Inspection of 21 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 21 October 2025 for non-compliance with
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) One staff file and one student file were not available on day of inspection. (a)&(b) There were five validated references missing from staff files. (c) Garda vetting disclosures were not on file for one adult who had potential unsupervised access to children. Not completing and assessing garda vetting disclosures prior to adults working directly with children posed an immediate risk to children in the service. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 21 October 2025 following the immediate risk being identified. This adult was observed to be in the care room while children and staff were present. This posed a risk of potential unsupervised access to children. (d) There were two Curriculum Vitae missing from two staff members file. Therefore, the inspectors were unable to determine if police vetting was required for two of the adults working in the service who may have resided outside of the country for a period of six consecutive months or more
Provider's corrective action:
- (a)&(b) The service provided evidence of the references and will ensure that all requirements for a staff file are maintained on file. The manager will ensure to check staff files every three months to ensure compliance. (c) The adult attached to the service who did not have Garda vetting onsite no longer works while children are present on the premises. The service applied for Garda vetting for this adult. (d) Police vetting is not required for the two adults who did not have a curriculum vitae on file. The service will ensure to request police vetting for future staff members prior to commencement in the service
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Physical Environment: Children were observed sitting down in the main Halla room from 9.31am to 9.53am with insufficient materials available to engage them. Staff described this period as table top activity time. The children were sat at tables; some had materials available such as toy catalogues, vehicles, and magnet toys. Some tables had no materials available to the children sitting. Some children were observed running around the room as they were not engaged to stay sitting. Staff stated to the inspectors that children needed to ask them to bring toys and materials from the second care room if they want them. The manager of the service explained that usually, trolleys with toys were brought out to the children during the day from the second care room where a wide range of play equipment and materials were available. However, this was not observed in practice on inspection during this period. It is acknowledged that this hall is used by many community groups, however it is a requirement that children have free access to play equipment throughout the day, and not on request
Provider's corrective action:
- The service will ensure that prior to children attending the service, trolleys with toys will be placed around the room. Children will have access to these trolleys which will contain toys and equipment. Each morning the manager will ensure these are accessible by children and will remain in the room until the session is finished
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. It was observed that one radiator cover in the main Halla room was not anchored adequately. Children were observed playing near the radiator cover throughout the inspection. The radiator cover not being anchored securely posed a risk of injury to a child. 2. The fencing in the outdoor area was observed to be covered with cracked and broken shock absorbent material. On discussion with the registered provider, this was put in place by the service as a safety measure to stop children injuring themselves against the iron fencing. The registered provider explained the shock absorbent material was to be replaced and fixed that afternoon. The fencing was exposed in areas and the material breaking off was a safety risk to children. 3. Garda vetting was available for 9 of the 10 adults attached to the service. However, one of these vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 4. The children’s perishable food was not stored in a fridge. Children’s perishable foods were observed to remain in the children’s bags. This was identified as a non-compliance on the previous inspection on 29 March 2023 and 08 January 2020. The registered provider identified through the Corrective Actions and Preventative Actions (CAPA) process following the inspection on 29 March 2023 that a designated staff member would be given the role to ensure lunches were stored correctly in the fridge. However, on inspection this was not observed. Through discussion with the registered provider and manager, a fridge was observed on site, although it was not in use. Not ensuring perishable foods were stored safely and correctly posed a risk of food spoilage. 5. The nappy changing unit observed by the inspectors was unkept and unclean. The paint on the unit was chipped and difficult to clean appropriately. The nappy changing unit had dried residue present on the wood. The wall the children had access to when their nappy was being changed was not provided with a smooth durable easily cleanable surface. This posed a risk of cross infection to the child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The radiator cover has been securely fastened to the wall. This will be regularly checked by the service to ensure it is secured. 2. The torn material has been removed from the iron fencing. The service will cover the iron fencing with new shock absorbent material. The fencing has been added to the service risk assessment, which will be regularly completed by staff. 3. Garda vetting renewal for one adult attached to the service has been applied for. The service will complete regular checks of staff Garda vetting to ensure renewal within the three-year time frame is adhered to. Infection Control: 4. The service have asked parents/guardians to put children’s lunches in a labelled, sealable lunch bag. Staff will ensure to place these in the onsite refrigerator first thing in the morning. A note has been placed on the refrigerator to remind staff to complete this every day. 5. A new nappy changing unit was purchased and fully stocked by the service following inspection. The nappy changing was also added to the service cleaning schedule to ensure it is regularly maintained and cleaned
Regulation not named in the report text
- On the day of inspection, it was identified that the service was operating at different hours to what they are registered to operate. The service was registered to operate from 9.00am to 12.00pm and 12.15pm to 3.15pm, however, the service was found to be operating from 8.30am to 1.30pm. The inspector explained that a change in circumstance must be applied for, to the Early Years Inspectorate to address the change in service hours
Provider's corrective action:
- The manager of the service applied for a change in circumstances following the inspection. The service will ensure to keep the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate up to date with all changes
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 25, 28.