Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The registered provider did not ensure that documented support plans were reviewed in conjunction with parents and that the review was documented. The inspector reviewed several detailed support plans, which were discreetly available in the rooms for staff. The support plans detailed the goals for different children and strategies described in the plans were reflective of those used by staff with children who were present on the day of inspection. However, each plan had a set of review dates, some from November and December 2025 and February 2026. These had not been completed to document that the reviews had taken place and that parents had been consulted to ensure children were provided with the most effective support
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action 1. The registered provider stated that all children’s support plans were reviewed following the inspection to ensure that the review dates were updated and reviews completed within the timeframe set. The overdue reviews from November, December 2025 and Feb 2026 were completed retrospectively. Parents were consulted as part of the review. As a preventive action they have introduced a support plan response log to ensure all evidence of parental involvement is noted, and any updated support strategies are recorded
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A cord from a telephone was hanging down at a low level in the Explorers' room which posed a risk of injury to a child. It is acknowledged that when brought to the attention of staff, it was moved out of the children's reach. Infection Control: 2. Hand washing practices were observed during the inspection and it was noted that there were occasions where they were insufficient to reduce the risk of cross contamination. These are outlined as follows • Four of the children in the Junior Discovery room were observed to move directly from playing outdoors, and in the care room to the table to have their dinner without washing their hands. It is acknowledged that the four children who had their nappy changed after outdoor play had their hands washed by staff before they had their food, however, those that did not have their nappy changed did not have their hands washed before eating. • No handwashing was observed before children were served their afternoon snack in the Junior Discovery room. • The children in the Senior Discovery room were observed to move directly from playing or sleeping to having their afternoon snack. No handwashing was observed before children were served their food. • During nappy changing in the Senior Discovery room, a staff member dampened a paper towel to clean the child's hands after they had their nappy changed. Safe Sleep: 3. Sleep room checks were being carried out by staff at 10-minute intervals as required however they were unable to record details of the checks in the electronic devices due to the number of children in the care room, the number of staff needing to use the devices which delayed the recording of sleep information. Corrective and Preventive Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The telephone cord was immediately repositioned and secured out of children’s reach on the day of inspection and then replaced. Following the inspection, educators conducted an immediate review of all rooms within the service to identify and remove or secure any similar hazards that could pose a risk of injury to children. Educators have been reminded of their responsibility to identify and address potential hazards immediately and to record them on our daily safety checks. Educators will also inform management of any risks observed Infection Control: 2. Handwashing practices were reviewed with all educators to ensure children wash their hands appropriately before all meals and snacks, after outdoor play and after toileting/nappy changing. Management shared the infection control policy with educators, and the team signed off agreeing they have read and reviewed the policy. We have also introduced a “When to wash my hands poster” in our Junior Discovery room. The nappy changing procedure was reviewed with educator on the day of inspection. Educators were reminded that children’s hands must be washed with soap and water following every nappy change in line with infection prevention and control procedures. Management will complete regular observations and spot checks within care rooms to ensure procedures are followed consistently. Infection prevention and control procedures will continue to be discussed during staff meetings and supervision sessions Safe Sleep 3. We have requested a second tablet for the senior discovery room in the meantime the service now uses both a tablet and the centre mobile phone to record sleep checks, which has improved staff access to electronic devices and reduced delays in documentation. Management will carry out regular audits of sleep records to ensure checks are completed and documented accurately at the required intervals
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered providers on the day of inspection in relation to the ambient temperature in the Junior Active Cubs room exceeding 22°C including when children were sleeping. The registered providers promptly provided written assurances of appropriate immediate actions put in place to control the risk to children.
