Creche Inspection Reports

The Stables Montessori

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Portmarnock, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2015FL312 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

2published inspections
8non-compliances at latest report read
1immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 22 October 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the service on the 22 October 2025 in relation to the Regulation 25- First aid. On the 23 October 2025 the registered provider responded to the immediate action notice outlining the measures implemented within the service to mitigate the risk. Please see details in the body of the inspection report.

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (4) Documentation was not available to demonstrate that one adult, who worked directly with children attending the service, held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications
  • 1. There was no documentation available to show that the registered provider had ensured that staff members were provided with relevant information and training when commencing employment in the service in relation to the service’s policies and procedures. The registered provider confirmed that records of new staff members’ induction into the service were not maintained and that staff members were not provided with ongoing formal supervision in order to support them in their work practices. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • (4) The staff member is no longer employed in the Preschool and is now employed as Afterschool Staff and a new staff member has been employed. (7)(a) The registered providers are setting out a staff training policy and induction plan for all new staff members taken on in the future, they are also ensuring that all staff avail of as much further training within and outside of the service as possible

Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child

  • 1. No written record was available for 1 child attending the service and the following information, was not available: (a) name and date of birth of the child. (b) date on which the child first attended the service. (d) address of a parent or guardian of the child. (e) authorisation for the collection of the child. (f) details of any illness, disability, allergy or special need of the child, together with all the information relevant to the provision of special care or attention. (g) the name and telephone number of the child’s registered medical practitioner. (h) record of immunisations, if any, received by the child. (i) written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment of the child in the event of an emergency and 2. For a sample of 12 registration forms reviewed, the records available were not complete and did not have the following details available, as follows : (b) date on which the child first attended the service was missing on 11 forms. (f) details of any illness, disability, allergy or special need of the child, together with all the information relevant to the provision of special care or attention was missing on 1 form (g) the name and telephone number of the child’s registered medical practitioner was missing on 1 form; (i) written parental consent for appropriate medical treatment of the child in the event of an emergency was missing on 1 form. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The Registration form was completed and is on the premises with all details included. 2. Registration forms have been completed. Registration forms will be checked regularly and updated when required

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (1) (j) Medication administration forms were not maintained in respect of medication administered to a child in the service on a daily basis for 38 medicine administrations completed since 1 September 2025. This practice was inadequate as written records did not have a second staff member signature to demonstrate that the procedure had been checked and undertaken by 2 staff members for the 38 administrations of the daily medicine. This is at variance with the service’s medication administration policy which stated “Administration of medication will be done in the presence of a witness, who will co-sign the medication administration record… This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1) (j) The child’s medication records now signed and witnessed by second staff member daily Strict policy in place regarding administration of the medicine. Staff training has been given, and one member is responsible daily

Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

  • Basic Needs: 1. The children did not experience outdoor play during the inspection. The registered provider confirmed that there is no outdoor play area for this service. Physical and Material Environment: 2. No cosy area present in the Upstairs Room, to offer a quiet comfortable area for children to rest and relax during the day
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The service is now taking the children out to the nearby green and on nature walks. Weather permitted, small groups are taken out at different stages to ensure safety and that ratios are met at all times. 2. A cosy area of a soft mat and cushions has been put in place in the Upstairs room

