Creche Inspection Reports

Sonas Early Learning Centre

Sessional · 1 - 6 Years · Rahoon, Galway · Tusla ID TU2023GY001 · Registered since 12 May 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

3published inspections
2non-compliances at latest report read
1immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 13 May 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

  • Basic Needs of Children: Provisions for children’s sleep requirements were not observed. At approximately 11:15 am, a child in the Penguin room was displaying signs of tiredness including crying, rubbing their eyes, closing their eyes and clinging to an adult in the outdoor play area. The child was not placed to sleep until approximately 12:10 pm despite the Early Years Inspector advising the adult that the child required sleep. Failure to facilitate children to sleep according to their needs may impact negatively on their emotional and cognitive development
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider responded to say: Corrective and Preventive Action Staff have undergone supervision meetings and have been addressed on such actions. A further training session was completed on the 06/06/2025 in which understanding basic needs and looking for non-verbal behavioural ques were discussed. Mentoring from management and eight weekly supervision reviews in line with the company policy will prevent the non-compliance from reoccurring in the future

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for fourteen adults, however one of these vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’ posing a potential safety risk for children. Infection Control: 2. An adult did not wash their hands prior to nappy changing which may pose as a risk of cross infection. 3. There was no thermostatically controlled hot water in the Koalas sanitary area or the adult sanitary area. The water was cold and read at a temperature of between 18.2°C and 18.3°C which may present as a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated in their response that:
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. The service will ensure in future that Garda vetting is renewed within the 3-year period as required. Infection Control: 2. Staff have been retrained in nappy changing procedures and will be monitored by management. 3. The water temperature has now been adjusted by a competent person and will be monitored by the manager going forward

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 28.

Inspection of 6 March 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. 07/03/2024 An Immediate Action Notice was issued under Regulation 9(2)(c), a mandatory vetting disclosure was not available for 1 adults working in the service contrary to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (1)(b) The manager confirmed that a deputy is not available at present and that the service was recruiting another person who would be the deputy. It is acknowledged the area manager arrived at 11 am after the inspector’s arrival but was not rostered to work in the service. (2)(c) Garda vetting was not available for 1 adult and an immediate action notice was issued on the 07/03/2024. (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
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated in her response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (1)(b) Following recruitment drive, a deputy manager has been appointed and is presently carrying out all deputising duties. Rosters have been adjusted to allow for a person in charge to be always present on-site during service operating hours. (2)(c) A copy of the outstanding garda vetting was submitted on the 07/03/2024 to the inspectorate and in future staff will not be placed on service rosters until a file is complete and is available to the service manager. (4) The adult no longer works in the service; the service will ensure that in future all adults employed will have a minimum of a level 5 in in Early Childhood Care and Education

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (1) While it is acknowledged that the service had staff trained in first aid, the service provided no evidence that a person trained in first aid responder for children was available to the children attending the pre-school service and on the roster
Provider's corrective action:
  • Adults are enrolled in first aid responder training in April and we will ensure that someone trained in first aid responder is rostered at all times during the operation of the service

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26, 27, 28, 32.

Earlier inspections

Other services in Galway

Alert me when a new report is published · Dated report on this service — €19