# Starting Small Standing Tall, Limerick — inspection reports and findings > Starting Small Standing Tall (Limerick, Co. Limerick): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Starting Small Standing Tall Sessional · 0 - 6 Years · Limerick, Limerick · Tusla ID **TU2015LK162** · 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 11 March 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: Garda vetting was available for 29 staff members including the registered providers. However, the garda vetting disclosure for 2 staff members was not dated within the last three years as per the regulatory notice, EYI-RN12.3 renewal of garda vetting, published by the inspectorate in September 2023 and effective from Jan 01/01/2024. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - : The registered provider has stated in the Corrective and Preventive Form (CAPA)that: The Garda vetting renewals for the 2 staff members has been submitted to the Early Years Inspectorate. A vetting tracking system was already in place within the service; however, this has been reviewed and strengthened to ensure more robust monitoring of all re-vetting applications. Enhancements include clearer recording of submission dates, expected return timelines, and documented follow-up intervals for outstanding disclosures. Responsibility for oversight has been clearly assigned to a designated staff member, with all follow-up actions recorded. Procedures have also been updated to ensure that re-vetting applications are initiated well in advance of expiry timelines to allow sufficient time for processing and receipt of updated disclosures. An updated vetting tracking log has been implemented and is in use to support ongoing compliance Summary Comment The Garda vetting renewal for the two staff members received into the inspectorate was reviewed and deemed to meets the regulatory requirement of Regulation 23 Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 29. #### Inspection of 17 February 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** 17/02/2025 An immediate action notice was issued for a non-compliance identified under ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - Garda vetting was not on file for one member of staff. An immediate action notice was issued on site to the registered provider. Potentially not having staff appropriately vetted prior to them commencing in the service may allow inappropriate adults have access to children. The registered provider stated that the staff member left the service immediately and will not return until the vetting process has been completed, and confirmation of their clearance has been received. The Garda vetting process was initiated and in the absence of the staff member, the service adjusted the staffing to maintain the required adult-to-child ratios - : The registered provider stated that: - The staff member was immediately removed from the service and did not return until the Garda vetting process was fully completed and clearance was confirmed. The Garda vetting process was initiated without delay to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In the absence of the staff member, staffing adjustments were made to maintain the required adult-to-child ratios and ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the service. To prevent a similar issue from arising again, the following measures have been implemented: Strict Pre-Employment Vetting Policy: No staff member will be permitted to start working in the service without written confirmation of Garda vetting clearance on file ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: There were 7 cots mattresses with no protective covers in use in the sleep room. These cots were shared between the children from the Baby and Baby Steps playrooms. This makes cleaning difficult and increases the risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - : The registered provider has stated that: Infection Control: The protectors were promptly returned to the cots to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. The cleaning and rotation protocol have been revised. A designated staff member will be responsible for ensuring that mattress protectors are immediately placed back on the cots after laundering. A monitoring system has been introduced: A weekly checklist has been implemented to verify that cots are always covered. Staff training and awareness: Staff have been reminded of the importance of infection control and the need to check for protective covers as part of their daily routine. Additional mattress protectors have been purchased to ensure replacements are available during the laundering process, preventing any gaps in usage. These measures will ensure compliance with Regulation 23 and maintain a hygienic sleep environment for the children Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19. #### Inspection of 25 June 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** 25/06/24 An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider as Garda vetting was not available for one staff member who was working directly with the preschool children. Please refer to ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - o There were 5 staff who did not have the required 2 written and verified references on file. o Four staff who had only 1 reference instead of the required 2 written and verified references. The references for these four staff were not verified. o Two staff had 2 written references, but these references had not been verified by management. (c) Garda vetting was not available for 1 staff member who had commenced employment in June 2024. An immediate action notice was issued to the person in charge on the 26/06/2024 for this