Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances
(4) One staff member did not have documentary evidence or letter of equivalency to show their qualification met the required minimum Level 5 Childcare qualification
Provider's corrective action:
The staff member had provided a letter from her university stating she was completing her Early Years degree and had completed year 1. Following the inspection the student forwarded the documents required to the DCEDIY for clarification. We requested a more detailed letter from the college to forward to DCEDIY clarifying that the student had completed year one and was nearing completion of year two of a degree that is listed on the list of recognised qualifications. In future we will ask the students to complete the relevant application and forward it to the DCEDIY for confirmation before employing as a staff member
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The service did not adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years for 1 staff member. 2. In Preschool Room 2 the cupboard under the sink was unlocked and contained the cleaning spray. This was potentially accessible to the children and a health and safety risk. Infection Control: 3. There was no hot water provided at the sanitary accommodation used by the children from Preschool Room 2, neither at the sink directly outside the care room or at the sink in the sanitary accommodation off the hall. This does not allow for effective hand washing
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. We had overlooked a staff members end date and was late applying for the vetting. The completed vetting came through on the 16/03/2026. In future we will ensure all re-vetting is applied for well in advance of the expiry date. The manager has taken responsibility to remind al staff to complete it as soon as it arrives in their emails. 2. The bottle was removed immediately and the room leader and assistants were made aware of the danger of detergent being left in a low cupboard. The room leader and assistants took responsibility to ensure all detergent bottles are kept in the higher presses. The room leader has also taken the responsibility to inform all students and volunteers, the importance of safe guarding all children from harm and ensuring health and safety at all times. Infection Control: 3. We contacted the plumber and he found issues with the hot water tank in the boiler house. The plumber advised us to go with under sink hot water units for both areas and bypass the tank. Work has been completed. Installation of under sink water heaters to ensure we have hot water in all areas and not depending on the buildings hot water system which is controlled by the landlord
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) In Preschool Room 1 there was no step up for the children to access the sink in the care room outside the sanitary accommodation. Additionally, the paper towel dispenser was located high up on the wall outside the sanitary accommodation and could not be accessed by the children who needed to dry their hands
Provider's corrective action:
A spare step-up was placed at the sink after inspection and a risk assessment was carried out. The step-up is not a risk as it is close to the sink unit and out of way of traffic. Going forward when a step-up is removed as it is damaged, a new one will be replaced immediately. We have purchased 2 spare step-up’s to ensure we will always have one available in case of damage to one in use. Registered provider confirmed via email with photographic evidence that the paper towels are now accessible to the children for hand drying. Summary Comment The registered provider’s responses and photographic evidence submitted were reviewed and accepted. The non- compliances have been addressed
Regulation not named in the report text
On the day of inspection, the 19 children from Preschool Room 2 were observed to have access to an extra room directly off the care room which was a sectioned off area of the general-purpose hall. It is acknowledged that there was no increase in the number of children attending the room and that a change in circumstances form has been submitted in relation to the use of this room
Provider's corrective action:
Following the inspection we decided to close off the extension until the change of circumstance is approved. In future we will apply and wait for change of circumstance granted before using extra space. The deputy manager has taken responsibility for this going forward. Summary Comment The Inspectorate accepts the registered provider’s response and assurances given. The non-compliance has been addressed
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26, 28.
Inspection of 17 February 2025 — Inspection Report
(9)(3) From the documentary evidence available for inspection 3 staff members had commenced working in the service prior to Garda Vetting being obtained
Provider's corrective action:
(9)(3) The services manager has taken responsibility to ensure all garda vetting are on file before a member of staff commences training and/or work. The registered provider has highlighted the requirements within the recruitment policy for commencing work. Summary Comment The registered provider’s response has been reviewed and accepted. The non-compliance has been addressed
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the Baby Room there were unprotected sharp corners on the table and brown shelving unit; and on the tables in the gazebo in the outdoor area. In addition, the risk assessment sheet in relation to this issue in the Baby Room had not been completed since the 27th of January. Similarly, in the Toddler Room the stainless-steel drawer unit located in the soft area had sharp corners exposed at a low level and the risk assessment document had not been completed since 04th February. These are recurring non-compliances from the previous inspection on 19/06/2024 and are also at variance to the registered provider’s previous action plan response which stated “Sharp corners have been secured with furniture corner guards in the toddler room and preschool room 2. The room leaders have taken responsibility to ensure all sharp edges are covered and will inform the deputy manager if any edges become a hazard concern.” 2. The wall mounted mirror in the Toddler Room was cracked and a potential injury hazard. Safe Sleep: 3. In the Toddler Room sleep checks were not being carried out at the recommended 10-minute intervals. This is at variance with best practice and safe sleep guidelines where the requirement is to carryout 10 minutes physical sleep checks on sleeping children. This is a health and safety risk
