# Sea Garden Childcare, Leenane — inspection reports and findings

> Sea Garden Childcare (Leenane, Co. Galway): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Sea Garden Childcare

Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Leenane, Galway · Tusla ID **TU2015GY225** · 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 14 November 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

**Immediate action notice.** On inspection additional non-compliances which posed a risk were identified under Regulations 9, 16, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27 and 29. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulations within this report.

##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

- 1. Neither the registered provider or the person in charge were on site during the inspection. There was no nominated person in charge available during the operating hours of the service on the day of inspection or the 2 days previous, from Wednesday 12/11/2025 to Friday 14/11/2025 inclusive. (d) 2. One adult had worked outside the jurisdiction for longer than 6 consecutive months or more, while over the age of 18 years. The adult had lived and worked in another country on 2 separate occasions, evidenced on their curriculum vitae. There were no police vetting certificates on record for that adult
- 3. One adult working directly with children since the end of July 2025, did not hold one of the following: − A minimum award in Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) at a Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, in Early Childhood Care and Education or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent. − An exemption from the qualification requirement and confirmation that the Minister accepts this exemption. − The qualification requirement or relevant specialist training and the basis on which the capitation may be used for a person employed under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), detailed in an exemption letter from Pobal. (7)(a) The service did not comply with their own staff training policy, which specified that the registered provider, when hiring employees and unpaid workers will maintain verified references, qualifications and vetting documentation on file

- On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action
- A new management system has been agreed. Roles of management have been clearly identified. A person in charge and a deputy person in charge had been agreed amongst the staff members. The registered provider will review the staff roster on a weekly basis to ensure there is a clear management structure in place. (d) 2. All curricula vitae will be reviewed to ensure exact dates are included for all employment histories. Audits will be carried out regularly in the childcare service to ensure compliance with vetting and recruitment documents. The staff member has ceased employment in the childcare service since the 17/11/2025
- A recruitment and compliance checklist has been implemented to confirm qualification s and exemptio n requirements have been met prior to employment in the service. Management will carry out regular audits of all staff files to ensure ongoing compliance with qualification, training and vetting requirements. Training has been provided to management on regulatory requirements regarding staff qualifications and ratio compliance. The staff member with no qualification has ceased employment since the 17/11/2025
- The service’s staff training and recruitment policy has been reinforced to ensure all qualifications, references and vetting documentation are verified and retained on file before staff commence employment. Training has been provided to management on regulatory requirements

##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

- 1. On the 14/11/2025 there was no evidence of a Policy on Infection Control. The adults working on this day were unable to locate any such policy

- On the 23/12/2025 and 15/01/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action The service has an up-to-date Infection Control Policy available in the preschool service . This policy has been recently reviewed. Staff were informed and shown where this policy is located for future reference. All staff have been retrained in relation to the service Infection Control policy. Staff will be retrained annually on this policy and upon commencing employment in the service

##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

- (i) There was no accurate up to date staff roster available to show staff attendance, start and finish times, absences and substitutions. This posed a risk of safety in the event of an emergency or fire. It was acknowledged that a record was available with the staffs first name, allocated administration time and break times. It did not give a true reflection of the staff attendance on the 14/11/2025

- On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action (i) An immediate review of staff attendance records was carried out following the inspection. An accurate, up-to-date staff roster was created to clearly record the staff attendance, start and finish times, and absences. The staff have been educated on the importance of accurate record keeping. A monthly staff roster has been implemented, which includes staff names, start and finish times, break times, and absences. In addition, a daily staff attendance record has been introduced, where staff are required to record their arrival times, departure times and breaks each day. Both records are maintained in the classroom. The manager of the childcare service has designated responsibility of maintaining an up-to-date roster. Guidance has been provided to all staff on attendance recording procedures and the importance of accurate records for the safety of the service. From January 2026 the service intends to use the application ‘Child Paths’ to record staff attendance electronically

##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

- (1)(a) Physical and Material Environment 1. The dress up outfits available in the service were stacked randomly in a bundle in an open top box which reduced the opportunity for children to see what was available and select a costume of their choosing. 2. The physical environment in the playroom was not purposefully structured to develop babies’ curiosity and desire for exploration. There was no soft matting or pull to stand props to develop babies gross motor skills. Two children under 12 months of age had no safe soft play area where they could lie, roll, creep, crawl, pull themselves up, learn to walk and be protected from children who were more mobile. − It was acknowledged that 2 covered cot mattresses and 3 yellow cushions were available in the playroom. From 10.25 – 10.45 on the day of inspection, 1 adult and the 2 children under 12 months were observed using this area for story time. The area was not an adequate environment to provide learning experiences for these children. This area needs further development. 3. There was no adult armchair provided in the playroom to allow the adult to sit and hold, feed, cradle or comfort the children. The adult was observed to sit on the mattresses that were on the floor in the corner of the room while holding a baby under 12 months of age. 4. It was observed that 7 children aged between 16 months and 4.5 years sat directly on the hard floor during story time. There was no adequate soft seating, couches or an area for rest and relaxation available for the older children attending the preschool service. This area needed further development

