# Scallywags Crèche, Drogheda — inspection reports and findings > Scallywags Crèche (Drogheda, Co. Louth): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Scallywags Crèche Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Drogheda, Louth · Tusla ID **TU2015LH083** · 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 9 January 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** This inspection was carried out following receipt of unsolicited information by the Concerns department. A regulatory compliance meeting was held on 18th March 2026 to further discuss the findings of the inspection, the recurring nature of some of the non-compliances and the actions being taken by the service. Further assurances were given to indicate that management will have greater oversight of the running of the service. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(a)&(b) The registered provider did not ensure that appropriate vetting procedures had been completed for all new staff. The following documents were not available and were not in place prior to the new staff members commencing in the service; 1. Documentary evidence was not available to confirm that 4 out of 6 references had been validated by the registered provider prior to the new staff members commencing in the service. (3) The registered provider did not ensure that appropriate vetting procedures had been completed for all new staff prior to them commencing in the service. (4) One staff member who provided relief in the Wobbler care room, on the 2 days prior to the inspection did not have the required minimum Level 5 childcare qualification or a qualification deemed equivalent by the minister. When discussed with the staff present in the service and the registered provider it was confirmed to the inspectors that this member of staff provided relief cover in the care room on the 2 days prior to the inspection between 08.00am and 09.00am. The non-compliances found in respect of Regulations 9(2)(a)(b) and 9(4) have been recurrent at previous inspections. Regulation 9(2)(a)(b) was non-compliant at inspection carried out on 15/5/2025 while Regulation 9(4) was found to be non-compliant on 15/5/2025 and on a previous inspection on 1/2/2024. The corrective and preventive actions previously submitted stated “All references and qualifications for the staff have been received. Going forward prior to a staff start date all the procedures will be carried out”. The actions outlined were insufficient to prevent reoccurrence of the non-compliances - s The registered provider confirmed that on the day of inspection, a staff member from the creche management and admin office was asked to assist the creche supervisor as a competent adult to ensure 2 staff present, for safety reasons. A revised staff recruitment policy was submitted which indicated that all vetting documents would be obtained and references would be validated by the assistant manager prior to a staff member commencing in the service and that this would be double checked by administration staff and the registered provider. The CAPA response stated that unless adequate qualified staff were in place that no children would be permitted to enter the service. The service could not accept children until 9am when sufficient staff were in place. At the regulatory compliance meeting, the procedures followed by the service in the event of staff absences were discussed and the requirement to have a staff absence policy to cover such events. The current staff compliment was review and it was confirmed that the new manager was not allocated to a room and would be able to assist in rooms for breaks and act as a float. The registered provider advised that staffing issues would be the responsibility of the assistant manager who would then consult with him where difficulties arise ##### Regulation 11 — Staffing levels - (1) Following a discussion with the staff present and a review of the staff roster, staff attendance records and children’s attendance records, there were an inadequate number of staff present in the service from 08.00am – 09.00am on Monday 5th January and Wednesday 7th January 2026. (2) Following a review of the children’s attendance records, staff rosters and the staff sign in/out sheets, the minimum required adult: child ratios were not maintained in the following instances; For example: On Monday 5th January 2026, 10 preschool children were documented as being present in the service before 09.00am with one suitably qualified staff member, 2 qualified staff were required. On Wednesday 7th January 2026, 15 preschool children were documented as being present in the service before 09.00am with one suitably qualified staff member and one unqualified staff member from the administration building next door, 3 qualified staff members were required - Day 1 of inspection When the inspectors arrived at the Wobbler care room at 08.17am there was 1 member of staff present with the 3 preschool children present. The requirement is to have 2 members of staff on the premises at all times. This was also confirmed by the registered provider and the staff present. When questioned the staff also confirmed that there was only 1 staff member present when the service reopened after holidays on Monday 5th January 2026 3 days prior to the inspection - The response from the registered provider stated that a staff member from the creche management and admin office was asked to assist the creche supervisor as a competent adult to ensure 2 staff were present, for safety reasons. For future reference staff have been instructed that in the unlikely event of a re occurrence, not to admit any children until a suitable number of qualified staff are on the premises to adhere to child staff ratios. Management and staff have had a meeting about this instance, staff are all aware of the procedures. Each member of staff has read the up dated safety policy. At the regulatory compliance meeting this was further discussed and the registered provider stated that the assistant manager would ensure adequate staffing was in place and would