Immediate action notice. Immediate Action Notice-Safety: 18 March 2026
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
Evidence of validation was not available in relation to two of the eight past employer references. (b) Evidence of validation was not available in relation to two of the eight references from sources other than past employers. (d) Evidence of translation of international police vetting was not available in respect of one adult who had lived outside of the jurisdiction for a period of time longer than six months. The potential risk of not having adults appropriately vetted may allow adults who are inappropriate to have access to children
Four adults were appointed and allowed access to the children attending the pre-school service prior to the required references being validated and assessed by the service. Not appropriately vetting all adults prior to being assigned or allowed access to or contact with children, could impact the health and safety of children in their care
Provider's corrective action:
The adult whose past employer references were not validated is no longer employed in the service. (b) The two references from sources other than past employers have been validated. (d) The police vetting document has been translated
All adults will be appropriately vetted prior to commencing in the service. Staff documentation is reviewed and verified and documented and also the registered provider stated that she briefed all staff concerned to submit remaining documentation. Recruitment procedures have been put in place and will be implemented going forward
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The registered provider did not ensure that all the written policies, procedures and statements specified in Schedule 5 were in place for the service. - The service policy document provided by the registered provider was dated February 2026. Of the nineteen policies required only fourteen were available. The available policies were incomplete. - A separate policy document dated November 2025 was available on the premises however the registered provider advised that this policy document was now outdated and no longer relevant to the service. - The registered provider stated that the staff working in the service had received training in relation to these policies however the procedures outlined in the policies were not in line with best practice guidance or the facilities provided within the service and service provision. - The policy document dated February 2026 referenced two early years services, which are not operated by the registered provider, and detailed named staff working within these services. This non-compliance was also found on the previous inspections of 16 and 21 October and 08 December 2025
Provider's corrective action:
The service has updated the policy documents to ensure all requirements are included within the policies. The adults working in the service have received training in the updated policies. The policy documents are accessible to all the staff, volunteers and all parents
Immediate action notice. This inspection was triggered as the non compliances identified, and immediate action notices issued on the last inspection of 16 and 21 October 2025 had not been addressed through an adequate corrective and preventive action response. The registered provider was invited to attend a Regulatory Compliance Meeting with the Inspection Registration Manager on 03, 12 and 15 December 2025 however the registered provider was unavailable to attend on these dates.
Immediate action notice. 08 December 2025 Three Immediate Action Notices (IAN) were issued to the person in charge to respond to significant risks found with regard to hot water temperatures and hot surface temperature of a radiator under
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The current policies for the service were not provided upon request by the inspectors on 08 December 2025. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection of 16 and 21 October 2025. The person in charge presented a handbook of policies dated 2023. This at variance with the information provided by the registered provider advising that the service policies had been updated after the last inspection in October 2025
Provider's corrective action:
The policies have been updated and made simple for the staff and family to read and understand. The policies are accessible at all times in a designated location within the service. Policies will be accessible and the present staff will go through it and adhere to the policy and regulations. The manager will hold a meeting monthly for reminders. The policies will be reviewed every two years
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
The details of the arrival and departure times of pre-school children were not recorded and maintained accurately. The children’s arrival at the service was not recorded consistently upon their arrival. This may pose a risk to the safety of children in the event of an emergency. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection of 16 and 21 October 2025 and no remedial actions had been taken to address same. (i) The staff roster did not detail the adult’s full names and break times or details of the relief cover during break times. On 08 December 2025 the finish times for the adults was not recorded on the roster. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection of 16 and 21 October 2025 and no remedial actions had been taken to address same. (k) The accident and incident records were reviewed from last inspection. Three of the four available records involving pre-school children in 2025 were not signed by a parent or guardian of the children as required after the incident occurred
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(h) The registered provider will make sure all attendance records or daily register is kept within the rooms. The attendance will be in each room daily away from the reach of children for prompt marking. The preschool has a valid daily attendance register and recently designed new ones for the coming year. (i) No response received. (k) No response received
