Creche Inspection Reports

Whitefriars Childcare Ltd

Part Time · 0 - 6 Years · Dublin 8, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2015DY261 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections
3non-compliances at latest report read
2immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 16 June 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Immediate action notice. 16 June 2026 An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider in relation to a concern identified under Regulation 23, Safeguarding the Health, Welfare and Development of child. A response which outlined a plan which mitigated the risk was received on 17 June 2025. Further details are available under Regulation 23.

Immediate action notice. An additional immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on 17 June 2025 in relation to concerns under

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (2) (a) (b) o One written and validated reference was not available for one adult. o Two written and validated references were not available for one adult. It is acknowledged that this adult does not work directly with the children and usually works outside the operational hours of the service. However, this adult was observed to be present on the day of the inspection. A similar non-compliance was observed on the previous inspection in November 2024, and the preventive action had not been sustained. (c) There was no Garda vetting disclosure available for one adult who was present on the day of inspection and had access to the children. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider. It is acknowledged that this adult does not work directly with the children and usually works outside the operational hours of the service. However, this adult was observed to be present on the day of inspection. (d) Documentary evidence showed that one adult had lived in two different jurisdictions other than Ireland for more than six months as an adult. International police vetting was not available for one of the two jurisdictions. It is acknowledged that this adult does not work directly with the children and usually works outside the operational hours of the service. However, this adult was observed to be present on the day of the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
  • (a) (b) The outstanding reference was sourced and validated for one adult, and the registered provider has offered assurances that the second adults’ normal working hours are outside the operational hours of the service. The registered provider will ensure all references are received and validated before employment. (c) Garda vetting was received. The registered provider ensures that this adults’ normal working hours are outside the operational hours of the service. (d) The registered provider ensures that this adults’ normal working hours are outside the operational hours of the service

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. There was no documentation available in a care room detailing important information on the care, supervision and strategies required regarding a child who had additional care needs to ensure that the child’s safety and welfare was maintained. It is acknowledged that an individual care plan was shown to the inspector by management. However, this care plan needs to be updated regularly targeting the individual needs of the child, and the information should be readily available to the staff in the care room in order to provide and plan for children’s safe care and development. A similar non-compliance was observed on the previous inspection in November 2024, and the preventive action had not been sustained. Infection Control: 2. Effective hand washing practices were not observed to support appropriate control of cross-infection. The following was observed: o Children in the baby room were observed to have their hands wiped with baby wipes before mealtimes. This does not support adequate hygiene. Children should be facilitated to wash their hands under thermostatically controlled running water, with liquid soap and paper hand towels provided in line with HSPC guidance in relation to infection control protection measures. o The was no hand washing completed after one of the three nappy changes observed. Safe Sleep: 3. The registered provider did not ensure that an ambient temperature of 16-20℃ was maintained for sleeping children under one years of age and an ambient temperature of 18-22℃ was maintained for sleeping children over one years of age in the care rooms. This was evidenced by the following. o The baby room was recorded at 25.6℃ at 12.29pm while 1 child under 1 years of age and 3 children under 18 months of age were sleeping. An Immediate action notice was issued and a response which mitigated the risk was received on 17 June 2025. o In addition, the temperature in the toddler room was recorded at 24.4℃ while five children aged 2 to 3 years of age slept at 1.39pm. o It is acknowledged that staff in both rooms took measures to reduce temperatures including opening windows, putting ion fans, removing heavy outer clothing from the children and carrying out more frequent sleep checks. However, the sleep room temperatures remained above the required room temperatures for sleeping children in both the baby room and toddler room. 4. A child in the Montessori room was observed to be asleep in the cosy corner from 1.50pm to 2.51pm. During this time staff did not carry out regular 10 minutes sleep checks including checks on the child’s breathing, position, and colour. This is at variance with the service ‘Safe Sleep’ policy which states “children will always be provided with suitable sleeping facilities away from the play areas and staff will conduct 10-minute sleep checks recoding the position of the child, skin colour of the child and any changes of breathing. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. An up-to-date care plan was developed. The registered provider will ensure that care plans will be maintained up to date. Infection Control: 2. Staff were updated on hygiene procedures, and the infection control policy was shared with staff. The service will ensure staff are aware of policy and procedures in relation to handwashing. Safe Sleep: 3. Air-cooler machines have been purchased for the Baby, Toddler and Montessori rooms, with an additional machine or the Wobbler room under order. The machines will be timed to cool the rooms prior to the children arriving. A canopy has been installed outside the Baby room window to provide shade and reduce heat in the room. A risk assessment has been developed to assess temperatures and a new thermometer to gauge temperatures throughout the day. The safe sleep policy was shared with staff. 4. Staff have been updated on the safe sleep policy and the requirement for appropriate sleep facilities and sleep checks

