Regulation 11 — Staffing Levels
115 non-compliance(s) at 115 services, in the latest reports we read.
By county
- Cavan (2)
- Cork (14)
- Donegal (2)
- Dublin (36)
- Galway (7)
- Kerry (3)
- Kildare (4)
- Laois (5)
- Louth (6)
- Mayo (2)
- Meath (7)
- Monaghan (3)
- Offaly (3)
- Sligo (4)
- Tipperary (2)
- Westmeath (4)
- Wexford (4)
- Wicklow (3)
Counties with a single service
10 April 2025
Dolmen Nursery and Montessori School, Carlow · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) An adequate number of adults were not working with the children on the day of inspection. The following was observed; a. The person in charge confirmed the staff members assigned to prepare food for the children. On the day of inspection, the staff member working directly with six pre-school children was responsible for the preparation of the dinner for the children in the service. It is acknowledged that the kitchen is adjoining the Playschool room. However, at 11.20am the staff member was observed to prepare the dinner and was not directly available to the children in the playschool room. b. Due to the nature and needs of the children within the baby and Playschool rooms, an additional adult was required to provide support at times. Staffing levels during mealtime in the Baby room impacted on care as reported on under Regulation 19. Health, welfare and development of child. For example, o At 10.25am, there was one child aged 1 – 2 years crying in the sleep room. At this time, the staff member was soothing another child to sleep in the Baby room. An additional staff member was required to provide support at this time. o At 10.35am, a child in the Playschool room went to the toilet which was located in the hallway of the service. It is acknowledged that t he staff member was verbally checking with the child that they were okay . The child confirmed they required support from the staff member. The staff member left the care room to support the child. An additional staff member was required at this time to supervise the five children in the Playschool room and/or provide support to the child in the toilet. (2) The adult to child ratio was not maintained at all times in the afternoon. Between 12.50pm to 1.10pm, the two groups of children from the Playschool and Montessori room merged as one group. At this time, there was one adult in the outdoor area with twelve pre-school children aged 2 to 5 years attending on a full day care basis
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) Extra staff have since been recruited to meet staffing levels and support the educators throughout the day. a. An additional staff member was hired for the kitchen. b. A change in circumstance form was submitted to the inspectorate on the 11 July 2025 outlining that the baby room ceased operation. The service now offers care for children from 1 year to 6 years. (2) Extra staff have since been recruited to meet staffing levels and support the educators throughout the day. This is reflected on the roster submitted
29 August 2025
Little Acorns Creche, Carrigallen · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- The registered provider did not ensure that an adequate number of adults were working directly with the preschool children at all times as follows. On the morning of the unannounced inspection 5 adults worked directly with 31 children aged from 10 months to six years of age as outlined below. The person in charge worked in the office, kitchen and provided break cover for the childcare workers. At 10:08 approximately the following ratios were observed: • Toddler Room; Two adults worked directly with 11 preschool children. Four children were aged under 1 years of age, Four children aged between one and two years of age and three children aged three children aged two years of age. The correct ratio for children aged under one year is 1:3 and children between 1 to 2.5 years is 1:5. • Preschool Room: Two adults worked directly with 17 children aged from 2 years to 6 years of age, the correct ratio for this age group is 1:8. At 13:01 the following ratios were observed: • Toddler Room; Two adults worked directly with 12 preschool children aged between 10 months and two years. • Preschool room: Two adults worked with 18 children aged between 2 years to 6 years of age
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: The Manager will ensure that staff child ratios in each room will be maintained at all times
14 April 2025
Little Mischief Day Nursery & Montessori Mooncoin, Mooncoin · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- On review of staff rosters and the children’s attendance records for the weeks of 31 March 2025 and 7 April 2025, the adult to child ratio was not maintained from 7.30am to 8.30am. From the review of documentation, based on the number of children present, two adults were required from 7.30am to 8am and three adults were required from 8am to 8.30am
- On review of the services rosters for the week of the 24th - 28th March 2025, 31st March 2025 to 4th April and 7th - 11th April 2025, there was only one adult rostered to be on the premises from 7.30am to 8am. The hours worked were confirmed with staff members. Two adults are required to be on the premises at all times while children are in attendance
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) The registered provider responded to this non-compliance on 15 April 2025 and stated that the rota has been edited to include the times of the registered provider arriving and departing from the service. The service will now implement a sign in/sign out policy for all staff and visitors. The service’s sign-in policy will be reviewed. (8)(a) Staff rosters were reviewed by the registered provider and there will always be a minimum of 2 staff on the premises. A sign-in, sign-out sheet has been put in place for all staff and visitors to sign in and sign out, rosters will include all staff hours and be amended as required. Staff have been notified that sign in sheet will be displayed in hallway at front door entrance and must sign in and out, daily
17 June 2025
Sunrise Childcare, Milltown Malbay · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) An adequate number of adults were not working with the children at all times. One adult was working directly with 9 children who attended for more than 3hrs in the afternoon when 2 adults were required for a part time service. (8)(a) There was not a minimum of 2 adults on the premises at all times. There was one adult working directly with the children for the duration of the part time service
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) A childcare worker has been employed to address the ratios of adult to children (8)(a) Two adults will be working in the service at all times during hours of operation