Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. Garda vetting for one member of staff was more than three years old and did not comply with the requirement to re-vet staff on a three-yearly basis. 2. A wooden and perspex easel in the outdoor area was broken on one side which meant it was no longer able to stand. This piece of equipment was heavy and was leaning against one of the playhouses. It was a potential risk of injury to the children if one got behind it and pushed it over. 3. There was a hose pipe protruding from the ground in a section of the outdoor play area. This posed a potential hazard to the children. 4. The soft fall mats used in a section of the outdoor play area were not all laid edge to edge causing a potential tripping hazard. Infection control: 5. There were holes in the doors in the sanitary accommodation area left by the removal of previous handles. This meant the chipboard interior of the doors was exposed to dirt and moisture and could not be effectively cleaned. 6. The liquid soap dispenser in one of the children’s sanitary accommodation areas was stored on top of the electric hand drier where it was inaccessible to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1.The staff member's Garda Vetting renewal process was initiated immediately following the inspection. A review of all staff Garda Vetting records was completed. A Garda Vetting monitoring system has been implemented, including a vetting register with renewal dates and reminders six months prior to expiry. The person in charge will review the register monthly to ensure all Garda Vetting is renewed before the three-year deadline 2. The broken easel was removed from the outdoor play area immediately following the inspection to eliminate any potential risk to children. It has been disposed of. Outdoor equipment will be inspected daily before children access the outdoor area and formally recorded as part of the service's health and safety checks. Any damaged equipment will be removed from use immediately until repaired or replaced. Staff have been reminded of their responsibility to report hazards promptly 3. The pipe in question is a water pipe and cannot be removed. Daily outdoor safety inspections have been strengthened to identify and address hazards before children access the outdoor environment. The outdoor area will also be included in the monthly health and safety audit to ensure it remains free from trip hazards. 4. The soft fall mats were repositioned immediately so they are securely laid edge to edge, removing the potential tripping hazard. Staff will inspect the positioning of soft fall mats during the daily outdoor safety check and reposition them as required. The condition and placement of the mats will also be reviewed as part of the monthly health and safety audit. Infection control: 5. The holes were filled. This ensures all surfaces are smooth, washable and suitable for effective cleaning. Any damage affecting infection prevention and control will be recorded, risk assessed and repaired promptly. Monthly environmental audits will monitor compliance 6. The liquid soap dispenser was relocated immediately to an accessible height beside the sink, ensuring children can independently wash their hands as required. Staff have been reminded of the importance of ensuring handwashing facilities remain accessible to children at all times. Daily room checks will include verifying that soap, paper towels and handwashing facilities are fully stocked, functioning and accessible. This will be monitored through regular infection prevention audits
Regulation 29 — Premises
(a) 1. There was a mould-like substance on the wall in the Baby room at the point where the front and side walls of the premises met. This was highlighted in previous reports dated 12 October 2022 and 7 August 2024. The issue appeared to have been rectified when reviewed on inspection on the 11 June 2025 but has returned. 2. There were two areas of damp with a mould-like substance in the ECCE room at the front of the premises, posing a risk of exposure to air-borne spores that may impact health. (d) 3. The windowsills in the Baby room were covered with contact paper which was damaged and torn. This meant that the windowsills could not be cleaned effectively. This issue was reported on previous inspections dated 7 August 2024 and 11 June 2025 but was not corrected. 4. The covers on the mechanical ventilation vents in the sanitary accommodation areas were clogged with dust and did not appear to be cleaned as part of the regular cleaning schedule. 5. The fabric covers on the sofas in the Baby room and Toddler room were heavily stained and required deep cleaning. Staff said that the covers were washed regularly but regular washing did not remove the stains. 6. The outdoor play area was not well maintained. There was rubbish and debris all around the oil tank and the fencing used to prevent children from accessing the oil tank was damaged
Provider's corrective action:
1. The rising damp is caused by the external wall. The building is rented and the matter has been raised with the landlord. An air humidifier is in the room. The mould was removed using an appropriate cleaning product and the wall was inspected to identify the source of the moisture. A daily plan has been implemented to monitor all areas previously affected by damp. Monthly environmental inspections will include checks for signs of damp or mould, with findings documented and actioned immediately. The registered provider has been in contact with the landlord and will ensure that any recurrence is investigated promptly. 2. The ECCE room will be renovated during the summer months and evidence will be submitted via email on completion. Works could not be carried out during the duration of the ECCE programme. An air humidifier is in the room. The mould was removed using an appropriate cleaning product and the wall was inspected to identify the source of the moisture. 