(2)(d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to the Immediate Action Notice IAN 1003 served. (3) The procedures as outlined in paragraph (2) were not carried out prior to adults working with or having access to children in the service, as evidenced by the following: • International police vetting in relation to 1 adult prior to having access to and contact with the children. This was at variance to the services ‘Recruitment and Vetting Policy’
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (2)(d) The colleague was removed from the service and did not return until international police vetting was received and fully vetted by the HR team. Colleague obtained and sent a copy of international police vetting on 22nd June 2026 and returned to the service on 23rd June 2026. (3) HR Team and Centre Managers were briefed on their roles and responsibilities when vetting candidates before commencing employment to ensure safeguarding and recruitment compliance requirements. Preventive Action (2)(d) HR and Centre management will work in conjunction to gather documents required for all colleagues. No candidate will commence employment until an authori sation to commence employment email has been sent from HR to Centre Management to ensure effective communication between departments. (3) Human resource team responsible for the organisations new colleague onboarding programme have been briefed on the verification of Garda/Police Vetting clearance required before any staff member is permitted to commence duties on site. A memo has also been sent to all managers of the organisation to audit their own staff files. A pre-start compliance checklist has been reinforced and must be signed off by management prior to employment. HR and management teams have been reminded of Tusla safeguarding and recruitment compliance requirements. Staff records will be audited across the organisations to ensure all mandatory documentation is in place and up to date
Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 16, 19, 23, 27, 32.
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The current routines and transition practices from dinner to sleep time in the Explorers room and Junior Active Cubs room were ineffective in creating smooth transitions and meeting children’s individual needs. The following was observed: • In the Explorer’s room as staff were placing the sleep mats and beds in position in the room children were offered the opportunity to settle in their beds to have a nap, one child was settling to sleep in a cocoon bed when 2 other children jumped on top of the bed on 2 occasions causing the child to be distressed and have difficulty in falling asleep. Whilst some children were trying to settle to sleep up to 3 children continued to run around the care room preventing most of the remaining children to settle to sleep. Six of the eight children that were being settled to sleep were eventually settled to sleep at 1:05pm. This delay in placing the children to sleep resulted in the children being overtired and experiencing difficulty in settling. • In the Junior Active Cubs room between 12.20pm and 12.55pm, there were 12 children in the Junior Active Cubs room for sleep time. This included 2 children from the Active Cubs room. Three children were playing next to the beds which distracted the children who were due to sleep. Two children in beds were observed playing with toys. Although 1 adult was present in a separate area supporting a child who was awake, the children who showed signs of not needing to sleep were not brought to this area in a timely manner therefore delaying children settling to sleep. Physical and material environment: 2. The home area in the Explorers room was poorly resourced and did not support the children in extending their play experiences. A wooden kitchen unit and wooden cooker were provided however the kitchen did not have a sink and the surface of the cooker was missing. There were no associative play materials available for the children to enhance their play
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action 1. Daily routines have been introduced alongside educator guides that outline the specific tasks to be completed during transitions. These guides support educators by helping to slow down transitions and ensure children are aware of what will happen next. During sleep time, educators will set up a play invitation after a maximum of 20 minutes for children who do not wish to sleep. Junior Active Cubs also have a designated area for sleep mats. Physical and material environment: 2. A new home-area kitchen was built and added to the Explorers room to help better define the space. A role-play market was also placed in the area to enhance children’s engagement. Additionally, new resources were introduced to the construction area within the Explorers room. Preventive Action 1. Colleagues have reviewed the transitions policy to strengthen their understanding of transition procedures and ensure the policy is being followed. The educator guides offer additional support by outlining what each transition involves. This information was discussed in a team meeting, during which the Centre Manager clarified expectations for transitions. It was also communicated in our colleague memo. The centre manager attended transition training on 03 December 2025 held by the quality support team to support educators in transitions. Physical and material environment: 2. Colleagues have reviewed the Interactions and Pedagogy Policy to strengthen their understanding of defined areas and to ensure a safe, hazard -free environment. This was reinforced during the team meeting, where the manager outlined expectations for maintai ning a fully resourced and safe learning space
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the Explorers room a shelf that was located beside the door leading into the garden was not secure and posed a risk of toppling over and injuring a child. Infection Control: 2. Infection control measures were not always followed. The possible risk of the spread of infection was increased due to the following: • The children attending the Junior Active Cubs room did not have their hands washed before snack time. • The nappy changing mat was torn with foam exposed in the sanitary accommodation in the Junior Active Cubs Room. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. The unstable shelf has been removed from the room. A new kitchen was added to the room, removing the broken one. Infection Control: 2. The educator guides provided clearly outline the designated times of day when handwashing must occur, ensuring consistent hygiene practices across the team. In addition, the nappy-changing mat has been replaced with a new one to maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. During the team meeting, the Centre Manager highlighted the importance of completing the safety checklist for child paths and identifying any potential hazards that must be prevented. This message was further reinforced in the colleague memo, to ensure full understanding from colleagues. Infection Control: 2. Handwashing posters have been displayed near all sinks to support both educators and children in practicing effective infection control. Colleagues have reviewed the Infection Control Policy to enhance their understanding of its importance and to ensure consistent implementation. This was further reinforced by the Centre Manager during the team meeting to ensure clarity and alignment with policy expectations. Supporting documentation submitted • Routines and Educator Guides. • Team meeting minutes. • Handwashing posters. • Colleague memo. • Policy sheets signed. • Photographic evidence of nappy changing mat. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliances under Regulation 23 have been addressed
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 16, 27, 29, 31.
