Regulation 11 in Cork
Staffing Levels: 14 non-compliance(s) in the latest reports we read.
An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.
8 June 2026
First Steps Creche, Cork · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) The required ratios were not maintained in the Pre-school room during a staff member’s lunch break, as follows: • There was 1 adult working directly with 14 children; 10 of these children were aged 3 to 5 years and 4 of the children were aged 2 to 3 years. The adult child ratio for children aged 3 to 5 years is 1:8 and a ratio of 1:6 is required for children aged 2 to 3 years. Non-compliance in relation to adult child ratios was also noted at the previous three inspections, on 1 October 2025, 29 April 2025 and 23 May 2024
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider had advertised an active post available within the service. A new staff member has been employed in the service. The registered provider will advertise relief positions in the service to ensure that staff cover will be met at all times
27 May 2026
Julie Bee's Preschool, Innishannon · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- The registered provider failed to ensure the minimum number of staff were working directly with children for the duration of the preschool session. The ratio was not maintained for the duration of time in which the registered provider left the premises, leaving an unqualified adult alone with the nine children aged between 2.8 years and 4.6 years. Allowing unqualified adults alone with the children puts the safety of the children at risk
Provider's corrective action:
- In her written response, the registered provider stated that the ratio would be maintained at all times in the future. The registered provider stated that they would not leave the premises during operational hours unless another suitable qualified adult was present
22 May 2026
Small Ones, Midleton · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (8) (c) The registered provider had not ensured that an emergency contact was available and within close proximity while the service was being run single handedly. The deputy person in charge contacted the emergency contact at approximately 09:50am and the person did not attend the service until 11am. This poses a potential risk to the safety of the children should an emergency have arisen
Provider's corrective action:
- In her written response, the registered provider stated that the service would no longer be operated single handedly and there would be two people rostered to work at all times
12 February 2026
Tiny Tots Creche & Pre-School, Killeagh · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) The required ratios were not maintained in two of the care rooms during the afternoon, as follows: • At 12.34pm, the Toddler room was staffed with one adult, who was caring for seven children, aged 2 to 3 years. The ratio requirement for this age range is one adult to every six children. The two students present were not included in the adult to child ratio. • At 1.40pm, there were 20 children aged 3 to 4 ½ years attending Pre-school 2, in the care of 2 adults. As these children were attending full day care, the required ration is one adult to every eight children. Non-compliance in relation to adult child ratios was also noted at the time of the previous inspection on 12 June 2025
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply outlined that a staff member returned to the Toddler room after the ratio count had taken place and that there are currently three staff members based in Pre-school 2
8 December 2025
Ready Steady Play, Cork · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (a) The registered provider failed to ensure there were at least two adults on the premises at all times. The inspectors arrived at the service at 10:15am and only one adult was present. This non-compliance was also found at last inspection of the service in April 2024
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that two staff will be rostered on at all times
1 October 2025
Clonmult/Dungourney Community Pre-School, Clonmult · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (a) It was observed that two adults were not consistently available at the early years service, as required. At 11.57am, when the ECCE sessional service had concluded and the part time service had commenced, only one adult remained on the premises. The registered provider advised the inspector that the second adult had left the setting to attend to an errand. In addition, past written records were unavailable to demonstrate that two adults had previously been consistently available at the setting, during the hours of operation. Only a generic staff roster, dated August 2025, was maintained
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply from the registered stated that written records are available to demonstrate that adult to child ratios are met. In addition, a weekly roster is now displayed on the notice board. Staff hours are documented on a daily basis and signed by staff at the end of each week
15 April 2025
Gate Childcare Ltd, Cork · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) It was acknowledged that the required adult to child ratios were ensured across the four care rooms throughout the morning of the inspection. However, during part of the afternoon, the minimum ratio of adults to children was not met in the Pre-school and Montessori rooms. At 1.25pm, 23 children aged 3 to 4 years, from the Pre-school room were playing outdoors, with 2 adults present. At 1.28pm, it was noted that 2 adults were available to the 17 children from the Montessori room, who were also in the outdoor area. These children were aged four to five years. A fifth adult was required to be available during this period
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply outlined that staff have been reminded that breaks must be timed, in order to ensure that ratios are correct at all times. Room leaders will ensure that staff breaks are taken in a timely manner and that ratios are maintained
