# Shining Lights Creche Ltd, Letterkenny — inspection reports and findings > Shining Lights Creche Ltd (Letterkenny, Co. Donegal): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Shining Lights Creche Ltd Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Letterkenny, Donegal · Tusla ID **TU2015DL140** · 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 19 March 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. After rolling snack children were not always supported or prompted to wash their hands immediately after finishing their snack, which is a necessary step in preventing the spread of infection 2. Foot-operated bins, which are essential for touch-free waste disposal, were found to be not working in three separate rooms. 3. The bathroom adjacent to ‘dazzling lights’ had two sinks with no access to hot water for effective hand hygiene as the hot water tap was not working on the day of inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. Staff in the rooms have been altered of this and are now keeping a closer eye on children after they are finished snack and encouraging them to wash their hands after eating. Same as above- to guide children to ensure the step of washing hands after snack 2. The mechanism at back of bin had clicked out- needed to be clicked back in again to allow the pedal to work. To include these in our daily checklist- that if the mechanism comes loose to ensure to correct and fix it back on 3. Both rooms tap have been fixed and the flow of hot water is now working. Plumber has altered the pressure of hot water getting to these two rooms. To ensure the girls report an ongoing issue such as the water flow from taps Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 16, 19, 25, 27, 28. #### Inspection of 9 June 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** 1. This unannounced inspection was carried out in response to information received to the inspectorate. 2. An immediate action notice was issued on the 9th of June 2025 due to remedial actions taken in response to a child leaving the service unsupervised were found to be ineffective on the day of inspection. 3. A response was issued by the registered provider on the 10th of June 2025 outlining measures taken to reduce the safety risk identified from the immediate action notice. ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (1) (k) An accident and incident form had not been completed and signed by parents in relation to an incident notified to Tusla by the service involving one child leaving the service unsupervised on the 4th of June 2025. It is acknowledged that this accident and incident form was started when brought to the attention of staff and management on the day of inspection - A sample of incident records reviewed did not have the required governance oversight demonstrated by a signature from the manager of the service - In a written response the registered provider stated: (1) (k) The incident was under investigation and a meeting with the interested parties had taken place on the morning of the inspection. In the future all accident and incident forms will be completed promptly and signed by management and parents straight away - All accident and incident forms have been reviewed by management and signed. The development office will be reviewing these books weekly ensuring compliance ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - (1) (b) • A support plan for a child that required additional support could not be accessed on the day of inspection and the adult who supports this child daily was off duty. While it is acknowledged the replacement adult supported the child in a kind and supportive manner, they could not inform the inspector of the supports required daily for the child. It is acknowledged that this support plan was sent to the inspectorate after the inspection. • One child was observed sleeping on a floor bed in the main sleep room. As some children did not sleep and others woke early, they were seen approaching the sleeping child. At one point, the child was awoken by the other children. This environment did not support a restful and uninterrupted sleep for the child - In a written response the registered provider stated: • The child’s information folder was located after the inspection and sent to the inspectorate. To ensure all staff have the same information we are looking at putting up a direct communication set in room moving forward in our new term. This will highlight things that the child requires during the day and also any changes will be highlighted on this sheet. We will start this in September. • The children who remain awake and don’t require rest will be taken to sensory room or outside to play. Going forward, staff will be mindful of ensuring children whom do not require sleep are taken to the sensory room or outdoors ensuring a restful space is maintained for those children requiring sleep and rest ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: (1) An immediate action notice was issued on the day of inspection due to the remedial action taken to mitigate the broken door closure of the main door was ineffective as follows: • Two internal doors had a key code lock activated to ensure security and no unsupervised access to the main entrance. • At 11:33, 14:34,15:00 and15:54 the internal downstairs door was unsecure leading to the main entrance awaiting maintenance for a broken closure clasp. (2) A previous inspection in November 2024 had highlighted that the handrails on both stairwells