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: Immediate action notices were issued in relation to points 1, 2 and 3. 1. The hot water temperatures at the children’s wash hand basins in the main building and in the prefabricated structure were not thermostatically controlled. The recorded high temperatures of 51˚C and 57˚C respectively posed a risk of a scald injury to a child. These temperatures were above the recommended safe temperature of 43˚C. This is a recurring non compliance from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025. An immediate action notice was issued on 16 October 2025 in relation to this non compliance and the registered provider responded that a plumber had been engaged by the service. The corrective and preventive action as stated by the registered provider did not address the non-compliance. Immediate action notices were issued again on 08 December 2025. 2. The electric radiator in the wobbler room in the prefabricated structure had a surface temperature recorded at 58˚C which posed a risk of a burn injury to a child. This is a recurring non-compliance from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025. An unsecured metal grid was placed in front of the radiator however this did not prevent children accessing the radiator. An immediate action notice was issued on 08 December 2025. 3. Loose blind cords were dangling at the windows and accessible to children in the ECCE, Toddler, Play based and sleep rooms which posed a risk of strangulation to a child. This is a recurring non-compliance from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025. An immediate action notice was issued on 09 December 2025. 4. The safety harnesses attached to two of the seven highchairs observed in the service were broken and not safe for use by children due to the risk of a child falling from the highchairs. 5. Four large cot mattresses were inappropriately stored on top of a playhouse in the outdoor play area used by the children attending the Wobbler care room. These mattresses posed a risk of falling on the children and causing an injury. Infection Control: The following points posed a risk of cross infection and are recurring non compliances from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025; 6. Four containers of ointments were not individually labelled. These were located on a shelf next to the nappy changing unit. 7. Four sleep beds were located within a measurement range of 25cm and 29cm of each other in the sleep room and did not have the required 50cm space between the beds to prevent a risk of cross infection. 8. A pedal operated bin was not provided in the children’s sanitary accommodation in the main building. Safe Sleep: The following practices are at variance with safe sleep best practice guidance and are recurring non compliances from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025. 9. The adults did not remain in the sleep room while children ranging in age from 16 months to 23 months slept on low level sleep beds. This posed a risk of safety to the sleeping children. 10. The four sleep beds used by the children in the sleep room contained thick, heavy blankets which were placed over the children as they slept. This posed a risk of safety to sleeping children. 11. A wall mounted thermometer which could not be calibrated to ensure its accuracy, was used in the sleep room as the only means of monitoring the room temperature. Fire Safety: The following posed a potential risk to impede the safe evacuation of children and adults in the event of a fire and are recurring non compliances from the inspection dated 16 and 21 October 2025. 12. The door in the entrance hall of the service had a latch fitted to the outside which was opened and closed from the inside through a cutout hatch in the door. This door also had a bolt fitted to the top of the door on the inside. 13. The fire exit route at the side of the premises which facilitates evacuation from the service in the event of a fire was partially blocked by a plastic temporary partition and two gates one of which was very difficult to open. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that a plumber would attend the service on 12 December 2025 and adjust the water. A digital thermometer to monitor the water temperatures has been ordered and the service is expecting delivery of this by Tuesday 23rd December 2025. This will serve as water temperature checker, Radiator checker and Sleeping Room daily checker as advised by the plumber. Interim measures have been put in place while waiting on the plumber. The service switched off the hot water at every 25-30min to make sure the temperature goes down for usage. Close monitoring will be carried out by a designated staff to make sure the time is taken into consideration. 2. The room radiator will be switched off and on within 25-30 minutes pending the time the electrician will call out to the service. 3. The blind cords have been completely detached and cut off. The blind company will be contacted for better and safe blinds without cords. 4. Two new highchairs have been replaced and will be checked continually to remove any broken or damaged high chairs away from the children. 5. No response received Infection Control: 6.The children’s individual creams have been labelled and the staff received training. 7. The new layout of distance of 90cms between sleep beds has been adhered to, the wobbler classroom is multi- use, the children will have their activities from 8.30am to 11am after the meal, the room will be cleaned up and set-up as a second sleeping room for children aged between 12 to -24 months. 8. All classrooms have pedal bins. Safe Sleep: 9. Staff will adhere to the new change and training and have been reminded to keep to the new sleeping rules within the service. Designated staff will check on the children while asleep every 10 minutes, with a tailored sleep log in the book for each child to monitor them. 10. No response received. 11. A new thermometer has been purchased. Fire Safety: 12. No response received. 13. The escape route will be clear. The white side gate will be kept open every morning and there is a steel iron gate for children’s safety
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
A record of the maintenance of the fire detection system was not available in the service
Provider's corrective action:
The provider engaged a fire safety company to install a fire alarm system. The service will be vigilant and remind the company for servicing twice yearly