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • Infection Control: 1. There was evidence of poor infection control measures observed during the inspection as follows: • There were inadequate facilities for hand drying, for example, paper towels from a dispensary were not provided in the sanitary accommodation for the children or in the separate staff toilet area. A communal roll of paper towel was provided outside the sanitary accommodation off the Upstairs Room, and this was observed being used by children when drying their hands after hand washing. The handling and sharing of a communal roll of paper increases the likelihood of cross contamination. • Perishable food items such as cold meats, cheese and yogurts, brought from home, consumed by the children were not refrigerated on arrival to the service. This increased the risk of bacteria multiplying in the perishable food items. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained. • The chosen disposal bins in use throughout the service required repeated hand contact with swing lid of the disposal unit, as they were not pedal operated. 2. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not available for hand washing at the wash hand basin in the sanitary accommodation beside the Downstairs Room. The water in both the hot tap and the cold tap was cold and recorded a temperature of 15o C at 11.00am. This does not aid effective hand washing. This non- compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained. Fire Safety: 3. Monthly fire drills were not carried out in the service, for December 2024, March 2025 and May 2025. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • Infection Control: 1. Disposable hand towels are now readily available for the children to take themselves. All perishable foods are stored in the fridge going forward. New pedal bins are now in place in the service. These practices will be adhered to and staff have been instructed. 2. The temperature of the water is now at the correct temperature. Staff will check temperature on a daily basis to ensure it is ok for the children and the staff. Fire Safety: 3. Staff will ensure no fire drills are missed and they will be held monthly going forward

Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance

  • (3)(a)(b) A system was not in place to record a visitor’s attendance on the premises and the purpose of their visit. The inspector was not requested to record their attendance in the premises and the registered provider could not provide maintained records of authorised visitors facilitated to enter the service. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • (3)(a)(b) The visitor sign in was mislaid on the day of inspection, a new one is in place now. All visitors must sign in and out and staff have been made aware of this requirement

Regulation 25 — First aid

  • (1) There was no person trained with valid in date first aid response training or with in date paediatric first aid immediately available to the children. A staff member qualified in first aid for children must be available to the children at all times. An immediate action notice was issued on the 22 October 2025
Provider's corrective action:
  • (1) First Aid Responder raining has been booked for three staff to be completed on 18 to 20 November 2025 and the remining staff will complete first aid training after this training was completed. This should not have been the case and due to staff shortage, it has been difficult and will not happen again. Due to staff illness, the First Aid Responder (FAR) Training was postponed to 13 January 2026, however a staff member with in date FAR Training has agreed to be on the premises until the FAR Training is complete

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) The mechanical ventilation unit was observed to not be operating in the children’s sanitary accommodation adjoining the Downstairs Room on the day of the inspection. The vents placed in the windows of the care room were not adequate ventilation for the sanitary facility. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection in September 2024 and the corrective action as not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • (c) The registered providers have had experts come in to see if they can do anything re ventilation without touching the external walls of the building. As the building is old, this has always been an issue but they will endeavour to try and rectify the issue permanently once a correct action is found and the landlord is agreeable. However, as an action the registered providers will ensure that the window near the bathroom is opened to ventilate the area at all times and they will keep the classroom windows open when further ventilation is necessary

Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 26, 27.

Inspection of 5 September 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (2)(a)(b) The following was not in place in relation to staff references. • There were no written and validated references available for inspection for 1 adult employed in the service. • A second written and validated reference was not available for inspection for 1 adult employed in the service. • There was no evidence available in the service to show that the 5 references presented for inspection had been validated. (d) Three adults employed in the service did not have a curriculum vitae or recorded history of past employment available for inspection. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether police vetting from other jurisdictions were required for these adults
  • 1. There was no documentation available to show that the registered provider had ensured that staff members were provided with relevant information and training when commencing employment in the service in relation to the service’s policies and procedures. The registered provider confirmed that records of new staff members’ induction into the service were not maintained. 2. The registered provider confirmed that staff members were not provided with ongoing formal supervision in order to support them in their work practices
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been carried out: Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) Registered provider is in the process of validating all references by phone or email. (d) CVs have been obtained, none of these staff members have worked abroad and therefore they do not require vetting from outside Ireland
  • 1. Registered provider will ensure all staff are provided with more training before employment commences, as it stands it is informal and ongoing by observation and working alongside current employees. 2. All staff will be provided with ongoing supervision and training to support practices and their wellbeing. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) From now on if any new staff member joins the service the reference will be validated before that staff member commences their employment. (d) All CVs to be kept on file as they are now; unfortunately they were saved on computer and the broadband was acting up on the day of inspection. (7) (a) 1. The service is developing a training method and induction programme for all new staff to be completed before they commence. Ongoing training also to be conducted. 2. Always keeping an eye on courses and discussing what areas staff feel they would like to learn more about and develop

