Creche Inspection Reports

Queen B's Creche, Montessori and Afterschool

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Dublin 15, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2015DY173 · 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
3non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 24 April 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (b) A review of the roster and staff sign in record showed that the designated person in charge and the deputy person in charge was not on the premises at all times on the day of the inspection; from 08:00am to 09:00am, neither were present. This posed a potential risk to the children
  • (a) Three written references were available from past employers for two adults; however, documentary evidence was not available to confirm a validation check had been completed. (b) One written reference was available from a source other than a past employer for one adult, however, documentary evidence was not available to confirm a validation check had been completed. (d) International police vetting was not available for one staff member in relation to one country that they had lived in for longer than 6 consecutive months as an adult. (3) Evidence was not available to demonstrate that the procedures specified in paragraph (2) were carried out in relation to five adults who had access to the children. The following was observed: o Three written references were available from past employers for two adults, however documentary evidence was not available to show validations had been obtained prior to commencement in the service. o One written reference was available from a source other than a past employer for one adult, however documentary evidence was not available to show a validation had been obtained prior to commencement in the service. o A Garda vetting disclosure and two reference validations for one adult were dated after their commencement in the service. o International police vetting for one adult was dated after their commencement in the service. o International police vetting for one adult was not available for one country they lived in for longer than 6 consecutive months as an adult. (4) Documentation was not available to demonstrate that two adults who worked directly with children attending the service held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It is acknowledged that a qualification certificate was available for two adults however it could not be established that these were approved qualifications
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1) (b) Management have reviewed the roster and will ensure that the designated person in charge and deputy person in charge will be on the premises at all times during operational hours of the service. (2) (a)(b) Management have carried out the required checks on employee references and will ensure that all reference checks are completed before employees commence in the service. (d) Police vetting has been obtained for one adult and added to the staff file. Management will ensure that any required international police vetting will be obtained for new staff members before they commence employment in the service. (3) Management will ensure that all required checks and documentation is obtained prior to all new employees commencing in the service. (4) The required qualification for one adult has been obtained and added to the staff files. Management will ensure that all new employees will have the required qualification to work in the early years setting

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. The water temperature in one wash hand basin in the sanitary accommodation between the Pre- Montessori room and Montessori room was recorded as 47°C. This posed a potential risk of injury to children. 2. A press in the Baby room which contained bubble solution was observed to be unlocked on the day of inspection. This posed a potential risk of injury to children. 3. The following was observed in a room where children were sleeping unsupervised by staff members, posing a risk of potential injury to children: o Five stackable beds were observed to be stored upright against a wall. o A radiator cover was observed to be missing a panel, leaving an area of the radiator exposed and accessible to children. 4. The following was observed in the outdoor play area, which posed a potential risk of injury to children: o Four drain covers in the outdoor play area were observed to be loose and could be easily lifted, with underground drainpipes potentially accessible to the children. o A wooden beam in the outdoor play area was observed to be broken. 5. The soft ground surface in the outdoor play area was observed to be damaged and worn, with potential trip hazards as follows: o A gap of 4cm between the doorway and the soft ground surface was observed at the Pre- Montessori room. o A gap of 6.5cm between the doorway and the soft ground surface was observed at the Montessori room. o The soft ground surface was observed to be uneven in areas around a drain cover and in the centre of the outdoor play space. Safe Sleep: 6. Children who slept in a sleep room adjoining the Baby room and were over two years of age were observed to sleep unsupervised on low level beds. Children sleeping on low level beds must be supervised by a staff member at all times. This posed a potential risk to children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. The boiler control has been adjusted to lower the temperature and staff members will carry out daily water temperature checks. 2. Management have reminded staff about the safe storage of all bubble and cleaning solutions, ensuring they are kept in a safe place. Management will supervise the staff and remind them of the importance of keeping these products out of the reach of children
  • o The stackable beds will be stored lying flat on the ground and management have informed staff not to store them upright against the wall. o The radiator is not in use as there is an air conditioning and heater unit on the wall. The radiator cover will be removed and replaced
  • o The drain covers have been cleaned and glued back down. Management will ensure to supervise them at all the time to always keep it safe for the children. o The wooden beam has been removed and replaced. Management will ensure to supervise them at all the time to always keep it safe for the children
  • o The gaps between the doorways in Montessori and Pre Montessori and the soft ground surface are fixed. Management will ensure checks of the garden surface are carried out on a regular basis. o The soft ground surface is ongoing now, as the children's safety is paramount. Management will ensure checks of the garden surface are carried out on a regular basis. Safe Sleep: 6. A staff member has been assigned to supervise the children at all times in the sleep room. All staff are aware that children should be supervised when they are in bed

