# Socrates Learning Ltd t/a Spraoi Early Learning Centre, Tuam — inspection reports and findings > Socrates Learning Ltd t/a Spraoi Early Learning Centre (Tuam, Co. Galway): what Tusla inspections found — 4 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Socrates Learning Ltd t/a Spraoi Early Learning Centre Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Tuam, Galway · Tusla ID **TU2015GY234** · 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 23 February 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** 23/02/2026 An immediate action notice was issued to the service. On the day of inspection, there was not a person trained in First Aid Responder when the inspectors arrived on the premises. 24/02/26 The registered provider submitted a response outlining an action plan to ensure that there were enough staff appropriately trained in first aid available to the children while they attended the service. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(a) There were two adults working in the service that had only one written and appropriately validated reference available from their most recent employer, when two validated references were required. (b) There was one adult working in the service that did not have two written validated references on file. (d) There was one adult that had a history of employment on file, however there were periods of time where it was difficult to ascertain where and for how long this person lived in another jurisdiction. (3) The correct vetting procedures specified in paragraph (2) where not carried out prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service - The registered provider responded to say: Corrective and Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) Written references and validations were immediately obtained for the 3 adults mentioned in non- compliance. (d) An updated CV was provided for one adult member mentioned in non-compliance which specifies the amount of time this person lived outside of the jurisdiction. (3) Correct vetting procedures were reviewed for the staff members in question ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - (19)(1)(a) Physical & Material Environment The issue outline below could negatively affect the learning and development opportunities available to the children: 1. Although there were musical toys in the Bumble Bee and Tigers playrooms these did not work as the batteries were not replaced in them. 2. Although there were baskets for sensory/treasure they were not equipped. 3. The household area in the playrooms was poorly equipped with natural materials and required development. 4. In the Monkey playroom jigsaws were stored in clear boxes with no pictorial representation. 5. The Bumblebee playroom did not have a suitable chair for comforting a child. 6. The mud kitchen in the outdoor play area had no utensils for children to play with. 7. There was a blue sofa in the Monkeys playroom which was in a poor state of repair - The registered provider stated in their response: Corrective and Preventive Action Physical & Material Environment Further training is being developed and rolled out to support room leaders and practitioners in creating invitations to play and to support managers in identifying areas that need development. 1. The batteries have been replaced in the toys in the bumblebee room. 2. Sensory/Treasure baskets have been fully restocked in the playrooms. 3. Household areas have been further developed with natural materials. 4. Pictorial representation has been added to the clear jigsaw boxes making them easily identifiable for children. 5. A comfort chair has been purchased and added to the Bumblebee playroom. 6. The mud kitchen has been further developed with more utensils and structured invitations to play. 7. The blue sofa in the Monkeys playroom has been replaced with a new sofa ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: The following may pose as a risk of cross infection for a preschool child: 1. The correct procedure was not observed at nappy changing. One out of the three adults did not wash the children’s hands or their own prior to and after nappy changing. There was a designated sink available in the nappy changing area. 2. One of the two sinks in the nappy changing area opposite the Bumble Bee playroom was unclean. 3. The outdoor play area and equipment was unclean and there was stagnant water in an activity table. 4. The toilets in the sanitary area in Butterflies room were stained and required cleaning. 5. In the Butterflies room, the mechanical air vents were dusty and there was mildew / dampness above the window in the children’s sanitary area. 6. A young child attending the butterfly playroom, returned to the playroom after using the toilet without washing his hands. This was brought to the attention of the staff by the inspectorate team. Fire Safety: 7. The service did not conduct monthly fire drills, which may result in delayed evacuation times and hider the ability of both staff and children to evacuate safely and quickly in the event of an emergency. 8. The fire alarm in the sanitary area attached to the Butterfly room was beeping every 2 minutes during the duration of the inspection, which indicated a fault in the system. The constant beeping may result in children and staff ignoring the signals in the event of a real emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated in their response that: - Infection Control: Managers are required to monitor nappy changing and to check cleaning records are completed. 