# Stepping Stones, Dundalk — inspection reports and findings

> Stepping Stones (Dundalk, Co. Louth): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions.

## Stepping Stones

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Dundalk, Louth · Tusla ID **TU2016LH006** · 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 1 April 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

- (4) Documentary evidence was not available for inspection for 1 staff member’s qualification to show equivalency to a minimum Level 5 qualification

- (4) The registered provider has given assurance by submitting photographic evidence to validate equivalency of Level 5 qualification for said staff member

##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

- The Nappy Changing Policy in the service was inadequate, for example; • It did not specify the need for the staff member to wear an apron. • It did not specify the need to wash the child’s hands after nappy changing

- The nappy changing policy has since been updated and the policies will be reviewed and renewed on a regular basis

##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

- (i) None of the children were signed in on Day 1 of Inspection and therefore the registered provider did not have an accurate written record of the children present with their arrival and departure times. It is acknowledged that the children had been signed in for previous weeks. (j) There was no staff rota available on Day 1 of inspection or for the whole week, to indicate what staff were rostered to work in the various rooms, to indicate breaks to be taken and cover to be provided. It is acknowledged that staff rotas were available for previous weeks

- (i) All roll books have been updated to reflect the children attending each session daily. The manager/person in charge is to check and sign each roll book. (j) The weekly and daily rotas have been updated. The manager/person in charge to ensure both daily and weekly rotas reflect accurately the number of staff on duty by signing them off

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: 1. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for 1 staff member. 2. The temperature of the hot water in the tap in the staff toilet was recorded at 51.2 o C. This exceeds the safe hot water temperature of 43 o C and is a potential scald risk. Although 2 children were observed to use this toilet none used this sink to wash their hands. 3. There were unprotected sharp corners on brown shelving units in the Preschool Room. These are a potential injury hazard. Infection Control: The following infection control and cross contamination risks were observed: 4. There was no hot water in the children’s sanitary accommodations outside the Preschool Room or outside the Toddler Room. 5. The staff were not observed to wear an apron during nappy changing. 6. All lunch items brought in by the children were stored in their bags and no perishable food items removed to the fridge. 7. The children’s hands were not always washed after toileting, before the children’s lunch at 1pm or after coming in from outside. 8. Tabletops were not cleaned down before lunch and some children were observed to place some food items directly onto the table. 9. The nappy bin in use in the service, was not pedal operated or lined and appeared to be broken requiring staff to lift the top off the bin to place the soiled nappies into the bin. Safe Sleep: 10. The service did not have an adult present at all times with children who were sleeping on daybeds in the converted sleep area in the Playroom which is at variance with best safe sleep guidance. It is acknowledged that an adult stayed with the children once this was brought to their attention by the inspector. 11. There was no thermometer set up in the sleep area to record the room temperature while the children were sleeping. This is a health and safety risk. The registered provider set up the thermometer once this was brought to their attention. 12. Although 10-minute sleep checks were being carried out they were not being documented correctly on the sleep log for example: • Staff were only recording the child’s position and not recording the child’s breathing pattern, the child’s colour or the room temperature. • The staff member was using a repeat sign instead of writing a word for position of the child. Fire Safety: 13. The record of servicing for the fire extinguishers indicated that they had not been serviced on an annual basis as required to ensure that they are operating correctly in the event of an emergency

- Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. This particular staff member no longer works for the service. The registered provider will check all staff vetting is up to date by checking staff files on an annual basis. 2. Hot water boiler has since been checked and water temperature is recorded. Water temperature is recorded twice daily and signed by manager/person in charge. 3. Corner cushioning has been added to all sharp edges in the care rooms. Cushioning will be maintained and secured regularly. Infection Control: 4. Manager/person in charge to ensure the hot water is switched on daily. 5. Staff have been advised to wear aprons during nappy changing. Manager/person in charge to ensure there is a supply of disposable aprons on site, nappy changing policy has been updated. 6. All perishable food items have been labelled with child’s name and stored in fridge. Manager /person in charge to ensure all perishable items are stored daily in the fridge. 7. Children are supervised whilst washing their hands upon returning from garden and before snack times. 8. Staff have been reminded to ensure tables and surfaces are cleaned appropriately before and after snacks. Food items are placed on individual plates during snack times. 9. Nappy bins have since been replaced with pedal bins and bin liners. Safe Sleep: 10. Staff are now aware to remain in the room during sleep time. Staff updated on the sleep policy and regulations so that staff are aware they remain in the room whilst children are napping. 11. Staff preparing children for sleep, have since been made aware to ensure the monitor is also in the sleep room before the children have been put to bed. Person putting the children to sleep have been made aware to ensure room is set up properly for sleep including the monitor is in the room. 12. New sleep documentation books have since been purchased and the manager has ensured staff are aware on how to fill in and complete this book appropriately and sign properly. Fire Safety: 13. Photographic evidence of the servicing of the fire extinguishers submitted dated 04/26 and next service due 04/27

##### Regulation 25 — First aid

- (1) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 1301 served

##### Regulation 29 — Premises

- (c) 1. One of the ceiling lights was not working in the Playroom and in also in the Preschool Room. This does not provide adequate lighting for tabletop activities especially in the Playroom. 2. On Day 1 there was a lingering odour in the small hallway outside the Preschool Room. (d) A deep clean was required throughout the service as areas were not maintained and cleaned adequately for example. 1. There were visible cobwebs hanging from the ceilings in the corridors and in the Play Room and dust and dirt particles on some of the skirtings. 2. There was mould on the wall in the sanitary accommodation outside the Toddler Room. 3. The ceiling tiles in the Play Room, Preschool Room and corridor were stained and had black dirt on them. In addition, the ceiling tiles in the staff toilet were stained and bowed leaving large gaps in the ceiling. 4. Cleaning schedules were not up to date with none completed in the Preschool Room since September 2025 as stated by the registered provider and the last available schedule dated February 2026 in the Play Room. 5. The orange sofa in the in the Preschool Room was in a state of disrepair as there were tears at the edges. (e) 1. The nappy changing unit in the service was not suitable for use as it stated it was only suitable for use for children up to 12months/ 11kgs. All children requiring their nappy changed were over 2 years of age. 2. The toilet beside the Toddler Room was not adequately maintained as • There was no seat on the toilet • There was no single use hand towels or liquid soap available in the sanitary accommodation

- (c) 1. The registered provider has since contracted an electrician to check the lights. Bulbs have been replaced. 2. The building has been deep cleaned. (d) 1&2.The building has since been deep cleaned. New cleaning rotas have been put in place and staff are required to carry out daily cleaning checks. 3. The registered provider has contacted the landlord to replace the damaged ceiling lights. 4. Cleaning rotas have since been updated which staff are required to complete daily. Person in charge to check daily cleaning requirements have been carried out. 5. Any damaged equipment has since been removed. Manager to ensure all equipment is fit for purpose. (e) 1. Children have since been changed on a changing mat on the floor. Staff have been made aware to change nappies on a changing mat on the floor in order to ensure health and safety guidelines are being adhered. 2. The toilet beside the toddler room has since been replaced. Manager/person in charge to ensure there is soap/hand towels in all bathrooms. Daily checks have since been carried out to ensure all bathrooms have sufficient hand wash and hand towels

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 20, 26.