3. New windowsills were installed on the Saturday after the inspection on Thursday. Photo evidence sent. They were replaced with a smooth, washable surface that can be effectively cleaned and disinfected. Weekly checks will include inspection of all washable surfaces to ensure they remain intact and suitable for effective cleaning. Any damaged surfaces will be repaired or replaced promptly and recorded in the maintenance log. 4. The ventilation covers were removed and thoroughly cleaned immediately following the inspection. They have now been returned to a clean condition. The cleaning schedule has been updated to include monthly cleaning of all ventilation covers. The Person in Charge will monitor completion of the cleaning schedule through monthly infection prevention and control audits. 5. The sofa covers have been deep cleaned. Any covers that could not be restored to a clean condition have been removed from use and replaced. New covers have been purchased. Soft furnishings will be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain clean and in good condition. Where stains cannot be effectively removed through laundering, items will be replaced. This will be monitored during monthly infection prevention and control inspections. 6. All rubbish and debris surrounding the oil tank were removed immediately. The damaged safety fencing has been repaired/replaced to ensure children cannot access the oil tank area. The outdoor environment was inspected to ensure it was safe for children's use. The outdoor area was power washed and tidied. A weekly outdoor maintenance inspection has been introduced alongside daily visual safety checks. The outdoor environment, including the oil tank enclosure, fencing and surrounding areas, will be inspected for hazards, damage and litter, with all findings recorded and actioned promptly. The registered provider will review the maintenance log monthly to ensure all actions are completed
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 22, 25, 26.
(2)(a)(b) A second written reference was not available in respect of one member of staff
Provider's corrective action:
The missing second written reference for the staff member has been obtained and added to their personnel file. The personnel file has been reviewed in its entirety to confirm that all other staff files contain the required references and supporting documentation. To prevent recurrence, all future staff recruitment files will be checked before a new employee starts, ensuring that both written references are on file. The manager will double -check references at the point of recruitment and confirm completion in writing
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) There were inadequate numbers of staff available at times when a member of staff needed to be absent from the room for activities such as nappy changing. There were 21 children present on the day of inspection who required nappy changing, on average, three times per day. These children were in the Baby room and Toddler room, which meant that there were inadequate staff working directly with the rest of the children in those rooms when staff left the room with one child to carry out nappy changing. There were no additional staff available to cover in the rooms during these times and for other activities which took staff out of the room such as sleep checks and preparation for activities. It is acknowledged that a member of staff was scheduled to arrive for the afternoon, which would allow staff to take their lunch break
Provider's corrective action:
To ensure adequate staff supervision and maintain required ratios at all times, the staff rota has been revised to include a designated floating staff member available during key periods such as nappy changing, sleep checks and activity preparation. This adjustment ensures that when a staff member leaves the room, sufficient staff remain to supervise the children. The revised rota was implemented with ratio compliance monitored and recorded daily by room leaders and reviewed weekly by management. Staff have been briefed on the updated procedures during team meetings to ensure full understanding and consistency. A review of the effectiveness of this change will take place by the 27th October, with records retained as evidence of continuous compliance. To prevent reoccurrence of this non-compliance, the service has introduced a proactive staff deployment plan to ensure that adequate cover is consistently maintained throughout the day. Room leaders now complete daily supervision checks to monitor ratios in real time and a floating staff member is assigned during high-demand periods. The rota will be reviewed monthly by management to ensure ongoing suitability, with adjustments made as needed to reflect attendance patterns or room needs
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1) Three of the registration forms reviewed were incomplete and did not contain the following required information: (h) Two of the forms did not contain a record of immunisations, if any, received by the children. (i) One form did not contain written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment of the child in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
All child registration forms have been reviewed to ensure they are fully completed and contain all required information, including immunisation records and written parental consent for emergency medical treatment. The three incomplete forms identified during inspection were immediately updated following consultation with parents and all other forms have since been audited for accuracy and completeness. Each staff member was reminded to review each new registration form when enrolling children to ensure no required section is left blank. The manager will carry out monthly spot checks to verify ongoing compliance. To prevent reoccurrence, a formal enrolment procedure has been implemented, requiring a second staff member to review all new registration forms before acceptance. Staff responsible for admissions have been reminded of the importance of obtaining full medical and consent details. A quarterly audit of all child records will be completed by management to ensure ongoing compliance and early identification of any gaps
