# Willow House Childcare, Ashford — inspection reports and findings > Willow House Childcare (Ashford, Co. Wicklow): what Tusla inspections found — 3 published inspection(s), non-compliances and the provider's corrective actions. ## Willow House Childcare Full Day · 0 - 6 Years · Ashford, Wicklow · Tusla ID **TU2022WW001** · Registered since 14 June 2025 An inspection records what inspectors saw **on one day**; services respond with corrective actions — [how to read this](/methodology.md). #### Inspection of 8 October 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the Registered Provider on 8 October2025 in relation to Regulation 9(2)(c); Garda Vetting Disclosure was not available for one adult who had access to pre-school children in the service. A response from the registered provider was received on 9 October 2025 and accepted on the same date. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (c) No documentary evidence in relation to a Garda Vetting Disclosure was available for one adult employed. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the Registered Provider on 8 October2025 in relation to this - (2)(c) Corrective Action: As immediate action, the staff member was removed from all duties involving contact with children pending receipt and verification of the Garda Vetting Disclosure. Once the disclosure was obtained and verified, the staff member was reinstated to work directly with children in the room. A copy of the Garda Vetting Disclosure has been attached. Preventive Action: Staff cannot commence employment or have unsupervised access to children until a valid Garda Vetting Disclosure is on fille. An Employee Garda Vetting Checklist has been created and implemented as part of the onboarding process to ensure full compliance. An internal audit template for staff files has been created and implemented to verify that all Garda Vetting and related documentation is in place. Internal audits of all staff vetting records will be conducted quarterly to ensure compliance with Regulation 9. A follow-up audit will be conducted three months after implementation to confirm that all current and new staff have valid vetting. Management and recruitment staff have been provided with training on Tusla requirements for Garda Vetting and documentary evidence retention ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - Infection Control: In one room three children’s nappies were changed consecutively. The practices observed during nappy changing did not demonstrate best practice in relation to infection control as follows: • During the nappy changing procedure the staff member did not wash her hands after changing each child’s nappy. • The children’s hands were not washed after nappy change. • The nappy changing mat was not cleaned after each nappy change. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - Infection Control: Corrective Action: The following actions were implemented immediately: • Hand Hygiene: All staff have been reminded of the requirement to wash their hands thoroughly after changing each child’s nappy. This has been reinforced through immediate supervision and refresher training. • Children’s Hands: Staff have been instructed to ensure that each child’s hands are washed after nappy changes to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. • Nappy Changing Mat: Staff have been reminded to clean and disinfect the nappy changing mat after every use. Additional visual reminders and checklists have been implemented at each station to ensure ongoing compliance. Preventive Action To prevent recurrence of this non-compliance ongoing supervision and refresher training has been put in place. Posters regarding handwashing have been displayed in each changing room as a visual reminder. Management will carry out spot-checks to ensure adherence to infection control procedures. Summary Comment The registered provider has addressed the non-compliance as identified on inspection in relation to Regulation 23. As this is a non-compliance relating to staff practices, it will be re-checked on next inspection Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 27. #### Inspection of 27 May 2025 — Inspection Report Full report (PDF, Tusla) **Immediate action notice.** An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the Registered Provider on 27/05/2025 in relation to a non-compliance identified Regulation 23, General Safety. A response from the registered provider was received and accepted 28/05/2025. ##### Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment - (2)(a)(b) No references were available in relation to one adult employed - Corrective and Preventive Action The two references for the adult have been checked and attached to their files Please find attached all documentation which will be completed prior to the staff member’s start date ##### Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service - The staff roster did not accurately reflect the staff who were present on the day of inspection as follows: • One staff member who was rostered to work from 08:30 to 17:30 was not present but was working in another service. • The person in charge was rostered to work in the service from 09:00 to 18:00. However, was not present in the service on arrival of the inspectors. She arrives at 10:50 after been informed by her deputy that an inspection was in progress - : Corrective Action To ensure accurate tracking of staff hours and maintain safe staffing levels, it has been clearly explained to management that any changes—such as staff arriving late, calling in sick, or other reasons—must always be accurately reflected on the roster. A supporting policy has been created and implemented to guide consistent and precise recording of staff presence. Preventive Action A formal policy has been implemented to ensure consistent and precise tracking of staff presence to maintain safe staffing levels. Senior management will also ensure that this policy is being followed by managers through regular monitoring and supervision ##### Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child - In the Little Steps Room, where children were aged 1-2 years, appropriate and suitable care practices were not observed at all times during the inspection which was evidenced by the following: 1. It is acknowledged that the three staff in the room spoke to the children kindly, however the children’s need for comforting was not met. While there were three staff present there were several occasions when children were not picked up when crying and in need of a cuddle, reassurance and sleep: • At 11:10 one child was crying for four minutes and not picked up and comforted by a staff member. • At 11:30 one child very upset and cried for 7 minutes appeared tired, rubbing her eyes and eyes closing. This child was not put into the cot room until asked to do so by the inspector. The staff member stated that the children are not picked up as it would cause the staff to have them “on their shoulder all of the time”. 