Regulation 16 in Louth
Record in Relation to Pre-School Service: 26 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.
30 April 2026
Greenacres Playschool, Drogheda · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (k) A sample of 5 accident and incident forms were reviewed. Two of the 5 records reviewed were incomplete. For example; • One form did not have a staff or manager signature indicating they had reviewed the information. • One form did not have a parental signature indicating that they had been informed of the incident and reviewed the information
Provider's corrective action:
- Staff meeting held to retrain staff and to inform them that all forms must be signed and parents informed. All forms must be signed by the registered provider. A staff meeting was held to rectify the oversights and room leaders informed to verify and check all forms for signatures both by parents and managers. Summary Comment The Inspectorate has reviewed and accepted the registered provider’s response. The non-compliance has been addressed
21 April 2026
Pugwash Bay LTD, Drogheda · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (j) Nine out of fourteen medication records dated between 09/01/2026 and 16/04/2026 were not fully completed. Details included a missing parental signature after administration of medication (on 5 records), prior parental consent was not obtained (on 4 records), and a second staff signature was not recorded (on 2 records). (k) The registered provider did not ensure that an accurate record in writing was kept in respect of accidents and incidents within the service. A total sample of 18 forms and did not contain all information required. The following was found; • 5 reports did not have parental signatures
Provider's corrective action:
- (j) The registered provider stated that following the inspection, a comprehensive review of all medication administration records was undertaken. Any missing information was identified and completed to ensure records are accurate, up to date, and fully compliant with the service's Medication Administration Policy and regulatory requirements. They confirmed that written parental consent for the administration of medication is obtained at the time of enrolment and is signed by the parent/guardian. This consent is maintained on the child's file. In addition to the signed enrolment consent, staff always contact the parent/guardian to obtain verbal consent immediately prior to administering any medication. The verbal consent obtained is documented in accordance with the Medication Administration Policy. As a preventive action they stated that staff have been reminded that the witness section of the medication administration form must be completed by a member of the management team following the administration of medication. All staff have completed refresher training on the Medication Administration Policy and Reporting Procedures, with particular emphasis on documentation requirements, consent procedures, and the accurate completion of medication records and our staff meeting. (j) The registered provider stated that following the inspection, all accident and incident records were reviewed, and any omissions identified were addressed to ensure that the documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with the service's record-keeping requirements. As a preventive action they stated that all staff have undergone refresher training on the completion of accident and incident records, with particular emphasis on accurately completing all required sections and obtaining parental signatures on the day of the accident or incident. In addition, a new tracking system where it is logged into our app, so parents are aware they have an accident or incident form to sign on collection. Management will continue to monitor compliance through regular record audits
15 April 2026
Little Oaks Early Years Limited, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (a) An employment record for one staff member was not available on site; therefore, it could not be determined if police vetting was required
Provider's corrective action:
- A CV for the staff member has now been printed and added to the physical file. CV’s will be printed out and placed in a physical file for all future employees
1 April 2026
Stepping Stones, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) None of the children were signed in on Day 1 of Inspection and therefore the registered provider did not have an accurate written record of the children present with their arrival and departure times. It is acknowledged that the children had been signed in for previous weeks. (j) There was no staff rota available on Day 1 of inspection or for the whole week, to indicate what staff were rostered to work in the various rooms, to indicate breaks to be taken and cover to be provided. It is acknowledged that staff rotas were available for previous weeks
Provider's corrective action:
- (i) All roll books have been updated to reflect the children attending each session daily. The manager/person in charge is to check and sign each roll book. (j) The weekly and daily rotas have been updated. The manager/person in charge to ensure both daily and weekly rotas reflect accurately the number of staff on duty by signing them off
11 March 2026
Pugwash Bay LTD, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (a) While 2 new members of staff had evidence of a curriculum vitae available, both of these were considered inadequate, for example, they did not detail employment records or educational records prior to 2024. And for one staff member, it could not be determined if international police vetting was required
