Regulation 19 — Health, Welfare and Development of Child

331 non-compliance(s) at 331 services, in the latest reports we read.

By county

Carlow (4)
Cavan (3)
Clare (3)
Cork (23)
Donegal (11)
Dublin (139)
Galway (21)
Kerry (14)
Kildare (18)
Kilkenny (5)
Laois (4)
Limerick (9)
Longford (4)
Louth (11)
Mayo (8)
Meath (7)
Monaghan (6)
Offaly (6)
Sligo (6)
Tipperary (3)
Waterford (2)
Wexford (12)
Wicklow (9)

Counties with a single service

21 May 2025

Juniper Tree Autism Services Ltd., Athlone · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

There was insufficient sand provided in the large sand play area in the outdoor play area to encourage the children to play with the sand

Provider's corrective action:

The person in charge submitted a written response to advise that the sand box was filled with sand and management will ensure it is to ensure there is sufficient sand in the sand box at all times to encourage the children to play with the sand

9 October 2025

Manorhamilton Childcare Services CLG, Manorhamilton · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

1. On the morning of the inspection, children in busy bees, faraway trees and rainbow room, did not have access to the outdoor environment. The inspector asked at what time do the children get outdoors and was told it varied depending on the weather. This is despite sheltered outdoor areas available in the service. It was further noted that on the schedule of the busy bees room there was no outdoor time allocated. The services outdoor play policy stated that all children would access the outdoors for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. 2. The privacy and dignity of the children was not maintained in three areas of the service. • The nappy changing area in the main hallway consists of a half door and does not provide the privacy required. • In the faraway trees sanitary accommodation, there is no door leading into one of the toilets, a small screen is in place in front of the toilet, offering limited privacy for children. • In the rainbow room sanitary accommodation, there are no doors into each of the two toilets

Provider's corrective action:

In a written response the registered provider stated:
The schedule has since been updated to include daily outdoor play time. Play is an integral part of our service, and we have updated our schedule to reinforce this element. The service Manager has also reminded all staff of our outdoor play policy and the importance of adhering to it
• The Door has been ordered for nappy changing area told by contractor that there is a delay in delivery. Planned completion is the 31 December 2025. • We have secured a quote for installation of privacy screen in the faraway tree sanitary area. Works have been commissioned to contactor, and we are currently awaiting contractor availability. • Doors in the rainbow room are awaiting completion by the contractor

16 February 2026

Mullingar Montessori & After School Care Ltd, Mullingar · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child

1. The registered provider did not ensure that suitable care practices based on the number and age and developmental stage of the children in Room 1 were met as evidenced by the following observations: • A child aged 2-3 years in Room 1, who was crying was not comforted until the inspector requested that the child was nursed. • The children were observed to be seated at tables for long period s with a tabletop activity which was a colouring template sheet and crayons which some children engaged with, but other children did not; there was no alternative choice offered to these children. 2. The physical and material environment of Room 1 required to be reviewed as it was poorly presented and resourced; it was not prepare d to provide the children with developmentally appropriate and challenging experiences for them on their arrival into the room, for example: • There were limited materials available to the children to independently access and while containers with materials were on low shelving, they were not easy to access and the re was no pictorial signage on the containers to assist the children’s choice. • A resource unit was turned into the wall thereby preventing the children accessing the equipment and materials on the shelves. • The home corner had minimal accessory materials to support imaginative play which limited the play experience for the children. • There was no sensorial play opportunity for the children as a tuff tray was stored on its side behind an empty tray used for sensorial materials. • An art easel was available but not set up for art activity. Consequently, all activities were adult led and minimal children’s choice was observed. 3. In Room 1, eleven children aged 2-3 years and one child aged 3-6 years and attending on a part time basis were not provided with lunch before they went home. This was an area of non -compliance following an inspection conducted on 7 July 2025. The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance 4. In Room 1 at 14:26 hours the following care practice was observed: • A child who was asleep on a low bed was woken up by the staff member caring for them as the room was required to be vacated at this time to accommodate twelve school aged children who were waiting in the outdoor area to enter the room. 5. There was no alternate space/room available in the service to accommodate any child who had woken up early from sleep as observed by the following: • in Room 1 at 14:26 hours, five children aged 2-3 years wearing outdoor clothing were seated in the dark at a table reading books. • In Room 2 at 14:23 hours, three children aged 2-3 years were observed sitting at a table with books in the room which was darkened for sleep purposes as fourteen other children were still asleep in the room. 6. The outdoor building referred as ‘The Barn’ was poorly presented and insufficiently resourced with materials and equipment to meet the play needs of twelve children aged 2 -3 years . There were three child sized armchairs, a bean bag type soft chair, six stacked plastic chairs, a table with three small cars and soft mats stacked beside the wall. 7. There was no alternate accommodation provided for the twelve children attending on a part time basis in Room 1 from 12:20 hours as the room required to be vacated to accommodate eleven full day care children who were moved from Room 2 into Room 1 to eat their lunch and then sleep. The twelve children who vacated the room were observed to remain in the outdoor area until they were collected up to 13:15 hours