10 December 2024
Scamps and Rascals Pre-School, Ladysbridge · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) As one of the adults did not hold a minimum level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education, there was only one qualified staff member available to 16 children, until a second qualified staff member arrived shortly after 10.00am
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply outlined that the registered provider has adjusted the staff roster with current and qualified staff, to ensure that two qualified staff members are working at all times. To prevent this from reoccurring in the future, the registered provider will ensure that the appropriate number of qualified adults are available to the children at all times
3 December 2024
Early years service TU2015CC023, Near Cork · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (a) Review of the staff and child attendance records indicated that a minimum of two adults were not consistently present throughout the hours of operation, as required. This practice was confirmed during discussion with the registered provider. For example, the records demonstrated that on 29 November and on 2 December, only one adult was present in the service from 1.00pm to 2.00pm, during which time children were also in attendance
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has extended the hours of qualified staff, who previously finished at 1pm. These staff members will now work until 2pm. As a preventive measure, it will be ensured that two qualified staff are present at all times, during the part time service
18 September 2024
Beehive Childcare and Montessori Pre-School, Berrings · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- A sample review of the staff roster indicated that on the following dates, a minimum of two adults were not consistently present throughout the hours of operation, as required: • On 2/9/24, 4/9/24, 5/9/24, 6/9/24, 10/9/24 and 16/9/24, only one adult was present in the service from 5.45pm to 6.00pm. During discussion with the inspectors, the person in charge also stated that on Fridays, only the registered provider was present between 5.30pm and 6.00pm, with approximately two children
Provider's corrective action:
- In her written reply, the person in charge stated that there are now two adults rostered during the hours of operation
4 June 2024
Clonakilty Montessori Pre-School, Clonakilty · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (8)(a) There was only 1 adult on the premises whilst the service was in operation between 8.30am and 9am whereas the regulations require that 2 adults are always on the premises. This non-compliance had already been identified during the 2 previous inspections dated 15 January 2019 and 27 April 2022 at which times the registered provider returned responses stating she would ensure that 2 adults were always on the premises
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider replied to state the opening time was 9am and that all staff would be onsite at this time. The service will not operate prior to 9am
15 May 2024
Giggles Childcare Services, Passage West · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (8)(a) The inspectors noted that on the day of inspection there was only 1 adult on the premises between 7.30am and 8am. The roster for the week commencing 13 May 2024 was assessed and demonstrated that there was 1 adult rostered to be on duty single handedly for the time between 7.30am and 8am daily which did not meet the requirement of at least 2 adults being on the premises at all times
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered providers responded on 7 June 2024 to state that the service has reverted to its registered hours of operation, from 8am to 6pm with 2 adults on the premises at all times during these hours of operation
13 May 2024
Tots to Teens Childcare Ltd., Carrig Na Bhfear · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) The minimum ratio of adults to children was not met in the afternoon. It was recorded that between 1.05pm and 1.31pm, when ratios were reviewed, a total of 12 adults were available to 89 children, where 13 adults were required. The rooms, which were providing full time day care, were in operation as follows: Room Name and Age Range of Children Number of Children Present Number of Adults Present Wobbler (1 ½ - 2 ½ years) 15 2 Creche (1 – 2 years) 11 1 + 1 available in office Junior Preschool 3 (3 - 4 years) 8 1 Junior Preschool 4 (2 ½ - 4 years ) 15 2 Junior Pre-school 5 (3 - 4 years) 6 1 Toddler (2 – 3 years) 11 1 Pre-school 7 (4 – 5 years) 8 1 Pre-school 8 (4 – 5 years) 15 2
Provider's corrective action:
- In the written reply, it was stated that on the day of inspection, a number of staff were absent due to leave and illness. It further outlined that ratios were not met between 1.05pm and 1.31pm due to staff breaks and that in normal circumstances, ratios are maintained at all times with staff taking staggered breaks. Although the current staffing crisis is challenging, going forward, the service will endeavour to maintain staff ratios at all times and if necessary will temporarily close a care room, or rooms, in order to ensure that ratios are maintained
23 April 2024
Sandcastles, Upper Glanmire · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (a) While it was noted that at least two adults were available throughout the period of inspection, the staff roster demonstrated that two adults were not consistently present during the hours of operation, as required. From a sample review of a two-week period, it was established that only one member of staff was present at 7.30am each day, until a second adult arrived between 8.00am and 9.00am
Provider's corrective action:
- In the written response, the registered provider outlined that she is usually on the premises with the first member of staff, however, this is not noted on the roster. The registered provider has stated that going forward, she will have two members of staff on duty