# Ringlee House Pre-School, Cobh — inspection reports and findings > Ringlee House Pre-School (Cobh, Co. Cork): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Ringlee House Pre-School Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Cobh, Cork · Tusla ID **TU2015CC347** · Registered since 1 January 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 19 January 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (a) One reference in respect of one staff member had not been validated. Non-compliance in relation to unvalidated references was also noted at the previous inspection on 23 January 2024. The preventive action submitted at the time stated that the service would continue to improve on maintaining and updating staff files. However, this remained an issue. (4) A certificate of qualification confirming completion of a major award at level 5 or above, was not available for one staff member, who worked directly with the children - (a) In her written reply, the registered provider stated that the validation was completed after the inspection and that the service has been working on maintaining staff files. The reference validation was an oversight and the registered provider will continue to improve on keeping files up to date. (4) The CAPA response outlined that the relevant paperwork was sent to the DCDE, to have the qualification recognised. Subsequent to this, the registered provider advised that a letter of qualification recognition could not be issued and stated that the adult will not work directly with the children, until the qualification is obtained. As a preventive measure, component certificates will be checked in future, to ensure they meet the requirement for a full award ##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service - The policy on safe sleep did not include the following: • It did not describe the sudden infant death syndrome prevention guidance and protective measures for children under 12 months. • It did not describe the sleep facilities for children of all ages. Only reference to children aged over 2 years was included. Therefore, the above policy may not adequately guide the staff in their care practices - The safe sleep policy has been updated accordingly. It now describes the sleep facilities for children of all ages, as well as protective measures for children under 12 months. Policies will be reviewed more regularly, to ensure they are up to date and that staff are guided correctly ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Basic needs: 1. While it was acknowledged that Rooms 1, 3 and 4 each had a clearly identifiable cosy area, the rest area in Room 2 required development, in order to adequately meet the children’s need for rest and relaxation. A sofa was provided in the corner of the room, with no additional furnishings or books available, to create an inviting rest area for the children. 2. Children in Room 1 did not have access to outdoor play on the day of inspection, despite weather conditions being appropriate to do so. Staff members advised that these children did not access the outdoor play area during the winter months and stated that the children last went outdoors before Christmas. Not taking the children outside daily does not allow access to fresh air and a change of environment - 1. A book box has been added near the sofa, so that children can read a book while resting. A box of blankets has also been placed in this area, so that children can wrap up warmly, when sitting there. Staff have been working hard to develop the classrooms since the inspection. All rooms have been repainted and there are new shelves, equipment and toys in the rooms. The service will continue to ensure that the care rooms and cosy areas, cater for the needs of all the children. 2. The written reply outlined that there had been a lot of rainfall and low temperatures in the two weeks since reopening after Christmas. A lot of new children also began attending the Baby room in January and were settling. The children in question do go outside, but more so in the afternoon. These children have a change in environment at 12.00pm, when they are either going for a nap or moving over to Room 2. The service will put more emphasis on going outside during the morning ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General safety: 1. While it was acknowledged that the main entrance door was secured when not in use, unauthorised access onto the premises was not prevented. Both entrance gates could be opened from the exterior and a subsequent unsecured gate at the side of the building provided access to Room 1, as the door to this room was also unsecured. 2. There was an unanchored shelving unit in Room 1. This was accessible to the children and posed a safety risk, should it fall over or fall on top of a child if climbed upon. Infection control: The following observed practices increased the risk of cross infection: 3. In the sanitary facility adjoining Room 2, the nappy changing mat on the changing unit was torn, which impeded effective cleaning. A second changing mat was stored on the floor and was visibly dirty. Non- compliance in relation to a torn nappy changing mat was also found at the previous inspection on 23 January 2024. 4. Some of the bins in the service were not suitable for the hygienic disposal of waste as follows: - The foot pedal operated bin in the sanitary facility adjoining Room 2 was broken. - A foot pedal operated bin was unavailable in the staff sanitary facility adjoining the storage room; an open waste bin and a swing lidded bin were in use. - The lid on the pedal operated bin, in the nappy changing area adjoining Room 1, had become detached. Therefore, staff members had to make direct contact with the lid of the bin in order to open it, as was observed during a nappy changing procedure. 5. The handwashing facilities in the second staff toilet facility did not support effective handwashing. A communal hand towel was provided and warm running water was unavailable. A water temperature of 12.80C was recorded at both wash hand basins. 6. During an observed nappy changing procedure, the child’s hands were not washed after having their nappy changed. It was also noted that the service’s nappy changing policy did not include the need to wash children’s hands after nappy changing. 