Inspection of 15 June 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) The registered provider did not complete the following checks: (a) One written reference from a recent past employer had not been validated. (b) One written reference from a source other than a past employer had not been validated. Verification checks on adults must be completed prior to them having access to the children in order to establish they are appropriate to have access to children. (7) The registered provider did not ensure the following: (a) There was not sufficient documentary evidence available to establish that all new staff and existing staff received adequate information, training and supervision on the policies and procedures required under Schedule 5. For example, • Of the three new staff who commenced since the last inspection, there was documentary evidence available of an induction for one staff member. • Of the 24 staff who work in the service, there was documentary evidence of ongoing support and supervision for one staff member. • No training records were maintained. (c) There was not sufficient documentary evidence available to establish that all new staff and existing staff received adequate information, training and supervision on the appropriate practices related to the requirements of these regulations. For example, • Of the three new staff who commenced since the last inspection, there was documentary evidence available of an induction for one staff member. • Of the 24 staff who work in the service, there was documentary evidence available of ongoing support and supervision for one staff member. • No training records were maintained. This was not in line with the service staff training and supervision policies which were reviewed on the day. This had been identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection, and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) (a)(b) Evidence was submitted that the references were verified and a manager verification checklist is now in use to ensure references are checked. (7) (a) The registered provider reports that they have completed and fully documented the mandatory induction process for the remaining 2 new staff members and that they are currently completing on going one to one supervision sessions for all remaining active staff members to review service policies. The service induction process with new induction checklist for all new staff will be completed, signed by management. All staff members will receive formal supervision at scheduled intervals throughout the year, scheduled in a supervision calendar. (c) The registered provider reports that they conducted a whole in service training day to cover Tusla regulatory practices, room standards and compliance expectations. They have reviewed their practices with in line with their Staff Training & Supervision Policy. The manager is strictly now accountable for updating the training log immediately upon completion of any training session
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum ratio of adults to children was maintained in the service. Observation on the day, a review of the roster and a review of previous attendance showed there was an insufficient number of adults available to the children in the Toddler room. One adult was rostered and was present to care for the six children in the one to two years age range who attend the room. Two adults are required for this number of children in this age range
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) The service report that when the issue was identified, the ratio was adjusted to 1:5. This had been an oversight due to change over happening in this room. The roster for the remainder of the week was immediately reviewed and amended to make sure that a minimum of two staff members were assigned to the Toddler Room whenever it was needed. They have updated roster procedure to allow a signed off for management to check it weekly in accordance with child to adult ratios. Staff have also been reminded of required ratios
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (1) (b) There was a lack of appropriate planning and organisation for sleep in the Toddler room which resulted in an environment that was not conducive to sleep and a prolonged transition to sleep. The transition to sleep was observed to commence at 12.35pm, and a review of documentation indicated that the three children did not go asleep until times ranging between 1.20 and 1.50pm. Children require planning and organisation to facilitate an established sleep routine to meet their need for rest. This had been identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection, and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) (b) The registered provider reports they have introduced a reviewed procedure to make the room more conductive to rest by changing the sleep room to a darker room. The children after dinner will now initiate a gradual wind down period to reduce restlessness and promote relaxation before children are placed in their beds. They report they have implemented sleep plans for all the children who will be sleeping and will reduce high energy activities in advance of sleep time to ensure better transitions all around
