Willow House Childcare Newtownpark, Blackrock — inspection reports and findings

Full Day · 1 - 6 Years · Blackrock, Dublin · Tusla ID TU2015DR089 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 25 July 2025 during the inspection in respect of

(a) (b) Two written references were available for one adult however there was no evidence to show that they had been verified. Written references should be verified to ensure the potential employee is suitable and competent. (c) A Garda Vetting disclosure was not available for one adult working in the service. Through discussion with the person in charge, it was confirmed the staff member had commenced employment on the 7 July 2025. An immediate action notice (IAN) was issued to the registered provider on the 25 July 2025. (d) International police vetting was not available for one adult who resided outside of the country for more than six consecutive months
A review of documentation evidenced the registered provider had not taken the required steps as outlined in Regulation 9(2)(a)(b)(c)(d) to ensure that new recruits were suitable and competent before allowing them access to children, as detailed above
Evidence of a childcare qualification was not provided for one adult who worked directly with the children

Provider's corrective action:

(a) (b) The registered provider verified the outstanding references and will ensure all references received are verified in the future prior to an employee commencing employment. (c) Garda Vetting has been obtained for one adult who was working in the service. The registered provider stated that the person has resumed employment now that vetting is in place. (d) Police vetting is now in place for one adult who had lived outside the State for a period exceeding 6 months as an adult. The registered provider will ensure translated police vetting is available in the future prior to an employee commencing employment
The registered provider stated that one adult who required a childcare qualification to work with children has completed the requirement for qualification. The registered provider has stated that the recruitment policy has been updated to ensure all documents are in place prior to an employee commencing employment in the service. A checklist has been developed for regular audits on all staff files

General Safety: 1. In the Little stars room, a press containing cleaning products was left unlocked, the press was accessible to children. This poses a potential risk of danger to children if they accessed it. 2. In the sanitary area used by the toddler room, a door to an adjoining storage area containing cleaning products was left unlocked. The storage area was accessible to children. This poses a potential risk of danger to children if they accessed it. The person in charge locked the door to the storage area following a discussion with the inspector. Infection Control: 3. In the little steps room, the pedal on the foot operated bin was inaccessible to staff and children, as a result staff were using their hands to open the bin, this poses a potential risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that staff have been reminded of the importance of keeping cleaning product in a locked press away from children. A sign has been placed on the front of the press as a visual reminder to keep the press locked. 2. The registered provider stated that the storage area was immediately locked following the inspection, a staff meeting was held to remind staff of the importance of keeping cleaning products out of reach of children. Staff have been asked to check the door regularly and a sign has been placed on the front of the door as a visual reminder to keep the door locked at all times. Infection Control: 3. The registered provider stated that the bin was repositioned following the inspection and staff were reminded to ensure the bin is in the correct position to allow the pedal be used effectively. Staff were also reminded to address any issues with equipment in the rooms with the manager

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 28.

(2) (d) International police vetting was not available for 3 of the adults who required it
The was no evidence available to show that 1 of the adults, who worked directly with the children during the inspection, had attained at least a full major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Framework for Qualifications, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent

Provider's corrective action:

International Police vetting has been secured for 2 of the staff that lived abroad on the 23/10/23. Regards to the other staff that has lived in the UK for 7 months he has applied for the police vetting so it should be secured by the 17/11/23. Management will endeavour to work in conjunction with all employees who commence employment within the service, regarding international police vetting and all required documentation
The support staff who is currently studying Early Childhood Care and Education and who was present at the day of the inspection will no longer work directly with children until they have fully completed Level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education. The service will ensure that all support staff/ cover staff will be fully qualified

Infection Control: Some practices were observed in the service were at variance with the infection control policies in place and posed a potential risk of cross contamination as follows: 1. Staff members and children’s hands were not consistently washed following nappy changing. 2. In the Little Giggles room, sheets and blankets used daily by the children at sleep time were stored together in a large box and not individually to avoid cross contamination. Staff reported that sheets and blankets are laundered weekly and stored together in the box daily after use. 3. There was no warm water available in the Little Giggles nappy changing room which was in use by staff and children during the inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Infection Control: 1. All staff members were retrained on the nappy changing procedure & handwashing policy and procedure. The management team will do regular checks to ensure that staff are following the correct nappy changing and handwashing procedure at all times. 2. Individual bags for the bed sheets for each child were ordered, delivery should arrive by November 2023. All bed sheets and blankets will be stored separately in labelled bags. Labelled Bags for bedsheets and blankets will be in use all the time. 3. Water heaters will be replaced in both changing rooms. Water temperature in changing rooms will be checked regular to make sure it is at an appropriate temperature

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 18, 19, 24, 26.

Willow House Childcare Newtownpark