Tall Trees Childcare Springfield, Limerick — inspection reports and findings

Full Day · 1 - 6 Years · Limerick, Limerick · Tusla ID TU2015LK171 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 19, 29, 30, 32.

Fire Safety: The fire emergency exit door from the Tigers playroom had a child’s stair gate in place . This was erected at the time of covid when the preschool children in this room used this exit door only for entering and leaving their room instead of the main entrance area. This practice has continued to date. Staff stated that this was required to prevent a child getting unsupervised exit from the building. This posed a risk to the safety of both staff and children in the event of a fire emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Fire Safety: In the response from the registered provider, it was stated that the gate has been removed

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 29.

General Safety: 1. A child in the Toddler playroom was observed to be wearing amber beads. The Competition and Consumers Protection Agency states that amber beads are unsafe and pose serious safety risks to children under 3 years of age. Infection Control: 2. A staff member was observed in the nappy changing facility not to wash her hands on two occasions prior to commencing nappy changing. This was at variance with the nappy changing policy which stated that ‘hands were washed prior to putting on the gloves. 3. The children’s hands were not washed after their nappies were changed. This increased the risk of cross infection. 4. Hand operated nappy bins were in use in the nappy changing facility for the disposable of soiled nappies. This increases the risk of cross infection. Disposable nappies should be disposed of in a foot-operated, lined, lidded bin that’s leak proof, sealable and easy to clean. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

The person in charge stated in the corrective action plan that amber beads worn by the children were removed and a new policy stating that amber beads are not long permitted in the service. The staff were updated on the new policy. Infection Control: 2. and 3. The person in charge stated in the corrective action plan that the nappy changing policy was amended to include that adults will wash their hands before and after each nappy changing procedure and that children’s hands will be washed after their nappy has been change too. Staff have been made aware of the changes in the amended nappy changing policy
The person in charge stated in the corrective action plan that new pedal operated bins have been purchased for use in the nappy changing units

(e) There were insufficient toilets/nappy changing units and wash hand basins available to facilitate the number of preschool children 103 registered to attend the service. There were 8 toilets, 1 nappy changing facility and 10 wash hand basins available to cater for 103 preschool children. The ratio of toilets/nappy changing units is 1 toilet/nappy changing unit and 1 wash hand basin must be available for every 11 preschool child attending the service. The facilities available allowed for a maximum 88 toilet trained children and a maximum of 11 children in nappies at any given time. The proposed time frame as stated by the person in charge on the day of the inspection will be January 2024 for works to commence on the addition of 2 toilets, a nappy changing facility and corresponding wash hand basins

Provider's corrective action:

(e) The person in changed had stated in the corrective action plan that work has commenced on the addition of 2 toilets , a nappy changing unit and a wash hand basin

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 24, 25.

Tall Trees Childcare Springfield