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The door to the Toddler room did not close securely. A child was observed pushing the door which reopened. This posed a potential finger-trap injury. 2. The recording of important information regarding the health and safety of children was incomplete and inconsistent. This could result in miscommunication or a delay in providing effective care for a child following an incident or the administration of medication. the following was observed: • Of the 18 accident and incident forms reviewed, 15 were incomplete. Four records required information such as evidence the parent had been informed of the incident, three did not include dates of birth of the children and seven did not record the date parents had been informed of the incident. • Of the four medication administration forms available, one did not have evidence the parents had been informed of the administration of the medication. This was identified as a non-compliance on the last inspection and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence. 3. There was no documentary evidence that risks assessments and cleaning checks had been completed on a daily basis in the Playgroup room in recent weeks, which posed a risk of potential hazards not being identified. The impact of this can be seen in the non-compliances detailed under points 4, 6, 14. 4. A cleaning agent was accessible to children by the sink in the Playgroup room which posed an injury risk. 5. Garda vetting was available for a staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 6. There were no covers on two cushions in the Playgroup room, which leaves a surface that can’t be adequately cleaned. 7. Children’s snacks comprising of fruit and crackers was observed to be served directly onto the table in the Toddler 1 room which posed an increased risk of cross-contamination. Administration of Medication: The administration of medication was not sufficient to support effective safe practice and was not in line with the service policy on the administration of medication. 8. There was no care plan available for a child who required a specific type of medication. It is acknowledged that this child was not present on the day of the inspection. This was identified as a non- compliance on the last inspection and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence. 9. Prescription medication was observed to be stored unlabelled in a child’s cubby, with no details of the name of the child or the dosage required. It is acknowledged that this child was not present on the day of the inspection. Safe Sleep: The following practices were not in line with safe sleep practice: 10. The temperature of the rooms was not maintained between 18-22°C whilst children over one year were sleeping. Temperatures ranging between 23.9 - 24.6oC were recorded by the inspector. The following documentation to facilitate safe sleep for children under two years old in line with current safe sleep guidance was not available: 11. There was no agreed sleep plan available which detailed a plan for moving a child from a cot to a floor bed, including the developmental considerations for the move. It is acknowledged there was parental consent for children under two years to sleep on a floor bed. 12. A documented sleep risk assessment had not been carried out prior to children under the age of two years sleeping on floor beds. An assessment of the potential hazards in the care room while children sleep on low beds should be carried out prior to sleep-time to mitigate any potential risks. 13. The service safe sleep policy had not been updated to include reference to current safe sleep guidance. Staff require clearly documented guidance on the procedures to be followed to facilitate safe sleep practice. Fire Safety: The following impeded the safe evacuation of children in the event of an emergency: 14. The fire exit in the Playgroup room was obstructed by a bin and an air cooler unit. It is acknowledged that these were easily movable objects which had been placed there to facilitate supervision of a child. 15. The details of the attendance of the six children present in the Toddler room were not recorded as present in the attendance book when reviewed by the inspector at 10.40am. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. A safety gate was fitted to the doorway, minimising the risk of finger trap injury. Staff have been informed to use the gate at all times. 2. The service report they have updated all incomplete forms. Staff were informed of the importance of completing medical consent forms, accident reports. Management will review and sign every form within 24 hours of incidents to verify its completion before it gets archived. 3. The service report they have updated all incomplete forms. Staff were informed to ensure all required daily risk assessments and cleaning checklists are completed and recorded going forward. These will be reviewed by Management via a new management checklist. 4. The cleaning agent was removed and will be stored out of reach of children. Staff were informed of the importance of completing room risk assessments. 5. The garda vetting application was resubmitted and the service have completed a risk assessment ensuring the staff member will not have unsupervised access with children at any time. The service will ensure re-vetting will happen in a timely manner. Infection Control: 6. The cushions were removed from the Playgroup room floor on the day of inspection. They have been replaced with cushions fitted with wipeable covers that comply with standard infection control. The service report daily checks will be in place. 7. The service ensures the practice of serving food directly on to the table surface was stopped. All staff were informed of the risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 8. Evidence was submitted that a care plan was developed, and the service will ensure that care plans will be developed before children commence in the service. 