Immediate action notice. Safety 16 October 2025 Two immediate action notice s were issued to the registered provider to respond to significant risks found under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
An international police clearance document was not provided in relation to one adult who had lived outside the jurisdiction. Not having all staff appropriately vetted may pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of children attended
One adult employed to work directly with the pre-school children did not have evidence of an Early childhood Care and Education qualification at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent. Not employing all staff with a recognised qualification may impact on the care of the children attending
Provider's corrective action:
The outstanding police report is now on file
The adult that did not have evidence of an Early childhood Care and Education qualification at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications is not currently working in the service. This adult was employed about six weeks before the inspection and was awaiting the certification
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
1. The registered provider did not provide all the service policies that were requested by the inspectors on 16 and 21 October 2025. 2. A copy of the safe sleep policy was the only policy provided; however, the policy did not detail the safe sleep best practice guidance for early years services
Provider's corrective action:
1. The policies have been reviewed on 30 October 2025, and continual professional development will take place on 20 December 2025. Implementation of policies will be monitored at all times. 2. No response submitted
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
The details of the arrival and departure times of pre-school children were not recorded and maintained accurately. This may pose a risk to the safety of both staff and children in the event of an emergency. (i) The staff roster did not detail the adult’s full names and break times for the adults or details of the relief cover during break times. On 21 October 2025 the finish times for the adults was not recorded on the roster. (k) The four available records of accident, injury or incident involving pre-school children in 2025 were reviewed and these were not signed by a parent or guardian of the children as required after the incident occurred
Provider's corrective action:
The service will design a proper record book which will be used from 01 January 2026. (i) The service will design a proper record book which will be used from 01 January 2026. (k) The incidents record book will be given and explained to the parents to sign
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. On 16 October 2025 the hot water temperatures at the children’s wash hand basins in the main building and in the prefabricated structure were not thermostatically controlled. The recorded high temperatures of 58.7˚C and 63˚C respectively posed a risk of scald injury to a child. These temperatures were above the recommended safe temperature of 43˚C. An immediate action notice was issued and the registered provider responded that a plumber had been engaged by the service. On day two of inspection 21 October 2025 the hot water temperature at the children’s wash hand basin in the main building was recorded at 61.5˚C. The remedial measures taken by the registered provider had not addressed the non-compliance. 2. The electric radiator in the wobbler room in the prefabricated structure had a surface temperature recorded at 56.3˚C which posed a risk of a burn injury to a child. 3. Loose blind cords were dangling at the windows and accessible to children in the ECCE, Toddler and sleep rooms which posed a risk of strangulation. 4. The surface covering on the trampoline in use in the outdoor play area was torn which exposed a risk of children getting caught in the springs. 5. A trampoline was in use by the children in the outdoor play area where more than one child used the trampoline at a given time which was contrary to the safety guidance on the manufacturer’s guidelines. Trampolines are prohibited from being used and are classified as unsuitable equipment for use in early years settings as they pose a risk of injury to children. 6. The safety harness attached to a high chair was broken and not safe for use. 7. A baby walker was observed in use in the outdoor area by a child attending the Wobbler room. This equipment is prohibited for use in early years settings in accordance with the child safety awareness programme due to the risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: The following posed a risk of cross infection; 8. Four containers of ointments were not individually labelled. These were located on a shelf next to the nappy changing unit and were used for all children during the nappy changing process. 9. Two sleep beds were stored in the sanitary accommodation next to the nappy changing units. 10. A towelling cloth was placed on a changing mat and not removed between nappy changes. 11. Four sleep beds were located within 15cm to 31cm of each other in the sleep room and did not have the required 50cm space between the beds. 12. Two of the four mattresses could not be easily cleaned between use as waterproof covers were not provided. 13. A pedal operated bin was not provided in the children’s sanitary accommodation in the main building. Safe Sleep: The following practices are at variance with safe sleep best practice guidance and an Immediate Action Notice was issued on the 16th October as 2 young children were observed sleeping in equipment that was not suitable for sleep. These were not in use on day 2 of inspection. 14. On 16 October 2025 a nine month old child slept in a car seat in the Wobbler room with a heavy blanket covering the seat which blocked a view of the child. An infants car seat is prohibited for use for sleeping children in an early years service. This posed a risk of asphyxiation to a child. 15. A fifteen month old child slept in a buggy in the wobbler room with a blanket covering the buggy. Buggies and strollers are prohibited for use for sleeping children in an early years service. This posed a risk of harm to a child and did not adhere to best practice sleep guidance. 16. The adults did not physically observe and record each child’s colour, position and breathing every 10 minutes in the Wobbler and sleep rooms. The adults did not remain in the sleep room while children slept on low level beds. This was at variance to the safe sleep policy of the service. This posed a risk of safety to the sleeping children. 