# The Three Little Bears, Dungarvan — inspection reports and findings > The Three Little Bears (Dungarvan, Co. Waterford): what Tusla inspections found — 2 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## The Three Little Bears Full Day · 1 - 6 Years · Dungarvan, Waterford · Tusla ID **TU2023WD001** · Registered since 1 March 2026 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 10 April 2026 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) ##### Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play - (a) The lack of a designed environment impacted on the experiences and care of the children attending in the Wobbler room. There was a limited amount of play materials in the children’s space, for example there was a rocking toy, an activity bench and a play bus in the room for the children. The toys were stored on high shelving in the room which was out of reach for the children. (b) There was no cosy area in the Wobbler room where children could access if they require time away from the main play area to rest or take a break - The registered provider stated that the room layout has been reviewed and it now caters for the children attending the facility. The room leaders will be responsible for them monitoring of the room layout ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1. While it is acknowledged that children’s soothers in the sleep room were stored appropriately, three children's soothers were kept loosely in their labelled baskets in the Wobbler room. This created a risk of cross-infection, and this was a non-compliance on the last inspection in February 2025. Infection Control: 2. The nappy disposable bin was soiled and was not a pedal bin as per the requirements of the Early Years Regulatory notice - Use of nappy storage and disposal bins in Early Years Services. Safe Sleep: 3. Sleep checks were not recorded consistently, for example, there were no records of children’s sleep in the Wobbler room since the 8 of April and for the Toddler room since 1 April. This was a previous non- compliance at the last inspection in February 2025. Fire Safety: 4. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN1401 served. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that soothers are now stored in individual labelled containers and staff have been reminded to keep them in the correct containers. Infection Control: 2. The registered provider stated that a new pedal bin has been purchased and staff have been reminded to ensure it is cleaned promptly. Safe Sleep: 3. The registered provider stated that the staff have been reminded to note the children’s sleep records consistently and the room leaders will be responsible for conducting spot checks to ensure this is the case ##### Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance - On the inspector’s arrival to the service, there was no requirement to sign in and through discussion with the person in charge they confirmed there was no visitors record book and no previous requirement for a record of visitors - The registered provider stated they have developed a visitors sign in sheet which will be located that the entrance and the manager will ensure each visitor will sign in on arrival ##### Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures - (1)(a) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice IN1402 served (4) There were no fire procedures notices displayed in the service - 4. The registered provider stated the fire evacuation procedures have been displayed in the service and all staff have been made aware of same. A monthly fire drill is schedules and children are aware of the required procedures ##### Regulation 29 — Premises - There was no toilet seat in one of the two children’s toilets – this was a previous non-compliance in February 2025 - The registered provider stated that they are currently in the process of locating a new toilet seat and it will be installed once purchased Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 25. #### Inspection of 4 February 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** In consultation with the registered provider, the inspector has referred the service to the national early years quality development service, Better Start. The Inspectorate requested that the registered provider attend a regulatory compliance meeting to address the outstanding findings of non-compliance. ##### Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances - While it is acknowledged that two references were available for three staff members, there was one reference outstanding each for two staff - The registered provider stated that they have received the required validated references and these will be filed in the HR folder in the creche office. They stated that they have linked with the county childcare committee for compliance support and is in the process of completing a recruitment policy ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - (h) On review of the children’s attendance books, it was noted that the children’s attendance in the Toddler room had not been recorded since the week beginning 20th January 2025 (i) On review of the staff records, it was noted that the staff roster had not been maintained since 9th September 2024. (j) On review of 12 administration of medication forms, it was noted that 10 of these had not been completed fully and did not have all the required signatures. (k) The inspector reviewed 11 incident and accident reports, and of these, 7 had not been completed with all the required information and