Inspection of 24 February 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 24 February 2026 during the inspection in respect of Regulation 23, general safety. A response was received from the service on the 27 February 2026 which sufficiently mitigated the risk identified.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- A second written and verified reference was not available for a one adult
- The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out in prior to one adult commencing placement in the service as follows: One references for one adult had not been sought or verified prior to them commencing placement in the service
- Documentation was not available to show that one adult who was working directly with the children on the day of inspection held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE)
Provider's corrective action:
- 2)(a)(b) The registered provider has stated that a second written and verified reference has been sought for one adult who required it. An updated file checklist has been developed to ensure all documents are in place before a staff member commences employment. (4) The adult working directly with the children on the day of inspection is a school age employee who was asked to cover an emergency situation. An additional staff member is available, and their file has been updated. Additional staff will be recruited to ensure adequate staff are available at all times
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- (g) The name and telephone number of one child’s registered medical practitioner was not available. (h) Records of immunisations received by one child was not detailed
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that the information missing from the two childrens files have been updated and checked. All children’s files will be double checked by staff members to ensure all information is present
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. In the Dolphin room, the surface temperature of an unguarded radiator was recorded at 70 degrees which is outside the recommended range for an unguarded radiator. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 24 February 2026 during the inspection in respect of Regulation 23, general safety. A response was received from the service on the 27 February which sufficiently mitigated the risk identified. 2. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for one staff member working in the service. 3. In the Dolphin and Penguin rooms, cleaning agents to include disinfectant sprays and liquids were stored in unlocked presses in reach of children. It is acknowledged that staff members locked the presses when this was brought to their attention by the inspector. Infection Control: 4. In the Dolphin room, appropriate infection control measures were not taken during the nappy changing procedure. A staff member was observed to leave their gloves on the entire procedure including redressing the child and helping them down from changing unit. The staff member or the child did not wash their hands following the nappy change. This is at variance with the nappy changing procedure displayed in the sanitary area. This poses a significant risk of cross contamination to children. 5. In the Dolphin room, equipment and toys used by the children were observed to be stored in the sanitary area used by the staff. This poses a significant risk of cross contamination to children. 6. In the Dolphin room, the vinyl covering on the children’s sofa was torn with foam exposed. The sofa could not be effectively cleaned. This poses a potential risk of cross contamination to children. Safe Sleep: 7. In the Dolphin room a staff member who was supervising sleeping children was not familiar with recording information to monitor and record children’s sleep. The registered provider was observed to demonstrate procedures to document and monitor children’s sleep to the staff member subsequent to the children sleeping. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The registered provider has stated that: 1. The radiators in the Dolphin room have been moved to adult head height to ensure children cannot access them. 2. Updated Garda vetting has been received for a member of staff through the Tusla portal. A reminder has been set to ensure all updated vetting is applied for on time. 3. The staff members have been reminded to keep the press containing cleaning products locked. A reminder poster has been placed over the presses in each room containing cleaning products. Infection Control: 4. Staff members have been reminded of the policy and procedures for changing nappies. This has been reiterated at staff meetings. 5. Equipment and toys have been removed from the sanitary area in the Dolphin room; staff members have been reminded not to store equipment or toys in this area. 6. The children’s sofa was removed from the Dolphin room; staff will monitor equipment and toys each day using a checklist. Safe Sleep: 7. Staff have been retrained on using the app used by the service to record sleep checks, all new staff will be given guidance on using the sleep checks on the app going forward
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 28.