17. Each of the four sleep beds used by the children in the sleep room contained a cushion and thick, heavy blanket. This is at variance to the service safe sleep policy. This posed a risk of safety to sleeping children. 18. A wall mounted thermometer which could not be calibrated to ensure its accuracy, was used in the sleep room as the only means of monitoring the room temperature. A thermometer was not available in the Wobbler room in the prefabricated structure to monitor the room temperature during the children’s sleep time. This posed a risk of safety to sleeping children. Fire Safety: The following posed a potential risk to impede the safe evacuation of children and adults in the event of a fire and a referral was made to the local authority fire officer. 19. Stair gates were fitted to the doors of the three playrooms, a sleep room and an office in the main building. The stair gates were difficult to open and obstructed access to and egress from these rooms. 20. The suitability of the smoke detection and alarm system could not be determined as there were only two ceiling mounted units in the service. One located in the hallway and a second located in the kitchen area. There was no record available for the installation or service of the fire detection system. 21. The door in the entrance hall of the service had a latch fitted to the outside which was opened and closed from the inside through a cutout hatch in the door. This door also had a bolt fitted to the top of the door on the inside. 22. The fire exit routes from the outdoor area located at the rear of the premises were restricted due to locked gates. 23. The fire exit routes from the building and fire assembly point were not clearly identified. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The service engaged a plumber and the hand washing hot water for both bathrooms has been thermostatically controlled between 43-45˚C. 2. No response received. 3. No response received. 4. No response received. 5. No response received. 6. No response received. 7. No response received. Infection Control: 8. No response received. 9. No response received. 10. No response received. 11. No response received. 12. The service has ordered appropriate beds for the sleep room. 13. No response received. Safe Sleep: 14. The 10 month old child is no longer attending the premises. A staff meeting /training was held in relation to the whole sleeping policy. We would still continue with professional practice and a new sleep log has been designed for the service. 15. As per response above. 16. No response received 17. No response received. 18. No response received. Fire Safety: 19 No response received. 20 The service has commenced works in relation to fire safety within the service in line with the timeframes specified by the Local Authority fire officers. 21 No response received. 22 No response received. 23 No response received
Regulation 25 — First aid
There was no adult available in the service with evidence of First Aid Response (FAR) training
Provider's corrective action:
(1) All staff in the service have a Basic first Aid but First Aid Response is out of date. Out of 7 staff we have 5 that will be completing the First Aid response training on the 17th November 2025
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
A record of the maintenance of the smoke alarms was not available in the service
Provider's corrective action:
Work in relation to fire safety commenced on 08 November 2025 and evidence will be submitted on 17 December 2025
Regulation 29 — Premises (e)
The registered provider was noted to be operating the service outside of its registration status. On 16 October 2025 a nine-month-old child was cared for in the Wobbler room in the service contrary to the service’s registration details which allows the service to care for children ranging in age from 1 to 6 years. Attendance records indicated that this child commenced in the service on 05 September 2025. The service had not notified the Agency of the proposed change in age profile of children attending as required under this regulation. It is acknowledged that the child aged nine months was not present on inspection on 21 October 2025
Provider's corrective action:
The child aged under one year no longer attends the service. The service will adhere to the age range of children for which it is registered
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) There were insufficient numbers of wash hand basins available in the sanitary accommodation for the number of children attending the service. A second wash hand basin was not available for use in the nappy changing/children’s sanitary facility. One wash hand basin, a children’s toilet and two nappy changing units were provided in the prefabricated building structure that was used for the purposes of nappy changing and toileting
Provider's corrective action:
(e) A second sink in the wet room had been fitted
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
Adequate clear floor space was not provided for the children attending the service
Day 1: Adequate space was not provided for the children attending the Wobbler room and Play based room on 16 October 2025. Day 2: Adequate space was not provided for the children attending the Wobbler room, Toddler room and Play based room and on 21 October 2025. Not providing adequate space for the number of children attending can impact on the safety and well being of both staff and children. The following table illustrates the non-compliance relating to space requirements: Rooms: Number and age range of children present: Type of Service required: Space required per child: Space available: Space required: Play based room 16 & 21 October 2025 6 pre-school children (2 – 3 years) FDC 2.3 m² 6.04 m² 14.1 m² Wobbler room 16 & 21 October 2025 6 pre-school children 1 (9 months) 4 (1– 2 years) 1 (2 – 3 years) FDC 3.5 m² 2.8 m² 2.35 m² 12.1 m² 17.05 m² Toddler room 21 October 2025 4 (3 – 4 years) FDC 2.3 m² 9.11 m² 9.2 m²
Provider's corrective action:
The service has not had up to 35 children at a time. But at this stage the number of children will change to a maximum of 30 children
We allow the children to be with the right age categories in the room so far as there is space