Inspection of 1 December 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- • Three reference validations did not have the date of validation recorded so it could not be determined if these had been validated prior to staff commencing employment in the service. • International Police vetting for one staff member was not sought or reviewed prior to their start date. (4) A staff member had a letter of eligibility to practice from the Department of Children Disability and Equality however, the date on this had expired. The staff members qualification could not be determined
Provider's corrective action:
- (9)(3) Dates for verified references will be added thoroughly going forward to show evidence reference checks were completed before staff start dates. International police clearance has now been sought. All records will be reviewed quarterly and signed off by a member of management
- Letter of eligibility has been applied for immediately. Strict organisational restructure of documentation for new staff/ child records. All records will be reviewed quarterly and signed off by a member of management
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- (h) One record did not contain the child’s immunisation records as is required
Provider's corrective action:
- (h) Immunisation record being sought from doctor surgery. We will ensure all documents are collected before the child’s start date in the setting, with evidence of immunisation on record or declaration of non-immunisation signed off by parents
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The room temperatures recorded in the Caterpillar and sleep room were outside the required temperature range of 18 -22 degrees Celsius. The room temperature at 10.45am in the Caterpillar room was recorded at 16.6oC and at 11.34am prior to the children going to sleep, the sleep room was recorded at 16.1oC
Provider's corrective action:
- We will ensure temperatures are met by having the heating on earlier in the morning after the weekend. Extra sources of heat available to boost areas where needed. All staff review temperature regulations and sign off on them. Procedure to notify management immediately if temperatures drop-in the rooms. New sensitive thermometer purchased for precise temperature reading
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A child was observed being placed to sleep on their back with a bottle of milk. This poses a risk of choking. 2. The registered provider did not ensure compliance with the regulatory notice to renew Garda vetting every three years for one staff member. Infection Control: 3. A number of handwashing practices posed a risk of cross contamination as follows: • A staff member did not wash their hands prior to the nappy change as is required in the service policy. • The children Butterfly room did not wash their hands prior to dinner which posed a risk of cross contamination. • A staff member was observed wiping a child’s nose and did not wash their hands afterwards posing a risk of cross infection. 4. Soothers in the Caterpillar room were not stored in individual containers for infection control purposes. Safe Sleep: 5. Four children aged one year were observed sleeping on a floor bed on the day of inspection and not in a standard cot or an appropriate low-level bed as required, two children were subsequently moved to cots. Outing: 6. Staff confirmed that they conduct regular outings. There were no risk assessments available that had been completed prior to any of these events taking place. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Safe sleep policy updated with staff training completed, and staff sign off on new updated policy and training. Safe sleep policies and procedures regularly updated and reviewed by management and lead educators. 2. The registered provider applied for garda vetting through Tusla. Vetting sourced through ECI and lapsed in November 2025 and has since been reapplied for via Tusla new updated vetting system. System updated by management to ensure vetting for all employees every 3 years- internal office calendar has been updated for reminder of next vetting dates. Infection Control: 3. Infection control policy updated and signed off by all staff. Continuously monitor and remind staff of infection control measures. 4. New soother boxes purchased and soothers updated into individual boxes. Soother policy updated and signed off by all staff. Safe Sleep: 5. Child safe sleep schedule revised and updated to ensure all children under 2 have access to a cot for sleep. Ensure all staff, including cover staff, are familiar with the sleeping schedule. Outing: 6. Risk assessment updated and notice to all staff to ensure risk assessment is completed before each outing. Risk assessments reviewed and updated regularly and handed into management monthly with other monthly paperwork
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16.