- On the 23/12/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action
- 1. The dress-up area was immediately reorganised, with costumes displayed on hangers and placed in an accessible container, allowing children to clearly see the available materials and make independent choices. The playroom environment will be planned and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is developmentally appropriate for all age groups. 2. A safe soft play area for babies was immediately established. The required equipment had been ordered and was delivered the day following the inspection. The area is clearly defined and protected and equipped with cushions of various textures and shapes and appropriate materials to support the development of gross motor skills, including rolling, crawling, pulling to stand and early walking. The playroom was reorganized to clearly separate areas for babies and more mobile children, ensuring the safety of children under 12 months of age. The playroom environment will be planned and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is developmentally appropriate for all age groups, especially babies under 12 months of age. 3. An appropriate adult chair/armchair was provided in the playroom to enable staff to sit safely and comfortably while holding, feeding, soothing or comforting children. Appropriate furniture and equipment for both adults and children will be available at all times and maintained in good condition. Management will continuously monitor the organisation of the playroom. 4. Mats and rugs were added to ensure that older children do not sit directly on the hard floor during activities such as story time or circle time

##### Regulation 22 — Food and drink

- 1. Adequate and suitable, nutritious and varied food was not provided at the evening meal for a child who had attended the service on a full day care basis. A rice cake was provided and when the early years inspector asked if additional food was being served a few raisins with water was provided to the child. The staff advised that rice cakes, crackers or raisins are provided as a snack at approximately 16.00 most evenings. A child in full day care requires at least 2 meals and 2 snacks if attending on a full day care basis. 2. A 3-week menu plan was not available. There was no evidence to demonstrate how the service ensures that food and drinks provided are suitable, sufficient, nutritious and varied whether they are provided by the service or from the child’s home as per best practice guidelines in HSE Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-School Services. It was acknowledged that there was a schedule with daily dinners on the wall in the service (this was the main hot meal of the day)

- On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. Clear procedures will be established to ensure that food provided from home, where applicable, also aligns with healthy eating guidelines. Ongoing guidance and training will be provided to staff on children’s nutrition, portion sizes and full day care food requirements. Management will carry out regular reviews of menus and food provision practices to ensure continued compliance with regulatory standards. 2. A 2-week menu plan will be implemented, detailing all meals and snacks provided by the service, ensuring variety, nutritional balance and age appropriateness. The menus will be developed in line with the HSE Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-School Services and will be displayed and made available to all staff and parents