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) Both staff members were requested to provide updated and comprehensive CVs immediately, including full employment and education history. Updated CVs have since been obtained and placed on file. The staff member in question has also confirmed via email to the Area Manager that they have not resided outside the Irish jurisdiction for a continuous period of 6 months or more in adulthood; therefore, international police vetting is not required in this case. This confirmation has been documented and retained on file. A standardised recruitment screening with be conducted in order check and include full employment and education history with no unexplained gaps. As part of the recruitment process, all CVs will be reviewed by management prior to employment to assess whether international police vetting is required, based on residency history. All supporting declarations (e.g., residency confirmation) will be documented and retained in personnel files to ensure full compliance with Tusla requirements. Regular file audits will be conducted to ensure ongoing compliance
26 February 2026
Ladybird Lane Day Nursery & Montessori, Clogherhead · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(h) In the Squirrels room at 11.45am it was observed that the children’s attendance record was partially pre- populated, with 5 children who were still present in the room already signed out for 1pm. In addition, 1 child who had already gone home earlier in the morning was not signed out. (j) Documentary evidence detailing the administration of a prescribed medication that had been administered to a child attending the Bunnies Room at 12.00pm was not available when requested by the inspector at 2.50pm. Three administration of medication forms available for one child attending the Foxes Room were also reviewed and were found to be incomplete. They did not contain all the required information e.g. form 1 did not detail the name or dose of the medication administered or a parent signature indicating that they had been informed. The 2nd and 3rd forms reviewed did not detail a parent signature indicating that they had been informed. This is at variance with the services administration of medication policy that states “2 members of staff sign and state the time that the medication was given. This is then counter signed by the parent at collection”. Additionally documented parental consent was not available for the administration of this prescribed medication for another child who also required a prescribed medication to be administered and who was attending the Foxes Room. (k) A sample of 39 accident and incident forms were reviewed. The records reviewed were not all fully completed. Four had no parental signatures to indicate the parent had been informed of the incident and 18 did not include the signature of the manager/ person in charge indicating that they had reviewed the information
Provider's corrective action:
- (h) Staff have been reminded not to prepopulate attendance records and arrivals and departures must be recorded in real time as children arrive and depart from the setting. Staff training has taken place to educate staff on their roles and responsibilities in managing the service records. Management will review/check attendance records on an ad hoc basis and monthly to ensure compliance. (j)Staff training on the importance of their role and responsibilities in ensuring the correct completion of Consent of Administration of Medication i.e. the form is fully completed by parents and signed by parents prior to the administration of any medication to a child. The administration of medication child record form is competed by staff x 2 in real time of the administration and signed by parents at the end of each day. Staff training on the importance of details being accurately recorded of any medication given to a child attending the service with signed parent or guardian consent completed beforehand. There will be a regular review of Administration of Medication Policy. Management will ensure that all administration forms are completed correctly. (k)All details included in the Accident / incident reporting forms have been reviewed by the Person in Charge and signed and dated. Staff training on the importance of their role and responsibilities in managing the service records including the comprehensive completion of the accident/incident reporting forms and signing by the Person in Charge at the time. Management will regularly review accident/incident forms to check that they are completed in full
9 January 2026
Scallywags Crèche, Drogheda · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i)The staff roster and staff ‘sign in’ sheet available on the days of the inspection were not reflective of the staff present in the service. For example, on day 1 of the inspection the staff roster did not detail 1 staff member who arrived at the Wobbler room at 08.20am to provide relief cover. In addition, when discussed with the staff present, they confirmed that a 2nd member of staff from the community development office next door provided relief cover on the 2 days prior to the inspection. This person was not documented as being present on the staff rosters or the staff attendance records reviewed for the 2 days prior to the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted a response which stated that a clear staffing structure and daily staff roster are in place to ensure that the required staff to child ratios are maintained at all times. Staff break times are recorded on the sign in/ attendance sheet, this ensures appropriate cover is always available. Attendance is monitored throughout the day to ensure adequate staffing levels are maintained. Procedures are in place to manage staff absence including relief additional cover where necessary. Late collections are monitored daily to ensure children remain appropriately supervised until departure. Kitchen duties are planned in advance, additional staff are allocated when required so that supervision ratios in the room are not affected. For future reference, all possible auxiliary staff working in the creche will be included on the sign in sheet in order to adhere to regulations and in the unlikely event that they might be required to work with children in the creche This was further discussed and confirmed at the regulatory compliance meeting and it was stated that the assistant manager will take responsibility for monitoring the roster