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Corners on the tables in the Baby Room have been secured with new furniture corner guards and new tables and unit with rounded corners have been ordered. The tables in the gazebo have been returned to the national school. The stainless-steel drawer unit in the toddler room has been removed and a new unit with rounded corners has been ordered, The room leaders have taken responsibility to ensure the risk assessment documents are completed daily and to record risks and to report them immediately to the Deputy manager and to follow up on these recorded risks to ensure they are being sorted promptly. Going forward the registered provider will order all units and tables with rounded ends. 2. The wall mounted mirror has been removed from the wall. Safe Sleep: 3. The room leader has taken responsibility to ensure the safe sleep checks are always carried out at 10- minute intervals. The manager is to check weekly sleep records are being recorded every 10 minutes in compliance with best practise and safe sleep guidelines
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) Some of the room temperatures in the service were not adequately maintained within the recommended temperature range. For example; the Toddler Room felt cold and the room temperature was recorded at 150 C at 13:10; and in the Pre Preschool Room the room temperature was recorded as 16.3o C at 11:50 and 13.2o C at 12:30. These temperatures were not within the required room temperatures of 18 – 22 o C. This also went unnoticed by staff present. (d)The sanitary area of Preschool Room 1 was in a state of disrepair as evidenced by the following observations; 1. Large brown stains were evident on the ceiling of the sanitary area. 2. Black stains and dirt were evident on the wall beside the wash hand basin. A 2nd sink had previously been present in this area but had been removed. (e) The sanitary facilities in Preschool Room 1 were inadequate and unsuitable for the following reasons; 1. There was 1 wash hand basin in the sanitary area when 2 were required. 2. The 2 toilets available while partitioned did not have any doors. This does not provide a sealed off cubicle so as to protect the dignity and privacy of the preschool children using the sanitary facilities at the same time. It is acknowledged that the person in charge stated that plans are in place to refurbish this area. These non-compliances in (d)and (e) are recurrent non-compliances which were outstanding at the last inspection and remain outstanding. It is acknowledged that the person and deputy person in charge have stated the difficulty they have had in sourcing a plumber to commence the renovation works
Provider's corrective action:
(c)One radiator had been turned off in the Pre - Preschool Room and the room leaders have taken responsibility to check all radiators are turned on each evening and that the room temperature falls no lower than 18oC. The manager has changed the heating setting to come on a Sunday which has increased the temperature to 18OC degrees, in the Toddler and Pre- Preschool rooms on Mondays. Deputy manager will regularly check that the room temperatures are above 18 degrees. (d) A painter has been booked to paint the roof, PVC the walls and fit new flooring, once the plumber has completed his work. (e) The plumbing work has commenced. The registered provider has organised another classroom and toilets for the children to use while work is being carried out. Summary Comment The registered provider’s response was reviewed. (c) The registered provider’s response is accepted and the non-compliance addressed. (d) and (e) A follow-up call to the person in charge confirmed that plumbing works were commenced and almost complete. Wall panelling and painting are to commence shortly and all works to be completed by the end of June 2025. The Inspectorate are satisfied with the assurances given by the registered provider that the works will be completed and the non-compliances addressed. This will be reviewed at the next inspection
(2)(a) Of the staff files reviewed, one staff member did not have 2 written and validated references. (4) One staff member observed working directly with the preschool children did not have documentary evidence of a major childcare award at a minimum Level 5
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) Two written and validated references were obtained for the staff member and forwarded to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate. The registered provider will ensure no staff are employed until all the documentation including written references are on file. (4) The student teacher is finishing work within the service this week as she was unable to verify confirmation of her degree from the college. The manager will ensure to confirm that all students working during the summer holidays have the necessary childcare qualifications by applying for confirmation of degrees being suitable for working in Early Years setting as soon as the student teachers or early years students show interest in summer work in future
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1)(a) A curriculum vitae was not available for inspection for 1 member of staff to confirm the qualification, experience or the requirement of international police vetting if applicable. (i) The system for recording daily staff attendance was inadequate. The service uses a whiteboard to record staff working on a daily basis over the period of a week and this white board is wiped cleaned at the end of the week. The system did not have capacity to maintain historical records of staff attendance for example on the 7/6/24 there were 15 children present in the Toddler Room and only 2 staff were documented as being signed in and present in the room. Three were required
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(a)The curriculum vitae was obtained, and copy submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate. The manager has taken responsibility that all required documents will be on file before staff members commence working in the setting. (i)Daily staff attendance records are now saved electronically also the historical records of staff moving rooms. The deputy manager has taken responsibility to keep the staff daily attendance record sheets both past and present on file. These records will reflect changes if any, taking place throughout the day and will be available for inspection. Summary Comment The registered provider’s response is accepted, the non-compliance is addressed and will be for review at the next inspection
