Inspection of 13 May 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a) The service did not have a named person to deputise as required
- (d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 0187 served
- The procedures specified in regulation 9(2)(d) were not completed prior to two adults commencing in the service, as evidenced through a review of documentation. Allowing adults work with children before their suitability is established may result in individuals who are not appropriate having access to children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that the person in charge and deputy are named on a weekly roster and will ensure that the roster has all the relevant information regarding staff roles included
- See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 0187 served
- The registered provider stated that the service is using a new Human Resource programme which lists all staff members vetting and training information in a central location ensuring vetting and training is carried out in a timely manner to comply with regulations
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- The service did not ensure that adequate measures were taken as follows, to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of children and to provide of a safe environment: General Safety: 1. One Garda vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate's regulatory notice requiring renewals every three years. 2. The internal door from the hallway to the kitchen was not appropriately secured to prevent children accessing the kitchen. At 12:44 a child who independently accessed the sanitary area was able to access the unattended kitchen where hazardous items were accessible, posing a risk of injury to a child. 3. In the garden, wooden planks positioned on the ground near the doorway leading from Montessori 1 posed a trip hazard. 4. The room temperature in Imagination Station at 11.59 read at 24.1°C. It is acknowledged that the radiator was immediately turned off when the inspector brought the room temperature to the staff’s attention. Infection Control: 5. The covering on a table for use by children in Infancy was significantly chipped exposing raw wood that is unable to be effectively cleaned, posing a contamination risk. 6. In three of the children’s toilet cubicles, toilet roll positioned at children’s level beside the toilet for use by children was not accessible from an appropriate roll holder or dispenser posing a risk of cross contamination within the service. 7. A bar of soap was used for handwashing by children in the sanitary area of Montessori 2, instead of liquid soap which poses a risk of cross contamination. 8. A hand-push lidded bin was used by children and staff in Montessori 2 sanitary area instead of the required foot-pedal bin, posing a risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 9. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IN 0162 served. 10. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 0186 served. 11. The procedures for the administration of medication as per the service’s medication policy were not followed consistently. A risk of harm to children is posed if medication is administered incorrectly. Instances where practice was at variance include: • One staff caring for a child with a severe allergy was not familiar with the care plan for the child or the location of the child’s emergency medication. • A child was administered two different medications at the same time on the day of inspection. The staff acting as the witness did not check the dosage against the corresponding bottle of medication before the child was given the medication for each administration. • Prior written parental consent was not available for the administration of medication for three children. It is acknowledged that the information relating to the administration of medication was available to staff. Fire Safety: 12. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IN 0124 served. 13. Children’s attendance was not recorded in real time. This is at variance with the service’s fire drill policy and poses a risk that children would not be accounted for in the event of a fire. • In the Infancy room two children arrived at 10:29 and 10:32 respectively. On review of the attendance register at 10:56, it was found that the children’s arrival was not recorded as required. • In Montessori room 2, there were eight children present. On review of the attendance register at 11:30 it was found that the eight children were recorded as having departed at the future time of 13:00. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that 1. The service is using a new Human Resource programme which lists all staff members vetting and training information in a central location ensuring vetting and training is carried out in a timely manner to comply with regulations. 2. There is a safety lock on the door from the corridor to the kitchen that should be used at all times and this was reviewed with staff members at a staff meeting after the inspection. The internal door from the hallway to the kitchen is now secured at all times. 3. The wooden planks are used for children's play and should be tidied up at the end of each outside time and stored safely. The planks were removed from the garden. 4. The timer on the heating system was adjusted. 5. A new replacement table was ordered and the damaged table removed. 6. Toilet roll dispensers that are available in each cubicle are being replaced. In the meantime, toilet rolls will be placed on holders, and this was discussed with staff at a meeting following the inspection. 7. Liquid soap should be used at all times; this was discussed with staff at a meeting following the inspection. 8. A new pedal bin was bought to replace the bin in Montessori 2. 9. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IN 0162 served. 10. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 0186 served 11. Procedures for the administration of medication as per the services medication policy should be followed at all times. All staff were made aware of medication held in the service and all information for children with an allergy are displayed in a visible area in each classroom. Allergies and medications are reviewed at staff meetings and going forward temporary staff members will receive training with regards to allergies and medications. Parents will sign a consent form when medication is given to staff and the administration method will be agreed with parents and staff and included on the consent form. If any training or demonstration is necessary, this will be completed in advance of the child commencing the service either in person with the parent or GP or via online training. The policy was reviewed at a staff meeting after the inspection and medication and allergies will be added to the agenda for each staff meeting to ensure that all the information is correct and any medication we hold remains in date; this will enable us to inform staff of any changes. Management will ensure that all necessary paperwork and training will be in place before the child commences at the service. 12. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IN 0124 served. 13. Recording attendance and the importance of it being recorded in real time was discussed at a staff meeting after the inspection. Going forward attendance will be recorded in real time in all rooms, and all teachers were reminded of the importance of recording arrival and departure times accurately and leaving the attendance book in a place where it is easy to record in real time
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- There were no notices displayed, as required, of the evacuation procedures to be followed during a fire drill and in the event of a fire in conspicuous locations within the service. This was at variance with the service’s fire drill policy
Provider's corrective action:
- (4) The registered provider stated that notices are now displayed in all rooms. A review of the fire safety policy with staff will take place at the beginning of each year. A staff member will be appointed to ensure all signage is in good condition and clearly visible, replacing any faded signs, and ensuring that any changes are notified to substitute staff, and staff will receive training on the service’s fire safety policies
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) The premises was not maintained and repaired as required as evidenced by the following examples: 1. In the garden, a slide and wooden structure were propped on a steel sink and not appropriately secured. 2. Wood was rotting and splintered on equipment and materials for children’s use in the outdoors to include the playhouse, kitchen and a wooden pallet. 3. Paint was chipped on the wooden windowsills in Infancy and Montessori 2 rooms. 4. Paint was chipped in multiple places on the architraves around the doors in Infancy room
Provider's corrective action:
- The are registered providers stated that 1 & 2 - The items noted in points 1 and 2 were removed except for the playhouse which will be renovated over the summer. New outdoor play equipment was ordered. 3 & 4 - The school is painted each year over the summer holidays and all chips in wood will be repaired when the painting work is complete. Going forward the painter will be brought in during a break in the school year to ensure the building is maintained when needed
Regulation not named in the report text
- 1. Notification in writing of a change in relation to the registered provider was not submitted to the inspectorate as required. 2. Notification in writing of a change in relation to the person in charge was not submitted to the inspectorate as required
Provider's corrective action:
- As submission was made by the service which stated that a change in circumstance form was submitted to the inspectorate on 2 June 2026 for a nominated person in charge. Going forward any change of circumstances will be submitted 60 days in advance
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 25.