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (1) Documentary evidence was available to show that three adults held in date First Aid Responder (FAR) training certificates, however, no adult was immediately available to the children in the event of an emergency between 08:00am – 09:00am on the day of the inspection. This was evidenced in the scheduled attendance in the service’s staff roster and staff sign in record
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1) Management have updated the roster to ensure that a staff member who is trained in First Aid Response is on the premises at all times during the operational hours of the service and more staff are getting trained in First Aid Response

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 24.

Inspection of 28 February 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (1)(b) The designated person in charge or a named person to deputise were not present when the inspectors arrived unannounced to the service. (c) Inspectors discussions with staff and a review of documentation demonstrated that there was no clearly defined management structure in the service should the named persons in charge be unavailable. (2)(a)(b) A written reference was available which was not validated for 1 adult and a second written and validated reference was not available for the same staff member. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out prior to two adults being allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to show that one adult who was working directly with the children held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective & Preventive Actions (1)(b) Staff have been given a clear detailed document of the management structure displayed in all areas like reception and care rooms for staff to see who the named person in charge is if the named persons in charge are not available. (c) Staff given in writing a clear guide of the management structure to keep in their rooms for clarification and is also displayed in reception for staff to see ensuring there will be no issue of who is in charge. (2)(a)(b) Management validated the reference that was not validated prior on day of inspection. The registered provider will ensure that all written references will be validated correctly by a member of management. (3) All written references will be from reputable sources before any member of staff works with the children. The registered provider has stated that they will ensure each employee or unpaid works is suitable and competent for taking into the consideration the needs of the children. (4) The registered provider will ensure that no person without a major award level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education on the national qualifications framework will have access or be eligible to work with the children. The person in question on the day of inspection has all the modules completed and has one assignment to be corrected and then will receive full level 6 award. There are enough staff in room to facilitate the children, the staff member will continue to work in the service doing office work until the full award is received

