Inspection of 29 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(a) & (b) 1. A 2nd written and validated reference was not on file for 1 adult. 2. There were no written validations on file for 2 written references
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The 2nd written validated reference was obtained for the 1 adult. 2. Validated the references that had not been validated prior to the inspection. The system for monitoring staff files will be updated with a staff files checklist document
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (8)(a) As evidenced on the staff rosters provided to the inspector two adults were not on the premise at all times while the service was operating. On October 24th & 29th for example one adult was rostered to work at 8.30 am and the second adult rostered for 8.45 am
Provider's corrective action:
- The roster was reviewed and adjusted. There are 2 childcare staff on the premises at all times
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures had been obtained for 11 adults attached to the service. However, 3 vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EY-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Evidence was supplied that demonstrated the said Garda vetting was applied for in respect of the 3 adults. 2. In the creche sleep room there was a dangling cable attached to a monitor accessible to the children posing a risk of injury to them 3. In the creche, there was a dangling telephone cable accessible to the children posing a risk of injury to them. 4. In pre-school room 1 there were medicines stored in the first aid wall mounted box where all medicines should be stored separately to the first aid box. 5. In the pre-school room 1, a labelled emergency medication had expired on 08/2025 posing a risk of illness to children in the event the emergency medication was required. The inspector was informed the child who the medication was prescribed for is currently not attending the service. 6. There was a staff handbag stored near the low- level fridge in the pre-school room 1, it was accessible to the children posing a risk of injury should a child access it. 7. There was a rusted hook accessible to children on the security grid used on the exit doors in creche posing a risk of injury to children. 8. The cover of a large plastic box storing timber blocks stored on the floor in the sanitary accommodation in the pre-school room 2 was cracked posing a risk of injury to children. 9. There were briars protruding through the fencing in the outdoor area located at the rear of the building posing a risk of injury to children. 10. There was a gap between 2 stainless steel fences that was accessible to the children in the outdoor area at the rear of the building posing a risk of injury to children 11. There was a low-level rusted container accessible to the children posing a risk of injury to children in the outdoor area at the rear of the building. 12. There were some areas of the timber handrail in the outdoor area to the rear of pre-school room 1 that had splinters posing a risk of injury to children. Infection Control: 13. There were no waterproof covers provided for the 2 safety mattresses for the shared standard cots in the baby room posing a risk of cross infection. 14. The pedal operating opening device on the lidded, sealed and lined nappy bin in the creche sanitary accommodated was not opening the lid. The inspector observed staff and children opening the lid of the bin to dispose of used paper hand towels and nappies posing a risk of cross infection. 15. Not all the children’s drinks bottles in the creche were labelled posing a risk of cross infection. 16. Within the sanitary/nappy changing room in the pre-school 2, there were 6 stackable beds, linen, pillows, some play materials not stored in boxes, a mop and a floor brush posing a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The Garda vetting renewals for the 3 staff was actively being processed at the time of the inspection. The 3 Garda vetting disclosures have been received. The monitoring system has been updated to ensure timely tracking and renewal of all future vetting. 2. The cable has since been securely fixed and is now safely mounted. The service will continue to review and monitor the area on a regular basis to ensure no additional hazards are present. The room leaders are fully aware of their responsibilities for conducting regular health and safety checks and reporting the procedures. 3. The cable has been securely fixed and is now safely secured. The service will continue to review and monitor the area on a regular basis to ensure no additional hazards are present. The room leaders are fully aware of their responsibilities for conducting regular health and safety checks and reporting the procedures. 4. These items were not intended to be stored in the first aid box and were immediately removed after the inspection. The room leaders and staff have been reminded of the correct procedures regarding medication storage. To prevent recurrence, continuous regular monitoring of all the firs aid boxes will take place. Each room will have a designated and suitable lockable are for storing medication. 5. The out-of-date medication was removed immediately and returned to the parents when the child returned to the service at the beginning of December. In date medication is in place and stored in a locked medicine cabinet in the room for the child in question. To prevent recurrence, monthly checks of all medications will be implemented. 6. The handbag was removed immediately. The staff were informed that all personal belongings are to be stored in the designated staff lockers. This will be continuously reviewed to ensure no personal belongings are accessible to children. 7. The hook has been removed and replaced with a new one at a higher level out of the reach of the children. The area will be reviewed and continued to be monitored to prevent recurrence. 8. The lid has since been disposed of and the box has been removed from the sanitary accommodation. 9. The briars have since been cut back. The roots of the briars will be dug up to prevent regrowth. Until this work is complete, the children will not use this outdoor area. Once the works are complete, the garden will re-open for use. 10. The stainless-steel fence has seine been secured and the gap is no longer accessible. The area will continue to be monitored to ensure no additional hazards are present. The area is not currently used by the children until other works required to be carried out are complete. 11. The container was disposed of. Staff have been spoken to report or dispose of objects posing a risk to children. 12. The gap in the timber handrail has been filled in and the rail has been sanded. The staff will continue to monitor the area regularly to ensure no additional hazards are present. Infection Control: 13. Waterproof sheets are available and are placed on the cots when the children due their naps. 14. The bin has been replaced. 15. All the children’s bottles are now labelled. The staff are aware to continuously check the bottles to ensure they are labelled. A notice has been placed above the bottle storage area in all the care rooms to remind the staff about labelling and cleaning the bottles each day. 16. All the items were immediately removed from the sanitary/ nappy changing area
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) Within the outdoor play areas at the rear of the premises there was: - • Area of the timber fencing that separating the grassed area and the concreted area that were broken. • The nets on 2 soccer goal posts were torn and entangled around the goals. • On the grass area in the outdoor play area located to the rear of the premise, there was some of the soft matting under the play unit with the slide and under swings that had become deeply embedded in beneath the earth. • The pathways to the outdoor play areas were not clean with an accumulation of leaves and dust posing a risk of cross contamination
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) The rear outdoor area is currently off limits and has been since the inspection until all the necessary works are complete. The area will be monitored and reviewed to prevent recurrence. • Currently the timber fence is being replaced • The 2 goals posts have been discarded as the frame was not strong enough after replacing the netting. • Currently replacing the soft matting. • The pathways in the outdoor lay area have since been power washed and cleaned
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25.