#### Inspection of 31 March 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

- (4) Documentary evidence was not available for inspection for 1 staff member’s qualification to show equivalency to a minimum Level 5 qualification

- (4) The registered provider has given assurance by submitting photographic evidence to validate equivalency of Level 5 qualification for said staff member

##### Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

- The Nappy Changing Policy in the service was inadequate, for example; • It did not specify the need for the staff member to wear an apron. • It did not specify the need to wash the child’s hands after nappy changing

- The nappy changing policy has since been updated and the policies will be reviewed and renewed on a regular basis

##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

- (i) None of the children were signed in on Day 1 of Inspection and therefore the registered provider did not have an accurate written record of the children present with their arrival and departure times. It is acknowledged that the children had been signed in for previous weeks. (j) There was no staff rota available on Day 1 of inspection or for the whole week, to indicate what staff were rostered to work in the various rooms, to indicate breaks to be taken and cover to be provided. It is acknowledged that staff rotas were available for previous weeks

- (i) All roll books have been updated to reflect the children attending each session daily. The manager/person in charge is to check and sign each roll book. (j) The weekly and daily rotas have been updated. The manager/person in charge to ensure both daily and weekly rotas reflect accurately the number of staff on duty by signing them off

##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

- General Safety: 1. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for 1 staff member. 2. The temperature of the hot water in the tap in the staff toilet was recorded at 51.2 o C. This exceeds the safe hot water temperature of 43 o C and is a potential scald risk. Although 2 children were observed to use this toilet none used this sink to wash their hands. 3. There were unprotected sharp corners on brown shelving units in the Preschool Room. These are a potential injury hazard. Infection Control: The following infection control and cross contamination risks were observed: 4. There was no hot water in the children’s sanitary accommodations outside the Preschool Room or outside the Toddler Room. 5. The staff were not observed to wear an apron during nappy changing. 6. All lunch items brought in by the children were stored in their bags and no perishable food items removed to the fridge. 7. The children’s hands were not always washed after toileting, before the children’s lunch at 1pm or after coming in from outside. 8. Tabletops were not cleaned down before lunch and some children were observed to place some food items directly onto the table. 9. The nappy bin in use in the service, was not pedal operated or lined and appeared to be broken requiring staff to lift the top off the bin to place the soiled nappies into the bin. Safe Sleep: 10. The service did not have an adult present at all times with children who were sleeping on daybeds in the converted sleep area in the Playroom which is at variance with best safe sleep guidance. It is acknowledged that an adult stayed with the children once this was brought to their attention by the inspector. 11. There was no thermometer set up in the sleep area to record the room temperature while the children were sleeping. This is a health and safety risk. The registered provider set up the thermometer once this was brought to their attention. 12. Although 10-minute sleep checks were being carried out they were not being documented correctly on the sleep log for example: • Staff were only recording the child’s position and not recording the child’s breathing pattern, the child’s colour or the room temperature. • The staff member was using a repeat sign instead of writing a word for position of the child. Fire Safety: 13. The record of servicing for the fire extinguishers indicated that they had not been serviced on an annual basis as required to ensure that they are operating correctly in the event of an emergency

- Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. This particular staff member no longer works for the service. The registered provider will check all staff vetting is up to date by checking staff files on an annual basis. 2. Hot water boiler has since been checked and water temperature is recorded. Water temperature is recorded twice daily and signed by manager/person in charge. 3. Corner cushioning has been added to all sharp edges in the care rooms. Cushioning will be maintained and secured regularly. Infection Control: 4. Manager/person in charge to ensure the hot water is switched on daily. 5. Staff have been advised to wear aprons during nappy changing. Manager/person in charge to ensure there is a supply of disposable aprons on site, nappy changing policy has been updated. 6. All perishable food items have been labelled with child’s name and stored in fridge. Manager /person in charge to ensure all perishable items are stored daily in the fridge. 7. Children are supervised whilst washing their hands upon returning from garden and before snack times. 8. Staff have been reminded to ensure tables and surfaces are cleaned appropriately before and after snacks. Food items are placed on individual plates during snack times. 9. Nappy bins have since been replaced with pedal bins and bin liners. Safe Sleep: 10. Staff are now aware to remain in the room during sleep time. Staff updated on the sleep policy and regulations so that staff are aware they remain in the room whilst children are napping. 11. Staff preparing children for sleep, have since been made aware to ensure the monitor is also in the sleep room before the children have been put to bed. Person putting the children to sleep have been made aware to ensure room is set up properly for sleep including the monitor is in the room. 12. New sleep documentation books have since been purchased and the manager has ensured staff are aware on how to fill in and complete this book appropriately and sign properly. Fire Safety: 13. Photographic evidence of the servicing of the fire extinguishers submitted dated 04/26 and next service due 04/27