consult with him if difficulties arise ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (i)The staff roster and staff ‘sign in’ sheet available on the days of the inspection were not reflective of the staff present in the service. For example, on day 1 of the inspection the staff roster did not detail 1 staff member who arrived at the Wobbler room at 08.20am to provide relief cover. In addition, when discussed with the staff present, they confirmed that a 2nd member of staff from the community development office next door provided relief cover on the 2 days prior to the inspection. This person was not documented as being present on the staff rosters or the staff attendance records reviewed for the 2 days prior to the inspection - The registered provider submitted a response which stated that a clear staffing structure and daily staff roster are in place to ensure that the required staff to child ratios are maintained at all times. Staff break times are recorded on the sign in/ attendance sheet, this ensures appropriate cover is always available. Attendance is monitored throughout the day to ensure adequate staffing levels are maintained. Procedures are in place to manage staff absence including relief additional cover where necessary. Late collections are monitored daily to ensure children remain appropriately supervised until departure. Kitchen duties are planned in advance, additional staff are allocated when required so that supervision ratios in the room are not affected. For future reference, all possible auxiliary staff working in the creche will be included on the sign in sheet in order to adhere to regulations and in the unlikely event that they might be required to work with children in the creche This was further discussed and confirmed at the regulatory compliance meeting and it was stated that the assistant manager will take responsibility for monitoring the roster ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - (1)(b) Sleep facilities were found to be inadequate as demonstrated by the following: 1. In the sleep room 4 out of 8 cot mattresses did not have the required safety standards label available for inspection. No documentary evidence was available on the days of inspection of a risk assessment having been carried out on the cots used for sleep and this was confirmed by the staff present. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection that was carried out on 15/05/2025 and is also at variance with the corrective and preventative actions that were previously submitted to address the non- compliance which stated that “In the sleep room all our mattresses are of the same standards and quality, however this occasion, the label has fallen off. For future only mattress with label attached will be used. Staff have been trained to do risk assessment and supervisor will ensure these procedures are adhered. New risk assessment in place”. The previous actions submitted therefore did not prevent the non-compliance reoccurring - The response from the registered provider stated that new mattresses were in place and had the required safety labels. A daily risk assessment is in place for each room, on this assessment there is now an insert that requires the member of staff doing the assessment to check the status of the mattresses, check for wear and tear and make sure labels are intact, and report to management immediately should they notice any issues ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection: General Safety: 1. The radiator surface of 1 of the radiators in the Wobbler Room was recorded at 54.1 o C at 8.45am which exceeds the maximum safe radiator surface temperature of 50 o C. This is a potential burns risk. Infection Control: The following infection control risk were observed: 2. There was not a constant supply of hot water in the sink in the lobby of the sanitary accommodation off the Preschool Room or the nappy changing area off the Wobbler Room. This does not support effective hand washing and the children and staff were observed to predominantly use these sinks for handwashing. 3. The waterproof covering on 2 out of 8 mattresses in the sleep room were cracked and torn in places. The foam on the mattresses was exposed and this does not allow for effective cleaning. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection that was carried out on 15/05/2025. It is also at variance with the corrective and preventative actions that were previously submitted to address the non-compliance which stated that “One of the cot mattress who was showing slights defects was replaced from the stock. A risk Assessment sheet is in place which is done on a daily basis”. The previous actions submitted therefore did not prevent the non-compliance reoccurring. 4. At approximately 9am, blue roll from the nappy changing area in the Wobbler Room was used to clean down the tabletop in the care room as the blue roll in the room had run out. It is acknowledged that the staff member did request new roll be brought to the room for and was then available for the rest of the day - Corrective & Preventive Actions The response from the registered provider stated the following 1. The temperature valve has been fitted to the radiator which can be adjusted by staff to achieve a suitable safe temperature. A risk assessment check list is now in place and this will be checked daily by room leader and will report to management should there be any issues. 2. The hot water tap in the nappy area in the wobbler room has been repaired. Staff have been instructed to contact management when they notice any weakness or inefficiency in the mechanics of the taps, so that preventative maintenance may be carried out to avoid complete breakdown. 