Inspection of 4 June 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (4) Documentary evidence was available to confirm that 1 staff member whose file was reviewed and who works directly with the children in the service held an appropriate childcare qualification at level 5 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (4) Staff member was employed to undergo training before taking on the role of childcare worker. Despite having completed their education, the institution had not yet issued their full diploma. The worker has been awarded their full diploma stating they have achieved QQI Level 6 in childcare. Preventive Action (4) Staff will not be hired until they have been awarded their full diplomas as is stated in the employment policy. The date of when the contract will be signed will be pushed back until all relevant qualifications are presented
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Physical and material environment: 1. There was a lack of natural, sensory and open-ended materials in the Bunnies room or the Squirrels room in order to facilitate sensorial play experiences or encourage the children’s creativity and imagination. For example, sensory type materials such as sand, rice or pasta trays were not available to the children in these care rooms. Furthermore, there were no sensory opportunities provided in the outdoor area on the day of inspection. 2. There were no play resources available to support the children to use the play kitchen in the outdoor play area. 3. Family walls were either not available in the care rooms or where they were available for example in the Owls room were poorly resourced, this does not support the children in bridging the connection between the service and home. 4. There were limited resources in the Cosy area in the Squirrels room to provide a comfortable area for children to freely access throughout the day as required for children’s rest and relaxation. 5. The children in the Foxes room were observed eating dinner consisting of pasta from small plastic bowls and plastic spoons. The cutlery used at mealtimes were not suitable for the children’s ages and stage of development
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action Physical and material environment: 1. The Squirrels and Bunnies rooms have been provided with more sensory, natural and open-end play materials. They have set up pasta and rice trays, boxes with balls of yarn, fabrics, pinecones etc. They have also included wooden blocks, playdough, sensory bottles and construction toys (magnets) for the children to play with. The outdoor area has been fitted with a wood chip, water, dishes to allow imaginary play in the kitchen. they took out construction toys, cymbals, chalk boards, and a water basin to remind the staff the important value of sensory play and to use it regularly. 2. The outdoor kitchen has been provided with wood chips, water and kitchen utensils to support child use. 3. The family wall in the Squirrels and Bunnies rooms have been set up. The family walls in the Foxes and Owls rooms are currently poorly equipped as many of the children have left for the summer or have recently graduated. The walls will be updated with the beginning of the school year. 4. Mirrors, infinity mirror, bookshelves, pillows, blankets and mats have been placed in the Cosy area. 5. They have purchased more forks for the children. Preventive Action Physical and material environment: 1. Staff reminded of the importance of including materials that are natural, sensory and open-ended for the children to play with. They will perform regular checks. 2. Regular checks to be carried out ensuring the kitchen is well equipped at all times. 3. Regular checks will be performed, and the walls will be updated when needed. 4. Staff has been reminded of the importance that the children need adequate resources for rest and relaxation. They will be performing checks on the Cosy area. 5. Kitchen staff reminded to provide the children with age-appropriate cutlery during meals
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A Garda vetting disclosure that was available for 1 staff member 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’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Renewal of Garda Vetting was performed on the 26/06/2025 for relevant staff. Preventive Action General Safety 1. Regular checks will be performed. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: Garda vetting disclosure. Summary Comment The evidence submitted by the registered provider has been reviewed. The regulatory requirement for regulation 23 - Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child has been addressed
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (b) A record was not kept of the number, type and maintenance of the smoke alarms in the premises
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(b) Certificate is now displayed on the wall. Preventive Action (1)(b) Regular checks
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) The service was not maintained in a proper state of repair as demonstrated by the following: • The paint on the wall beside the door to the outdoor area in the Squirrels Room was peeling with plaster exposed underneath. • The paint in the cosy area in the Squirrels Room was peeling with plaster exposed underneath
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (d) Walls have been painted and repaired. Preventive Action (d) They will perform regular checks for facility conditions
Regulation not named in the report text
- (1) The registered provider failed to notify the Early Years Inspectorate of a change in circumstances in relation to the following as per the schedule 4 Form for Notification of Change in Circumstances: The person in charge were at variance with the information listed on the national register
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action They are currently working with TUSLA to rectify this discrepancy. They decide that the person listed as the person in charge will go back to their service. In case of her absence there will be nominated and rostered deputy to cover her duties. Preventive Action Emphasis is being put on performing regular checks of their circumstances and that they are fully registered
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 25.