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. The hot water supply provided at 1 of the wash hand basins in the sanitary area adjacent to the Senior Discoverers room exceeded the maximum safe water temperature of 43oC during the inspection. This was evidenced in a temperature reading of 45.2oC at 11.05am. A similar non-compliance was found at the time of the last inspection in September 2024. The corrective actions implemented following that inspection had not been sustained as the water temperature was again found to be above the safe upper limit of 43oC. It is acknowledged that a documented risk assessment was available which included the statement that children were not being facilitated to wash their hands at this wash hand basin at this time and a printed sign was placed across the wash hand basin which stated ‘water too hot, do not use’. Staff members informed the inspectors that a request had been put forward to the company’s maintenance team and a copy of this maintenance request, submitted by the service in advance of the inspection, was provided to the inspectors for review, maintained on the service’s internal electronic communication hub. The inspectors did not observe children being facilitated to use this wash hand basin during the inspection which was positioned at a height where adult assistance would have been required to access it. Instead, children were facilitated to wash their hands in wash hand basins in the adjoining sanitary accommodation or in the care room, as a temporary measure. 2. A blind cord restrictor had become detached from the wall in the sleep room nearest the outdoor play area in the Senior Discoverers room and also in the Junior Active Cubs room, with both unsecured cords observed trailing down to potentially within the reach of children. It is acknowledged that staff members, when informed by the inspectors of the risk to children, promptly undertook temporary corrective measures by placing the unrestricted cords at a higher level, out of children’s reach. The service subsequently submitted photographs to the inspectors on the day following the inspection showing that the cord restrictors had been re-attached to the wall. Safe sleep: 3. The ambient temperature in the Junior Active Cubs Room were above the optimum room temperature of 18-22°C when children were sleeping and also when awake during the inspection, as detailed in table 1.1 below. These temperatures did not conform to national best practice safe sleep guidelines regarding the prevention of sudden infant death (the optimum sleep room temperature of 18-22°C pertains to children aged 1 year and older which was the case for all the children in this care room) and also posed a risk in relation to the safety and comfort of the children in attendance. The control measures implemented by the staff members during the inspection, including opening windows to enhance ventilation and using electric fans, were ineffective in addressing the risk. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered providers on the day of inspection in relation to this risk. The registered providers promptly provided written assurances of appropriate immediate actions put in place to control the risk to children. See table 1.1 below for sample air temperatures recorded on the day of inspection. Location Air Temperature Time recorded Junior Active Cubs Room 24.6°C 12.55pm (when children were sleeping) 24.9°C 1.13pm (when children were sleeping) 25.3°C 2.43pm (when children were awake) Table 1.1 Sample air temperatures in Junior Active Cubs Room Infection Control: 4. Some staff members did not wear aprons when changing children’s nappies to protect the staff members’ clothing from contamination
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General safety: 1. The registered provider stated that the temperature of the water in the children’s sink has been reduced to below 43°C. As a preventive action the water temperature in children’s sinks handwashing sinks is monitored daily via temperature checklist completed twice daily by staff members. Further to this staff members and management have been instructed by the plumber on how to lower the thermostat control valve when the reading is found to be over 43°c. 2. The corrective action submitted was that blind cord restrictors were replaced, and the new ones reattached to the wall in the Senior Discovers cot room and Junior Active Cubs Room on the day following inspection. An audit was completed on blind cords in the service, and these were updated where required. As a preventive action blind cord restrictors were included on the daily safety checklist. Educators were briefed at a meeting in June 2025 to ensure that they are carrying out the indoor daily risk assessments correctly and immediately reporting hazards to management. Safe Sleep: 3. The registered provider stated that a portable air conditioning unit was installed in the Junior Active Cubs room, on the day following the inspection, to enhance airflow and reduce temperature. This measure was in addition to the existing measures that were in place on the day of inspection, namely the fans the room and the solar film that is on the windows. As preventive measures daily monitoring of the temperate of the room is in place with Educators reporting to management any readings outside of the safe range. For sleep time the room temperature is recorded via the electronic application during sleep checks. Educators were briefed, to relocate children to a cooler environment or adjust the daily schedule during extreme heat conditions. Infection Control: 1. The registered provider stated that verbal reminders were issued to all Educators involved, reiterating the requirement to wear aprons during all nappy changes and that mandatory refresher training was provided to all Educators in the Senior Discovers room. Visual reminders are in place and there will be shadowing practice for nappy changing for new Educators
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28.
Inspection of 13 September 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. This inspection was carried out following receipt of a notification of incident submission from the registered providers to the Inspectorate. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered providers on the first day of inspection in relation to excessively hot water at wash hand basins accessed by pre-school children in attendance. Within 24 hours the registered providers provided written assurances that the risk for children had been appropriately addressed. The inspectors confirmed that that the water temperatures did not exceed the safe maximum reading of 43oC on the second day of inspection.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)(b) The statement of employment document presented for inspection as a reference for one staff member contained no details apart from the staff member’s name and dates of employment within an organisation but did not outline any personal attributes or information regarding the staff member’s suitability for employment. The written validation record, maintained in respect of this statement of employment, also confirmed that the previous employer had provided no further supporting information verball y, when contacted for validation purposes , in order to provide this service with assurances that the staff member was appropriate for employment. This was not considered an acceptable reference. (d) International police vetting was not available for 2 staff members in respect of 3 jurisdictions they had resided in outside the State for more than 6 consecutive months as adults. It is acknowledged that applications for international police vetting in respect of these staff had been submitted for all 3 jurisdictions
Provider's corrective action:
The registered providers stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) The staff member is currently on maternity leave. Prior to her return to work, manager will secure a third written reference and validation confirming appropriateness for employment. (d) These staff members were recruited prior to Tigers Childcare acquiring this service. One colleague has, since day of inspection left the service and is no longer employed by Tigers Childcare. The other colleague is on long term sick leave and Tigers Childcare will secure international police vetting from the relevant jurisdictions prior to their return to work. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) The registered provider is currently reviewing the company’s Recruitment and Vetting Policy to state that if sufficient assurances as to the suitability of a candidate for employment is not provided within the reference or validation exercise, that a further reference will be obtained before hiring the candidate. In the ECEC sector, it has become more common that previous employers give a ‘statement of employment’ as a written reference and when a reference check is completed, they provide the basic details only - to include the dates the colleague worked, the position held and reason they left. (d) Manager has updated their procedures on acquisitions to conduct an audit of all staff files to ensure the staff files are fully compliant or action is taken to bring to compliance
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Physical and material environment: 1. The taps were stiff and hard to operate without firm and sustained pressure at the wash hand basins in the children’s sanitary accommodation adjoining ECCE Room 1, the Active Cubs Room and the Junior Active Cubs Room. Consequently, children who were ordinarily able to wash their hands unaided needed the assistance of a staff member to turn the taps on which did not promote independence or support the children to develop self-help and personal hygiene skills, particularly after using the toilet. 2. The dress up materials in the Senior Discoverers Room were packed tightly in a box and were therefore not easily accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
The registered providers stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action Physical and material environment: 1. Taps in the above-named rooms have been replaced with taps that the handles twist left to right to turn on and off to ensure the children can independently turn the taps on and off. 2. The dress up materials have been moved from the box in the tall shelf and have been relocated to a shelf at the children's level, where the dress up materials are accessible to the children and the children are able see what dress up materials are available to them. Preventive Action Physical and material environment: 1. Taps have been changed to a more accessible tap which the children can operate independently. Colleagues have been briefed to inform management if children are struggling to operate taps in the future. This item is included on the agenda of the next centre meeting. 2. Manager explained to the colleagues in the room the importance of always having the materials open and easily available to the children. This item is on the agenda for the next centre meeting. Management will regularly monitor environments and how children are engaged in their environment
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
(1)(b) The rest area in the Senior Discoverers Room was insufficiently resourced should a child wish to rest, relax or take a break from activities during the day. The rest area available on the days of inspection comprised of a lightweight duvet with 4 cushions provided
Provider's corrective action:
The registered providers stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action
1. The location of the cosy area within the Senior Discoverers Room has been moved to a more open and spacious area to allow for a bigger rest space for the children. More pillows, blankets and soft toys have been added to the area. A large mat has also been added to the area. Preventive Action
1. The educators in the room have completed the Aistear/Siolta practice guide self-evaluation tool on environments regularly so that the environment is changing alongside the needs of the children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The hot water supply provided at the 2 wash hand basins in the sanitary area adjacent to the Senior Discoverers Room and at the wash hand basin adjacent to the nappy changing mat in the sanitary area beside the Explorers Room exceeded the maximum safe water temperature of 43oC as detailed in table 1.1 below. When identified, the inspectors informed the staff members in the care rooms and the Quality Development Manager who was present in the service of this scalding risk and safety notices were placed beside the taps advising staff not to use them. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered providers in relation to the water temperatures. Location Water temperature Time recorded Tap on right hand side of sanitary area Senior Discoverers room. 51.5°C 55°C 10:45am 12:30pm Tap left hand side of sanitary area Senior Discoverers room 53.5°C 54.5°C 10:45am 12:30pm Tap in sanitary area Explorers room 51.5°C 56.3°C 12:25pm 3pm Table 1.1 Water temperature readings recorded on the day of inspection. Administration of Medication: 2. Two auto-injector adrenaline pens provided for a named child in the service were out of date, having expired in February 2024. This posed a risk that these products may not be sufficiently potent if required in the event that the child developed anaphylaxis in the service. It is acknowledged that the child was not present in the service on either day of inspection. However, the attendance records confirmed that the child was present on 7 days between 28/08/2024 and 05/09/2024. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered providers stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Water temperature regulator was fitted to each tap to control the temperature so that the temperature of the water in the wash hand basins does not exceed 43oC. Administration of Medication: 2. The parents replaced the out-of-date auto-injector adrenaline pens. The child was excluded from the service until a new adrenaline pen was provided by the child’s parents. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Regular temperature checks are carried out on all wash hand basins that children use, to ensure the thermostat control are in working order. Administration of Medication: 2. Staff have been briefed on their medication policy, emphasising that it is their responsibility to check the expiry date of all medication when it is brought into the centre. Manager is making note of the expiry dates of medication stored long term in the centre and displayed this in the room so staff can clearly see when the medication needs to be replaced, and they have adequate time to ask parents to replace the medication before the expiry date is reached. This item is included on the agenda for the next centre meeting. Supporting documentation submitted • Photograph of temperature logs. • Photographs of auto-injector adrenaline pens and child’s attendance log. • A record of emergency medications and their expiry dates listed for named children in the service. • Team meeting agenda Summary Comment An immediate action notice was issued to the registered providers on the first day of inspection for excessively hot water in taps accessed by pre-school children during the inspection. Within 24 hours, documentary evidence was submitted to the Inspectorate confirming that the warm water supply had been thermostatically controlled not to exceed the safe water temperature of 43oC. The inspectors reviewed the corrective actions and evidence submitted by the registered providers after the inspection. The registered providers demonstrated that the non-compliances identified under Regulation 23 have been adequately addressed