Inspection of 11 March 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) On the day of inspection there was not an adequate number of staff members working directly with the children attending the service as demonstrated by the following: • In the Toddler room there were 11 children aged 1 year 3 months to 1 year 11 months being cared for by 2 adults. Three adults were required to maintain the correct adult to child ratio
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (2) Another staff member has been rostered to the room , so 3 staff members will be in the toddler room at all times. Preventive Action (2) Informing management when room is not within ratio
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(j) Not all medication administration forms maintained in the service were complete. A sample of 16 medication administration records were reviewed on the day of the inspection. Out of the 16 forms reviewed, 8 forms did not include a parent initial to show written parental consent. Examples of this practice included forms maintained in relation to medication administered in the service on 09/07/2025, 11/07/2025, 15/08/2025, 03/02/2026, 03/02/2026, 04/02/2026, 04/02/2026, 05/02/2026. In addition, out of 16 of the forms reviewed, 7 forms did not include a second staff member’s signature to show that the medication had been appropriately checked, and the procedure undertaken by 2 staff members. Examples of this practice included forms maintained in relation to medication administered in the service on 19/05/2025, 20/05/2025, 21/05/2025, 09/07/2025, 01/12/2025, 01/12/2025, 05/02/2026. A non-compliance identified under Regulation 16 in relation to medication administration forms was identified at the last inspection on the 29 April 2025. The registered provider provided written assurances in the corrective and preventative actions that procedures had been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the non-compliance; however these were insufficient to ensure that the non-compliance did not re-occur
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(j) After inspection a staff meeting was held, this topic was discussed. Each staff member was told how to fill in the medicine book appropriately and that all documentation was to be filled in accordingly both staff and parent. Preventive Action (1)(j) Room leader or management will do weekly checks
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Supporting relationships around children: 1. Staff were not observed to sit with children at dinner time in Junior Room 1. This did not support a relaxed atmosphere and social interaction among the children and adults at mealtimes. Physical and material environment: 2. There was minimal interest areas developed for the children to initiate or sustain child led play experiences in the Junior Room 1. There were a limited range of developmentally appropriate and challenging equipment and resources in the Junior Room 1. The dress up unit had no dress up clothes and instead had many items stored in the unit. There was no transportation toys stored beside the car mat to enhance children’s play. Due to the room layout, there was minimal opportunity for child-initiated activities and opportunities for children to engage with a range of materials in the environment based on children’s choices, interests and preferences. 3. There was a lack of sensory or wooden materials available for the children to use, there was no sand, water or other materials provided for the children to enjoy hands on sensory play experiences in the Junior Room 1 in the indoor or outdoor area of the service. Therefore, this did not provide opportunities for children to engage with materials that stimulated children’s senses and or to enhance children’s learning and development experiences. 4. The family photographs in Junior Room 1 were positioned out of the children’s line of vision. This reduced the opportunity for the children to see the photographs and use them to bridge the gap between the service and home. Programme of Activities and its Implementation: 5. In the Junior Room 1 the practice observed during both instances below demonstrated a lack of opportunities for child-led play and facilitation of children’s choices. • The television was put on for the children to watch from 12.20pm until 1.00pm before the children went to sleep. During this time children were taken out of the room in small groups for dinner to the kitchen and for nappy changing. Whilst watching the television children were observed to become restless, and the children were repeatedly told to sit down. Two children went into the home corner to play and were instructed to leave the home corner and to go and sit down to watch the television. Other children expressed their restlessness by placing themselves under the small sofa and by standing on the blinds. • During story time two children that became restless were repeatedly asked to sit down on the mat when they showed signs of wanting to move to another activity. This practice does not promote child led play and reduces the opportunity for children to follow their interests and preferences through play which may potentially impact on children’s development and well-being
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action Supporting relationships around children: 1. This was also discussed at the staff meeting, the importance of sitting down and having conversations with children and building relationship. Physical and material environment: 2. On the day of the inspection some of the dress up clothes had been put into be wash. This topic was also discussed at the staff meeting; that all staff present in any of the rooms should ensure before closing the room that’s all toys are put back in the correct boxes that are allocated for them. The lay out of the room has now been changed. 3. The layout of the room as now been changed to provide different types of sensory experience from a range of materials and from the natural environment. 4. The photographs have now been placed down to the children’s eye level. Programme of Activities and its Implementation: 5. During the dinner period, children are taken out in small groups whilst other staff members are outside with the remainder of the children and keeping within ratio. This happens until dinners and nappies are completed. After this the children get read a book of their choice. If at any point a child is restless the outdoor space provided will be available at all times. Preventive Action Supporting relationships around children: 1. Room leaders should ensure that this take places at every mealtime or any opportunity given and encourage staff who are not permanently in the room to build relationships with children. Physical and material environment: 2. A checklist will be placed in the room and every evening when the room is closed this check list will need to be completed. The room leader will ensure that this check is completed and signed off. If this is not done it will be brought to management. 3. Linking within the curriculum objects will be placed on the tuff table giving the children sensory experiences for all types of materials which will be safe and nontoxic. 4. Room leader will ensure this complies with every new group or child joining the room. Programme of Activities and its Implementation: 5. Room leader will ensure all staff comply