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • (c) The registered provider did not ensure that an ambient temperature of 18-22℃ was maintained in three of the care room where children were playing. Evidenced by the following. o The Baby room temperature was recorded at 23.6℃ at 10.30am. o The Toddler room temperature was recorded at 23.8℃ at 11.52am. o The Montessori room temperature was recorded at 23.5℃ at 1.59pm. It is acknowledged that it was a warm day and staff opened windows, turned on fans, removed heavy outer clothing from the children and ensured children stayed hydrated. This non-compliance was observed on the previous inspection in November 2024, and the preventive action had not been sustained
Provider's corrective action:
  • (c) Air-cooler machines have been purchased for the Baby, Toddler and Montessori rooms, with an additional machine or the Wobbler room under order. The machines will be timed to cool the rooms prior to the children arriving in the morning. A canopy has been installed outside the Baby room window to provide shade and reduce heat in the room. A risk assessment has been developed to assess temperatures and a new thermometer to gauge temperatures throughout the day

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 16, 22, 26, 28.

Inspection of 11 November 2024 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (2)(a)(b) Evidence of written validated references were not available for the following: o One staff member had only one reference which was not validated. o Two staff members had two references, neither of which were validated. (3) The review of documentation available demonstrated the following had not been considered prior to staff commencing within the service: o A review of start dates showed five adults commenced employment in the service prior to a garda vetting disclosure being available. Garda vetting disclosures were dated between 4 and 14 working days after the start date of employees. o One staff member did not have a curriculum vitae or history of their work-related experience available
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) All references have been followed. A further validated reference was sought for one staff member. (3) The service has updated their employment policy to ensure that the date of the first day on the floor is recorded instead of the first day of job accepted. Preventive Actions (2)(a)(b) The service will ensure that all folders have the required documents for each staff member. (3) The service ensure they will follow their updated policy. They also commit that there is never anyone in contact with children without full vetting