3. New mattresses are in place. Staff have been instructed to check the mattresses thoroughly daily, should they see any wear and tear this must be reported to Management immediately. This check is now included on the risk assessment sheet to be signed off by management 4. Staff have been instructed to adhere to the risk assessment and check their paper towel stock, if they are running low they need to arrange to restock ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (c) 1. The room temperatures throughout the service at various times throughout the day of inspection were not maintained at 18-22 o C as per best practice guidelines and so as to ensure a comfortable environment for the children For example; • At 8.40am the room temperature in the Wobbler Room was recorded at 16.6o C. • At 9.10am the room temperature in the Preschool room was recorded at 17.2o C • At 11:30 the temperatures in the sanitary accommodation off the Preschool Room were recorded at 16o C and 15.7O C.. • On review of documentation available of the room temperatures from the 5th of January 2026, room temperatures in the Preschool room were recorded as low as 10o C at 9.30am. 2. There was not an adequate means of recording the room temperatures in the service. For example, in the Preschool Room there was a paper wall thermometer which was not working. As a result the staff were observed to use the thermometer used to check the children’s temperatures to try and record the room temperatures. (e)In the nappy changing area off the Wobbler room the hot tap on the sink was broken and not working. There was no hot water available in this sink. Once it was brought to the staff’s attention it is acknowledged that the maintenance person and registered provider carried out maintenance works during the inspection - 1. The heating time clocks were out of sync due to a power outage over the holiday period this was duly adjusted and the heating was restored immediately. 2. New thermometers have been purchased and are now in place in each room. All staff have been instructed to monitor the temperatures in their rooms, and should there be any issues to report to management immediately. 3. All taps are now functioning correctly. Staff have been instructed to contact management when they notice any weakness or inefficiency on the mechanism of the taps, to enable maintenance to be carried out to prevent a complete breakdown, this is now include on the risk assessment Found compliant: Regulation 19, 24, 27. #### Inspection of 15 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - The following documents were not available and were not in place prior to the staff member commencing in the service; - 1. One staff member did not have 2 written and validated references available 2. Three staff did not have a 2nd written and validated reference available for inspection. (d) One of the 4 staff members who had police vetting also required a second international police vetting. Sufficient documentary evidence of this was not available at inspection. (3) All vetting procedures were not carried out prior to 5 staff commencing employment and having contact with the preschool children. (4) From the documentary evidence reviewed there was insufficient documentary evidence to demonstrate that 1 member of staff, who was observed working directly with the pre-school children held at least the minimum required level 5 Childcare Qualification or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister. This is an outstanding non-compliance which was not adequately addressed since the last inspection on 01/02/2024 - s All references and qualifications for the staff have been received. Staff member who required a 2nd international police vetting is no longer working in the service Going forward prior to a staff start date all the procedures will be carried out. Please find attached paperwork regarding staff members qualification ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - (1)(b) There were instances were sleep facilities were found to be inadequate as demonstrated by the following: 1. In the sleep room 2 cot mattresses did not have the required safety standards label available for inspection. 2. One child aged 1 year 8 months was observed sleeping on a day bed. This is not considered suitable for a child under 2 years to use for sleep - 1(b) In sleep room 1. All our mattresses are of the same standards and quality, however this occasion, the label has fallen off. For future only mattress with label attached will be used (1b) and (2). 2.One child who was sleeping on the day bed, as per requested by the parent. In future practice the child under 2yrs will be sleeping in the sleep room cot. Staff have been trained to do risk assessment and supervisor will ensure these procedures are adhered (1b) and (2). New risk assessment in place ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection: General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for staff members including the registered provider, childcare staff, ancillary staff, However, 3 of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. One of the cot mattresses observed in use in the sleep room was in a defective condition and unsuitable for use. There were cracks and small holes exposing the foam underneath. This does not allow for effective cleaning. When questioned the staff confirmed that no risk assessments had not been carried out on the cots and mattresses in use. Safe Sleep: 3. Staff signatures were not provided on the documented 10-minute physical sleep observations in accordance with best practice guidelines - Corrective & Preventive Action 1.Garda vetting : 3 vetting disclosure are now available. In future the registered provider will monitor and apply for garda vetting every 3 yrs 2. One of the cot mattresses who was showing slights defects was replaced from the stock. A risk Assessment sheet is in place which is done on a daily basis 3. Sleep chart has been updated. Sleep chart with initials highlighted ( see attached Risk assessment in place to prevent reoccurrence. Sleep charts updated with initials Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25. #### Inspection of 1 February 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(d) One of the staff members who had lived outside the Irish jurisdiction as an adult for a period of more than 6 months required a 2nd international police vetting, however this was not available for