were adult height and unsuitable for the pre-school children to comfortably and safely use when ascending and descending the stairs. In response the registered provider assured the inspectorate that the children currently use the bars on the rail to ascend and descend, and this had been attached to their risk assessment and new handrails have been scheduled to go up in January 2025. No new handrails have been installed, and this risk remains outstanding. (3) Two wooden supporting posts for a covered space observed in the outdoor area on the premises and used by the Baby and Wobbler rooms were not covered in a protective covering to prevent injury to a child if they failed to recognise the post during play and ran into it. This was identified on the service last inspection in November 2024. This was brought to the attention of management on the day, who sent photographic evidence of the protected coverings reconnected on the 10th of June 2025. (4) A risk assessment completed after the recent incident on the 4th of June 2025 and notified to Tusla was available in the room where the incident occurred. However, this risk assessment and measures taken to reduce the risk was not available in the other rooms in the service. On discussion with adults in other rooms in the service, they were aware of the incident however uncertain of what protective measures were now in place. The deputy person in charge confirmed that no team meeting had occurred after the incident however one was scheduled. (5) On the day of inspection, it was observed on two separate occasions that children's hands were not consistently washed following nappy changes. This practice poses a potential risk of infection and does not align with best practices for hygiene and infection control in early years settings. (6) During the inspection, potential safety hazards were observed in the Rainbow Lights sleep room and the main playroom. In the sleep room a stereo used for playing music was plugged in beside a child’s sleeping area, with the cable within reach of the children. In the main playroom, an air conditioning unit was plugged in, and children were observed playing near the area where the cables were accessible and within their reach. when brought to the attention of staff, immediate action was taken. Both cables were promptly repositioned or removed to eliminate access for the children. (7) Visibility strips were required on the glass patio doors in the rainbow lights room in the event children did not recognise the glass and therefore a potential injury risk. This was brought to the attention of management on the day, who sent photographic evidence of the visibility stickers on the areas on the 10th of June 2025. Infection Control: (8) Low level beds with the bedlinen in place on the beds were observed placed against a wall in a room the rainbow lights room sheet on the edge of the bed frame was in contact with the floor which was not adequate for infection control purposes. (9) The floor covering in shining starts was worn in numerous places resulting in an inability to clean the floor effectively. (10) Two cot mattresses, each with sheets in place, were observed stored inside another cot that also had its sheet in place in the Rainbow Lights sleep room. This poses a risk of cross-contamination between the cot sheets. (11) The kitchen door interconnecting the little lights and rainbow lights room was damaged and the covering was peeling off. Safe Sleep: (12) One cot in the Rainbow Lights sleep room was observed to have a broken base, resulting in an uneven surface on one side. This posed a potential safety risk for any child placed in the cot. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: (1) Our main door is fixed and closing correctly now. If the front door closer is giving issues again that we will put in supervision at the door until it is fixed. (2) Handrails have been installed. (3) Posts have been covered. (4) The meeting was scheduled for the Tuesday the day after the inspection. All staff are aware of the risk assessment in place. Going forward we will ensure a team meeting is called straight away to highlight the active risk assessments in place. (5) Staff were reminded of the nappy changing policy. The nappy changing policy will be added to our team meetings a few times a year to ensure compliance. (6) Items with the cables exposed will not to be used around the children unless they are secured to the wall. (7) Visibility strips added to doors. We will ensure visibility strips are provided on glass doors. Infection Control: (8) Beds will be placed on the flat on the ground or if needed to be stored upright all linen will be removed and replaced on daily basis. Staff members have been informed of this process. (9) The floor was damaged by the chairs that were being used in the room. Flooring company has been contacted to replace the flooring at the end of the July. The chairs from the room have been replaced and replaced them with ones that will not damage the flooring. (10) Staff members were instructed mattress are no longer stored in the other cots- they remain placed against a wall with all sheets removed and placed in a bag. (11) Door covering was removed and is due to be sealed with varnish in the coming weeks. Safe Sleep: (12) Cot was removed ##### Regulation 27 — Supervision - A review of records and discussion with the adults in the service found that the supervision of children in ‘shining lights’ did not meet the regulatory requirements at the