep: The policy stated that a “staff member may remain in the room where children are sleeping. If there is no staff member in the room, the staff have visibility of the children through a viewing panel…”. Intermittent supervision is not sufficient to safeguard children sleeping on floor beds. 2. Healthy Eating: The policy did not state a requirement for children attending the service for Full Day Care over five hours to have a hot meal provided
Provider's corrective action:
1. Safe Sleeping: A staff member will remain in the room when children are sleeping/resting. The staff member on duty will record in the Sleep Log all staff have been informed of their duties. 2. Healthy eating: We have notified parent and included requirements for children attending for Full Day Care over five hours must have a hot meal. We have also put this in our newsletter to all parents
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) The registered provider had not ensured that an adequate number of adults were working with the children as reported under 11(2). The minimum staff to child ratios were not observed as follows on day one of the inspection: (2) There were not adequate staff members working directly with preschool children at the following times: • At 12:42 there were 17 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years with 2 adults, where 3 were required. • At 14:43 there were 11 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years and 11 school aged children with 2 adults, where 3 were required. • At 14:50 there were 10 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years and 11 school aged children with 2 adults, where 3 were required. (8)(a) There was only one staff member present onsite from 13:37 to 13:43 and 14:30 to 14:43, while the second staff member left the premises to collect school aged children. Two staff members are required onsite at all times during the hours of operation
Provider's corrective action:
We are ensuring the staff ratio is adhered to. On previous occasions one of our staff members always stayed on to do extra hours when needed, however on this occasion this did not occur. This has been addressed will not happen again. If a staff member is off the manager will make sure ratio is met as per TUSLA requirements
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The below non-compliances were identified on day one of inspection: General Safety: 1. Hot meals supplied by parents were reheated in the service. Food probing to check temperature was not observed or documented for meals reheated to ensure meals had been sufficiently heated. Infection Control: 2. Perishable foods were stored in children’s bags which were on shelves in the classroom, with the exception of the hot meal which some children had which was stored in the service refrigerator. Children retrieved snacks which included perishable foods directly from the shelves for morning snack at 11:00. Safe Sleep: 3. An immediate action notice was issued to the service in relation to sleep practices observed on day one of the inspection. A child sleeping on a low-level floor bed was not supervised at all times as required. The child was placed to sleep in the designated sleep area separate to the main classroom, and frequent checks were completed by the staff members. However, the child was unsupervised between these checks. 4. While staff members were observed to complete and document the times of sleep checks, the child’s position, colour, breathing or room temperature were not recorded. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Hot meals supplied by parents have always been checked with probe and documented. This was discussed with staff members for not doing this on the day of the inspection. Going forward we will ensure all meals are checked with the probe and documented. Infection Control: Perishable food will be taken from children’s bags and put in refrigerator as soon as the children come in every morning. Safe Sleep: As stated in Safe Sleep section staff were going by what they were told when completing safeguarding children course. We have now changed this practice as per amended Safe Sleep Policy
Regulation 25 — First aid
A person certified in a recognised PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) was not available on the premises from 14:00hrs on day one of inspection. It is acknowledged that a staff member was trained in basic first aid and available to children from 14:00 to close. On day two of inspection, a FAR trained staff member was available
Provider's corrective action:
An additional staff member has been enrolled on a FAR course. We will ensure a FAR trained staff member is available at all times going forward
Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents
The registered provider did not notify the Early Years Inspectorate of the following notifiable incidents: (c) January 2026: Where the service closed for a day due to heating issues. (d) September 2025: Incident where a child has a serious injury and required medical attention
Provider's corrective action:
Going forward we will notify TUSLA if we need to close due to no heating/no water or whatever reason. We are now keeping a record of every minor accident in the accident book and will notify TUSLA of any major incidents/serious incidents
(b) While it is acknowledged that a maintenance record for the firefighting equipment was available for review and the service was dated 24th September 2024, there was no record of maintenance for the smoke alarms, this was a previous non-compliance at the last inspection on 13th June 2024. The registered provider submitted a copy of correspondence from the fire office dated 28th August 2024. This email outlined the service’s requirement under the Fire Safety in Preschools document. However, the fire officer did acknowledge that the plans this year to extend the building would incorporate the upgrading of the firefighting equipment at that time
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated that there are plans to extend the building this coming year. As part of this extension the fire-fighting equipment would be upgraded. Confirmation regarding the funding application is imminent. The registered provider has assured the Inspectorate that if the application is unsuccessful the equipment will be upgraded regardless. Summary Comment The action and plan submitted by the registered provider, will address the non-compliance identified on inspection and the implementation of these actions will be reviewed on the next inspection
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 23.