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection control: 1. Children’s hands were not consistently washed after toileting or before snack time. The inspectors observed the procedure during the day and did not see handwashing take place for these children. 2. Mattresses/ mattress covers on cots were not waterproof and therefore could not be adequately cleaned which posed a risk of cross contamination. 3. Foot operated pedal bins were not available in all rooms of the service for the hygienic disposal of rubbish. 4. Perishable foods brought to the service were not stored in a fridge. 5. Toilet roll holders or dispensers were not available in the children’s sanitary areas so the toilet rolls were left loose, sitting on the lid of the cistern. This posed a risk for cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection control: 1. Immediate steps were taken to strengthen infection control procedures across the service. Staff were reminded on proper handwashing practices for children, ensuring hands are washed after toileting, before meals and after outdoor play. Visual prompts and handwashing posters have been placed at all sinks to reinforce consistency. 2. New cots were purchased and new mattress protectors and sheets were purchased for each individual child. 3. Foot-operated pedal bins have been installed in every room for hygienic waste disposal. 4. All staff were reminded to keep perishable foods brought from home in the fridge. 5. Toilet roll holders have been fitted in all children’s bathrooms to reduce the risk of cross contamination. These actions were fully implemented and daily checks are now conducted by room leaders to verify adherence to hygiene standards. To ensure sustained compliance with infection control standards, infection control has been embedded into the daily routine and supervision practices of each room. Room leaders are reminded to complete the daily hygiene and cleaning checklist, confirming that all handwashing routines, cleaning procedures and food storage requirements have been followed. A designated infection control person has been appointed to oversee consistency and act as a point of contact for staff queries or concerns. Infection control topics are now included as a standing item at staff meetings/discussions to encourage continuous awareness and improvement
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(b) There was no evidence of the smoke alarm system being serviced annually. It is acknowledged that the battery had been replaced in the control panel for the smoke alarm system since the last inspection, in August 2024, and that the power light was on
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(b) We are currently waiting on an electrician to carry out the servicing of the smoke alarm system. Summary Comment This non-compliance remains outstanding until such time as the smoke alarm system is serviced
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The following non-compliances were identified on the day of inspection: 1. One of the cots in the sleep room appeared to be broken: the side near the wall was loose and was deemed to be potentially dangerous to use. The wall behind this cot had a stain from a liquid spill which had run down the side of the cot and the adjacent storage unit. There was dirt sticking to all the surfaces the liquid had spilled on. The inspectors moved the storage unit to get a better look at the cots and the extent of the soiling and found dust and cobwebs on the floor under the cot and storage unit. There was no evidence that these surfaces had been cleaned recently. Two cots in the sleep room had marks and indentations along the top rail, there also appeared to be stains in the wood from being used and handled. The mattress covers and the sheets were stained. It is acknowledged that following the inspection the service manager ordered five new cots, ten mattress protectors and ten cot sheets for the room and sent a copy of the invoice to the inspectors as proof of purchase. 2. The top of the nappy changing unit not covered by the changing mat was covered in what appeared to be heavy dust or loose soil. There was no evidence that this part of the changing unit was cleaned when the changing mat was wiped down after each use though the cleaning record sheets on the wall of the sanitary accommodation area were signed to say that the space had been cleaned. 3. The outdoor area appeared unkempt. There were large patches of bare earth where the grass had worn away and the grass that remained needed to be cut. There was a large, partially broken concrete base in one part of the outdoor area, the remains of the greenhouse which had been in this area on the last inspection. There were holes around the concrete, made by the children digging there, which posed a tripping hazard. The outdoor furniture and equipment would benefit from being cleaned and repainted. 4. The contact paper covering the windowsills in the Baby room was torn and peeling making these surfaces difficult to clean effectively. This issue was identified on the last inspection of the service in August 2024. 5. The removable, machine washable covers for the sofas in the Baby room and Toddler room were stained and required to be washed. (e) There were 13 children in the Baby room and 8 children in the Toddler room who required nappy changing. There were insufficient nappy changing facilities for this number of children. The recommended ratio being 1 nappy changing unit and wash hand basin for every 11 children in nappies. The service needed an additional nappy changing unit and wash hand basin to meet the requirements. It is acknowledged that the service manager ordered a second nappy changing unit following the inspection and sent a copy of the order invoice to the inspectors as proof of purchase