inspection. (4) Documentary evidence of a minimum Level 5 childcare qualification or letter of equivalency was not available for inspection for 1 staff member working directing with the children - (2)(d) The registered provider acknowledges that on the day of the inspection a second international police vetting was not available for a member of staff. This vetting has been obtained and put on file. The Creche Supervisor will ensure that the appropriate international police vetting is obtained when necessary, for new staff in the future. (4) It is acknowledged that on the day of the inspection that were no childcare qualification details on file for a member of staff. The Creche supervisor will ensure that the qualification Certificates are available on file ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (i) Two staff members who were present on the day of the inspection were not detailed on the weekly staff roster. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - (i) The registered provider has acknowledged that on the day of the inspection, two staff members were not detailed on the weekly roster. One staff member is a student who is not in the ratio. Subsequently, the roster has been updated to include both of these names. Going forward, the Creche supervisor will ensure that the weekly roster contains all of the staffs names ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection: Safe Sleep: 1. The safe sleep record did not include a signature of the staff member carrying out the 10-minute physical safe sleep observation. General Safety: 2. The CD player was sitting on the windowsill unsecured and with a trailing lead and therefore accessible to the children. This is a potential impact hazard. This is a recurrent non-compliance from the previous inspection as is at variance with the registered providers previous response which stated “Upon further inspection, the CD Player was no longer in working order, and has been removed from the ECCE Room completely. A new battery powered Bluetooth music device has been added to the ECCE Room. 3. The maintenance records for the smoke alarm system on display was dated 2022 which is outside the recommended yearly timeframe. 4. The fire drill record indicated that fire drills were not being carried out on the recommended monthly basis the last being recorded as 09/23. This was also confirmed by the staff present. 5. Seven out of the nine children (aged 1 year) attending the Wobbler Room were observed seated at tables and chairs which were not the correct size for the age and stage of development. As a result, the children’s feet did not touch the ground when they were seated. This does not promote comfort or good posture and is a potential safety risk. This is a recurring non-compliance from the previous inspection and at variance to the registered provider’s response to the non-compliance which stated that “The Wobbler Room will use low sitting highchairs for the smaller children, and smaller chairs have also been purchased. The registered provider is currently looking into ordering lower tables for the long term but is currently using smaller plastic tables. New equipment has been ordered and purchased, facilitate the children in the Wobbler Room.”. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Safe Sleep 1. The Registered Provider has acknowledged that on the day of the inspection, that staff members did not sign each of the ten- minute check records. Staff have received a memo containing information about the importance of signing their initials on the sleep records. Staff members have been informed of the importance of signing their initials on the sleep charts. Management will observe and ensure that this is corrected going forward. General Safety 2. It is also acknowledged that on the day of the inspection there was a cd player placed on the window sill in the ECCE Room. The cable ran down the wall but was placed behind an arts and crafts table where the children could not gain access to it. This cable will now be covered and secured to the wall. 3. On the day of the inspection, the maintenance record for the smoke alarm system was not available to the inspectors. The maintenance record has now been updated and validated in a letter from an electrician. The documentation from the electrician has been filed in the Safety and Fire folder and the supervisor will ensure that this is updated and displayed. 4. The registered provider acknowledges that on the day of the inspection , the fire drill was not up to date. The Service has conducted another fire drill since then which has been dated and documented. The General Manager of the Creche will from now on take responsibility of ensuring that there are monthly fire drills. 4. It is acknowledged on the day of the inspection that the chairs used in our Wobbler room were not satisfactory. The original heights of the chairs have been lowered to ensure that the children’s feet are touching the floor. SSSDFDFDFDFAFDF Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26. ### Other services in Louth - [Scoil Beag](/creche/scoil-beag-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Shapes and Sizes](/creche/shapes-and-sizes-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Spraoi Childcare](/creche/spraoi-childcare-collon.md) Collon - [Tallanstown Montessori Pre-School](/creche/tallanstown-montessori-pre-school-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Early years service TU2017LH501](/creche/tu2017lh501.md) Dundalk - [Dun Dealgan Childcare](/creche/dun-dealgan-childcare-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Pugwash Bay LTD](/creche/pugwash-bay-ltd-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Naiscoil Lorcan](/creche/naiscoil-lorcan-dundalk.md) Dundalk - [Knockbridge Childcare](/creche/knockbridge-childcare-dundalk-2.md) Dundalk - [Tír na nÓg Naíonra Childcare Service](/creche/tir-na-nog-naionra-childcare-service-dundalk.md) Dundalk [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/scallywags-creche-drogheda/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11