(2)(a) (b) Two written and validated references were not available for two adults. (3) Documentary evidence was not available to demonstrate that the procedures outlined in paragraph (2) (a)(b) had been completed prior to two adults starting in the service and allowed access to the children
Provider's corrective action:
(2 ) (a)(b)Two validated written references obtained for one staff member. Second staff member no longer works in the service. (3) The person in charge will ensure that two written references for future new staff members, are available and validated
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Safe Sleep: 1. In the Toddler room at sleep time, two children under two years of age were observed to sleep on low stackable beds which are at variance to the sleep guidelines issued by Tusla in September 2023. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Safe Sleep: 1. The two children are now over 2 years old and therefore sleeping in low stackable beds. Floor beds suitable for children under 24 months will be used and permission from parents will be completed when required to meet compliance
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. Areas of poor maintenance and repair were observed in the service, as follows: • In the sanitary facility upstairs, one toilet had no toilet seat and the area behind this toilet was damaged by water causing presence of mould and an unfinished surface which cannot be effectively cleaned. • In the Toddler room, parts of the wall beside the windows, was in poor repair with exposed plaster board
Provider's corrective action:
• Toilet seat has been replaced, and water damaged area has been treated and painted. • Exposed plaster board beside windows has been fixed and painted. More regular maintenance checks will be completed on the premises
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Safe Sleep: 1. In the Toddler room at sleep time, sleep practices observed where not in line with the sleep guidelines issued by Tusla, in September 2023, as follows: o Three children under the age of two years of age were observed to sleep on low stackable beds, which are not recommended as suitable beds for children under the age of two years old. o Sleep risk assessments signed by parents were not available for the three children under two years of age who were observed to sleep on low stackable beds. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Safe Sleep: 1. Two Children are in foldable cots and one child has been returned to a cot in the cot room. The service has ordered one suitable floor bed for future use and appropriate sleep assessments forms are now available for parents to sign if necessary
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. In the sanitary facility upstairs, the wall behind one sink was in a state of poor repair with an unfinished surface which cannot be effectively cleaned
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. The unfinished area has been tiled and the service will track and repair maintenance issues better in the future
Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents
(d) The registered provider did not notify the agency in writing within 3 working days of becoming aware of incidents which occurred in January 2025 and in September 2025 in the service
Provider's corrective action:
(d) Manager has taken on board the non-compliance, reviewed the service policies which states that Tusla should have been informed. Manager is far more aware of how important it is to inform Tusla of such incidents for the safety and protection of both children and staff. Policies have been reviewed and re-enforced with management and staff in case of future issues or concerns
Regulation 32 — Complaints
(2)(a) The service had no record in writing of any complaints made in respect of the service. (b) The service had no documentary evidence to demonstrate that complaints received were dealt with in accordance with the service complaints policy as they had no system in place to record issues that arose. (3)(a) Documentation was not available of any complaints made against the service and the way in which they were dealt with. (b) These records were not available for inspection by an authorised person
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) (b) Paperwork involved in the complaint made has been accumulated into a file and stored accordingly. Management will write up documents, reports, conversations immediately as they happen and store them accordingly. (3) (a)(b) A File is now collected and stored in filing cabinet for inspection purposes. Management will ensure to keep a record in writing for inspection purposes and accumulate information as it occurs
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 25, 27.
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic Needs: 1. On arrival in the Toddler room at 10.45am, 12 children were watching television while three staff sat on tables, the person in charge and the room leader confirmed that staff were having a planning meeting. This is not a recommended learning and development activity for children aged 2 to 3 years of age who require interactive activities with two way and responsive communication. 2. In the downstairs sanitary facility used by the Wobbler and Toddler room, between 11.13am and 11.36am when 9 children were taken in groups of 4 , then 3 and then 2, to have their nappies changed or a nappy put on for sleep, the changing mat used was placed on the floor in full view of the children waiting to be changed, which did not protect the dignity of the child being changed, while each child lay on the changing mat. 3. In the Wobbler room, the transition from activities to mealtimes was not observed to be calm and relaxed with staff not recognising cues from children to meet their individual care needs, for example: • One child was placed into a highchair at 11.26am and became visibly upset while waiting for their dinner to be served. After waiting for 13 minutes staff had to remove the child as they were too upset to eat. The child was placed into their cot at 11.49am with no dinner eaten. • At 11.36am, one child who is not upset is given their dinner before the child seated in the highchair at 11.26am, who was upset. 4. In the Wobbler room, children attending a full day care service were not offered food every three hours as recommended by the Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care services May 2023, dinner was served between 11.30 and 11.40 am and afternoon tea wa s at 3.10pm, this gap between meals greater than 3 hours. Physical and Material Environment: 5. In the Wobbler room the play environment did not promote independent, and child led play, for example: • The doors of the play kitchen were screwed shut and therefore reducing the play experience for the smaller children in the room. • Tables and chairs not made available for children for tabletop activities between meals. • Boxes were not visually labelled with pictures to aid choice of toys for the children. 6. Children attending the Wobbler room up to 4pm and children in the Montessori 1 and Montessori 2 rooms attending the service for ECCE hours from 9am to 12 pm and part -time from 9 to 2pm did not experience the opportunity for outdoor play. Children require outdoor play daily
