Two adults did not have a second reference from a past employer or a reputable source in the absence of past employment. (2) (d) See Statutory notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IAN1522 served
A review of documentation evidenced that the requirements of Regulation 9(2) had not been completed prior to staff members being appointed, assigned, or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the preschool service as outlined above under point 2(a)(b) and 2 (d)
One adult who did not hold a qualification in Early Childhood care and education at level 5 or above on the national qualification’s framework was observed to be working directly with the preschool children on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated:
Second references obtained and validated. These will be in place prior to an employee having access to a preschool child
The staff member without international police clearance has been taken out of her position working directly with preschool children Future staff will be informed at interview that it is a requirement for the recruitment process to move forward to have international police clearance received. C.v’s will be examined more closely to see gaps and ask for explanations re travel and living abroad for longer than 6 months, consecutively
The early years inspection notebook has been downloaded from the Tusla website, and the Regulation 9 Management and recruitment table is being checked against staff files to ensure all requirements are met. This will be reviewed regularly
The staff member who did not hold a qualification in early childhood care and education was taken out of circulation with early years children. A letter of proof of a student’s status will be obtained from relevant colleges to state they are students on work experience prior to commencing work experience
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: (1) A drum of glue stored on a low-level shelf was accessible to preschool children in the Montessori room which could pose a safety risk if accessed unsupervised. Infection Control: (2) Hand hygiene was not routinely carried out after nappy changes in the Toddler 1 room. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: In a written response the registered provider stated: 1. The glue has been removed to a storeroom. Infection Control: 2. Staff members have been retrained and reminded on hand hygiene. Management will spot check this regularly
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued on the day of inspection as two adults did not have the required garda vetting in place prior to working directly with preschool children. A response was received on the 30 October 2025. Please refer to
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) (c) An immediate action notice was issued on the day as two adults working directly with the preschool children did not have the required garda vetting disclosure in place prior to having access to preschool children. (d) International police vetting was not available for one adult who had lived outside the state for a period of six consecutive months or more. (4) There was no qualification on file for one adult. On discussion with the registered provider, it was established that one adult, working directly with the preschool children did not have the required qualification
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: (2) (c) Garda vetting disclosures have been received and submitted to the inspectorate. A list has been compiled of all staff , date vetted and date of expiry. Management will issue vetting invitation 3 months prior to month of expiry. (d) International police vetting has been received and submitted
This adult no longer works with the preschool children. Any adult who does not have a qualification will not work directly with the preschool children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The room temperature in Montessori junior room was 16.9˚C which is below the required temperature of 18-22˚C. 2. The material on a small sofa in the Toddler room had faded and torn and could not be effectively cleaned. 3. In Toddler 2, blind cords on two blinds were not secured to the wall. It is acknowledged that the cords were out of the reach of children on the day of inspection. 4. In Toddler 1, two of the highchairs were not fitted with a five-point safety harness or footrest. 5. In Montessori room 3, an unlocked door lead to a storage room with chemicals and access to bait box which if remains unlocked poses a risk of safety to the preschool child. 6. A leek in the handwash sink in the toddler room pose a risk of slip to the children or adults working in the service and required to be fixed. It is acknowledged that staff present had tried to prevent slips by using a towel to dry the wet floor. Infection Control: 7. In the Toddler 1 room at mealtime, bibs were not used to protect children’s clothing. Safe Sleep: 8. The Toddler room sleep temperature was recorded at 14.9°c which is below the required temperature Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: In a written response the Registered provider stated: 1. The staff have been re-educated and reminded about the importance of checking the room temperatures . Signs have been displayed in the rooms. All air cons and mechanical heating is in good working order and the extra oil electric heater in small sleep room is in use in case of a very cold day where the room has not reached the desired temperature. 2. The sofa has been removed. Staff will report tears or rips in the future. 3. Blind chords have been secured. Staff have been reminded to report such safety issues. 4. The highchairs have been removed from the toddler room in question, which had the waist band harness and replaced by low level chairs for feeding purposes only with 5 point safety harness . 5. A new handle has been purchased and fixed to the door out of reach of the preschool children. Staff informed about ensuring this door is closed at all times. This will be included in the daily risk assessment checklist. 6. Leek has been fixed and staff members have been informed to report all maintenance issues to management. Infection Control: 7. Clothes protectors are available in the service. Staff informed to use these clothes protectors for mealtimes. Safe Sleep: 8. The staff have been re-educated and reminded about the importance of checking the room temperatures . Signs have been displayed in the rooms. All air cons and mechanical heating is in good working order and the extra oil electric heater in small sleep room is in use in case of a very cold day where the room has not reached the desired temperature
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 16, 22, 24, 25, 27.
