Inspection of 13 May 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic needs: 1. The basic needs of children in the Discoverers room were not observed to be met on the day of inspection; • Children who could sit independently were observed strapped into low level chairs for prolonged periods outside of times for eating. Children who are confined in equipment for longer than 15 minutes have their need for freedom and mobility restricted impacting on their physical and emotional development • Children did not get outdoors during the afternoon. After the prolonged period of sitting, children were advised they were going outdoors for some play. The weather had not been considered, upon transitioning outdoors it began to rain. Children who had stepped outside were promptly ushered back inside the room and became audibly upset. Wet gear was available to the children. The children required an opportunity to play outdoors to ensure their physical and emotional needs were met. Physical and material environment 2. In the Active Cubs 1 room areas of interest were poorly developed with little supporting equipment and materials to enhance the themed areas and to ensure meaningful sustained play. For example. • The play kitchen was empty with materials. • Dress up area had no dress up items available to the children. • Shelves were minimally stocked. 3. The physical and material environment in the Discoverers room was insufficient to provide an adequate learning environment for the number of children present, for example: • There was limited opportunity for open-ended play due to a lack of materials, equipment and interest areas in the room, for example five library books were present for ten children, a wooden kitchen had limited supply of materials, one shelf was present with limited construction materials such as blocks present
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider confirmed that staff meeting was held where the following topics were discussed and reviewed: Environments, Transitions Policy, Curriculum Policy, and Interactions & Pedagogy Policy, and Outdoor Policy. 1. Following a risk assessment, straps have been removed from all chairs in Junior discoverers room. Management will ensure and regularly review that outdoor play is facilitated in all weathers as per their policy. 2. Following the inspection additional play resources and materials were purchased. Management will oversee monthly room audits that will now take place, as well as an environment review annually, to identify any additional resources or materials required. 3. The quality support team have provided re-training on Curriculum and Transitions policies. This training is documented and reviewed. Management will oversee monthly room audits that will now take place
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The inspector noted a wooden slab located on the shed porch in the outdoor area was broken and uneven, creating a raised edge and unstable surface. The inspector observed children playing in the area, the damaged slab presented a potential trip and fall hazards to children. 2. Rubber grip handles from a children’s metal trike were not present, posing a risk of harm to children. 3. An outdoor heat pump was accessible to children due to the lock on the door and wooden fence surrounding it being left open. Infection Control: 4. Children in the Senior Discoverers room did not have their hands washed before eating snack. This is at variance with the service policy on infection control. Fire Safety: 5. At sleep time in the Senior Discoverers room, a floor bed with a sleeping child was observed blocking the designated fire exit in the room. Designated fire exits should be clear of any obstructions during the operation of an early years’ service to ensure the safe evacuation of staff and children in the event of an emergency. Safe Sleep: 6. The inspector observed that a child who had been placed in the cot room was not physically checked from 14.50 to 15.40pm, despite the sleep monitoring record indicating checks had occurred every 10 minutes throughout the sleep period. This constituted a failure to ensure adequate supervision arrangements and compromised the reliability of safeguarding records maintained in the service. 7. The sleep room located outside of the Discoverers room required ambient lighting to be able to monitor sleeping children safely and easily. Sleeping areas should not be fully darkened for day-time naps. 8. A sleep plan was not available for a child in Senior Discoveries who was observed to be under 2 years of age and sleeping on a sleep mat. 9. The inspector observed that a child requiring sleep was placed on a sleep mat rather than being provided with age-appropriate sleep equipment. The use of a sleep mat for this child was not in accordance with Tusla’s Guidance for the Early Learning and Care Sector on Sleep. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider confirmed that staff meetings were held; the following topics were discussed and reviewed: Risk management policy, Hand washing policy and procedures, Safe sleep guidance and policy, including sleep plans and the Sleep and Rest Policy. Items identified on inspection have been added to the daily safety checklist to prevent reoccurrence. General Safety: 1.The wooden slab on the shed has been replaced. A safety audit of the building was overseen by management to ensure the maintenance logs are up to date. Management will continue to oversee the maintenance log. 2. The bike handles were replaced. Additional rubber handles have been purchased to ensure prompt replacement to prevent reoccurrence. 3. A combination lock has been added to the outdoor heat pump unit to ensure it remains inaccessible to the children. Infection Control: 4. Handwashing signage reviewed to ensure correct handwashing and supervision of same takes place. Management will ensure and regularly review policy with staff. Fire Safety: 5. A floor plan for the cocoon beds and sleep mats has been completed. The floor plan is displayed on the wall of the room for reference. Safe Sleep: 6. To prevent reoccurrence, a weekly roster has been implemented for ten-minute sleep checks. Timers are present and signage has been put in place also. Support and supervision meetings were held to discuss safe sleep procedures. Management will oversee weekly audits of sleep checks. 7. Dimmable lighting has been installed in the cot room to allow soft lighting where children sleep. 8. A sleep plan has been revised and implemented. Management will oversee an audit of current sleep plans and regularly review to prevent reoccurrence. 9. Management have retrained on ‘Sleep and Rest Policy’ and sleep provisions for children
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 28.