9. The medication was immediately removed from the open cubby area on the day of inspection and was properly labelled with the child’s full name, prescribed dosage, and expiry date. All staff have been re-trained on medication safe storage at a staff meeting. Safe Sleep: 10. The service report they have purchased cooling fans to actively manage air circulation and to help lower temperature down to mandatory 18 - 22 bracket in the summer months and digital thermometers to monitor the temperatures. Staff have been reminded to do regular checks of the temperature to ensure it does not go over 22. 11. Individualised sleep plans were developed detailing developmental considerations. These will now be in use for all children under the age of two years moving from a cot to a floor bed. 12. A new sleep risk assessment template was developed for use prior to sleep, and this have been updated in the service sleep policy. 13. The service sleep policy was updated with reference to the current sage sleep guidance. This was shared with staff. Fire Safety: 14. The service reports the bin and air cooler unit were immediately removed from the fire exit path in the Playgroup Room. Both have been permanently relocated to a safer position of the room. A sign was placed instructing staff to keep the fire exit clear. 15. The service report that once flagged this issue was immediately updated in the attendance book. The management check list introduced has a check to review the attendance of children in line with the attendance log
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- Children in the 3 to 6 years age range were observed to be unsupervised while using the toilet. This posed a potential risk to the children due to the following hazards which were identified: • The kitchen door was not fully secured throughout the inspection, with the handle of the door to the kitchen within reach of the children. On occasions the door was observed to be open. This was not in line with the service policy on the supervision of children which stated staff will always be within hearing range of the children, which was not observed on inspection. • The door to the Toddler 1 room was propped open, and the emergency exit which was in the care room was propped open for a period of time as children went to the outdoor play area. There was potential risk that the children could have exited the service unsupervised. It is acknowledged that staff were monitoring the door as children made their way to the outdoor area. The risks identified with the kitchen being accessible had been identified as a non-compliance on the previous two inspections and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence
Provider's corrective action:
- A gate has been installed on the kitchen door; this will restrict access to the kitchen. Staff have been informed to ensure that the doors within the service are secured, and to be within hearing range of the children while they independently use the toilet
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) The registered provider did not ensure the premises was cleaned, maintained and repaired as required. The following was observed: 1. Rubbish and debris was observed in the outdoor play area and the route from the main building to the Preschool room to the rear of the premises. The outdoor risk assessment had not been completed since the week ending 22 May 2026. 2. The door to the Preschool building appeared to be damaged and was sticking. In the playgroup room the following was observed: 3. The plaster on the walls was damaged with holes evident; leaving an unfinished surface. 4. The paint on the windowsills was peeling and chipped; leaving an unfinished surface. In the sanitary area the following was observed: 5. There was a build-up of what appeared to be dead insects in the light fitting. 6. There was a build-up of dust on extractor van on the left side of the room. 7. Sections of the radiator were rusted, leaving an un-wipeable surface. This was identified as a non- compliance on the last inspection and the actions submitted failed to prevent a recurrence. (e) The water temperature in the wash hand basin used by the children in the Toddler 2 room exceeded the recommended temperature of 43oC. A temperature of 44oC was recorded by the inspector at 11.12am
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) 1. The outdoor area is now clear of rubbish and debris. Staff were reminded to ensure they complete the outdoor risk checks which will be reviewed by management. 2. The service report that the door was repaired and is now closing effectively. This will be monitored. 3. Management report the walls have been sanded and will ensure monthly inspection will be carried out on walls, skirtings and window sills. 4. Management report the sills have been painted and will ensure monthly inspection will be carried out on walls, skirtings and window sills. 5. The management company of the building were informed of this issue, and evidence was submitted that a pest control company has been engaged. The service report they will fit light fittings with insect proof seals and the pest control company check will now monitor for and prevent pest entry. 6. Management report the ventilation unit was cleaned and will ensure weekly inspection will be carried out. 7. Management report the radiators have been sanded, painted and treated and will ensure monthly inspection will be carried out. (e) Thermostatic Mixing Valve connected to the wash and hand basin in Toddler 2 room was adjusted and recalibrated to restrict the maximum hot water output. The service will ensure the water is checked by staff
Found compliant: Regulation 21.