Regulation 11 in Laois
Staffing Levels: 5 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.
24 March 2026
Quinagh Creche and Montessori School, Carlow · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- 1. In the morning the minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained during the inspection in room one where two adults were required to care for the seven children in attendance. 2. In the morning the minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained during the inspection in the Montessori room where two adults were required to care for the twelve children in attendance. See table below. Pre-School Rooms Pre-School Rooms Number of staff present Number of staff required Number of Children - 29 Room 1 1 2 7 children: 5 aged 1-2 years attending on a PT/FDC basis. 2 aged 2-3 years attending on a PT/FDC basis. Montessori room 1 2 12 children: 7 aged 3-6 years attending on a PT/FDC basis. 5 aged 3-6 years attending on a sessional basis
- The minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained at all times during the inspection. There were twenty-nine children attending the service in the morning being supervised directly by one of the two registered providers and two other adults. The second registered provider present in the service was unable to act as a required staff member to meet the adult : child ratios in the service as she carried out roles relating to the preparation and serving of all meals and snacks, room cover for nappy changing, answering the front door and telephone, supervision of children using the toilet independently, carrying out physical checks on sleeping children and nappy changing for all other rooms. These non-compliances were observed on a previous inspection 02 August 2023. The preventive action following this inspection failed to prevent recurrence of these non-compliances
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered providers stated in the response that on the day of inspection they did not have cover so divided the groups so all children would be supervised. We were over our adult: child ratio and we will ensure this does not happen again. We have two new qualified staff members who commenced employment in May 2026. We will seek extra cover to prevent this non-compliance reoccurring in the future and if we do not have adequate numbers of staff to child ratio, we will close off that room for the day to avoid this happening again. (Staff roster, breakdown of adult: child ratio and cover included)
- The registered providers stated in the response that two new qualified staff members have commenced employment in May 2026 to ensure that the adult: child ratio is maintained. (Staff roster, breakdown of adult: child ratio and cover included). Additionally, the service is committed to investigate the employment of a cook/floating member of staff should the service lose staff as at least both registered providers can work directly with the children instead of one of them acting as a floating member of staff. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective actions taken documentary evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement
19 March 2026
Darling Buds Montessori & Daycare, Portlaoise · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- The minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained throughout the day of inspection demonstrated by the following observation: • From 11.26am to 12.00pm there were 10 children being supervised by 1 adult in the Wobbler room as a staff member changed children’s nappies. During this time there was no support staff available to maintain the required adult to child ratio in the room
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has implemented a ‘floater staff’ who will cover and support staff when cover is required. The registered provider has communicated with staff regarding the importance of ensuring all staff feel supported throughout their day and know that the staff member is available to cover when required. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the response and actions submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 11 has been addressed
9 March 2026
The Maples Creche, Portlaoise · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- Minimum adult/child ratios were not maintained at all times. At 12:00pm, a staff member was observed in the outdoor play area with 7 children aged between 2-3 years. A second staff member arrived to support the staff member in the outdoor play area at 12:08pm. The ratio for children age 2-3 years is 1:6
Provider's corrective action:
- All staff members have been retrained in relation to ratios and now understand what the ratios are for each age group but also how important it is to maintain these ratios at all times. As part of the retraining, staff now understand if they are stepping out for any reason to call for a staff member to replace them. Training will be provided to new staff in relation to understanding the importance of maintaining ratios at all times. The management team will carry our spot checks to ensure the whole team is very clear on the importance of ensuring ratios are always met
25 February 2026
The Village Creche, Ballyroan · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- 1. It was observed by the inspectors at 10:30 during the initial walk about of the service that the minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained in the wobbler room (Busy Bee). One adult was present with six children aged 1-2 years attending on a part time or full day care basis. Two adults were required. 2. It was observed by the inspectors at 10:35 during the initial walk about of the service that the minimum ratio of adults to children was not maintained in the toddler room (Caterpillar). One adult was present with seven children aged 2-3 years attending on a part time or full day care basis. Two adults were required. It is acknowledged that once identified by the inspectors the deputy person in charge took an immediate corrective action and reallocated staff to meet the minimum adult to child ratio requirements in the Busy bee and Caterpillar rooms
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(2) The person in charge stated in the response that the movement of children between rooms has rectified the adult: child ratio. (Room allocation and ratios included). Summary Comment In respect of the corrective actions taken documentary evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement. The practices as stated will be reviewed on the next inspection
14 July 2025
Laois International School, Portlaoise · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- The staff roster indicated that only one adult is on the premises from 17:30 to 18:00 during the hours of operation when two adults are required
Provider's corrective action:
- Roster has been updated on the same day based on the summary of inspection. Roster will be updated in accordance to staff rotation and based on circumstances like out of term working hours