time of a recent incident on the 4th of June 2025 notified to Tusla by the service. The service policy on supervision of children states: ‘Staff must constantly be vigilant, and children must not be allowed in the corridor unaccompanied…’ - Additional measures have been implemented into the rooms. Staff have been instructed to invite the parent into the room and ensure the door is closed directly behind them, and when a child is getting ready to leave to ensure door is closed until this is carried out. We also have directed staff to ensure all children’s belongings are placed outside the classroom at the end of the day to ensure that there is not an increased time of preparation for home time. Staff will position themselves to ensure all children were in view at all times reduced the risk of a child leaving the room during arrival time and home time Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11. #### Inspection of 11 November 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** 1. A written immediate action notice under ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(d) Police vetting was not available for two adults who had lived in a state other than the State for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months - Corrective Action Student- vetting was submitted for out of state- Other staff member was able to get contact with the embassy and re submitted to the state of residence. Preventive Action To inform colleges that we do require the out of state vetting for students moving forward. To ensure that emails from embassy’s are not enough when trying to get clearance from another country ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. The main entrance door to the service was found unsecured by the inspectors at various times throughout the day during inspection as follows: • At 12:38pm, 13:54pm and 16:10pm This was a risk for unauthorised persons to gain entry to the service with full access to all areas of the building; an immediate action notice was issued 11 November 2024. 2. Daily indoor and outdoor risk assessments were not being completed to identify and manage the risks of any observed hazards in the service. This did not align with the policy statement of the Risk management policy which stated: • The service will carry out regular risk assessments in the service in relation to • The health safety and welfare of everyone attending the service • The safety of the service and • The premises being safe suitable and appropriate for care and education of children 3. The following safety concerns were observed in the baby sleep room: • A window blind cord was observed unsecured, was also broken and held together with clear tape; a cot was situated in close proximity to the window and the cord was potentially accessible to a child and posed a risk of injury. Immediate corrective action was taken by the inspector and the cord was tied up and placed out of reach of potential access by a child using the cot; an immediate action notice was issued 11 November 2024. • Three cots were situated next to the internal window with cloth window coverings which were accessible to children in these cots; the coverings could be easily pulled down as they were attached by suction cups to the window and posed an injury risk to a child. This safety concern was brought to the attention of the registered provider by the inspector and immediate corrective action was taken and the three cots were moved away from the internal window and coverings. • Fire safe window restrictors were not in place on the external windows and posed a risk of unauthorised entry to the premises. • The edges of a floor mat were observed to have curled up and was a trip hazard. • A cot mattress in one cot, adjacent to the window, did not fit snugly and posed a risk of entrapment to a child. 4. One side gate was unsecured in the outdoor area at 12:09pm; it was observed that the bolt mechanism had not been correctly secured with the spring locking mechanism, as a result, the bolt could be accessed and opened from the outside. This posed a risk of unauthorised access to the outdoor play area and subsequently into the premises as the door into the ground floor sanitary area, with direct access from the play area, was open. Immediate corrective action was taken by the inspector and the locking mechanism was correctly engaged to prevent unauthorised access to the premises. 5. It was advised to the inspector by a staff member in the baby room, that the bottles of powdered infant formula, provided by parents for their child, were being heated in the microwave; this posed a risk of an oral scald injury to a child as there may be hot spots remaining in the formula. 6. Visibility strips were required on the glass patio doors in ECCE 1 room in the event children did not recognise the glass and therefore a potential injury risk. 7. The central heating boiler was accessible to the children in the play area at the side of the building used by the children from the Baby and Wobbler rooms and posed a risk of injury to a child from heat/sharp edges. It is acknowledged the registered provider provided photographic evidence, 12 November 2024, that new wooden fencing had been put in place to secure the area. 8. The handrails on both stairwells were adult height and unsuitable for the pre-school children to comfortably and safely use when ascending and descending the stairs. 