2. Children’s nappies were not checked prior to sleep time. This caused unnecessary distress for two babies on the day of inspection. • At 12:05 one baby was crying loudly in the cot room. A staff member was trying to soothe the child by rubbing her back gently and the child continued to cry. When the inspector entered the room another staff member went to the child and picked the child up. The child had a soiled nappy. • At 12:15 another baby was crying in the cot room for 5 minutes. The inspector again entered the cot room. The child’s nappy was then checked and was soiled. 3. It was observed during the morning that children chose toys to play with and were supported by staff. However, there was no planned activities with the staff to engage the children and stimulate their interest and imagination and extend their play. 4. Due to the size and layout of the room one child was observed to use the room as a running track. Although this child was requested to stop, the staff did not distract the child with another activity. 5. It was noted on several occasions during the inspection that children’s noses were not wiped as needed in a timely manner. On two occasions the inspector asked staff to do so - Corrective and Preventive Actions To improve the care provided to children, we have updated our policies to ensure that every staff member is fully aware of the appropriate steps to take when a child is upset. These updates include clear guidelines on techniques to be used when comforting a child. In addition, we provide internal training during staff meetings to ensure all team members fully understand their role and responsibilities in supporting children’s emotional well-being. All staff will receive regular training during staff meetings on updated policies and techniques for comforting upset children to ensure consistent and appropriate responses. Clear guidance will be added to the induction pack for new staff and will also be displayed in each room for daily reference. Staff understanding will be monitored through regular supervision and team discussions ##### Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child - General Safety: 1.At 12:20 in the Little Steps room a box of toy animals was noted and available to the children who were aged between one and two years. On examination of the animals a total of eight had their ears missing. These toys pose a serious risk of choking/inhalation to children of this age group. These toys were immediately removed from the room. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on the day of inspection 27/05/2025 and a response was received on 28/05/2025. Infection Control: 2. In the Little Steps room, the staff members did not follow best practice in relation to the management of toys when young children of this age put them into their mouth as evidenced by: • The Inspector asked a staff member how toys were managed when children of this age put them into their mouth. The staff member stated that it would be put in a “mouthing box” out of reach of children and stored until cleaning. This box was located on a low shelf within reach of the children in the room and stored in the same area as all of their toys. • The inspector observed a child with a toy in their mouth. This was taken by a staff member when prompted to do so by the inspector. The toy was not put into the “mouthing toy box” for cleaning. Action submitted by the Registered Provider - General Safety: 1.Corrective and Preventive Action. The specified toys have been removed from the rooms. Additionally, all remaining toys have been checked to ensure that they are appropriate. Infection Control: - Corrective and Preventive Action: The mouthing toy policy has been reviewed, and clear steps have been outlined to staff . this updated policy has been discussed and explained to each staff member to ensure consistent implementation. Posters have also been displayed in each room. Room leaders and management will regularly observe daily routines to ensure staff are following the mouthing toy policy. Spot checks will be carried out, and reminders will be given when needed. Staff understanding and adherence will also be reviewed during team meetings and supervision sessions ##### Regulation 27 — Supervision - In the Little Steps room children were not supervised at all times as evidenced by the following: In one of the toys boxes accessible to the children there was a number of “soft pads” for use as a fan. At 11:40 a child was observed by the inspector hitting another child on the back of the head with this toy. This was not seen by any of the staff. The child who was hit cried loudly and put his hand to his head. When this was pointed out to the staff in the room the child who was hit was comforted and it was agreed that these toys were unsuitable for this age group. However, they remained accessible to children in the room - The Children Supervision Policy has been reviewed and discussed in detail with all staff to ensure children are supervised at all times, especially during free play. As part of this review, the “soft pads” have been removed from the room, and the remaining equipment has been checked to confirm it is appropriate and safe for children of this age group. To prevent future safety risks, staff will maintain in constant supervision during free play, all remaining equipment will be regularly checked for age-appropriateness and safety Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 25. #### Inspection of 29 January 2024 — Change in Circumstance Full report (PDF, Tusla) No non-compliance recorded in this report. ### Other services in Wicklow - [Wise Owls Montessori School](/creche/wise-owls-montessori-school-tullow.md) Tullow - [Woodlands Montessori](/creche/woodlands-montessori-greystones.md) Greystones - [Always Active Afterschool Club](/creche/always-active-afterschool-club-blacklion.md) Blacklion - [Ashvale Creche Ltd](/creche/ashvale-creche-ltd-wicklow-town.md) Wicklow Town - [Busy Fingers Pre-School](/creche/busy-fingers-pre-school-aughrim.md) Aughrim - [Footprints Montessori Pre-school](/creche/footprints-montessori-pre-school-greystones.md) Greystones - [Mother Goose Montessori](/creche/mother-goose-montessori-bray.md) Bray - [Clare Elizabeth Creche](/creche/clare-elizabeth-creche-bray.md) Bray - [Jellytots Pre School](/creche/jellytots-pre-school-wicklow-town.md) Wicklow Town - [Riverside Childcare](/creche/riverside-childcare-aughrim-2.md) Aughrim [Alert me when a new report is published](/help.md) · [Dated report on this service — €19](/report.md) --- Página: https://creche-inspection-reports.pages.dev/creche/willow-house-childcare-ashford/ Fonte: Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Recolha: 2026-09-11