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • The registered provider did not ensure the following: General Safety: 1. There was no documentation available in the care room detailing important information on the care, supervision and strategies required regarding a child who had additional care needs to ensure that the child’s safety and welfare was maintained. This information should be readily available in order to provide and plan for children’s safe care and development. The following posed a potential risk of injury to the children: 2. Two ladders were observed to be propped against the wall in the hallway on the basement level. 3. A cable from the air cooler in the Toddler room was trailing and accessible to the children. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 4. The nappy changing mat in the on the wooden changing unit in the basement level sanitary accommodation was torn leaving the foam exposed. Effective cleaning was not possible as a result. 5. The white bin in the basement level sanitary accommodation was not foot pedal operated and required repeated hand touch of the lid. 6. There was no paper towel on the dispenser in the basement level sanitary accommodation. The roll of paper towel available required repeated hand touch. 7. Hand washing practice was not observed to support appropriate infection control. The following was observed: o The was no hand washing completed after two nappy changes. o Children for the Montessori room were not supported to hand wash using warm water after using the toilet. 8. The covering on the following furniture and equipment was torn leaving an ineffective surface for cleaning: o The green couch in the Toddler room. o The adult chair in the Baby room. o The cushions in the Montessori room. 9. Tape on the flooring in the Montessori rooms was peeling, leaving a build-up of a sticky residue. Effective cleaning was not possible as a result. This was identified as a non-compliance on the last inspection held on the 7 June 2023 and the preventive measures put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. 10. The removable fabric cover on the couch in the Montessori was observed to have a build-up of dirt and was stained. 11. The foam corner protecter was not sealed on the sink unit in the Montessori room. These prevented adequate cleaning. This was identified as a non-compliance on the last inspection held on the 7 June 2023 and the preventive measures put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Safe Sleep: 12. Children aged under two years of age were not provided with adequate sleep facilities in line with Tusla’s “Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months”. Children who were under two years old were observed to sleep on mattresses placed directly on the floor. 13. There was no required paperwork available in relation to children aged under two years of age who have transitioned to a low-level bed in line with Tusla’s “Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months”. o There were no individual sleep plans available. o Appropriate risk assessments detailing the potential risks to the children sleeping on low level beds were not available. Fire Safety: 14. The fire exit from the basement floor was restricted when the window from the Toddler Room was opened. The window was adjacent to the exit and opened onto the opening space of the fire exit. This potentially restricted the safe evacuation of children in an emergency. This was identified as a non- compliance on the last inspection held on the 7 June 2023 and the preventive measures put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: Corrective Actions: 1. A care plan and information has been developed. 2. The ladders were removed from the creche that evening. 3. The cables have been secured. Preventive Actions: 1. The service will ensure there is information for children who may require extra care. 2. The service will ensure ladders are not left in creche while work is underway. 3. The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this. Infection Control: Corrective Actions: 4. The mat has been replaced. 5. Bin was replaced with a foot pedal operated bin. 6. The Paper towel in the dispenser has been refilled. 7. The service reminded staff of the hand washing policy during monthly staff meeting, send it to each staff member to re-read it and then had everyone sign off on this. 8. The green couch in the Toddler room has been removed and replaced with a new one. The adult chair in the Baby room has been removed. The cushions in the Montessori room have been removed. 9. The tape on floor was replaced. 10. The service has bought 2 replacement covers so they can be changed. 11. The sink corner has been replaced with a different soft corner protecter. Preventive Actions: 4. The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this. 5. The service ensure they will only use foot pedal operated bins. 6. The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this. 7. The service will remind all staff of the policy at monthly staff meetings. 8. The service spoke to staff about ensuring all equipment is suitable for the children free from tears etc. and have updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this 9. The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this and plans are in place to replace the floor of Montessori room during Christmas break. 10. The service spoke to staff about checking the sofa and have updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this. 11. The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this. Safe Sleep: Corrective Actions: 12. The service has decided to return to the use of cots for children under two years and will move them to beds as and when they turn two as per Tusla guidelines. 13. The service has decided to return to the use of cots for children under two years, removing the requirement for sleep plans. Preventive Actions: 12. Children under two years will sleep in cots. 13. Children under two years will sleep in cots, removing the requirement for sleep plans. Fire Safety: 14. Corrective Actions: the service has added the check of the toddler window to their daily risk assessment to ensure it does not obstruct the fire exit. The window is to be replaced to a window that pulls inwards on top. Preventive Action: The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this

Regulation 29 — Premises

  • The registered provider did not ensure the following: (c) The temperature of care rooms exceeded the recommended ambient temperature of 18-22 o C in a care room as follows: Room Time Temperature Required Temperature Toddler room 11.03am 12.37pm 23.4oC 23.3oC 18-22oC Montessori room 12.39pm 22.9oC (d) The were three holes in the wall in the Montessori room. These were accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
  • Corrective Action (c) The service have replaced the fans in the rooms to ensure the rooms can be cooled quicker. They have also made sure that the heating will come on at 6:30am- 8:30am instead of 6am- 9am. In the evening 1pm-2pm instead of 12pm-3pm so the rooms won’t be as hot. (d) The holes have been filled by plaster and no longer have holes. Preventive Action (c) The service has added the check of temperature to their daily risk assessments to ensure that rooms are not over 22 degrees. (d) The service has updated their daily risk assessment to include a check for this

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 21, 25.

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