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
1. One child aged 2 years 4 months was observed sleeping in a ‘space saving cot’ which was only suitable for children up to a maximum age of 12 months. 2. Cot Room 1 off the Toddler Room was cluttered with plastic storage boxes, a cardboard box and a baby rocker chair. This is a safety risk, should the room require evacuation in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
1. The staff have taken responsibility to ensure the children are placed in a cot size suitable for their age. The room leader has taken responsibility to ensure all children are sleeping in cots suitable for their age. 2. Both storage boxes and baby rocker have been removed from the sleep room. New hooks have been placed in the sleep room for the children’s sleep sheet bags. The room leader has taken responsibility to ensure the sleep room is kept free from clutter
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection: General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all staff members and students for whom it was required. However, 2 of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. Sharp corners which are a potential injury hazard were unprotected in the Toddler Room e.g. kitchen area, stainless steel drawer unit located in the soft area, tables and in Preschool Room 2 the corners on the wooden work bench. Additionally, the room risk assessment on display in the Toddler Room was last dated week commencing 29th April 2024. 3. In the outdoor ‘stone area’ sharp nails were exposed on the timber surrounding the base of the fence. This was a potential injury hazard. 4. In Preschool Room 2 a disinfectant spray bottle was sitting on the sink area and accessible to the preschool children. This is a health and safety risk. Safe Sleep: 5. A cardboard wall thermometer was in use in the Pre-Preschool Room (when this room was converted to a sleep room) and also in the sleep rooms off the Toddler Room to record the room temperatures. This is not an accurate means of recording a room temperature
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. An application was made for updated Garda Vetting and vetting disclosures were received. The manager has taken responsibility to update garda vetting for all staff every three years in line with The Early Years Inspectorate Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 – Renewal of garda vetting. 2. Sharp corners have been secured with furniture corner guards in the toddler room and preschool room 2. The room leaders have taken responsibility to ensure all sharp edges are covered and will inform the deputy manager if any edges become a hazard concern. 3. The sharp nails exposed on the timber in the outdoor stone area were removed and replaced leaving no injury hazard. The toddler risk assessment document in display has been updated and is currently updated daily. Going forward, the deputy manager together with all staff will be vigilant for any potential injury hazard. 4. The staff were made aware of the importance of returning the disinfectant spray bottle to the press. The room leader has taken responsibility together with all staff to ensure disinfectant bottles are stored safely out of children’s reach. Safe Sleep: 5. All rooms have been replaced with new temperature and humidity battery/electricity operated monitors. The manager replaced the cardboard wall thermometer with a battery monitor and the room leaser has taken responsibility to replace batteries when required
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d)The sanitary area of Preschool Room 1 was in a state of disrepair as required as evidenced by the following observations; 1. Large brown stains were evident on the ceiling of the sanitary area. 2. Black stains and dirt were evident on the wall beside the wash hand basin. The service manager confirmed that a 2nd sink had been present in this area but had been removed. (e) The sanitary facilities in Preschool Room1 were inadequate and unsuitable for the following reasons; 1. There was 1 wash hand basin in the sanitary area when 2 were required. 2. The 2 toilets available while partitioned did not have any doors. This does not provide a sealed off cubicle so as to protect the dignity and privacy of the preschool children using the sanitary facilities at the same time. It is acknowledged that the person in charge stated that plans are in place to refurbish this area. 3. Although not observed on the day of inspection the service had insufficient nappy changing facilities to accommodate the number of children in nappies attending the Toddler Room. One nappy changing mat was available for use while records demonstrated that on some dates 15 children were in attendance. This was also confirmed by the staff. The requirement is that 1 nappy changing mat and 1 wash hand basin is available for every 11 children
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. The sanitary area in preschool room 1 is under repair and being refurbished at present. Piping is being removed to make space to fit cubicle doors and PVC panelling on walls and ceiling is being painted plus new flooring and toilets have been ordered. 2. The sink has been removed to make space for cubicle door. Two toilets and two sink units across the hall from the preschool room are available to the children if required, during renovations. (e) 1. There is one handwash basin in the toilet area and one sink outside the door for children to wash their hands at present. Plumber looking at space to fit second sink unit. The manager is looking at getting a c second sink installed and will inform inspector upon completion. 2. Cubicle doors are being attached during renovations and will be fitted when the plumbing work is completed. 3. A second nappy changing unit has been purchased and attached to the wall in the toilet area leaving 2 nappy changing units and two sinks available to cater for a number of children attending the toddler room. Summary Comment The registered provider’s response was reviewed by the inspector. The non-compliance in relation to the provision of additional nappy changing unit has been addressed As renovation work is ongoing the non-compliance for the remaining non-compliances have not been adequately addressed, however it is acknowledged that the children have access to 2 further toilets and wash hand basins in the hall area outside the care room