signatures as required - The registered provider stated that at a recent staff meeting all the staff team discussed the importance of completing children and staff records. Staff are required to complete the children and staff attendance sheets daily. They must ensure the medications forms and accident and incident records are completed correctly and have the relevant signatures are required. The registered provider stated that they will oversee the completion of all documents and they will display and up to date staff roster in the staff room ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child - The registered provider failed to inform the agency that they had increased the number of children they were caring for at any one time. On the day of the inspection, there were 22 children attending the service. The service is registered to care for 20 children - CIC form submitted to the Early Years Inspectorate registration office ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: 1. There was no warm water in the two low-level sinks in the children’s sanitary area and the hot water tap at the adult sink beside the nappy changing unit was broken. This did not support effective hand washing. 2. Children did not have individual cot sheets, as described in the service’s sleep policy. This created a risk of infection spreading as children shared cots. 3. Of the six cots available, two of the mattresses were not washable. This created a risk of the spread of infection. 4. There was a malodour in the smaller internal cot room which indicated that there was limited circulation of fresh air in the room for sleeping children. The service’s safe sleep policy stated that the sleep room should be well-ventilated. 5. There was no toilet paper or toilet seat in one of the two children’s toilets. 6. Children's soothers were not stored in their individual containers in their labelled baskets. Three soothers were observed on the shelf in the sleep room and two were stored loosely in the children’s basket. This created a risk of cross-infection. 7. The wall under the main window in the Wobbler room was unfinished and as a result not conducive to effective cleaning practices. 8. The inspector observed a tear in the low couch in the Wobbler room which exposed the inner foam. This did not allow for effective cleaning. 9. Cots were not positioned 50cm apart as stated in the services’ safe sleep policy. Safe Sleep: 10. Sleep checks were not recorded consistently, for example, at 11:40 two children were sleeping in the cot room with only one child's sleep check being recorded. Fire Safety: 11. A fire exit that was partially blocked by a cot in the sleep room could impede an emergency evacuation if required. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: 1. The registered provider stated that the water heater will be switched on for two hours each morning and they will check the temperature during the day. 2. The registered provider stated that they will carry out daily sleep room checks to ensure children’s individual sheets are used when they are sleeping. These sheets will be stored in children's named baskets. 3. The registered provider stated that new wipeable cot mattresses have been purchased. 4. The registered provider stated that they will ensure the sleep room door will remain open when children are not sleeping to aid ventilation in the room. 5. The registered provider stated that the staff have been reminded to complete the toilet checks throughout the day to ensure all supplies required are available. They also stated that are trying to source a toilet seat. 6. The registered provider stated that containers for individual soothers were purchased, and staff have been reminded of the importance of storing soothers separately. 7. The registered provider stated that the wall has been painted the service and will be maintained to a higher standard. 8. The registered provider stated that a new couch will be purchased in the coming months. 9. The registered provider stated that markings have been put on the flooring to ensure cots remain 50cm apart, and they will do spot checks in the cot room to ensure this is the case. Safe Sleep: 10. The registered provider stated they have purchased a sleep/rest log book and staff have been reminded of the importance of keeping accurate sleep logs. Fire Safety: 11. The registered provider stated the sleep room has been rearranged so that cot is no longer blocking the fire exit. This will be added to the daily room checks Found compliant: Regulation 11, 17, 19, 22. ### Other services in Waterford - [Tigh Súgradh](/creche/tigh-sugradh-dungarvan.md) Dungarvan - [Tina's Playschool (Kinder Care)](/creche/tina-s-playschool-kinder-care-dungarvan.md) Dungarvan - [Tir Na N’óg](/creche/tir-na-n-og-tourneena.md) Tourneena - [Villierstown Montessori School](/creche/villierstown-montessori-school-cappoquinn.md) Cappoquinn - [Bizzykids Ltd](/creche/bizzykids-ltd-tramore.md) Tramore - [Kids at Play](/creche/kids-at-play-waterford-city.md) Waterford City - [The Childrens Playroom](/creche/the-childrens-playroom-tallow.md) Tallow - [St. Josephs Childcare Centre](/creche/st-josephs-childcare-centre-waterford-city.md) Waterford City - [Sacred Heart Day Centre, HSE South](/creche/sacred-heart-day-centre-hse-south-waterford.md) Waterford - [Naíonra Scoil Gharbháin](/creche/naionra-scoil-gharbhain-dungarvan.md) Dungarvan [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/the-three-little-bears-dungarvan/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11