1. The nappy changing retraining has taken place for all staff and is monitored continuously by management. 2. A deep clean of the nappy changing area has been carried out. 3. A deep clean of the outdoor area has taken place. 4. Butterflies room sanitary area was deep cleaned. 5. A service and cleaning of the mechanical air vents was arranged. 6. Staff have been briefed on strategies to support children in maintaining safe toileting practice for infection control purposes. Fire Safety: Basic fire safety training has been rolled out for all staff through our online portal, along with fire warden safety training for persons in charge. These courses have been made mandatory. 7. Fire drills have been completed and monthly fire drills will take place. 8. The fault was established and a battery needed to be replaced; this has since been replaced and evidence submitted ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - 23/02/2026 An immediate action notice was issued to the service. On the day of inspection, there was not a person trained in First Aid Responder on the premises when the inspectors arrived on the premises. 24/02/26 The registered provider submitted a response outlining an action plan to ensure that there were enough adults appropriately trained in first aid available to the children while they attended the service - The registered provider stated in their response that: Corrective and Preventive Action Two adults have completed their first aid responder and are rostered during the operational hours of the service Found compliant: Regulation 11, 24, 26. #### Inspection of 15 January 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (4) One adult working directly with children, did not hold one of the following or have evidence of: − 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 - The registered provider stated in their response that: Corrective and Preventive Action The staff member in question has received the letter of recognition. This staff member also no longer works within the setting. Th human resource department and area manager will ensure that all vetting procedures are followed in future prior to a staff member starting in the service ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. Wipeable mattresses were not provided in 6 of the 7 cots and some of the mattresses were stained which may pose as a risk of cross infection for a preschool child. 2. The 3 bins in the nappy changing area were not suitable, they were not leaking proof, self-sealing, pedal operated nappy changing bins and this may pose as a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated in their response: - Infection Control: 1. The six mattresses have been replaced with six wipeable mattresses. We will ensure that new wipeable mattresses and cots are check daily before being set up. 2. The three nappy bins have been replaced with ones that are leaking proof, self-sealing, pedal operated nappy changing bins to prevent the risk of cross infection. Nappy changing bins will be checked daily to ensue bins are working correctly by both staff and manager Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 26, 28. #### Inspection of 14 February 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (1)(k) A sample of 6 accident and Incidents records were reviewed. Out of the six records reviewed 4 were not signed by a parent or guardian which was invariance with what was stated in the service policy. There were no risk assessments carried out as a result of these accidents or incidents - The registered provider stated in their response that: Corrective and Preventive Action A reminder was sent to parents regarding signing accident and Incident forms. Any parent that does not sign the form online, the accident and incident form will be printed and placed in the child’s file. If a parent has not signed the form, they are contacted and reminded to do so Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 24, 32. ### Earlier inspections - 4 October 2023 — Inspection Report · PDF ### Other services in Galway - [Sona School Servces CLG](/creche/sona-school-servces-clg-kinvara.md) Kinvara - [Sonas Early Learning Centre](/creche/sonas-early-learning-centre-galway.md) Galway - [Spraoi Early Learning Centre](/creche/spraoi-early-learning-centre-clarinbridge.md) Clarinbridge - [St Columbas Before School and Afterschool Club and Preschool](/creche/st-columbas-before-school-and-afterschool-club-and-preschool-gort.md) Gort - [Teddy House Creche](/creche/teddy-house-creche-knocknacarra.md) Knocknacarra - [Westside Creche & Preschool LTD T/A Sunflower Creche & Preschool.](/creche/westside-creche-preschool-ltd-t-a-sunflower-creche-preschool-newcastle.md) Newcastle - [Bubbles Creche](/creche/bubbles-creche-knocknacarra.md) Knocknacarra - [Little Hands Montessori and Afterschool Care](/creche/little-hands-montessori-and-afterschool-care-galway.md) Galway - [Cleggan Claddaghduff Community Playgroup](/creche/cleggan-claddaghduff-community-playgroup-cleggan.md) Cleggan - [Naíonra Rosmuc](/creche/naionra-rosmuc-rosmuc.md) Rosmuc [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/socrates-learning-ltd-t-a-spraoi-early-learning-centre-tuam/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11