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: The designated sleep room needed de-cluttering and safety measures to reduce the potential risk of harm and safety to the preschool children within. 1. At approx. 10.30 am one stackable bed was standing up against a cot in the designated sleep room. This posed a risk of harm to the preschool children. 2. A box of unopened new blinds and two folded highchairs were stored between 2 cots posing a risk of harm to the preschool children. 3. Staff personal belongings were accessible to the preschool children. A coat was stored on the wicker chair in the designated sleep room between 2 cots. The staff bags and coats were stored on the inside door of the main playroom. This posed a risk of harm to the preschool children. 4. An electric heater with trailing lead was stored behind the door in front of the desk in the sleep room posing a trip hazard. 5. The cosy area was located beside a wall mounted low level radiator with the turn dial directly located beside the area where the children under 12 months were observed sitting on mattresses with cushions to support them. This posed a risk of harm to the preschool children as there was no protective covering on the protruding turn dial. 6. An electrical printing device with trailing leads was located on the top shelf of the arts and crafts shelving unit beside the kitchen door, this posed a potential risk of harm to a child. 7. A lamp with trailing lead was resting on a cardboard box behind the door in the sleep room posing a trip hazard. 8. A pink soother with beads attached spelling the child’s name was noted on the desk in the sleep room posing a risk of safety and harm to the preschool child. Infection Control: 9. The children’s perishable food items were not stored in the refrigerator in the kitchen. The early years inspector observed 2 yogurt pouches in lunch boxes on a trolley inside the playroom at 10.00 and remained on the trolley until approximately 14.30 when the children were having snack time. This posed a risk of the food spoiling. It was at variance to the service policy and the guidelines on the yogurt pouch stating they should be refrigerated between 0 and 4°C. 10. On the day of inspection, items were stored inappropriately in the sleep room posing a risk of cross contamination. Equipment was not consistently stored safely and in an organised hygienic way. For example, the inspector noted the following. 11. In the children’s sanitary area at 11.00 there was a bin that was overflowing and the lid would not close. 12. Three stackable beds that were not in use were made up with sheets and blankets. However, the sheets were touching the floor posing a risk of cross infection. 13. A box with wheelie bin liners were stored under a cot. 14. Brown paper was stored under a cot. 15. Loose sheets were stored on an open shelf unit in the corner on the floor of the sleep room. It was difficult to identify if the items were used or unused. There was no evidence of individually labelled containers or storage boxes with each child s bedding items. There was no evidence of how the bed clothes/cot sheets were cleaned or laundered. The staff advised they send them home with parents/ guardians. 16. Additionally, on open shelving in the designated sleep room 3 electronic printing devices, folders, writing materials and an electric fan were inappropriately stored posing a potential risk of harm. 17. An adult’s black bedroom slippers, a child’s car seat and an orange and yellow poof seat were stored inappropriately posing a risk of cross infection. 18. The nappy changing mat was frayed and torn. This posed a risk of cross infection to the pre-school child as the mat cannot be cleaned sufficiently and needed replacement. 19. There was evidence of a build-up of dust under the cot mattresses that were on the floor in the main playroom posing a risk of cross infection. 20. A used apron and gloves were observed on top of the desk in the designated sleep room, this posed a risk of cross infection as the items were not disposed of safely. The staff were informed but the items remained on the desk throughout the inspection. 21. A pink soother was noticed on the desk in the sleep room with no storage box. This posed a risk of infection as it was not stored safely. Additionally, a blue uncovered soother was found on the wicker chair under clothes in the designated sleep room. The 2 shelf unit in the designated sleep room contained 3 loose and uncovered soothers this practice posed a risk of cross infection to the preschool children. No safe storage or sterilisation practices were observed during the inspection. Safe Sleep: 22. The designated sleep room temperature was recorded after 2 children got up. They were unsettled and did not sleep. The room temperature was recorded at 23.1° C at approximately 10.49. It was observed that an electric heater was turned on beside the desk. It was recorded at 60.4°C and the wall mounted low level radiator was recorded at 35.4°C. No child was sleeping at this time. The staff member was informed immediately. The radiator was turned off. The service sleep policy states the room temperature should be between 16-20°C. This posed a potential risk of harm to the preschool children. 23. No room temperature checking device was available, however a staff member continued to write 18°C on the sleep check records that were stuck to the door of the designated sleep room. When questioned she stated this was the temperature the room was supposed to be at. This practice posed a potential risk of harm to the preschool children. 24. The 3 mattress covers were not waterproof thereby the staff were unable to wipe them clean between use. The staff advised that 1 cot was used by 2 children at different times. This posed a risk of cross infection as the staff cannot clean the mattress cover in between use. 25. Two fleece blankets were observed in the designated sleep room. In conversation both staff were unaware that children under 1 year old required cellular blankets while sleeping. This was at variance with the safe sleep service policy and posed a potential risk of harm to the preschool children. Fire Safety: 26. Records of monthly fire drills were not available. It was acknowledged that a fire drill was completed on the 25/07/2025. This posed a safety risk to children and staff in the event of an emergency or fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following

- General Safety: The designated sleep room was reorganized immediately to reduce potential risks and ensure a safe environment for children. 1. Stackable beds are now placed flat on the floor and safely stacked one on top of another when not in use. 2. The box of blinds was removed following the installation of blinds on the windows. 3. & 4. The electric heater was removed from the childcare service and the staff members personal belongings will be left in their cars or in the locker unit that has been ordered. Management will monitor the organization of the sleep room to ensure ongoing compliance with safety requirements. 5. Temperature control dials were removed from the radiators in the playroom to prevent access by the children. 6. The cable from the electrical printing device was secured correctly to eliminate any risk to the children. 7. The box and lamp were replaced safely. A new storage unit for the children’s belongings has been ordered. Daily safety checks of the sleep room will be carried out to ensure the area remains free from hazards. 8. Staff were informed of the importance of storing soothers in each child’s individual designated container before and after use. Infection Control: 9. Perishable food items such as yoghurt and cheese are now stored in the service refrigerator upon the child’s arrival and provided at the first snack time. 10. The designated sleep room was re organized immediately following inspection to reduce the risks of cross infection. 11. Staff were instructed to remove waste bags that were full immediately and replace them with new bag. 12. Bed sheets are removed daily and stored in a designated storage unit. 13. &14. Bin liners and brown paper were removed from under cots and stored in a designated area. 15. A dedicated storage unit with closed shelving was purchased for children’s bedding, soothers and personal items. 16. & 17. Printers, fan, adult footwear and a child’s car seat were removed from the designated sleep room. 18. The frayed nappy changing mat was replaced with a new one. 19. Cots will be deep cleaned weekly in the service in addition to daily cleaning routines. 20. Used gloves and aprons will be disposed of immediately in the designated waste bin. 21. Staff were informed of the importance of storing soothers in each child’s designated container before after use. Safe Sleep: 22. Room temperature is now checked regularly to ensure it remains within the required range. 23. A new temperature monitoring device was ordered and arrived the day after the inspection. 24. Three waterproof cot mattress covers were purchased to allow effective cleaning between uses. 25. The childrens parents will provide appropriate cellular blankets for the children under 12 months of age and additional blankets were purchased by the service for the designated sleep room. Fire Safety: 26. Fire drill records were identified and relocated to the correct folders to ensure easy access for all staff members. Fire drills will be carried out and recorded on a regular basis in line with fire safety requirements and the management of the service will monitor the fire safety records to ensure they are maintained correctly going forward

##### Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance

- 1. There was no evidence of a check in check out record book on the day of inspection for the early years inspector or other parties listed in (3)(a)(i)-(iv) entering the service. The adults on duty were unaware if a visitors’ book was available to record the persons in (3)(a)(i)-(iv) details, date, time, name, contact details, reason for entry, the person who approved entry, time in and time out of the service. This posed a potential safety risk to the staff and children in the service

- On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action
- 1. A visitor sign-in and sign-out record book has been implemented and is now available on site at all times. Staff have been informed of the location of the visitor book and of the requirement to ensure that all visitors complete the record to support the safety of children and staff

##### Regulation 27 — Supervision

- 3. Insufficient qualified staff were available to provide adequate safe supervision to the children aged between 6 months and 4 years 6 months who were in attendance on the day of inspection during transition to sleep, nappy changing, indoor and outdoor play activities and during mealtime activities. The adult child ratios were inadequate during these times. − From approximately 10.05 to 10.15 one staff member was in the playroom with 7 children aged between 16 months and 4 years 6 months while the other staff member was in the sleep room with 2 other preschool children. − At approximately 11.15 one staff member went to the kitchen to prepare the dinner while one staff member was left supervising 9 children between the ages of 7 months and 4 years 6 months. − Between 11.30- 12.05 one staff member was supervising 7 children in the outdoor play area to the side of the premises while the other staff member was in the kitchen preparing the main hot meal of the day. − There was no relief staff available to allow the staff members to have a break throughout the day of inspection. − At approximately 12.55 one staff member was changing a child’s nappy while one staff was gone to the kitchen to prepare lunch for this child while the other children played together in the indoor playroom. − From approximately 13.50-14.20 one staff member was assisting the early years inspector with the administration part of the inspection while one staff member was outside talking to parents/guardians while the children played indoor activities together

- On the 23/12/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action An immediate review of the staffing rosters and supervision arrangements was carried out following the inspection. The service has 3 adults working within the crèche during the hours of operation now. Staff rosters and daily schedules have been reorganized to ensure that adult-to-child ratios are maintained at all times, including during sleep transitions, nappy changing, indoor and outdoor play and mealtimes. The manager provides operational cover and prepares meals, supporting the team by covering staff breaks and stepping into rooms when another staff member needs to leave the room to carry out nappy changing or other essential duties

##### Regulation 29 — Premises

- (b) 1. A yellow wheelie bin was accessible and stored at the entrance to the preschool service. This requires a safe secure location inaccessible to the preschool children. 2. An old mud kitchen was left against the portacabin and 2 impact absorbing slabs (red and black in colour) were located near the entrance gate to the preschool service posing a risk of safety to the children entering and leaving the service. 3. The window opening was difficult to access as there was material stuck with velcro adhesive and blue tac to block out the sunlight on both windows thereby making it difficult to open the windows in the designated sleep room if remedial action was required

- On the 23/12/2025 and the 15/01/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action (b) 1. The yellow wheelie bin was immediately moved to a safe and secure location, inaccessible to the preschool children. All waste bins and non-child-related equipment will be kept in secure, designated locations at all times. A new enclosure for the wheelie bin was expected to be built in the new year. 2. The old mud kitchen was removed from the area and disposed of, as it was broken and posed a safety risk. The outdoor area and entrance points will be checked regularly to ensure that no hazardous items are stored in areas accessible to children. 3. All materials previously attached to the windows using velcro adhesive and blue tac were removed. Appropriate curtains were installed to allow for easy window opening, effective ventilation and safe cleaning of the windows. Windows and ventilation points will be kept clear and accessible to allow for prompt action in the event of an emergency or for ventilation purposes

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28.

#### Inspection of 20 August 2025 — Change in Circumstance

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

### Earlier inspections

- 20 July 2026 — Inspection Report
- 15 April 2024 — Inspection Report · PDF

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Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/sea-garden-childcare-leenane/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11