Inspection of 23 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) The following vetting information was not available: (a) Three written validated references from past employers for two adults. (b) A record of validation was not available in respect of one written reference on file for one staff member. (c) It was not possible to determine if a Police Clearance Certificate from another jurisdiction was required for one adult, as their curriculum vitae was not available for review
- Two staff members working directly with the preschool children did not hold a major award at level 5 or above in early childhood care and education on the national qualification framework, or qualifications deemed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to meet the regulatory requirement
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) (a) (b) (c) All references are now fully validated and retained on file in accordance with regulatory requirements. The previously identified gap, relating to the absence of a recorded validation for one written reference, has now been rectified. The reference has been formally validated, and a clear record of this validation has been added to the staff member’s personnel file. Safer recruitment checklist has been introduced and must be fully completed prior to finalising any appointment. Quarterly internal audits of personnel files will be conducted to ensure continued compliance with Regulation 9 requirements. We acknowledge the importance of maintaining complete and up-to-date staff files. All staff files will be reviewed regularly to ensure full compliance with documentation requirements. We also confirm that new staff members will not commence employment until their personnel file is complete and contains all required and sufficient documentation, including vetting and verification checks, in line with regulatory requirements. (4) On the morning of the unannounced inspection, the staffing shortfall occurred due to unforeseen circumstances. One staff member was delayed in arriving to work as a scheduled appointment ran significantly longer than anticipated. In addition, two other staff members were absent due to illness
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum adult to child ratios were provided in the service as follows: (a) In the Red Room on the morning of the unannounced inspection, one adult was observed caring for sixteen children aged three to four years. The minimum adult-to-child ratio for this age range is one adult to eleven children
Provider's corrective action:
- On the morning of the unannounced inspection, the staffing shortfall in the Red Room occurred due to unforeseen circumstances. One staff member was delayed in arriving to work as a scheduled appointment ran significantly longer than anticipated. In addition, two other staff members were absent due to illness. These unexpected absences resulted in a temporary period where the required adult-to-child ratio was not met. As soon as management became aware of the situation, steps were taken to rectify the staffing levels. The staff member who was late was contacted to get there as soon as possible. The service acknowledges the importance of maintaining the prescribed adult-to-child ratios at all times and is reviewing contingency arrangements to ensure appropriate cover is available in the event of unexpected absences in the future. Risk management policy has been developed to include this and if appropriate staff levels cannot be maintained the room will be closed / children sent home
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: (1) Garda vetting was available for 10 staff adults. However, 2 vetting disclosures were 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) On the day of inspection, it was observed that rodent control boxes were positioned in areas accessible to children in the preschool room. This presents a safety risk due to the potential for accidental ingestion or physical injury. Infection Control: (3) On the day of inspection, it was noted that the water temperature at the wash hand basins was not sufficiently warm for effective hand hygiene. The temperature was reading at 14.1◦. This presents a potential risk of cross-contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: (1) Renewed garda vetting have now been submitted for the two staff members concerned, and confirmation will be retained on file. A tracking checklist has now been implemented to monitor Garda vetting expiry dates to ensure renewals are completed within the required timeframe going forward. (2) The rodent control boxes were immediately relocated to areas inaccessible to children. All bait stations are now secured in tamper-resistant containers and placed in approved locations in accordance with safety regulations. A full inspection of the facility was conducted to ensure no additional pest control devices are accessible to children. Proper placement and monitoring of pest control equipment has been discussed with staff. Our pest control company has been notified and instructed to coordinate with administration prior to placing any future devices. Infection Control: (3) A new water heater has been installed in the room to ensure an adequate supply of suitably warm running water at the wash hand basins. Water temperature has been tested following installation and is now compliant with hand hygiene requirements
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) The registered provider did not ensure that a person trained in first aid for children was, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the service. It is acknowledged that there was two staff members with paediatric first aid working in the service on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- On the day of inspection was the only occasion since 2019 where two staff members were absent simultaneously. Both staff members who were out sick on that day are certified First Aid Responders, which resulted in an unforeseen gap in immediate first aid availability. We currently have 4 additional staff members scheduled to complete First Aid Responder (FAR) training. In the interim, we are reviewing our staffing and contingency arrangements to ensure first aid cover is prioritised and that similar circumstances do not arise again
Found compliant: Regulation 15, 20, 27, 28, 29.