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

  • The following policies were unavailable for inspection: • Staff training policy • Staff supervision policy • Risk management policy incorporating drop-off and collection procedures for children attending the service • Complaints policy
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective action and preventive action has been carried out: Corrective Action All policies have been developed by staff and management. Preventive Action Registered provider will be checking all policies are up to date and marked off a checklist monthly or bi-monthly

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • (1)(i) Staff sign in records were not maintained for the day of the inspection or for the 3 days during the previous week when the service had resumed operating following the summer holidays. (j) Medication administration forms were not maintained in respect of medication administered to a child in the service on a daily basis. Instead, a small, coloured mark was recorded in the attendance record to denote that the medication had been administered. This practice was inadequate as written records were not available to show the date, time and dosage of the medication administered and that the procedure had been checked and undertaken by 2 staff members. Furthermore, written confirmation was not available to show that the child’s parent or guardian had been informed and were aware that the medication had been given to their child as prescribed. This is at variance with the service’s medication administration policy which stated “Administration of medication will be done in the presence of a witness, who will co-sign the medication administration record… an individual record will be kept for each child with on-going medication requirements.”
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been carried out: Corrective Action (1)(i) Staff sign in records are now filled in daily and signed off. (j) Medication administration forms for said child now filled in daily and witnessed by manager herself. Preventive Action (1)(i) Make sure all staff are aware of this policy and check every morning and afternoon. (j) Any child who requires the administration of medicine will always have a record completed and the staff will be trained and informed of this on a continuous basis

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • The following risks were identified that could impact on the health, safety and welfare of a pre-school child attending the service: General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for the registered provider and all 3 staff members. However, 1 of these vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years and therefore did not comply with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years. 2. A child in the Downstairs Room was observed to eat popcorn as part of their snack and a staff member and child were heard discussing a plan to have more popcorn in the service later in the week. Popcorn for children under the age of 5 years old is deemed a choking hazard 3. Medication was observed to be stored in a low-level unlocked fridge in the Downstairs Room posing a risk that a child could access this prescribed medication. Infection Control: 4. Adequate facilities for hand drying, for example paper towels, were not provided in the service including in the sanitary accommodation provided for the children or in the separate staff toilet area. A communal cloth hand towel was provided in the sanitary accommodation off the Upstairs Room, and this was observed being used by children when drying their hands after hand washing. Communal hand towels may harbour bacteria and therefore pose an infection control hazard when used by children in an early years setting. 5. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not available for hand washing at the wash hand basin in the sanitary accommodation adjoining the Downstairs Room. The water in both the hot tap and the cold tap felt cold to touch. Furthermore, the hand washing practices in the Downstairs Room was inadequate with sanitiser or wipes used to wipe clean the children’s hands before lunch instead of warm running water and liquid soap. 6. The tables in the Downstairs Room were not cleaned prior to children being served their snacks. 7. Children’s snacks provided by the parents, some of which contained meat and dairy produce, were stored in the children’s school bags at room temperature on the day of inspection, rather than in the fridges provided in both care rooms. This increased the risk of bacteria multiplying in the perishable food items. Administration of Medication: 8. A care plan was not available for a child with an on-going medical condition, outlining the specific action to be undertaken by staff members in the event that the child became unwell in the service, authorisation for the administration of emergency medication if required in the service, and guidance on when to seek medical attention for the child. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been carried out: Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Registered provider has contacted the relevant organisation in relation to Garda vetting and will be following up on this daily until it is resolved. 2. Popcorn is now not allowed in the pre-school service. 3. Fridge locks purchased and in use. Infection Control: 4. Paper towels are now given out by the teacher once a child has washed their hands. 5. Making sure the thermostat is at the correct temperature daily. 6. Staff have been informed that tables are to be cleaned and disinfected prior to and after snack time. 7. All food that needs to be stored in the fridge will be removed and stored there daily. Administration of Medication: 8. A care plan has now been devised and discussed with the child’s parent. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Making sure that Garda vetting is applied for before the expiration date. 2. All parents have been informed and staff will inform incoming parents of said rule. 3. Always ensure medicine is out of reach and locked in fridge. Infection Control: 4. Make sure all staff are aware of hygiene regulations and discuss with all the children. 5. Thermostats will be checked by checking the tap temperature before open of business every morning and they will be adjusted if necessary. 6. Signs and checklists to be checked off by staff daily. 7. Asking parents to separate all food that needs to be refrigerated and putting the children’s names on it so that it can be directly transferred each morning. Administration of Medication: 8. Make sure if this happens with another child that the care plan is discussed and signed off on prior to the child commencing in the service. Supporting documentation submitted The registered provider submitted the following documentary evidence: • Copy of the updated Garda vetting. • A photograph showing a child-proof latch in place on the fridge. • Copy of a detailed care plan for the child who has an on-going medical condition. Summary Comment The inspectors reviewed the corrective actions and evidence submitted by the registered provider following the inspection. The registered provider demonstrated that the non-compliances identified under Regulation 23 have been adequately addressed

Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance

  • (3)(a)(b) A system was not in place to record a visitor’s attendance on the premises and the purpose of their visit. The inspectors were not requested to record their attendance in the premises and the registered provider confirmed that records were not maintained of authorised visitors facilitated to enter the service
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective action and preventive action has been carried out: Corrective Action
  • A visitor’s sign in sheet has been enforced and in use since the inspection and is filled in and signed any time there is a visitor on the premises. Preventive Action Visitor sign in sheet will be readily available and all staff have been informed of the new policy

Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures

  • (1)(a) On the day of inspection a written record was not available of fire drills that had taken place within the service. (b) There was no maintenance record available for inspection in relation to the smoke alarms on the premises
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been carried out: Corrective Action (1)(a) Fire drill records had been done up to end of June, visit was early September so staff had no new ones to display, manager has sent photo of the drills in October and September. (b) Sending on records again, this was due to broadband issues on the day of inspection as they were on file. Preventive Action (1)(a) Will make sure to have old fire drill records on file from now on. (b) Make sure to have a hard copy available at all times

Regulation 27 — Supervision

  • A documented risk assessment was not available in the service to identify the relevant safety issues associated with answering the front door, particularly on the days when only two staff members are present in the service, one of whom cares for the children accommodated in the Upstairs Room and one of whom cares for the children in the Downstairs Room. It is acknowledged that the registered provider and staff member described the control measures implemented to ensure adequate supervision of the children in attendance, primarily by sight and briefly by sound, when managing the front door, in discussion with the inspectors during the inspection but the associated risks and hazards or robust control measures were not recorded
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective action and preventive action has been carried out: Corrective Action A documented risk assessment has now been devised to ensure the safety of all children in the morning whilst the door is being answered. Preventive Action Registered provider has developed a new strategy for the morning drop off and it has been implemented and is working well

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) The mechanical ventilation unit was observed to not be operating in the children’s sanitary accommodation adjoining the Downstairs Room on the day of the inspection. This non-compliance was found on the last inspection
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective action and preventive action has been carried out: Corrective Action (c) Registered provider is currently seeking out a ventilation specialist to deal with this ongoing issue and she is due to meet the property manager to try and find a solution. Preventive Action (c) As above and always keeping rear window open

Regulation 32 — Complaints

  • (1)(a)(b)(c) A complaints policy was not available for inspection. (2)(b), (3)(a)(b) There was no record available to demonstrate how the recently submitted complaint was dealt with by the registered provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been carried out: Corrective Action (1)(a)(b)(c) A complaints policy on the day was saved on the desktop but unfortunately staff were unable to access it. (2)(b), (3)(a)(b) As stated above a risk assessment was drawn up following complaint. Preventive Action (1)(a)(b)(c) Keep a hard copy of policies and make sure that complaints are documented. (2)(b), (3)(a)(b) A new strategy was developed in the mornings involving staff and parents and has been implemented and is working well

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 28.

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