Provider's corrective action:
Basic Needs: 1. Screen Time will not be permitted with the children. Staff have been informed and strict rule applied. 2. Children are now taken individually to have their nappy changed to ensure dignity is maintained as well as better individual interactions and individual bonding with the children. Nappy changing procedure has been adjusted and all staff aware and given a copy. The registered provider has ensured adequate cover is available to support staff while nappy changes take place. Close observation by management also. 3. Children are no longer placed in highchairs or at the table until dinner has arrived in the room. If a child is particularly tired, they will be presented their dinner first or staff can request dinner earlier from the kitchen. Staff have been informed of this both in the room and in the kitchen. 4. Teatime has been adjusted to meet the three hour gap for meals and this daily routine will be adhered to by staff to meet the needs of the children. Physical and Material Environment: 5. The Wobbler room has been overhauled. Areas have been defined with appropriate labels, tables are no longer behind the gate, children have access to them all day. Play kitchen is now fully accessible for children. Staff are attending training on the national curriculum framework to ensure better practice. On going observing of the room by management to ensure its being run to best meet the childrens needs. 6. Staff have been reminded that outdoor play is a daily part of their curriculum. The service will ensure that children have appropriate clothing for all weather. Outdoor activities are part of monthly curriculum planning. Staff have completed CPD training with external agency
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI -RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It is acknowledged that the renewed Garda Vetting was submitted on 22 May 2025. 2. The record of attendance for the Montessori 2 room did not accurately reflect the children in the room, this reduced the effective evacuation of children in the event of an emergency. For example, two children who left at 12pm were not signed out until 12.57 pm when the inspector highlighted this to the person in charge. 3. Tall shelving units in the Montessori 1 room, were not anchored securely, leading to a safety risk of injury. Infection Control: 4. During the process of changing four nappies of four children and placing of nappies on five children in preparation for sleep time, by one staff member, the nappy process was not completed as per best practice guidelines or the service policy as follows: • One apron and one pair of gloves were used and were retained for the duration of the nine nappy processes of all nine children. • The apron and gloves were worn by the staff member into the care room and out into the outdoor area. • Childrens hands were not washed, at the end of each nappy process. • The staff member did not wash their hands at the end of each of the nine nappy changing processes before caring for the next child. • The nappy mat was wiped with a wipe and not cleaned using a cleaning agent between each nappy process. It is acknowledged the mat was cleaned with a cleaning agent and paper towel at the end of the nine nappy processes. • Children were observed crawling on the floor of the sanitary facility while waiting their turn. 5. In the Wobbler and Toddler rooms, cold water from the cold tap was used for handwashing of childrens hands before dinner, this is not conducive to effective handwashing and leads to a risk of poor infection control. 6. In the Wobbler room, at 3.11pm, fruit, bread and crackers were placed directly onto the table surface at snack time. This increased the potential risk of cross infection. 7. In the Montessori 2 room, staff present were unaware if the wet cloths in two baskets were clean or dirty. This increased the potential risk of cross infection. Administration of Medication: 8. On review of 10 medication and administration records on the electronic application, nine forms did not include the signature of the parent on review of the record of their child to confirm that they were aware of the administration of medication that day. This is not in line with the service policy which states that parents must sign the record to acknowledge notification of medicine administration
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting has been obtained for the staff member, Garda Vetting will be reviewed regularly to ensure this does not happen again 2. Staff have been reminded to sign children out accordingly on the electronic application and paper register. Notification will occur on the electronic application if a child is not signed out at their designated time. Regular head counts will be completed to match registers. 3. Tall Shelves in upstairs rooms have been secured to the walls. Any new furniture will be fixed to the walls going forward. Infection Control: 4. Nappy Changing policy has been updated; staff have been retrained on this in order to ensure best practice. The service will ensure that the nappy procedure is fully compliant by all new staff. Current staff will be observed by management regularly to ensure continuous best practice. 5. Staff have been informed to ensure children are using correct tap for hand washing. Temperatures have been checked by plumber to ensure safety. Staff have been reminded of this in staff meetings, to ensure to wash childrens hands one at a time with the correct tap in use. 6. Children will use their lunchboxes at teatime and if a child requires a plate, they are given food on a plate. Staff have been informed of this and management will ensure it is adhered to. 7. Baskets are now clearly labelled clean or dirty and children have been shown this in circle time. Administration of Medication: 8. Parents have signed all past medicine forms. Parents will be verbally asked to sign the medicine administration forms as well as receiving a notification on the electronic application. Room leaders will check all medicine forms weekly
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. In the sanitary facility upstairs, one tap and connecting pipework were in a state of poor repair as they were loose and not secure in their attachment to the sink. 2. In the Montessori 2 room, the blue seating required repair as it was observed to be damaged and torn
Provider's corrective action:
(d) 1. Pipework has been repaired and new tap fitted. New bathroom being installed during the summer. Weekly maintenance checks taken by management to ensure this doesn’t occur again. 2. Covers have been placed in blue sofas. New Sofas are being researched. Maintenance checks will be completed by management to ensure this does not happen again