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. A number of children in the ECCE room were observed to need greater support and more consistent approaches from the staff members to regulate their emotions and build play skills. For example, at 11.20am two children began knocking chairs over, repeatedly causing the chairs to crash loudly to the floor. For 15 minutes the staff members present failed to re-direct the children towards an alternative meaningful play activity until the service co-manager entered the room, recognised the chaotic atmosphere that prevailed and that the noise levels were raised to an uncomfortable level, and promptly brought the children outdoors to play in the garden. These children were immediately observed engaging enthusiastically and appropriately in physical activity and play on the outdoor play equipment and displayed no further indication of emotional dysregulation for the remainder of the session. 2. A child in the ECCE room needed additional support from the staff members to facilitate their optimal participation in the ECCE programme. However, the documented individualised plan in place for the child was undated and had not been updated or revised since its formation even though the document outlined that monthly reviews would be undertaken. 3. In the Explorers room the children’s access to materials and equipment and the provision of appropriate activities was impacted from 11.40am until lunch was served from 12.00pm due to 2 staff members preparing sleep mats for use after lunch. There were 9 children present in the room with 2 adults. Both adults were placing sheets and blankets on sleep mats and laying the mats on the floor. As sleep mats were laid down throughout the room, some materials and toys were not accessible and floor space to play became limited. During this time, children were observed to be unoccupied and therefore began running in the room and throwing small plastic balls. At one point, at 11.45am, a child fell over the feet of an adult preparing a sleep mat and banged their head. This accident was later recorded in the accident logs. This practice of preparing the room for sleep time 20 minutes in advance of lunch impacted on the children’s opportunities for play, movement and well-being
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action 1. The service states that an investigation was carried out on foot of this incident and the company took appropriate action. Expectations were set for colleagues to support children to regulate their emotions and build play skills in a consistent manner under the services ‘Supporting Children’ policy. An extra educator was approved under the Access and Inclusion Model for this room. A recruitment advertisement has been in place since September 2023 and to date the position has not been filled due to lack of applications. The company’s recruitment coordinator is currently actively recruiting to fill the position. The company funds an extra educator in this room where possible 2. Management stated that they are aware of the support requirements for this child. They stated that the child’s individualised support plan was updated on the 06/02/2024. It was an oversight that the date was not written on the plan. The Quality Manager provided training and support to staff on strategies, environment set-up, resources and materials in January 2024 and February 2024. Support for this child was reviewed in line with the Supporting Children policy and a support visit from an Early Years Specialist from Better Start was requested to review the support currently being offered to this child. The specialist spent time in the room role-modelling supports and strategies with staff. The specialist met with staff in the room to go over goals and strategies for the child. 3. Management has stated that they met with the staff from the room and discussed the issue during a staff meeting. The Quality Manager made support visits to the room. The importance of children’ accessibility to resources and materials to their holistic lea rning and development was highlighted. The practice around this lunchtime/sleep time transition has changed and staff now prepare children’s sleep mats as each child is ready for rest. Preventive Action 1. Training will be provided by the Quality manager on providing further support to children and on adopting more consistent approaches for children to regulate their emotions and build play skills. The manager remains available to be an extra support in this room when required. 2. The staff will continue to update the Quality manager and the Early Years Specialist around supporting this child. Progress will be reviewed regularly and the processes under the Supporting Children policy will be followed accordingly. 3. Management will supervise and monitor routines and practice to ensure our practice is responsive to children’s needs
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the cot room, soft play equipment such as large PVC covered foam filled shapes and bolsters were stacked and stored next to a cot in the recessed area in which the cot was positioned. The play equipment was close enough to the cot that a child could pull items into the cot causing injury or knock to the floor creating a trip hazard. A similar non-compliance was identified during the last inspection on 23/03/2023. Fire Safety: 2. The designated emergency exit doors leading from the ECCE room and also from the Active Cubs room on the first floor had stair gates fitted on the inside of both door frames. This was at variance with safe practice and also contravened the notices attached to the inside of the doors which stated, ‘Please keep this fire door clear at all times.’ The stair gates could potentially cause delay in evacuating the building in the event of an emergency. The inspector was informed by a staff member that the purpose of the stair gates was to facilitate the doors to be left open when required to enhance ventilation and reduce the room temperatures. It is acknowledged that the stair gates were removed by staff members on the evening of the inspection, leaving the emergency exit doors clear and unobstructed, as evidenced in photographs submitted by the manager of the service to the Inspectorate. 3. A large plastic play tray with tubular steel legs, a doll’s pram and a number of chunky wooden wedges were stored at the top of the external stairs leading from the ECCE room and the Active Cubs room down to the garden. The positioning of these items could potentially cause delay in evacuating the building in the event of an emergency. It is acknowledged that the items were removed by staff members during the course of the inspection, leaving the route clear and unobstructed. A similar non-compliance was identified during the last inspection on 23/03/2023. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Management stated that following the inspection they removed the items above from the cot room. Management spoke to staff during the next staff meeting regarding the importance of keeping that area free from storing items. Fire Safety: 2. Management stated that following the inspection the stair gates were removed. Practice regarding the use of the fire exits has been modified to ensure the exits will not be obstructed. Staff will continue to monitor room temperatures and use the air-condition units accordingly. 3. Management stated that the items were removed from top of external stairs during inspection. Management spoke to all staff during a staff meeting about the importance of keeping that area free from obstruction. Preventive Action 1. Management to carry out regular checks of the cot room to ensure nothing is stored there. 2. Management will do regular checks to ensure the fire exits are not obstructed. Staff will record and monitor the room temperatures and inform management of any issues. 3. Management will carry out regular checks to ensure items are not stored on external stairs. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: Copy of staff meeting agenda with safety issues above as topics for discussion Photographic evidence of cot room free of storage Fire Safety: Photographic evidence of stair gates removed from both exits were received following the inspection Photographic evidence of clear stairs landing Summary Comment It is acknowledged by the inspector that management took action to remove the stair gates from the fire exits immediately following the inspection. The inspector received photographs as evidence of this action by the end of the day. The actions and evidence submitted to address the non-compliances identified under Regulation 23 have been reviewed and accepted. The non-compliances identified under Regulation 23 have been adequately addressed
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) 1. The ambient temperatures in the ECCE room were above the optimum care room temperature of 18-22°C during the inspection, as detailed in table 1.1 below. These temperatures posed a risk in relation to the safety and comfort of the children accommodated in the care room. The inspector was informed by a staff member working in this care room that higher than optimal room temperatures occurred on a regular basis despite the use of the air conditioning unit provided in the room. Location Air Temperature Time recorded ECCE room: 22.9°C 11.40am 26.1°C 11.55am 24.3°C 2.35pm Table 1.1 Air temperatures in ECCE room on 20/03/2024. (d) 1. Two wall-mounted soap dispenser stands in place at the wash hand basins in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the Active Cubs room were in an unhygienic condition as heavy accumulations of grime and dirt particles were evident on the base surfaces. Additionally both stands were broken with most of the outer plastic casings missing and sharp edges exposed which could potentially cause an injury to a child. It is acknowledged that these soap dispensers were removed on the evening of the inspection following the closing meeting as evidenced in photographs submitted by the manager of the service to the Inspectorate. 2. The wooden casing fitted to enclose a wash hand basin in the sanitary accommodation adjoining the ECCE room was in poor condition, with the inner pulp fibres exposed and swollen from added moisture, particularly along the top edge. The surfaces could not be adequately cleaned. 3. The enclosed space beneath the fire escape in the outdoor play area was cluttered with two discarded air conditioning units and separate wire grid covers, electric cables, a full-sized wheelbarrow, a metal-framed seesaw, cardboard packaging, waste timber, soil and weeds which posed a risk of harbourage for pests
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (c)(1) The company has stated that management and maintenance teams arranged for a technician to come and service the air condition units. This service took place on the 17/04/2024 and technicians made an adjustment to the system. Management have spoken to staff to ensure they alert management if there is any further issue. (d) 1. Following the inspection both wall-mounted soap dispensers were removed from the bathroom. Hand soap provided at the sinks. 2. Following the inspection, our maintenance team, removed the old casing and fitted a new casing enclosure around the wash basin in the sanitary area. 3. Following the inspection all items were removed from the space. Preventive Action (c) 1. Staff to monitor the temperature in the room and alert management if there is any further issue. (d) 1. Hand soap will now be placed at the children’s level by the sink. 2. Management will carry out regular checks to ensure the woodwork is in good condition. 3. Items will not be stored in that space again and management will do regular checks