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: The following was observed which posed a risk of injury to children: 1. The glass doors in the Pre-Montessori room and Montessori room were not observed to have visibility strips. 2. Medication was not stored safely and out of reach of children. Two of the children’s prescribed medication were observed to be stored in the individual child’s bag on low hooks level outside the door of the care room, one of the bags was observed to be open. 3. Garda vetting was available for twelve adults. However, one of these vetting disclosures 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’. It is acknowledged that a renewal of Garda Vetting disclosure was applied for on the day of inspection. Infection Control: There was a risk of cross infection. Evidenced by the following: 4. The armchair in the baby room was not in a good state of repair. The armchair material was visibly worn and cracked and not be effectively cleaned. 5. Bed linen was stored on eight individual beds which were stacked one on top of the other at 11.10am. 6. The temperature of the water in the taps of the three wash hand basins in the sanitary and nappy changing area off the Pre-Montessori and Montessori was cold. This is not conducive to encouraging children to wash their hands effectively. 7. Children in the baby room did not to have their hands washed after nappy changing and outdoor play time. The staff were observed to use baby wipes to wipe the children’s hands. Children should be facilitated to wash their hands under warm running water, with liquid soap and paper hand towels provided in line with HSPC guidance in relation to infection control protection measures. Administration of Medication: The service did not ensure correct storage and administration of medication as evidenced by the following: 8. Medication was not stored in line with the service’s record of medicines administration document. Two prescribed medications were observed not labelled or in their original packaging. Medicine needs to be stored in its original packaging, clearly labelled providing details of child’s name and details of the dosage to be administered. One of the prescribed medications reviewed had an expiry date of 09/2023. 9. One child who staff discussed has prescribed medication and written permission from the parents to administer the medication if required did not have the prescribed medication available on the day of inspection. 10. A clearly written medical care plan to enable staff to identify and accurately administer treatment when required was not available for three children present with prescribed medication. The absence an individual medical care plan for the three children posed a risk of staff not being aware of symptoms to look out for and the correct procedure to follow in the event where one of these children required the medication to be administered. Safe Sleep: 11. The service did not follow safe sleep practices, evidenced by the following: • At 12.59pm in the sleep room off the baby room there were six children facilitated to sleep on low beds and one child facilitated to sleep in a cot. An adult was not present at all times to supervise the children on low beds but came into the room intermediately to carry out sleep checks. During a time, the children were not supervised, the inspector observed one child to be awake at 13.17pm. The last sleep check by a staff member was at 13.07pm. Children on low beds during sleep time must not be alone in the care room. • Sleep records which included the children’s colour, breathing and position were not carried out every 10 minutes as per safe sleep guidelines. A staff member who was observed to check the children at 12.50pm was observed to return 17 minutes later at 13.07pm. The staff member incorrectly recorded this sleep check in the sleep record as haven taken place at 13.00pm opposed to the actual time at 13.07pm. Fire Safety: 12. Staff and children attendance was not accurately logged, evidenced as follows: • At 12.50pm six adults of the twelve adults present had signed in the staff attendance record book. • In the pre-Montessori room, there were 15 children observed to be present at 9.49am. On review of the attendance book at 10.00am there were only ten children marked present. At 9.50am in the Montessori room there were eighteen children observed to be present. On review of the attendance book at 10.02am there was only ten children marked present. In addition, a child in the Montessori room who was observed to go home at 11.45am was still marked as present in the attendance book at 12.48pm. The maintenance of accurate attendance records is essential to account for and ensure the safe evacuation of children in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • s General Safety: 1. The glass in the pre-Montessori room has now got stickers for visibility and for the safety of the children. Management will ensure all rooms have visibility stickers or strips on the glass doors at all times. 2. All medication is now stored in a safe and secure place out of reach of the children. Management will ensure all medication will be labelled in the correct packaging with the child’s name and stored safely. 3. Garda Vetting was applied for the person without it on the day of inspection. All staff members will have up to date garda vetting in place Infection Control: 4. The armchair in the Baby room was removed and replaced on the day of inspection. The registered provider has stated that all chairs will be maintained well and will be replace if damaged or worn. 5. Bed linen was removed from beds and stored in the children’s individual baskets which are named and labelled. Staff have been made aware that bed linen must not remain on beds and stacked on top of each other due to infection control. 6. The thermostat was checked by maintenance and was turned down to the correct water temperature to ensure the correct temperature of the water. The thermostat will be checked regularly to ensure it is at the correct temperature. 7. Staff have been advised that children must wash their hands using warm running water, liquid soap and hand paper towels after returning from the garden or nappy changing. No baby wipes will be used. Administration of Medication: 8. All children’s medication is now labelled with the child’s information and details of dosage on the packaging. Medication will be stored in line with the services administration of medication policy and will be checked for original packaging, labelling and expiry dates. 9. Any child with prescribed medication will always have their medication in the service for when it is needed. All children with prescribed medication must have it available in the service with written permission from the parents. 10. A clear medical care plan has been given to all children on prescribed medication from their GP with written permission from parents allowing staff to administer the medication when needed. Safe Sleep: 11. A staff member will remain in the sleep room to observe children while they sleep on low beds. No child will be allowed to sleep on low beds unless supervised by a member of staff. Staff members are to continuously check the sleeping children every ten minutes and the sleep records are to be filled out correctly as the time of checking sleeping children. Fire Safety: 12. All children are to be marked into the attendance book at the time they enter the room in the service. Any child that is collected early will be marked out correctly at the time that they are leaving the care room. Staf have been made aware that maintaining accurate records is essential for the safety of children in the event of an emergency when children need to be evacuated

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (1) On review of the staff files, it was observed that there was no staff member with First Aid Responder (FAR) training available to the children. It is acknowledged that two staff members employed in the service are trained in paediatric first aid. However, there was no person employed with in date FAR training to meet the regulatory requirements
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective Action (1)Eight members of staff are booked on FAR training which will take place on 4th 11th and 18th May 2024. All remaining members of staff have now completed Paediatric First Aid training. Preventive Action The registered provider stated that a number of staff who are on the premises must have FAR training in date

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26, 28.

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