7. The sanitary facility adjoining Room 1 was observed to be used as a storage area for children’s outdoor clothing and contained a broken toy, which was not in use. The inappropriate use of sanitary facilities for storage was also observed during the previous inspection on 23 January 2024. Safe sleep: 8. One child under the age of 2 years was observed to sleep on a stackable bed in Room 1. Tusla’s guidance for the early learning and care sector on sleep position for children under 24 months, states that the use of floor mats or stackable beds are not conducive to sleep, for children in this age range. The service’s sleep policy stated that children over 2 would have access to stackable beds, however, there was no reference to sleep provision for children aged under 2 years. The issue of unsuitable sleep equipment was also noted during the previous inspection on 23 January 2024. The CAPA response at the time stated that children under the age of 2 would be placed to sleep in a cot. However, this was not found to be the case. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General safety: 1. The written response stated that a new lock has been placed on the back gate and that this will ensure that all entrances into the building are secure. 2. The unit in Room 1 has been secured. This removes the risk of the unit falling on top of a child. Infection control: 3. A new changing mat has been ordered for this changing unit. Two mats have been ordered, to prevent this issue from reoccurring and the registered provider will order more mats when the spare mat is used. 4. The bins have been replaced in Room 1, Room 2 and in the staff sanitary facility. The new bins will prevent this issue from reoccurring. Staff have also been encouraged to inform management when the bins are no longer serving their purpose. 5. The towel has been removed and replaced with paper towels. The water heating system has been functioning in that part of the building since the inspection, meaning that hot water is available. Staff will turn on the water heating that supplies that part of the building every morning, to ensure that warm water is available. 6. The nappy changing policy has been updated to include washing the child’s hands after nappy changing. This is mentioned on the nappy changing procedure, displayed on the wall in the nappy changing room. Staff usually do wash the children’s hands after nappy changing and have been reminded of the procedure that is displayed on the wall. 7. All items have been removed from the sanitary facility. As the other part of the building is now available to the service and can be used for storage, this will eliminate the issue. Safe sleep: 8. The child in question has since turned 2 years old, but was moved back into a cot until his second birthday. The safe sleep policy states that children under the age of 2 will remain in a cot until after their second birthday ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) The lighting in the nappy changing area in Room 1 was not functioning correctly. The light was flickering and required replacing. (d) In the sanitary facility adjoining Room 3, a door hinge on one of the swing doors was broken and was being held in place with black tape - (c) The light in Room 1 has been replaced. (d) The toilet cubicle door in Room 3 has been fixed. The service will keep on top of maintenance. The registered provider had been waiting for assistance to have the light repaired and the hinge replaced Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 25, 26, 28. #### Inspection of 23 January 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (a)(b) Two written references in respect of one adult were not validated, as required. (c) A Garda vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau, dated within the past three years, was unavailable for one of the adults, as required. The vetting was dated 21 May 2019 - The response received stated that the two written references have been validated and that the service will continue to improve on maintaining and updating staff files. (c) Renewed Garda vetting for the adult has been applied for ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (1)(a) A curriculum vitae was unavailable for one of the adults - The written response submitted outlined that the CV is now on file and that the service will continue to improve on maintaining and updating staff files ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - One of the children in Room 2 was observed to be dressed in a vest, as their wet top was drying on the radiator. No alternative top was provided for the child by any of the adults in this room, between 10.45am and 1.50pm. This may lead to a child being uncomfortably cold for an extended period - The response received outlined that this was a miscommunication between staff, due to increased staff change over during this time. The registered providers have spoken with staff to ensure that they are more aware of such situations and also to ensure that the building is warm enough, so that children are comfortable at all times ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. A cable from a phone, which was stored on a high shelf, was accessible to the children in the entrance area of the service. This posed a risk of injury to a child. This safety issue was also found at the previous inspection on 2 March 2023, and while part of the cable had since been secured, a significant length of the cable remained loose and accessible. 2. Adequate storage and decluttering of windowsills was not ensured, as required. In Room 1, the windowsills were used for the storage of staff handbags and plastic bags with hanging straps, which could potentially be reached by children and pulled down, causing injury. In addition, staff coats and bags were stored on the side of some of the cots within Room 1, which could also be pulled down by children. This posed a risk of a child gaining access to unsafe items, within staff belongings. Infection Control: The following practices increased the risk of cross infection: 3. Some of the sanitary facilities were inappropriately used for storage, as follows: - A nappy changing mat was stored on the floor of the sanitary facility adjoining Room 2. - Stackable beds were stored in the toilet area off Room 1. - A training toilet seat was stored on the floor, in one of the toilet cubicles adjoining Room 1. The use of this area for storage was also found at previous inspections on 28 June 2022 and on 25 August 2021. Subsequent CAPA responses from the registered providers advised that the area had been cleared of the items. However, inappropriate storage in this sanitary facility remained an issue. 