9. There were nine children aged 2- 3 years in Fairy Lights room sitting on chairs which were the incorrect height for them as they could not place their feet on the ground for balance and stability. This posed a potential risk of injury to a child if they lost their balance and fell off the chair. 10. Three wooden supporting posts for a covered space and a metal upright post observed in the outdoor area on the right-hand side of the premises and used by the Baby and Wobbler rooms were not covered in a protective covering to prevent injury to a child if they failed to recognise the post during play and ran into it. Infection Control: 11. One cot mattress was observed soiled and stained in the baby sleep room and required replacing. 12. Two cot mattresses, with the sheets in place, were observed stored in another cot which also had the sheet in place in the wobbler sleep room; this posed a risk of cross contamination between the cot sheets. 13. Low level beds with the bedlinen in place on the beds were observed placed against a wall in a room adjoining the Toddler room. The sheet on the edge of the bed frame was in contact with the floor which was not adequate for infection control purposes. 14. The nappy changing practices observed for 11 nappy changes completed, posed a risk of cross infection as evidenced by the following observations: • Single use disposable gloves and the single use disposable apron, when worn for nappy changes, were not removed at the point that the soiled nappy and used cleaning material were bagged up prior to being disposed of. • Children’s hands were not washed following nappy changing. • While staff members did wash their hands following each nappy change, they were observed not to wash hands prior to commencing each new nappy change. • Staff members did not use the foot pedal mechanism to dispose of the used nappy change items and instead were observed handling/lifting the lids to access the bins. 15. The registered provider had not implemented the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice – Use of nappy disposal bins in Early Years Services issued in 2022 as the nappy change bin used in the Toddler room sanitary area was not a lined and lidded, leak p roof, sealable foot pedal operated required for infection control purposes. 16. Infection control safeguards to prevent the spread of infection in sanitary area used by the Toddler room were not maintained as evidenced by the following observations: • A build-up of dead small flies was observed on the windowsill in the sanitary area. The windowsill was accessible to children. • A dead insect was observed in a plastic file on the wall in the Toddler room. • The base of the radiator was observed to be rusted, this limited effective cleaning for the purposes of infection control. • The toilet roll dispenser in the middle toilet cubicle was broken and the cover with toilet paper was observed to be on the cistern of the toilet. This prevented a child from accessing toilet paper after using the toilet. • Children’s clothing was stored in the toilet area which was unsuitable for hygiene and infection control purposes. 17. The system in place to sterilise the mouthed toys in the Baby room required review as following washing the items in hot soapy water , as advised by the staff members, the toys were sprayed/wiped with a sterilising solution; this was inadequate for infection control measures as the toys/items were required to be submerged for 15 minutes in a correctly constituted sterilising fluid to achieve complete sterilisation. Administration of Medication: 18. Two of the four medication care plans for children requiring medication to be administered required to be updated as a recent review had not been completed. Fire Safety: 19. The fire exit in the baby sleep room was obstructed by a plastic ball play pool stored on the floor; immediate corrective was taken by the registered provider when informed by the inspector and the pool was removed. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Evidence was submitted to inspectors the following day that door security was fixing the close (mechanism) on door, this new closing aid was added to ensure it closes securely. 2. Daily indoor/bathroom/sleep/outdoor and management risk assessments were put in place. 3. Window blind cord was fixed on the 11/11/24 by the window company. • black out blind was removed that day • Fire restrictors put on 12/11/24 • Mat removed on the day • New mattress bought and replaced on 12/11/24 4. Gate has been placed on our daily check list for outside. 5. Staff have been retrained in the policy of bottle making/reheating safety (bottle warmer in use) for our children. 6. Strips applied to window. 7. Fence has been put up 12/11/24. 8. Children currently use the bars on the rail to ascend and descend and this has been attached to our risk assessment and new handrails have been scheduled to go up in Jan ‘25. 9. New chairs purchased and children were given these on the 18/11/24. 10. Grass was placed around the base of the posts and secured by cable ties. Infection Control: 11. New mattresses were purchased on the 15/11/24. 12. Staff were advised about the correct storage of mattress when not in use. 13. Staff have now been advised that the beds are to remain flat on the ground to avoid any further infection from the ground. 14. Staff have been re-trained in our nappy changing policy and this was carried out in our training afternoon on 18/11/24. 15. All areas have been provided with new pedal control bins in nappy changing areas. 