(2) (a) A validated reference from the most recent past employer was required for 8 adults employed in the service. (d) International police vetting was required for 5 adults who had lived in a state other than Ireland for a period of longer than six consecutive months as an adult
A provisional statement of results was on file for one adult where the final statement of results or certification is required
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: Corrective and Preventive Action (2) (a) All 8 missing references from most recent employers have been received now from staff in question and all validated. New staff will have to provide the references prior to commencing employment. (d) All staff in question have applied for the International child protection certificate. Management were unaware of this new requirement and thought the police clearance basic, was sufficient for compliance. Application for this international child protection certificate be completed prior to recruitment in future. (4) The service are still awaiting the final statement of results for this staff member; the college has been made aware of the need for this statement. In future the service will endeavour to have final certification before recruitment
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
Food provision in the service consisted of one hot meal provided by the service and snacks provided from home. This provision is insufficient to meet the needs of the preschool children as evidenced in a room between 15:44 and 16:05 where one child was distressed and appeared hungry. This child was observed by the inspector taking food from the other children’s plate and picking up crumbs from the floor and eating them
Provider's corrective action:
The service have amended their Healthy eating policy, to include a further meal between 4pm and 4:30pm The service will offer a second helping always if a child appears hungry once finished their meal/ snack, in the future
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. On day one of the inspection, the gates to the outdoor area and external door between the area and the Montessori 3 playroom were not secured to prevent people from entering the service without authorisation. At 12:58 hours an adult was observed to enter the playroom from outside through the unsecured gates and external playroom door to collect a child. When this was highlighted by the inspectors to the staff, they took immediate action to secure the door to allow staff to control access. On day two of inspection when the inspectors arrived at the service, the gates to the outdoor area had a securing mechanism in place to allow staff to control people entering and leaving the area. A sign had been erected at the gate to inform parents/guardians of the new procedures in relation to entering the premises. 2. The base of the large plastic slide in outdoor area was damaged with potential pinch points visible for children leading to a risk of injury of a child. 3. There was container of shaving foam in the Montessori 3 playroom that the staff informed the inspector was used in play activities with paint by the children. Shaving foam should not be used as play material by children as it poses a risk of injury. 4. A rodent bait box was accessible to children in one of the outdoor play areas and posed a potential risk to children using the area. Infection Control: 5. Perishable foods in children’s snacks were not always stored in accordance with requirements under 5°C. Foods containing meat were found to be stored at room temperature in the Montessori 3 playroom on day one of the inspection. 6. A waste bin in one the adult sanitary units was an open bin and not the required foot pedal operated bin. The pedal was missing from the foot pedal bin in the nappy change area used by the Montessori Junior and Montessori 3 playrooms and required replacement. It is acknowledged that these bins were replaced on day 2 of inspection. 7. Children’s hands were not routinely washed after nappy changes in the Toddler 2 room. 8. A floor mat in the toddler room had torn edges with exposed foam, therefore this could not be cleaned effectively. Safe Sleep: 9. The mattresses provided did not have the required waterproof cover to ensure effective cleaning after use. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. A new combination lock has been fitted to the gate to the play area at the side of the building. Only staff have the combination code so parents and public do not have access to the side entrance. This securing mechanism will remain in place on the side gate. 2. The large slide with broken plastic has been removed from the play area and a new slide provided. A risk assessment will be carried out daily in the play area to remove any damaged toys 3. Shaving foam removed from the sensory products provided. Staff will update themselves on any toxins in sensory play products and discontinue usage if they are found to contain them . 4. The pest control company have been informed that the bait boxes cannot be used in the play area. Infection Control: 5. Zip lock bags are provided for the perishable items to be taken from the child’s bags labelled and stored in the fridge in the adjacent room ready for use. 6. Bins were replaced on the day of inspection. 7. All staff attended a staff meeting following the draft report and informed about the importance of handwashing after nappy changing. New staff will be instructed on handwashing for adults and children 8. Mats with torn edges were removed and new mats were provided to replace them. Staff were informed of completing a risk assessment on all furniture and soft furnishings. Safe Sleep: 9. New waterproof covers were purchased from and applied to all mattresses. Management will check that these covers remain intact. Staff were informed not to remove the waterproof covers and wipe regularly with disinfectant spray