3 December 2025
Lios na nOg Playgroup CLG, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (a) A curriculum vitae detailing qualifications, experience and if the person has resided in a state or country outside of Ireland for more than 6 consecutive months was not available for 1 student who attends the service. (i) On day 1 when the inspectors arrived at the service, the staff roster presented for inspection was incomplete and did not include all staff members in the service e.g. the service manager or maintenance person. The roster was a weekly record and did not include the staff rostered each day of the week. It is acknowledged that an updated rota was presented in the afternoon
Provider's corrective action:
- (a)Curriculum Vitae for student was obtained. Student files will be checked and signed off before the person commences their work experience. (i)All the information required on the new staff rota was collated from the separate documents on file and put on a single document as requested. New staff rota is filled out each week by the receptionist
3 November 2025
Kidz Akademy Ltd, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (g)The policies and procedure for the service were not in keeping with the requirements of Regulation 10. This does not support staff to standardise and implement best practice. For example: The policies and procedures were located in 2 separate folders. When questioned the registered provider was not sure which copy was the most up to date. On review of the folders by the inspector, one folder contained loose sheets and blank pages with no clear guidance what policies were contained in the folder. The 2nd folder contained policies and procedures which were dated June 2015 and also referenced the previous ‘out of date’ Childcare Regulations 2006. (i) A staff rota was not available for inspection in the service. When questioned on the 1st day of inspection the deputy person stated that she ‘did not know where it was’. It was also confirmed by the registered provider on the 2nd day of inspection that there was no roster available. This practice is at variance with the corrective and preventative actions submitted by the registered provider in response to a previous non-compliance for ‘an inadequate staff roster ‘which was found at the last inspection. This response stated that “the staff roster was changed to provide the correct information. All staff have been informed about the new roster and how to implement it”. These corrective and preventative actions submitted failed to prevent reoccurrence of this non-compliance. (k) It is acknowledged that an accident report was completed for a child who tripped in the Toddler Room on the first day of the inspection. However, when the inspector reviewed a sample of 11 additional accident and incident reports, these were found to be incomplete. One of the reports did not contain a parental signature to indicate that that they were informed of the incident. Ten out of the 11 reports did not contain the registered providers signature indicating that they were informed about the incident or that they had reviewed or carried a risk assessment if deemed necessary
Provider's corrective action:
- (g)Policies and procedures have been updated with the support of an external company. The said documents are now in the one folder and a copy has been emailed to all staff for revision. Staff have received, read and replied by return e-mail acknowledging confirmation of their understanding of the policies. Going forward, staff have been advised to reach out to management if they do not have an understanding of the policies or procedures. (i)A roster has been drafted and has been placed on the same document as the sign-in sheet so all staff are aware of it and of any changes that may have been made to their hours. Reviews and checks carried out regularly to ensure the roster is running smoothly and being completed correctly. (k)Manager is always informed of any accidents that happen on the premises but due to managers own self- negligence the reports were not signed by her, however reports are always signed by key workers. Manager is aware that she must sign all accident reports going forward. Manager will check the accident report folder weekly to ensure that no accidents that have occurred, have been missed. The deputy manager will sign the forms if the manager is unavailable
7 October 2025
Little People Pre-School, Carlingford · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- The practices of recording incidents that occurred in the service were inappropriate and not in accordance with the services policy on accidents and incidents. This was observed by the following findings from inspection: 1. An incident occurred on the day of inspection, where a child tripped, fell and banged their head; an incident form was not completed at or near the time of the incident. Upon collection, an incident record was not available to provide to the child’s parent, and the parent was not verbally informed about the incident. 2. A sample of 4 accident and incident records for the previous 12 months were reviewed, including the record for a notification of incident that was received by the inspectorate. Three out of 4 of the records did not contain a parental signature indicating that the parents had been informed about incident and 1 of the records contained no staff, managerial or parental signatures
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. An incident report form was filled out on the day of the inspection after the inspector left. It was shown to the child’s mother, and the register provider went through it with her and it was signed. Incident reports will always be filled out, in the case of an accident and the register provider will ensure that it is completed and signed by a parent
18 September 2025
