There was no named person to deputise in the absence of the person in charge or the registered provider. (9)(2)(b) One written reference from a reputable source were not validated in respect of one staff member employed in the service
The procedures specified in paragraph (2) had not been completed prior to one staff member being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with children
Provider's corrective action:
The deputy person in charge has been appointed in the event of absence of the owner or manager
Staff references have been validated. The registered provider or person in charge will make sure that all references are validated prior to staff commencing employment
The service will adhere to their procedure as per the Staff Recruitment Policy that states ‘All staff must have cleared written references (at least two) and have Garda Check completed’
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (a) The door to the sanitary accommodation off the Ladybird room was left open, while two children were inside. The inspectors, staff and other children had full visibility of one child using the toilet. A second child was washing their hands, while standing beside the child who was using the toilet. The child’s privacy and dignity were not respected while using the toilet
Provider's corrective action:
After inspection the staff were advised to ensure that only one child is attending to the toilet at one time. Supervision will be provided when children are using the sanitary accommodation attending the toilets
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
Five children in the Toddler room were observed sitting in highchairs with no foot holds. Children being fed were observed to have their legs dangling, making it more difficult and uncomfortable for them to sit during feeding
Provider's corrective action:
Footrest for existing highchairs were ordered and fitted. Going forward, only highchairs with footrests will be purchased
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: Full grapes were observed in the lunch provided by parents for one child in the Butterfly room. Staff did not take immediate action and were notified by the inspector to cut the grapes in half. Full grapes present a potential choking hazard. Infection Control: A child in the Toddler room was observed to eat a snack brought in from home off the table. Staff did not provide a plate for a child to eat their snack from. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Staff were informed about choking hazards and the importance of cutting grapes, and cherry tomatoes lengthways. An email was sent to all parents regarding food that present a potential choking hazard. The copy of that email was also sent to staff. If a child has whole grapes, olives etc in their lunch boxes staff will cut them before lunch is served. New staff will be advised about choking hazard Infection Control: The children’s snacks are served in bowls/plates. Staff will be instructed regarding the correct way food is served
Regulation 25 — First aid
A review of the staff roster indicated that a First Aid Response (FAR) qualified staff member was not present in the service between 4-6pm on Tuesday 24 February and Wednesday 25 February, and between 2 - 6pm on Friday 27 February. This posed a potential risk to children in the event of a medical emergency
Provider's corrective action:
The roster was adjusted to have minimum of one FAR qualified staff on the premises at all times. An extra staff member is scheduled to attend FAR training on 23 March – 25 March
Immediate action notice. • An Immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 24 April 2025 in respect of
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
1. At 11:20 It was observed that there was no relief cover available when two children left the caterpillar room to use the toilet unsupervised. Upon request of the inspector the designated person in charge left the kitchen to assist the children. 2. At 12:05 a child vomited onto the floor at dinner time in the toddler room. There was no relief person to assist the child to change their clothes in a prompt manner as one staff member cleaned the floor while the other staff member assisted the children eating their dinner. The designated person in charge was organising dinner for the other children in the service
The staff roster reviewed indicated that two adults were not on the premises at all times. Upon review of the staff roster only the designated person in charge was rostered between 08:00 and 09:00
Provider's corrective action:
1&2. Relief staff are now put in place to start earlier every day to assist with dinners and relief covers. Part time staff are rostered to stay longer to cover breaks. The service will ensure that correct number of staff is maintained all the time
The roster was adjusted to comply with regulations. They are two staff opening and two staff closing. The member of staff which is on sick leave was contacted and asked to work from 1-6 pm every day from when she will be fit to redeem back to work. In the meantime, the rest of staff take turns to be second person present for closing. The service will plan the roster correctly and roster two staff for opening and closing the service
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
The staff roster presented was not dated. The designated person in charge stated it was a roll over roster. The weekly attendance sheet presented for the week of April 21 – 25 did not detail the following: • The allocated rooms the staff members worked in. • The relief cover available for staff breaks. • The full names of the staff members
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive Action The rosters are now planned weekly or fortnightly. There is enough staff to cover breaks, (relief and part time workers). Attendance records are updated and are including the full names. On each roster the staff has a designated room with abbreviations e.g. C for crèche etc so they all each room there are designated to. The service will keep roster and attendance records updated
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