16. The cleaner has been updated and walked through cleaning requirements again. Staff have also been advised to keep a closer eye on the cleaning started within the toilet area. Radiator has been painted, toilet roll dispenser has been replaced, clothing now stored in rooms. 17. Mouthed toys are now submerged in a box of solution placed in the room every morning- these are then rinsed and dried before going back into play. Administration of Medication: 18. The medication that was belonging to one child was returned as it is not needed in class. Other child now in full attendance has had the medication and equipment provided by parent. Fire Safety: 19. Ball pit was removed once inspectors pointed it out. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Door security is checked daily to ensure the closing has not slowed down. 2. Risk assessments put in place on the 12/11/24. 3. Binds cords/trip hazards/mattress/window checks have been added to the risk assessment to avoid these being missed and not highlighted to the management team. No objects that could be pulled down by children should be placed in the room. 4. Gate has been placed on our daily check list for outside. 5. Staff training for this has been scheduled for our group training afternoons throughout the year. 6. Strips to be reapplied if they become detached. 7. Ensure fence remains in good working order. 8. Ensure work starts and is completed by end of Jan ’25. 9. Ensure children and swapping of chairs in room doesn’t occur again. 10. To ensure if covering comes off they are attached again. Infection Control: 11. Added to sleep risk assessment that these are checked and highlighted to management if in poor condition. 12. Mattress not to be placed or stored in cots and the sheets to be removed and cleaned if not in use. 13. Staff have now been advised that the beds are to remain flat on the ground to avoid any further infection from the ground. 14. We will reissue training in our training afternoon moving forward. Policy updated and sign made for changing area with a step by step guide. 15. Added to risk assessment check list that they are in working order and spare bin kept within the building to help prevent using a broken bin or different bin until its replaced. 16. Daily bathroom risk assessment put in place to ensure these issues are highlighted to management and policy has been updated. 18. All care plans have been reviewed; dates have been double checked on all medications including auto injectors. We have added in another document sheet to help with review of these care plans which will occur every 6mths. Any changes that occur to child’s medication will be updated in real time. Fire Safety: 19. Ensuring the staff do not place any items in the sleep area. Supporting documentation submitted Photographs x 16 Documents x 5 Summary Comment It is acknowledged the registered provider responded in a timely manner to the immediate action notice issued 11 November 2024. Following review by the Early Years Inspectorate of the written response, documentary and photographic evidence submitted by the registered provider, it is accepted that point 8 will not be addressed until January 2025; this will be reviewed at the time of the next inspection. The requirement for Regulation 23 has been met ##### Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance - (3)(a)(iv) On arrival to the service at 09:18am when the inspectors rang the entrance bell, the entrance door was remotely released without anyone verifying who was at the door. The inspectors then had access to the whole premises with no staff member available to manage access and vet entry to the service. This system compromised the safety and security of the children and staff in the building and did not align with the ‘Doorstep Procedure’ of the Visitor policy which stated, “the person answering the door must inform the person in charge and identification must be checked.” - Corrective Action Staff have all been advised on our door policy and handed out a copy to have within the room. A new monitor has been added to office area. Preventive Action We have added in a new monitor for the door in the office, this allows office staff to have more control during busy times and to ensure all persons are checked on entry to building Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28. ### Earlier inspections - 7 December 2023 — Change in Circumstance · PDF ### Other services in Donegal - [Shining Stars](/creche/shining-stars-letterkenny.md) Letterkenny - [Shining Stars Montessori & Creche](/creche/shining-stars-montessori-creche-letterkenny.md) Letterkenny - [Smallworld Childcare LTD](/creche/smallworld-childcare-ltd-donegal-town.md) Donegal Town - [T.T Childcare Company Limited by Guarantee](/creche/t-t-childcare-company-limited-by-guarantee-stranorlar.md) Stranorlar - [ABC Childcare Centre](/creche/abc-childcare-centre-lifford.md) Lifford - [Cloghan Childcare Centre, Curam Leanai an Chlochan](/creche/cloghan-childcare-centre-curam-leanai-an-chlochan-leifear.md) Leifear - [Little Learners Pre-School](/creche/little-learners-pre-school-ballybofey.md) Ballybofey - [Bomany Nursery & Montessori School](/creche/bomany-nursery-montessori-school-letterkenny.md) Letterkenny - [Glenties Community Playgroup Ltd](/creche/glenties-community-playgroup-ltd-glenties.md) Glenties - [Rainbows Pre-school](/creche/rainbows-pre-school-carrigart.md) Carrigart [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/shining-lights-creche-ltd-letterkenny/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11