##### Regulation 25 — First aid

- (1) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN 1301 served

##### Regulation 29 — Premises

- (c) 1. One of the ceiling lights was not working in the Playroom and in also in the Preschool Room. This does not provide adequate lighting for tabletop activities especially in the Playroom. 2. On Day 1 there was a lingering odour in the small hallway outside the Preschool Room. (d) A deep clean was required throughout the service as areas were not maintained and cleaned adequately for example. 1. There were visible cobwebs hanging from the ceilings in the corridors and in the Play Room and dust and dirt particles on some of the skirtings. 2. There was mould on the wall in the sanitary accommodation outside the Toddler Room. 3. The ceiling tiles in the Play Room, Preschool Room and corridor were stained and had black dirt on them. In addition, the ceiling tiles in the staff toilet were stained and bowed leaving large gaps in the ceiling. 4. Cleaning schedules were not up to date with none completed in the Preschool Room since September 2025 as stated by the registered provider and the last available schedule dated February 2026 in the Play Room. 5. The orange sofa in the in the Preschool Room was in a state of disrepair as there were tears at the edges. (e) 1. The nappy changing unit in the service was not suitable for use as it stated it was only suitable for use for children up to 12months/ 11kgs. All children requiring their nappy changed were over 2 years of age. 2. The toilet beside the Toddler Room was not adequately maintained as • There was no seat on the toilet • There was no single use hand towels or liquid soap available in the sanitary accommodation

- (c) 1. The registered provider has since contracted an electrician to check the lights. Bulbs have been replaced. 2. The building has been deep cleaned. (d) 1&2.The building has since been deep cleaned. New cleaning rotas have been put in place and staff are required to carry out daily cleaning checks. 3. The registered provider has contacted the landlord to replace the damaged ceiling lights. 4. Cleaning rotas have since been updated which staff are required to complete daily. Person in charge to check daily cleaning requirements have been carried out. 5. Any damaged equipment has since been removed. Manager to ensure all equipment is fit for purpose. (e) 1. Children have since been changed on a changing mat on the floor. Staff have been made aware to change nappies on a changing mat on the floor in order to ensure health and safety guidelines are being adhered. 2. The toilet beside the toddler room has since been replaced. Manager/person in charge to ensure there is soap/hand towels in all bathrooms. Daily checks have since been carried out to ensure all bathrooms have sufficient hand wash and hand towels

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 20, 26.

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- [The Maples Montessori School](/creche/the-maples-montessori-school-drogheda.md) Drogheda
- [Toddlers' Hill Creche & Montessori](/creche/toddlers-hill-creche-montessori-ardee.md) Ardee
- [Blackrock Montessori School](/creche/blackrock-montessori-school-dundalk.md) Dundalk
- [Just Kids Creche & Montessori](/creche/just-kids-creche-montessori-drogheda.md) Drogheda
- [Scallywags Crèche](/creche/scallywags-creche-drogheda.md) Drogheda
- [Playmates Montessori St. Joseph's School](/creche/playmates-montessori-st-joseph-s-school-drogheda.md) Drogheda
- [Little Partners Creche Ltd](/creche/little-partners-creche-ltd-dundalk.md) Dundalk
- [Ainedanbury Ltd T/A Bright Beginnings](/creche/ainedanbury-ltd-t-a-bright-beginnings-dundalk.md) Dundalk

[Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md)

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Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/stepping-stones-dundalk/
Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Recolha: 2026-09-11