Little Partners Creche Ltd, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(k) Eighteen of the accident incident forms reviewed did not contain a manager’s signature to indicate that they had been informed and reviewed the incident
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(k) All accident/incident books are signed and up to date. Email sent to all staff issuing a reminder that when an accident/incident occurs the manager/supervisor must be called to sign the book before the child goes home
17 September 2025
Stabannon & District Community Pre School, Castlebellingham · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(i) A staff rota was not available in the service for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- Following the inspection, a staff rota was developed and put in place to ensure staff availability is clearly documented. The rota is now displayed and kept on site daily to ensure compliance.” To prevent this from occurring in the future, a current staff rota is completed in advance and kept on site at all times
10 September 2025
St. Nicholas N.S. Pre-School, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(i) The staff rota presented for inspection was considered inadequate. The rota presented was a once off record and ✓ symbols were used beside the staff member’s name. It did not give details of the date, start, finish and break times of each staff member in attendance every day
Provider's corrective action:
- There is a new staff rota with start, finish and break-times. The registered provider will ensure that the staff sign in sheet is complete each morning and evening
1 May 2025
Cooley Community Playgroup Ltd, Carlingford · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- Documentary evidence of a staff roster on a daily basis was not available for inspection. All staff present in the service were not included on the ‘once off’ roster on display
Provider's corrective action:
- The staff rota has been updated and all relevant staff assigned to each room. When a member of staff needs cover, the staff rota will be updated. The Staff Rota will be updated when a staff member leaves or needs to be covered
3 March 2025
Children's World, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) Documentary evidence of a weekly staff roster was not available for inspection. It is acknowledged that the staff present had signed in for the day of the inspection, however the departure times of 12.00pm for the 3 staff present were also prepopulated when the inspector reviewed the record at 11.00am
Provider's corrective action:
- Daily staff rota is now displayed for the week. Staff only sign out when day has ended. Manager will ensure staff rota is on display each week and will only sign staff out when the day is ended
12 February 2025
Little Mochtas, Louth Village · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(a) Three staff members did not have a Curriculum Vitae available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(a) All staff files have a curriculum vitae attached to their folders. A checklist will be utilised to ensure that all documents are present in files at all times
19 November 2024
Little Legs Creche & Montessori Limited, Drogheda · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (h) The details of attendance of each preschool child on the day of inspection were not appropriately recorded. 1. Two of the three care rooms attendance books did not record all the children in attendance on the day of inspection. Nine children were present in the Buttercup Room, with attendance recorded for two children completed. Eight children were present in the Snowdrop Room, the attendance records available demonstrated that no child had been signed in. When the inspector brought this to the attention of the staff in the care rooms, the attendance records where completed. 2. The attendance record in the Snowdrop room did not include one child who had recently started to attend the Snowdrop room. Staff advised the inspector that the child had recently moved over from another care room
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Child attendance books are now in each classroom and not kept with the manager. Staff have been made aware of the importance of signing each child in as they arrive. We have also added attendance book completed check to each class cleaning/check list chart. 2. The child in question has now been transferred from Room 508 attendance and been added to Snowdrop room attendance book. The manager will ensure all roll books are up to date and include all children from each room and their details
18 November 2024
Castletown Girls Preschool, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (a) An employment record for one adult was unavailable
Provider's corrective action:
- Employment record was printed and is now on file. The registered provider will regularly check all records are completed
14 November 2024
Ready, Steady, Grow: Stonetown, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) There was no staff roster available. In addition, the arrival and departure record had been pre-populated for staff at 13:30 and 14:00 when the inspectors reviewed the records at 11:00hrs
Provider's corrective action:
- (i) A rota is now in located on the wall in the service. Rota will be distributed every Friday for display on the wall and for files
30 September 2024
Children's World, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (a) A curriculum vitae was not available on inspection for one member of staff to confirm the qualifications, experience or the requirement of international police vetting if applicable. (i) Documentary evidence of a daily staff roster was not available
Provider's corrective action:
- s All staff members now have a C.V in their staff file. The service displays a weekly staff rota on each new week
26 September 2024
