# The Owl and The Pussycat Day Care and Afterschool Club, Ballina — inspection reports and findings > The Owl and The Pussycat Day Care and Afterschool Club (Ballina, Co. Tipperary): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## The Owl and The Pussycat Day Care and Afterschool Club Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Ballina, Tipperary · Tusla ID **TU2015TY076** · 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 28 May 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - Physical and material environment Some of the interest areas, particularly the home corners, were lacking resources to support play and exploration and to extend the learning in these areas. For example, the washing up basin was missing from several of the kitchen units and kitchen accessories such as plates, pots, pans, cups, play food and food packages were not available in each room. It is acknowledged that the service had a supply of new toys in the office to replace broken or missing toys from the rooms however, staff also discussed the problem they had with toys being frequently broken - New kitchen accessories and kitchens have been purchased for each room and play resources have been increased by introducing more real and recycled materials such as empty containers from food and household products. Staff will report to the manager when toys are broken and they will be replaced ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures for two staff members were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection control: 2. Waterproof mattress covers were not available on two of the seven cot mattresses in the sleep room. 3. A bottle maker was being used in the Baby room to heat and measure water to make up infant formula for two of the babies attending the service. The use of these machines is not permitted in childcare services as there is not enough research to show these machines are safe and effective for preparing babies bottles. It is recommended that infant formula be reconstituted at home and brought into the service in cooler bags then stored in the fridge until required, in line with best practice guidelines. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General safety: 1. Garda vetting renewals were received and sent on to inspector following the inspection. The service will apply for re-vetting three months in advance of it being due to ensure it is returned within the three-year timeframe. Infection control: 2. New waterproof mattress covers have been ordered for the cot mattresses. 3. The bottle maker was removed from use on the day of the inspection Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 22, 24. #### Inspection of 17 June 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection control: 1. The vinyl covers on the two nappy changing mats and the plastic covers on three of the highchairs had split, exposing the foam beneath to dirt and moisture which could not easily be cleaned and therefore posed a potential risk of cross contamination. It is acknowledged that following the inspection the service manager sent copies of order invoices for two new changing mats, and three new seat covers to the offices of the early years inspectorate, received by post on 23 June 2025. 2. There were cloth towels in both of the children’s sanitary accommodation areas. There were also cloth towels used for drying outdoor equipment hung at a low level in the back room where they were accessible to the children when accessing the outdoor play area. Cloth towels pose a risk of cross contamination and must be removed from use for drying hands. Towels used for drying outdoor furniture must be kept out of the reach of the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection control: 1. The service purchased new mats, and evidence was submitted the following day. The staff will keep a close eye in case of repeat damage . 2 Paper hand towels replaced the towel ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - (d) The following areas were found to require more attention during the daily cleaning times: 1. The bin in the children’s sanitary accommodation area beside the ECCE room had not been emptied the evening before and was full on the morning of the inspection. 2. One of the potties in the children’s sanitary accommodation area had not been effectively cleaned after it was last used. 3. The step-up stool in the children’s sanitary accommodation area was dirty from use and needed to be cleaned. 4. The sinks in the nappy changing area had black marks on them. 5. The mattress covers on the cot mattresses were soiled and needed to be washed or replaced. It is acknowledged that following the inspection the service manager sent copies of the updated cleaning schedule for the nappy changing area and children’s sanitary accommodation area, photographs of the cleaned step-up stool and proof of purchase for three cot mattress covers. These were received by post to the offices of the early years inspector on 23 June 2025 - 1. The service stated the bin was emptied the night before but as the service opened at 8.00am the kids had filled the bins so now the staff will empty it every 20 minutes or when required. 2. The service have a new cleaning schedule printed up and it will be followed every day. 3. All sinks were washed and scrubbed with stainless steel cleaner. 4. Foot stool was power washed. 5. The service bought all new mattress covers for all cots Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28. #### Inspection of 31 July 2024 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - (1)(a) It was noted on the day that there were 24 school age children availing of the summer camp. These children spent most of the day outdoors which meant that half of the outdoor space was in use and not available to the pre-school children. It was observed that this impinged on the opportunities for access to outdoor play by older pre-school children attending the service. The day of inspection was warm and sunny which made outdoor play popular with all of the children present. On the morning of the inspection the older pre-school children were eager to go outside to play but there was not enough room for them to do so while the school aged children were using the space - On the day of inspection it was stated to the inspector that there was work taking place in the club house this work finished on the 2nd of August and the club house was used for the remainder of the summer. Plus we also had access to the local GAA pitch when camps were not taking place. Summary Comment The actions above address the non-compliance and meet the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 ##### Regulation 25 — First aid - (1) There were no staff present who held current certification in first aid response (FAR). It is required that there is at least one member of staff with current FAR training present in the service while it is in operation. It is acknowledged that thirteen members of staff recently completed cardiac first response (CFR) and basic first aid training, several of whom were present in the service on the day of inspection - Click or tap here to enter text.The service manager advised the early years inspector by telephone on 17 October 2024 that three staff had been enrolled to undertake FAR training: two in November 2024 and one January 2025. Summary Comment The non-compliance remains outstanding until there is at least one member of staff with current FAR certification present in the service while it is in operation Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 22, 24, 26, 28. ### Other services in Tipperary - [Thurles Targeted Early Intervention Service](/creche/thurles-targeted-early-intervention-service-thurles.md) Thurles - [Tiny Steps Pre-School](/creche/tiny-steps-pre-school-borrisokane.md) Borrisokane - [Tir na Nog Playschool](/creche/tir-na-nog-playschool-cappawhite.md) Cappawhite - [Tus Maith Child Development Centre. 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