Provider's corrective action:
(d) Immediate actions were taken to address all identified issues. 1. Five new cots, ten mattress protectors, and ten cot sheets were purchased and installed to replace damaged or soiled cots and bedding in the sleep room. 2. The nappy changing unit top surfaces, previously neglected, were thoroughly cleaned, and a second nappy changing unit and wash hand basin were ordered to meet the recommended ratios for children requiring nappy changes. 3. The outdoor area was cleared of debris and the broken concrete base removed; grass areas were cut, and outdoor furniture and equipment were cleaned and will be repainted. We plan to cover the area with bark mulch or mill waste in the near future. 4. All removable, machine-washable sofa covers were laundered. 5. Torn contact paper on the Baby room windowsills was removed to allow effective cleaning. We plan to replace the windowsills with PVC ones. Cleaning schedules were reviewed to ensure all surfaces, including under cots and storage units, are consistently cleaned and documented. To prevent recurrence, the service has reviewed and held a meeting with staff to ensure they were using the comprehensive maintenance and cleaning schedule with daily, weekly and monthly tasks clearly assigned to staff and monitored by room leaders. Sleep room furniture and equipment will be inspected weekly for damage and any issues will be reported immediately to management for repair or replacement. Outdoor areas will be checked daily for hazards and annual maintenance of surfaces and furniture will be scheduled to maintain safe play environments. Cleaning logs have been revised to ensure all surfaces, including hidden and hard-to-reach areas, are recorded as cleaned, and staff have received refresher training on hygiene, furniture safety and equipment care. Nappy changing ratios will be reviewed regularly and additional facilities will be provided as necessary to maintain compliance with recommended ratios
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice (IAN) was issued on the day of inspection in relation to two safety issues which are detailed under
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) There were insufficient staff working directly with the older children on the day of inspection. At 11am on the morning of the inspection, there were 19 children aged between 2 and 6 years old being supervised by 2 staff in the outdoor play area: 8 children were aged between 2 and 3 years old and 11 children were aged over 3 years old. All children attended on a part-time or full day care basis. The number of children in this group increased to 20 in the afternoon. (3) The adult to child ratio was not maintained in the outdoor area, where there were between 19 and 20 children aged between 2 and 6 years old present during most of the inspection period. There were only 2 staff working with this group of children. A minimum of 3 staff were required to maintain the adult to child ratio within this age cohort on the day of inspection. The adult to child ratios required in the service at 11am are detailed in the table below: Room name Age of child No. of children Adult: Child ratio No. of staff required No. of staff available Baby room 0-1 year 2 1:3 2 2 1-2 years 3 1:5 2-3 years 5 1:6 Outside 2-3 years 8 1:6 3 2 3+ 11 1:8 TOTAL 29 5 4
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(3) The ratio of staff to children has been reviewed and staff will be allocated to ensure compliance. To prevent future non-compliance, the attendance is checked daily in each room to ensure the staff to child ratio is met. Within every 14 days a review of the number of children in each room and the staff schedule is checked and monthly audits were conducted to ensure continuous adherence. Summary Comment The above actions address the non-compliance and meets the requirements Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An immediate action notice was issued on the day of inspection regarding two of the safety issues observed in the outdoor play area: 1. The pallet fence, used to prevent the children from accessing the oil tank, was broken with exposed rusty nails within reach of the children, 2. Two doors, which had been removed from the sanitary accommodation area as part of development works, were resting against a wall of the outdoor shelter, where they could fall and potentially cause injury to a child. Photographs were received on 8 August 2024 showing the remedial works that had been carried out to ensure the children’s safety: the pallet fencing had been replaced by new pallet fencing and the doors had been removed from the outdoor play area. The outdoor play area contained a number of broken toys and pieces of equipment which posed a safety risk to the children: 2. The window shutters of the play house had sharp edges where they appear to have been chewed on by an animal with large teeth, such as a dog; 3. Part of the roof of the playhouse was broken, exposing a sharp edge at the eye level of some of the children. 4. The netting covering the greenhouse frame was torn, posing a potential trapping hazard and the corrugated plastic around the entrance to the greenhouse was cracked and broken 5.The metal tubing bases for the plastic tray tables were pulled apart, exposing the open ends of the metal tubes. 6. The wall mounted blackboards had broken edges. 7. The Garda vetting available for two members of staff had been carried out more than three years ago. The service did not have a system in place for ensuring that all staff were re-vetted on a three-yearly basis. Infection Control: 1. The floor at the base and back of the toilet in the boys sanitary accommodation area was wet and smelled strongly of urine. The linoleum floor covering was lifting and curling where it met the edge of the toilet base and along the back wall of the toilet cubicle, exposing the timber floor underneath. 