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 with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. A large in-ground trampoline was located in the large outdoor play area to the side of the service in addition to 1 small portable trampoline which was available for the children to use in the outdoor play area to the rear of the Senior room. The area in which the large inground trampoline was located was not in use on the day of inspection due to the ground being wet underfoot. Children were observed using the small portable trampoline. Trampolines are inappropriate equipment in an early years setting as they are not recommended for children aged less than 6 years due to safety risks. This noncompliance was observed at the last inspection of the service on the 29/04/2025. The registered provider provided written assurances in the corrective and preventative actions that procedures had been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the non-compliance however these were insufficient to ensure that the non-compliance did not re-occur. 3. On discussion with staff members regarding the procedure for taking photographs of the children to share with parents through a smartphone messenger application two staff members reported that they use their own personal mobile phones to take photographs of the children which are subsequently sent to parents. This practice is at variance with the services policy which stated that the service’s mobile phone should only be used to take photographs. The practice of staff members using their own personal mobile phones to take photographs of children in the service posed a potential risk to the children. This noncompliance was observed at the last inspection of the service on the 29/04/2026 and the actions stated by the registered provider in the corrective and preventative did not prevent the noncompliance from recurring. Infection Control: 4. The steps in the services nappy changing policy were observed not to be followed as evidenced by the following: • Staff members were observed not to wash their hands after nappy changing. • Some of the children were not assisted to wash their hands after nappy changing. 5. Practices observed during nappy changing were unhygienic and increased the risk of cross contamination. Children from the Junior Room 1 were observed to be brought to the nappy changing area in pairs during nappy changing time. On one occasion, whilst the staff member was changing one child, another child was sitting on the bathroom floor whilst waiting in this area. This practice does not support effective infection control practice. 6. Inadequate space was left between some of the floor beds set up in the Junior room 1 for the children to sleep after dinner. Spacing between some beds was found to be less than the recommended distance of 50cm apart. The inadequate space could potentially delay staff from accessing children in the event of an emergency and also increased the risk of cross infection. 7. There was an unlidded bin observed in the Junior Room 1 used for the storage of waste including food waste. This practice does not support effective infection control practice. Safe Sleep: 8. One of the cot mattresses in the sleep room used by the children attending the Toddler room was soft and did not provide a firm comfortable base for the children to sleep on. This is at variance to safe sleep guidelines. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. The person in question has agreed to take annual leave until vetting has returned. 2. A cover is in the process of being made, we will forward proof on as soon as its completed. the trampoline is now not in use. 3. This was discussed again at the staff meeting all staff have been informed that no personal phones are to be used to take any pictures of the children. The only phone that is allowed is the creche mobile which is available at all times. Infection Control: 4. This was outlined in the staff meeting, the importance of practicing good Hygiene and how the standard need to be met. 5. Each child is now taken to the nappy area one by one. 6. There is now 50cm placed between each bed to prevent cross infection and ensuring a staff member has enough room to aid a child if needed. 7. A new bin has now been purchased to replace the old bin. Safe Sleep: 8. Mattress was replaced on day of inspection with a new one. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. All garda vetting doubled checked and now up to date. 2. Trampoline not in use. 3. A verbal warning will be given if this is not adhered to. Infection Control: 4. Monitored at all times. 5. Monitored at all times by management. 6. Staff have been informed and this will be monitored at all rest times by management. 7. Room leader assigned to inform management when new equipment is required. Safe Sleep: 8. Mattresses will be checked each time bed linen is changed. Supporting documentation submitted Photograph of creche phone. Photograph of beds with 50cm distance maintained. Photograph of cot mattress. Photograph of trampoline with cover in situ. Summary Comment The inspectors have reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The noncompliance identified under regulation 23 - Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child has been adequately addressed
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- (1) The details of the attendance of one child had not been accurately recorded in the attendance book. A child in Junior Room 1 who was present on the day was not recorded as present from 9.40am until 14:50pm. It is acknowledged that this was rectified when the inspector brought this to the attention of staff. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) This was discussed at the staff meeting. The importance of children attendance log on arrival and departure of the service in case of any emergencies. Preventive Action (1) Room leader will check that all vital information is logged. Summary Comment The inspectors have reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The noncompliance identified under regulation 24 - Checking in and out and record of attendance has been adequately addressed
Regulation 28 — Insurance
- The registered provider did not ensure that the preschool service was adequately insured as demonstrated by the following: An insurance certificate was in place in the service for up to 70 children to attend the service on a full day basis, valid until 27 March 2026. Seventy-five children were present on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action The insurance has now been updated to 75 children. Preventive Action Management will ensure these numbers do not exceed 75
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: On the day of inspection there were 75 children present in the service. The service is registered to accommodate 65 children attending at any one time
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) Registered Provider has been in contact with EY SOORS and have applied for planning permission. Preventive Action (1) Ensure there is the correct number of children on the premises at all times. Summary Comment The inspectors have reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The service is working with Tusla registration office to address the issues identified on inspection. The noncompliance identified under regulation 8 - Notification of change in circumstances is in the process of being addressed but currently remains outstanding
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 25, 26.