1. The rest area in the toddler room required review as it was not a cosy area for children to rest and relax. 2. Three mattresses in the cots were exposed foam in the sleep room. 3. The mattresses of four cots in the sleep room did not have labels attached to indicate that they conformed to a recognised safety standard. 4. There were no waterproof protective covers in place for the mattresses in use. 5. Four of the cot mattresses in use were stained. 6. One mattress was contained within a zipped cover which large and did not fit the mattress which posed a potential risk of entrapment or suffocation. 7. There was no source of artificial lighting in place in the left-hand section of the interconnected sleep room to observe sleeping children as required
The following hazards were noted in the outdoor play area: 1. The green, yellow and pink plastic slides were noted to be cracked with exposed edges which posed a potential injury risk to children. 2. The protective rubbers on the handles of a white bicycle, yellow tricycle and two scooters were missing leaving exposed metal bars which posed a potential injury risk. 3. Part of the pink, blue and white toy pedal car was noted to be to be cracked with exposed edges which posed a potential injury risk to children. 4. There was no protective panel in place on the side of a large wooden climb and slide unit to protect children from a potential fall. A wooden piece that was to be attached to the frame was loose with an exposed nail noted which posed a potential injury risk to children
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The rest area in the toddler room has been made more cosy for children to rest and relax. The person in charge ordered nice waterproof seating with backrest. 2. Three mattresses with exposed foam were removed immediately and children were offered low beds temporarily until the new mattresses come from a retail company. Three mattresses were delivered on 19/05/2025. 3. Eight waterproof mattresses were ordered in total from a retail company (three in first order and five in second order). Five new cots were ordered because the service couldn’t find correct size mattresses for existing cots. 4/5/6. Eight waterproof mattresses were ordered in total and conform to a recognised safety standard. All mattresses have labels attached stating that they conformed to a recognised safety standard. The service will ensure that ordered mattresses come from recognized supplier and inspection on a weekly basis recorded on weekly cot mattresses check; Record no: 002. Correct size mattresses covers will be used. 7. An artificial light was installed in the left-hand side of the sleep room. There are no other places without artificial light in the sleep room
1.The green, yellow and pink slides were replaced. 2.New protective rubbers for handlebars were ordered and broken one were replaced. 3.The pink bike was disposed immediately. 4. The wooden panels were mounted on climbing platform. The wooden piece attached to the frame was repaired. The service will replace or fix broken equipment immediately and use outdoor safety checklist as provided. The service will regularly check if equipment is safe to use for children. Gluing the bottoms of the slide to the ground will prevent the slides from moving
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. It was observed at times during the inspection that the gate on the kitchen door was left open and the kitchen and its contents within were accessible to children which posed a potential risk of injury. 2. The window blinds on the windows in the service did not conform to a recognised safety standard which require blind cords to be prevented from forming loops which posed a potential risk of injury to children. The window blinds should be replaced with cordless models. 3. Electric hand dryers with three pin plugs were noted near the wash hand basins in the sanitary accommodation which posed a potential risk of electric shock in the wet environments. 4. In the caterpillar room devices with plugs were plugged into a multi extension unit which was plugged into a socket which posed a potential risk of socket overload. 5. Two children were observed to wear hooped earrings and two children were observed to wear necklaces. This posed a potential risk of injury to the children if the jewellery was caught or pulled. 6. Appropriate light fittings were not in place and exposed bulbs were noted in two areas of the service which posed potential risk of harm if a bulb shattered. 7. The wooden radiator cover in the sleep room were not appropriately secured or anchored to the wall which posed a potential injury risk of injury to children. 8. On the ground floor the emergency exit doors with panic bars were used for the children exiting to gain access to the outdoor play area and children entering to gain access to the sanitary accommodation. A metal weight was used to keep the doors slightly ajar. A risk assessment or practice procedure was not in place to ensure that these doors did not suddenly close and cause injury or harm to the children. 9. The toilet tissue dispenser in one of the toilet cubicles in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the toddler room on the ground floor was broken and held together with tape which posed a potential injury risk of injury to children. 10. A basket of sunscreen bottles was accessible to the children in an openable cupboard in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the toddler room on the ground floor which posed a potential injury risk of injury to children. 11. Safety checklists were not in place for the pre-school rooms and outdoor play areas. Infection Control: 1. The nappy changing practice observed was inadequate for infection control purposes due to the following: • Staff did not wash their hands before nappy changing. • Aprons were not worn by staff when carrying out nappy changing. • The children were redressed with the same gloves used for nappy changing. • Staff did not wash their hands after nappy changing. • Children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing. • Staff wore used gloves while returning children to their pre-school rooms. 2. A step-by-step nappy changing procedure was not available or displayed in the sanitary accommodation incorporating nappy changing in the service. 