2. The nappy bin in the boys sanitary accommodation area and the bin in the Baby room did not have lids. Bins must be covered with a lid which seals the bin and can be opened with a non-touch mechanism, for example, foot pedal. There was no nappy bin available beside the nappy changing unit in the girls sanitary accommodation area. 3. The seams of the nappy changing mats were split, exposing the foam inside and making them difficult to clean. 4. There was no soap available at the wash hand basins in the children’s sanitary accommodation areas. 5. Hot water was not available at any of the wash hand basins or sinks in the service to support effective hand washing. 6. The vinyl covers on the child sized foam sofas were split which made them difficult to clean and exposed the foam interior to dirt and moisture. 7. The table and chairs in the sheltered area outdoors were visibly marked with dirt. Fire Safety: 1. The smoke alarm panel on the wall in the entrance hall was turned off. It was unclear how this affected the functioning of the smoke alarm system. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The pallet fence was replaced and the doors have been removed. Photographs were sent on 8 August 2024 showing the remedial works that had been carried out to ensure the children’s safety: the pallet fencing had been replaced by new pallet fencing. 2. The doors had been removed from the outdoor play area. 3. The playhouse has been removed and disposed of. Checks will be completed on all toys both indoor and outdoor each day when they are being cleaned. Any toy that may be damaged or no longer working will be fixed/disposed of. 4. The greenhouse has been taken down and disposed of. 5. The metal tubing bases have been screwed back together and placed securely back on the plastic trays. 6. The blackboards were removed from the wall and disposed of. 7. The team have been in touch with Early Childhood Ireland to receive an up-to-date Garda vetting for both staff that is required. A comprehensive system has been established to ensure Garda vetting is updated every three years for all staff members. This includes tracking and reminders to ensure no lapses in vetting occur in the future, starting with immediate re-vetting for the two staff members who were overdue. Infection Control: 1. The linoleum flooring has been changed in both toilets. Works are being done to replace the linoleum in each room in the building. The staff will continue to follow the cleaning policies and procedures to ensure a high standard of cleaning and sanitation in the bathrooms. The staff will do routine checks after the children have used the toilets to check for urination on the floor and clean appropriately if required. 2. The changing bins have been replaced with automatic pedal bins with non-touch mechanisms with lids. 3. New changing mats were purchased for the changing area. 4. Soap has been provided in all toilets. Checking the soap availability/dispensers daily will be added to the cleaning rota to ensure soap is available at all times. 5. The hot water heater was turned on when the central heating is off to ensure there is at water at all times. The hot water heater will be turned on on days that the central heating is not needed to ensure hot water is available at all times. 6. The child sized sofas have been removed and disposed of. 7. The table and chairs in the outdoor area will be cleaning and disinfected appropriately after each use. Fire Safety: 1. An electrician has been contacted to investigate the smoke alarm panel at the hall entrance. Regular checks will be completed with the fire drills are conducted monthly to ensure all safety equipment/ fire safety equipment is functional. Summary Comment The above actions address the non-compliances and meet the requirements Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(b) There was no maintenance record for the smoke alarm system
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(b) Anelectrician has been contacted to have a look at the smoke alarm system at the hall entrance. We have functioning smoke alarms in the rooms. We will ensure to have a routine check for all smoke alarms scheduled. Summary Comment The above actions address the non-compliance and meet the requirements Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. There was an area in the corner of the Baby room, near the skirting board on the outside wall, that was stained with what appeared to be black mould. This was also identified and reported on at the time of the last inspection on 12 October 2022. 2. There was a panel on the wall at the back of the premises that was accessible to the children when in the outdoor area. This panel was disintegrating and was pulled away from the wall. It was unclear what the purpose of the panel was and whether it was needed as a seal for the area it covered. 3. The covers on the trickle vents in each room and on the mechanical ventilation vents in the sanitary accommodation areas were covered in dust and dirt. Cleaning the vents was not included in the cleaning schedule for the service. 4. The paintwork on the walls throughout the service was chipped in places and dirty in high touch areas such as around light switches. 5. The radiators in each room had exposed rust on their front surfaces. 6. The toilet seat was missing from the toilet in the boys sanitary accommodation area. 7. The windowsills in the Baby room had been covered with sticky-backed, glossy paper to make them easy to clean, however, the paper was torn away in sections exposing the surface beneath
Provider's corrective action:
No response was received to these non-compliances. Requests and reminders were sent to the registered provider to respond but no response has been received to date. Summary Comment The non-compliances remain outstanding until evidence has been received to the contrary