4. The nappy mat in the changing area adjoining Room 1 was observed to be torn, which may impede effective cleaning. 5. Reusable cloths in Room 1 and in the nappy area adjoining Room 1 were not observed to be stored appropriately. One cloth was stored on the windowsill adjacent to the children’s drink bottles and another cloth in the nappy changing area was stored on an internal sill. 6. A potty in the sanitary area adjoining Room 1 was not observed to be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition. 7. During the morning snack time in Room 2, the children were observed to eat food directly from the table, as crockery was not provided. This practice was also found in another care room, at the previous inspection on 2 March 2023. The CAPA response following said inspection outlined that all children would be provided with crockery for their snacks. However, this was not found to be the case. 8. In Room 3 and Room 4, the children’s perishable snacks, which included yogurts and lunch meats, were not refrigerated at the service prior to being eaten, as required. Safe Sleep: 9. During discussion with staff, it emerged that suitable sleep equipment had not provided for one of the children on the day prior to the inspection. A staff member advised that the child in question, who was aged under two years, had been accommodated to sleep on a stackable bed. The use of stackable beds is unsuitable for children under the age of two years, as they are not sufficiently conducive to sleep for children in this age range. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The cable has been secured. 2. Windowsills in all rooms have been cleared. Infection Control: 3. The sanitary areas have been cleared. 4. The nappy mat has been replaced. 5. Small boxes have been provided for the cloths in each care room. 6. The potty in Room 1 has been removed, as it is not required for use for this age range of children. 7. Crockery was available on the snack tray. However, food is normally placed in the children’s lunch box, as the children in this room usually have their own snack and have a slice of toast in addition. 8. A small fridge has been purchased, to store the children’s snacks. As a preventive measure in relation to all infection control issues found, the registered provider has stated that a checklist has been displayed in each room, to ensure that infection control is maintained to a high standard. Safe Sleep: 9. The response received stated that children under the age of two will be placed to sleep in a cot ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (e) 1. The available, suitable nappy changing facility adjoining Room 1 was not sufficient to cater for the number of children in nappies across Room 1 and Room 2, who attended the service. One nappy changing unit and one wash hand basin are required for every 11 children in nappies and there were 17 children in nappies present on the day of inspection. At the previous inspection on 2 March 2023, the requirement for a second suitable nappy changing facility was also found. The CAPA response which followed stated that a nappy changing unit had been ordered and evidence was submitted to this effect. However, one of the registered providers advised that only part of said changing unit was delivered and that she had been communicating with the company in relation to the matter. 2. In the sanitary facility adjoining Room 2, one of the toilet stalls was partially obstructed by a free standing, collapsible nappy changing table and the door of the toilet stall could not be closed as a result. The changing table, which was folded inwards, was deemed unsuitable for use at the previous inspection and the registered provider advised that it was currently used for the storage of nappy changing supplies. 3. The second staff sanitary facility, located in the adjoining premises, was unavailable for use. One of the registered providers advised that this sanitary facility had been unavailable for approximately one month, due to a leak in the adjoining building and that repair work was ongoing. However, ten staff members were present on the day of inspection and as one toilet and one wash hand basin are required for every eight adults, there were insufficient sanitary facilities available to cater for the number of adults who worked at the service - 1. Another changing unit has been purchased. The new changing unit will cater for the number of children attending in nappies. 2. The nappy changing unit has been removed. 3. The written response submitted stated that the completion of the repair work near the second staff toilet facility, was awaited. During a subsequent phone call with the registered provider, it was confirmed that the repair work had been completed and photographic evidence was forwarded Found compliant: Regulation 11, 22. ### Other services in Cork - [Rising Stars Childcare](/creche/rising-stars-childcare-mallow.md) Mallow - [Riverside House Montessori](/creche/riverside-house-montessori-doneraile.md) Doneraile - [Roisin's Childcare Limited T/A Little Rascals](/creche/roisin-s-childcare-limited-t-a-little-rascals-kinsale.md) Kinsale - [Sandy Walk](/creche/sandy-walk-midleton.md) Midleton - [Sherpa Kids Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Boys School](/creche/sherpa-kids-scoil-an-spioraid-naoimh-boys-school-bishopstown.md) Bishopstown - [Superstars Pre school Ltd](/creche/superstars-pre-school-ltd-bandon.md) Bandon - [Togher Pre-School and Family Centre](/creche/togher-pre-school-and-family-centre-togher.md) Togher - [Bright Beginnings](/creche/bright-beginnings-macroom.md) Macroom - [Miss Ellie's Playschool](/creche/miss-ellie-s-playschool-youghal.md) Youghal - [Hope Montessori Autism Care Centre](/creche/hope-montessori-autism-care-centre-ballyphehane.md) Ballyphehane [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/ringlee-house-pre-school-cobh/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11