3. The gloves used for nappy changing did not provide sufficient infection control properties. The gloves were designed for food preparation only. 4. Regular hand washing of children and staff hands was not in operation in the service. 5. Baby wipes used to clean children’s hands were not suitable for infection control purposes. 6. Foot operated pedal bins were not in place in the sanitary accommodation, nappy changing area and in the pre-school rooms for the hygienic disposal of waste materials. 7. Sweeping brushes and pans in the pre-school rooms were full of dust and debris and required replacement. 8. Clothes, toys and equipment were stored in the sanitary accommodation which posed a risk of potential cross contamination. 9. There were no paper towel roll dispensers in place in the service for paper hand towels used by staff which posed a risk of potential cross contamination. 10. Cleaning agents were stored in unlabelled containers without the manufacturer’s instructions relating to the contents, dilution and use of the cleaning product attached. 11. Children’s lunches with perishable foods were stored in the children’s lunch bags in the Caterpillar room. 12. The safety straps on two highchairs were heavily stained and required cleaning. 13. Correct Infection control procedures for cleaning up a child’s vomit was not in place in the service. • The staff member did not wear an apron. • The staff member removed the gloves and did not wash their hands after cleaning. • The staff member did not clean and disinfect the floor. • The infection control policy dated 29 June 2020 was reviewed and it was noted that the policy did not have the required details from the HSE Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings, in respect of spillages of body fluids (e.g. urine, faeces or vomit). 14. Layers of dust were noted on electronic equipment in the wobbler room and on the first aid box in the ECCE room on the first floor. 15. The Velux window in the roof space of the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the toddler room was not accessible or openable to allow for ventilation to the sanitary accommodation which posed a potential infection control risk. 16. Toilet brushes were accessible to children in the sanitary accommodation which posed a potential risk of harm to the children who might access the brushes during unsupervised access to the sanitary accommodation. Administration of Medication: 1. Documentation reviewed indicated that the practice of medication administration was incorrect as a second person to witness and check the dose of the medication was not in operation in the service. Safe Sleep: 1. There were six children aged 1- 3 years occupying the eight available cots in the interconnected sleep rooms located on the first floor. It was observed that a staff member did not remain in the room with the children once they had fallen asleep. 2. A visual and sound monitor on the interconnected sleep rooms was not available to see and hear the children once the staff member had returned to the ground floor. 3. There was no internal telephone communication system in place for staff to be able to summon additional help and support in the event of discovering a fire or an emergency on the first floor. 4. Three cot mattresses were exposed foam for children to sleep on. An immediate action notice was sent to the registered provider on the 24 April 2025 by the Early Years Inspectorate. The registered provider response submitted on the 25 April 2025 was accepted by TUSLA. Fire Safety: 1. A site-specific evacuation plan was not available to indicate the specific actions to take place if a fire broke out on the first-floor area. 2. A risk assessment was not available to identifying risks associated with sleep rooms located on the first floor and control measures put in place. 3. There was no risk assessment for the management of any emergency that may occur in the interconnected sleep rooms on the first floor. An immediate action notice was sent to the registered provider on the 24 April 2025 by the Early Years Inspectorate. The registered provider response submitted on the 25 April 2025 was accepted by TUSLA. 4. There was no self-illuminated fire exit signage installed to indicate the fire exit routes from the interconnected sleep room on the first floor in the event of a fire in the premises. 5. Keys contained in a break glass unit for windows in the interconnected sleep rooms on the first floor were not labelled to indicate which key opened which window. 6. Fire safe restrictive opening devices were not in place on the windows located on the first floor. 7. There were no fire assembly points indicated by signage in the grounds of the premises. 8. Keys to the windows in the caterpillar room and the toddler room on the ground floor were not immediately available to staff in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. All staff were reminded and advised about keeping the gate or door to the kitchen closed. Advised all staff of importance keeping the gate to the kitchen closed. 2. The new cordless blinds were ordered. Blinds were fitted on 23/05/2025. Implement and adhere to recently updated or newly established regulations, guidelines or practices. 3. The hand dryer plug was moved to safe location (outside of the bathroom) on 18/05/2025. The service will adhere to safety standards. 4. On 17/05/2025 electrician permanently moved wires to different location so a multi extension units are not in use. The service will not use multi extension units. 5. Parents were advised on day of inspection to don’t let children wear hooped earring and necklaces. The service will remind parents at the door that hooped earring and necklaces are not safe to wear in childcare setting. 6. Ceiling lights were replaced on 17/05/2025. The service does not use lamps with exposed bulbs. 7. The radiator cover in the sleep room was fitted to the wall. All radiator covers will be secured to the walls. 8. Safety tape was installed on the floor to the front of exit doors and children are asked to stay in line before going outside with teacher. Stay hooks were installed to prevent door accidentally closing. 9. All broken toilet tissue dispensers were replaced on 17/05/2025. The service will replace broken equipment. 