Periwinkles Preschool, Termonfeckin · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(k) In a sample of 11 accident and incident records reviewed, 5 out of the 11 records were incomplete and did not contain the required information. Three records did not include a parental signature to indicate that they had been informed about the incident and 3 forms did not include a staff or manager signature indicating that they had reviewed the information
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(k) Accident and incident report forms have been signed by manager and brought up to date Signatures have been acquired from parents with children still attending the service. Management will ensure all documentation relating to accident and incident reports are completed as per regulations and best practice guidelines
12 September 2024
Mol an Óige Community Childcare, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(a) A curriculum vitae was not available on inspection for 3 members of staff (1 childcare staff, 1 staff member engaged on a community employment scheme and the contracted music teacher), to confirm the qualifications, experience or the requirement of international police vetting if applicable
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(a) The registered provider has received CVs for staff who had not submitted updated versions. All documents will be in place in staff files before staff commence their new roles within the service
19 July 2024
Kool Kidz Creche, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) The staff roster on display in the service was inadequate for the following reasons; • It did not detail the names of all staff present in the service during the inspection. • It did not detail the start, finish, break times and cover for break times of each person in attendance every day. • It did not include information about staff who were on leave and what staff were providing relief cover in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- s (i) • All staff now sign in even if it’s a relief staff member for a short time. • All staff now fill in start, finish, break times and cover for breaks. • Records will now be in place if a staff member is on leave and name of relief staff that will be covering f Staff information regarding start, breaks, finish, leave or cover will be checked regularly to make sure everything is filled in and up to date for inspection in future. Summary Comment The registered provider submitted details of the corrective and preventative actions taken in the service to address the non-compliance. Based on this information the non-compliance under Regulation 16 has been addressed. Implementation and sustainment of the corrective and preventive actions will be assessed at the next inspection
18 July 2024
Olive Tree Daycare, Drogheda · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- 1. There was evidence in the service that oral anti-biotics had been administered to pre-school children in attendance without the service having obtained written parental consent to authorise staff members to administer this medication to the children. Examples of this practice included antibiotics administered to children in the service on 29/08/2023, 30/08/2023, 31/08/2023, 01/09/2023, 05/03/2024 and 06/03/2024. 2. Not all medication administration forms maintained in the service were complete as the parent’s signature was not always obtained when they were collecting their child to document that they were fully aware of which and how much medication had been given to their child and the specific time it had been administered in the service, to allow appropriate time to elapse before a further dose was administered at home. Examples of this practice included medication administered to children in the service on 05/03/2024 and 06/03/2024. Similar non-compliances in relation to incomplete medication administration records were found at the time of the last inspection on 21/08/2023
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action
- 1. & 2. Staff were immediately advised of the importance of administration of medication procedure. This was further discussed with all staff at the staff meeting on 24/07/2024. Preventive Action
- 1. & 2. Management will regularly cross check that the administration of medication is carried out correctly at all times. Summary Comment The assurances provided by the registered provider that these corrective actions will be sustained on an on-going basis is accepted by the Inspectorate and this will be reviewed on the next inspection
14 March 2024
Redeemer Creche & Playgroup, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (j) Some administration of medication forms reviewed in the Waddler Room and Playgroup 2 Room were incomplete for example, some had no second staff signature, parental signature to indicate they had been informed the medication had been given and a parental consent form not fully completed. This is also at variance with the Administration of Medication policy. (k)Some accident /incident forms which were reviewed in Playgroup 2 room and in the Waddler Room were not always fully completed for example some were not signed by the parents and 1 did not have a manager signature. In addition, on Day 1 of inspection a child who had fallen of their chair did not have and accident form completed for this incident. It is acknowledged that staff did confirm on Day 2 that the parent had been verbally informed
Provider's corrective action:
- (i) Each staff member was given the new medicine policy and informed of the procedure for filling out accident forms. (j) Staff were reminded of the importance of completing all accident forms, which will be monitored and checked regularly by the manager. The medicine policy has been reviewed, updated, and distributed to all staff members
4 March 2024
Knockbridge Childcare, Dundalk · Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- 1. There was no daily staff roster available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- There is now a daily staff roster in place. This roster will be updated weekly