Creche Inspection Reports

Punchbowl Creche LTD T/A First Friends Creche

Full Day · 1 - 6 Years · Gort, Galway · Tusla ID TU2015GY090 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections
5non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 30 June 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (i) There was no staff roster available detailing staff present on the day, hours worked or break times. In conversation, a staff member stated that no staff roster was in place in the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1) (i) A new staff roster is now in place detailing the staff working daily in the service, hours worked and break times. Management will ensure that this is completed daily as required

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: • See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice: IN 2481 served. 1. One cot in Sleep room 1 was placed directly in front of the fire exit door and a second cot in Sleep room 3 was placed under a window and beside a heat source posing a safety risk to the children. 2. The foam on the three outdoor support beams of the covered area had perished, was torn and pieces were missing posing a safety risk to the children in the event of an accident or injury. Infection Control: 3. There was no system in place for sterilising soothers. The inspector noted 1 soother on the floor of Sleep room 1 and 4 additional soothers lying in cots, posing a risk of infection. It was acknowledged that once this was discussed with the person in charge a sterilising tree was observed in use in the afternoon. 4. Contrary to the cleaning schedule available in the Toddler care room which outlined that the cots were cleaned daily on the week of the 15 of June 2026 and the week beginning 22 of June 2026 two cots in Sleep room 1 were observed to have dust hanging from the corners of the cots, posing a risk of an allergic reaction to the children. 5. There was dust present on the air vent in the upstairs toilet preventing the circulation of fresh air which helps reduce the risk of infectious diseases. 6. The pedals were broken on two tall pedal bins in use in the Diggers care room, posing a risk of cross contamination from the number of children and adults observed lifting the lid with their hands. Safe Sleep: 7. There was no adult present as required in Sleep room 1 where there were 2 children asleep on stackable beds and 2 children asleep in cots, posing a safety risk to the sleeping children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • The following statements were received from the registered provider; General Safety: 1. The cots in Sleep room 1 and Sleep room 3 have been moved to ensure that they are not in front of the fire exit doors, under the window or placed beside the radiator. Management will carry out checks to ensure that cots are suitably positioned to ensure the safety of the sleeping children. 2. The perished foam on the three outdoor support beams of the covered area have been replaced. Staff will review regularly to make sure that they are in good condition and fit for purpose ensuring the safety of the children event of an accident or injury. Staff will check daily and replace as required. Infection Control: 3. Staff have been informed of the need to ensure that soothers are sterilised after use. A sterilising system for soothers is now in place daily to prevent the risk of infection. The inspector was shown a sterilising tree by the designated person in charge, suitable for use in the microwave, on the afternoon of inspection which had been reinstated. 4. All cots were cleaned on 1 July 2026 and a new cleaning schedule is in place. A meeting was held with all staff members and cots will be sanitised and cleaned thoroughly after each use. 5. The air vent in the upstairs toilet was cleaned and has been added to the weekly cleaning schedule. 6. The two pedal operated bins have been replaced in the Digger’s care room. Staff will check to ensure these are working properly and report any issues as they arise. Safe Sleep: 7. An adult is now stationed in Sleep room 1 to ensure the safety of the sleeping children. The service policy has been updated to reflect the change in practice

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (b) There were a number of items missing from the first aid box, compromising the care of the children in the event of an accident, these included: • Sterile eye pads • 2 triangular bandages • 2 medium wound dressings • Burns Gel • Sterile water
Provider's corrective action:
  • The following statement was received from the registered provider;
  • (b) All missing items have been replaced and staff will check regularly and replenish as required

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • (b) There was no fire detection alarm certificate available on the day of inspection, compromising the safety of the adults and children in the event of an emergency. In conversation, the designated person in charge could not locate it on the premises. It was acknowledged that a fire detection alarm certificate was received in the office of the inspectorate dated 02 July 2026, two days after the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
  • The following statement was received from the registered provider;
  • (b) The fire alarm service was carried out and the certificate was submitted

Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements

  • • There was insufficient space in the dining area for the movement of the 9 children, aged 2 – 3 years old, sitting at the table and the five children in the highchairs aged 12 months to 2 years. The dining room measured 7.471m²
Provider's corrective action:
  • The following statement was received from the registered provider; • Only one group now eat in the kitchen with the children in the Toddler care room eating in their care room at lunch times. This ensures that there is adequate space for each child

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 20, 22, 28.

Inspection of 4 October 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • Infection Control: The following points may pose a potential cross infection risk: 1. The 2 nappy changing mats were ripped on the edges and could not be effectively cleaned. 2. The nappy bins were not operating as foot pedalled when first inspected by the inspector but were fixed by the registered provider (the foot pedal lever was disconnected from the lid), when it was brought to their attention. 3. There were 2 cots that had mattresses that could not be effective cleaned between uses or did not have waterproof covering or sheets that could be changed between different children using them. 4. On the day of inspection, there were 3 toilet brushes positioned adjacent to the children toilet bowls. General Safety: 5. The fire exit door in the large sleep room had a key locked mechanism, which could result in the door not been freely opened, which could potentially pose a risk in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The register provider stated the following:
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1.Both nappy mats have been replaced. 2. Nappy bins are in working order. 3.Waterproof mattress covers have been purchased. 4.The toilet brushes have been removed from the children’s toilets. 5.The fire exit lock has been installed with a thumb turn lock mechanism

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • 1. The sleep room temperature was recorded at 21.1°C at 11.30 am, this was in excess of the recommended room temperature of a sleep which is between 16°C and 20°C and may pose a risk to sleeping children. 2. The windows of the sleep room were not open and there was a stuffy type of odour in the sleep rooms, which indicated that the sleep rooms were not adequately ventilated and may pose a potential risk to the sleeping children
Provider's corrective action:
  • The register provider stated the following: Corrective and Preventive Action 1. A new sleep room monitor with a room temperature sensor has been installed. 2. The windows of the sleep room are opened regularly to ensure the room is properly ventilated

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19.

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