10. Sunscreen bottles were removed from a low location and were placed on the shelves out of reach of children. Latch was installed on cupboard for storage. The service will keep potentially hazardous items out of reach of children. 11. Safety check list developed and available for playrooms and outdoors. The service will use the safety check list to ensure unsafe equipment are removed. Infection Control: 1. 1.The new nappy changing policy was developed. Staff members were shown new nappy changing policy and retrained in infection control by taking each step on the nappy changing policy. The updated nappy changing policy is displayed in the nappy changing room. The staff booklet has been updated with the new nappy changing policy. 2. A step by step nappy change policy displayed in changing room. 3. The gloves were replaced with suitable gloves for nappy changing. The service will order gloves that are suitable for nappy changing. 4. Regular hand washing is in operation and staff were reminded to wash their hands and children’s hands regularly. Staff will adhere to hand washing policy. 5. Baby wipes are not in use to clean hands before meals. Children attending the toddler room have their hands washed regularly as per the hand washing policy. 6. A foot operated pedal bin was ordered for nappy waste. Foot operated bins only will be used in the service. 7. All sweeping brushes and pans were replaced with new ones. The service will change brushes and pans on the regular basis. 8. Clothes and toys were removed from under sink and nappy changing unit. The service will not store clothes or toys under nappy changing unit or under sink in changing area. 9. The new paper towel dispenser were fitted in each room. The service will use paper towel dispensers for blue rolls. 10. Bottle sprays with cleaning products were labelled. The service will ensure all bottles are labelled with the contents. 11. Children’s lunchboxes are checked every morning and perishable food from children’s lunchboxes will be placed in the fridge. The service will check children’s lunches every morning and place perishable food in the fridge. 12. The safety straps were checked and all stained were washed. The service will ensure adequate cleaning will be put in place. 13. The infection control policy was updated and shared with staff. The service will review the infection control policy. 14. Dust was removed from DVD in the toddler’s room and first box on first floor. Staff were updated on cleaning, list created for areas to be checked and signed off by staff. 15. A velux opening pole was purchased. The pole is available in the sanitary accommodation. 16. The toilet brush was removed from children toilet in ladybird room upstairs. Toilet brushes will be stored out of children toilets. Administration of Medication: 1. The new administration book was ordered from a childcare company. The new book will be used for recording medication administrated to children. Safe Sleep: 1. Staff stay in the sleep rooms during the children’s nap time. CCTV with visual and sound monitor was also installed a few days after inspection. The physical presence of staff and CCTV is in operation in the sleep room. 2. CCTV with sound monitor was installed in the sleep rooms. Maintain CCTV in the sleep rooms. 3. Walkie talkies were purchased for internal telephone communication for staff to summon additional help and support in the event of a fire or an emergency on the first floor. Staff will use walkie talkie for internal communication between sleep rooms and playroom. 4. Three mattresses with exposed foam were removed immediately and children were offered low beds temporarily until the new mattresses come from Wesco. Three Mattresses were delivered on 19.05.2025. The service will keep sleeping equipment in good condition, the weekly inspection will be recorded on Record no: 002 attached. Fire Safety: 1. A site-specific evacuation plan was developed and displayed in sleep rooms upstairs and ladybird room A fire company specialising in Health and Safety and Fire Regulations are employed to review and update the evacuation plans on regular basis. 2 & 3. A fire risk assessment was developed by a fire company. The service will review the fire risk assessment annually. 4. Fire exit signage installed on the sleep room door. The service will keep all fire exits marked with fire signage. 5. Keys were checked and they open any windows in the service. 6. Fire safe restrictive opening devices were fitted on the windows which can be used in case of fire evacuation. The service will adhere to the fire safety regulation and conduct fire risk assessment regularly. 7. Fire assembly points signs were installed in the outdoor play area. The service will keep fire assembly point marked. 8. Keys to the windows in the caterpillar room, toddler room and ground floor were brought from the office and hung beside each window on the ground floor. Keep windows keys easily accessible for all staff
Regulation 25 — First aid
1. The first aid boxes were not stocked in line with TUSLA requirements as outlined in the Quality Regulatory Framework document. Checklists were not in place. 2. The first aid box on the first floor did not contain the following required items: • Sterile eye pads • Water based burns dressings • Crepe bandage • Wound dressings • Paramedic shears • Powder free nitrile gloves 3. The first aid box on the ground floor was noted to contain expired dressings and solutions
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive Action 1.The first aid boxes were checked and restocked according to checklist. 2.The first aid box on the first floor was restocked. The service will check the first box regularly using TUSLA recommended check list. 3. Expired dressings and solutions were disposed of and new ones were purchased for the first aid box on the ground floor
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
A record was not available demonstrating that regular maintenance of the firefighting equipment and smoke alarms on the premises was carried out. Records presented indicated that equipment in the premises was last serviced in 2023
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive Action The certificate for the firefighting equipment and smoke alarms was obtained. The service will schedule a service maintenance regularly