Provider's corrective action:

Corrective and Preventive Action 1. Staff have been re-trained on how to be observant and attentive to children’s emotional wellbeing during the day. During our regular classroom routine, children are offered a variety of activities such as water play, playdough, and free play with different toys, ensuring children have choice and opportunities to engage in activities of interest. The daily routine has been reviewed to ensure children are not required to remain seated for extended periods and that they have opportunities for choice, movement and engagement in a variety of play experiences. A range of activities and learning experiences are now prepared in advance of children’s arrival to ensure that children can freely access developmentally appropriate materials throughout the day. 2. The layout and presentation of Room 1 have been reviewed and improved to ensure that the room is welcoming, organised and adequately resourced to support children aged 2 –3 years. Toy boxes have been clearly labelled so that children can see and access them freely. Management will continue to monitor practice through regular room observations and staff support to ensure that high standards of care, interaction and learning opportunities are consistently maintained. 3. The daily routine has been reviewed and adjusted to ensure all children present in the service during lunchtime, including those attending on a part -time basis, receive additional lunch before home time. Staff have been reminded of the importance of checki ng attendance and collection times to ensure that children who are due to be collected around lunchtime are offered lunch before departure. 4. Low beds/mattresses are available in all rooms for children requiring sleep. Staff have completed training in relation to safe sleep practice and required sleep records. Staff were re -trained to recognise tiredness and how to respond to appropriately. Staff have been re -trained on how to be observant and attentive to children’s emotional wellbeing during the day. 5. The routine for Room s 1 and 2 has been adjusted. Room 1 is fully available to the children in Room 1 until 1.15pm. Children only sleep in Room 2 now therefore there are no interruptions to the daily routine to the children in room 1. Room 2 is designated as the only sleep room for t he children in room 2. Children who wake early in Room 2 are supported to transition calmly to either an outdoor play area or to Room 1 after 1.15pm when it is free. 6. The Barn has been reorganised to ensure it is welcoming, safe and suitable for the number and age of children using the space. Age -appropriate resources and play materials, including construction toys, role play materials, sensory resources, books and gross motor equipment to support a variety of play experiences with various sensory play equipment on the walls. Furniture and equipment have been rearranged to ensure accessibility and appropriate use of the available space, allowing children to move freely and safely. Staff have been reminded to ensure the environment is prepared and resourced before children enter the area, ensuring meaningful play opportunities are always available. The barn play area has been re -arranged to include low shelves with easily accessible toys and sensory materials, which are available for children to use at all times. Management will carry out regular checks of the environment and resources to ensure the space remains well-presented, appropriately equipped and suitable for the children using it. The service is committed to developing this area on an ongoing basis for staff and children. 7. The routine for Room s 1 and 2 has been adjusted. Room 1 is fully available to the children in Room 1 until 1.15pm. Children only sleep in Room 2 now therefore there are no interruptions to the daily routine to the children in room 1. Room 2 is designated as the only sleep room for t he children in room 2. Children who wake early in Room 2 are supported to transition calmly to either an outdoor play area or to Room 1 after 1.15pm when it is free