staff member. (d) Police vetting was not available for 1 staff member who has lived outside the jurisdiction for a period longer than 6 months. (3) All vetting procedures were not carried out for the 13 staff members prior to these persons being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service - (2) (a) Two written references and validated references in respect of previous employer, including a most recent employer are on file for the 5 staff members. For the 4 staff members who had 1 reference on file there are now 2 written and verified references on file. References were validated by the deputy manager in respect of the 2 staff member. (2) (c) A Garda vetting disclosure has been received in respect of the one staff member identified on inspection who did not have a disclosure, and this vetting has now been placed on their file. A copy has been sent to the EYI office (2) (d) International police vetting has been secured in respect of the staff member who lived abroad for a period longer than 6 months and submitted to the EYI office - All staff files have been checked to ensure that there are 2 validated references, Garda vetting and police vetting where applicable on file in respect of all adults working in the service. Preventive Action Schedule regular audits of staff files to ensure ongoing compliance with references, vetting and all necessary documents are on file as required. The service will maintain audit logs and will address any identified discrepancies immediately ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1.Garda vetting was available for 39 staff member working in the service. However, vetting disclosure for 22 staff members 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’. 2.Loose wires were noted to be exposed from the ceiling in the bathroom facility off the Toddlers playroom where a tile had been removed and not replaced. Infection Control: 3.The children’s hands were not washed following nappy changing and before their dinner time. This practice increased the risk of cross infection. The nappy changing policy does not state that a child’s hand must be washed after each nappy change. 4. Hand operated bins and open bins were in use instead of the sealed, pedal operated bins in the bathroom facility off the Toddlers and Wobblers playrooms. This posed a cross-infection risk to the staff and children. 5. Only one of the two nappy changing units was used to cater for 13 children from the Wobbler playroom and 12 children from the Toddler playroom who required nappy changing. This practice increased the risk of cross infection. The second nappy changing unit positioned in the bathroom facility off the Toddlers playroom was not used as it offered no privacy to a child who required nappy changing. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety 1. Updated Vetting was received for the 22 members of staff that was not dated within the previous three years. These updated disclosures have now been placed on file and a copy sent to the EYI office. 2. The ceiling tiles in the toddler bathroom, which had been displaced due to maintenance work, have been restored to their proper position. Infection Control: 3. The service revised the nappy changing policy to include a requirement for washing children’s hands after each nappy change. A new handwashing before dinner policy has been implemented. 4. New bins were ordered to replace the bins in the bathroom of the Toddler and Wobbler playrooms. 5. The service have addressed the issue by making necessary modifications to ensure adequate privacy for the second nappy changing unit. This unit is now fully operational and in use, significantly reducing the risk of cross-infection by providing an additional, private changing space for the children. Preventive Action Develop and implement a tracking system to monitor the renewal dates of Garda vetting disclosures and ensure timely renewals. Create and enforce a maintenance protocol for regularly inspecting and addressing maintenance issues such as exposed wiring and damaged tiles. Conduct training sessions for staff on the updated nappy changing policy and handwashing before dinner policy to highlight the importance of hand hygiene to prevent cross-infection. Implement regular checks to ensure all equipment, including bins and nappy changing units, is functioning correctly and complies with health and safety standards. Periodically assess the privacy and functionality of all nappy changing areas to ensure they meet the needs of children and staff Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19. ### Other services in Limerick - [Step by Step Montessori and Afterschool](/creche/step-by-step-montessori-and-afterschool-patrickswell.md) Patrickswell - [Stepping Stones Montessori](/creche/stepping-stones-montessori-shanagolden.md) Shanagolden - [Sugradh Glenroe Ballyorgan](/creche/sugradh-glenroe-ballyorgan-kilfinane.md) Kilfinane - [Tait House Community Creche](/creche/tait-house-community-creche-limerick.md) Limerick - [Tiny Friends Creche](/creche/tiny-friends-creche-limerick.md) Limerick - [Banogue Community Creche LTD T/A Banogue Community Creche LTD School Age service](/creche/banogue-community-creche-ltd-t-a-banogue-community-creche-ltd-school-age-service.md) Croom - [Happy Days Montessori](/creche/happy-days-montessori-newcastlewest.md) Newcastlewest - [Teach Mhuire Montessori](/creche/teach-mhuire-montessori-abbeyfeale.md) Abbeyfeale - [Early years service TU2015LK134](/creche/tu2015lk134.md) Abbeyfeale - [Caherelly Kids](/creche/caherelly-kids-kilmallock.md) Kilmallock [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/starting-small-standing-tall-limerick/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11