Regulation 19 in Carlow
Health, Welfare and Development of Child: 4 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.
5 May 2026
Little Stars Childcare, Carlow · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The table used by children in the toddler room was too high for the children using it. The table was at the chest height of the children, who were observed reaching up from chairs during mealtimes to eat
Provider's corrective action:
- New table has been purchased. We will ensure the correct size table for the aged and stage of the children is in place
27 February 2026
Ballon Rathoe Community childcare Facility LTD, Ballon · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Supporting Relationships and Interactions around Children. On day one of inspection some children did not have the opportunity to eat with their peers at lunch time. Those attending part time ate alone in their classrooms while their classmates went to the dining room for lunch. Staff were involved in cleaning at this time and did not sit with the children
Provider's corrective action:
- Staff have been reminded that, even in exceptional circumstances such as room closures, children must continue to be supported within normal mealtime routines as part of the daily practice. Children are not left to eat alone, and staff are always present to support and engage with children during mealtimes. Arrangements have since been updated so that all children attending the service, whether full-time, part-time, or sessional, now eat together. Lunchtime routines are organised so that children eat together as part of the daily schedule. Where a room is closed, children will continue to join other children for mealtimes in the dining area or designated eating space, depending on their meal arrangement (canteen or in-room snack). Staff remain present to support the routine and ensure consistency for all children during mealtimes
9 October 2025
Myshall Montessori, Myshall · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The practices of the service did not meet the basic care needs of a pre-school child attending on full day care on the day of inspection. On arrival to the service, a child aged 2 years was present within the service with 7 school age children. During the inspection, it was observed that the based on age of the child, their needs were not met as follows; • At 2.35pm, the pre-school child was observed to wander in the outdoor area with a soother in their mouth holding a soft comforter. The child was observed to watch the older children and did not engage in any activity or play during this time. • At 3.05pm while in the outdoor area, the child expressed to the staff member that they needed the toilet. The staff member brought the child to the entrance door between the outdoors and the main care room. The staff member prompted the child to use the toilet which was adjoining the care room. The staff member was unable to accompany or provide support to the child, as they were also supervising 7 school age children in the outdoor area. Taking into account the child’s age and stage of development, the staff member was unable to fully meet their needs. As should the child have required support or assistance, the staff member was unable to provide it. • At 3.20pm, the school age children went indoors for snack time. The pre-school child was not observed to be offered food or observed to eat food. In discussion with the staff member, it was outlined that the child would be collected shortly. According to the services records, the child was in attendance of the service from 9am. • At 3.30pm, the child stated to the staff member that they were tired while rubbing their eyes. The child was prompted to lie on the low-level couches and listen to a story being read by the school age children. The child was observed to lie on the couch and continued to rub their eyes. At this time, the school age children asked the staff member when they were returning outdoors. At 3.45pm, the staff member advised all of the children that they were going outside. The child was lying on the low-level couch. The child stood up, continued to rub their eyes and went outdoors with the other children
Provider's corrective action:
- A staff meeting was held, and it was communicated with staff members that children who are not attending ECCE were not permitted to attend the service. The registered provider stated in their CAPA response that it was also communicated with staff members that they were not permitted to allow any child to extend their hours to stay in the service longer. The registered provider provided assurances to the inspectorate that this would not reoccur
10 April 2025
Dolmen Nursery and Montessori School, Carlow · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic needs 1. The staffing level and equipment available did not support the needs of children in the Baby room during lunch time. There were two high chairs available for the three children aged 1 to 2 years old on the day of inspection. At 12.30pm, the staff member was observed to feed two of the three children their dinner in the high chairs. The third child sat on the floor between the high chairs and was observed to be crying. At 12.40pm, the staff member removed one of the children from the highchai r and placed them onto the floor. This child was observed to become upset. The adult placed the third child into the high chair and began to feed them their dinner. At 1.10pm, the second child remained sitting between the two high chairs and was observed to be crying while the staff member fed the two other children in the highchairs. The lack of equipment and additional support did not promote a calm or child-led mealtime for three children in the Baby room. 2. The children aged 1 to 2 years in the Baby room were not observed to engage in outdoor play on the day of inspection. This was at variance with the service’s outdoor play policy which stated that each child spends a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors every day, weather permitting. This practice may limit the play and development opportunities for the children in the Baby room. Physical and Material Environment 3. Rest areas for children were not in place within the four care rooms to support children to rest or retreat from the group as required. 4. Equipment and mat erials were not readily accessible to children and were limited in variety . The equipment did not provide opportunity for challenging, diverse, creative or enriching experiences for children within the baby, toddler and Montessori room s in line with their stage of development. This was at variance of the service’s policy which outlined that the materials and equipment is suitable and age appropriate, while providing new exciting challenges and experiences. The policy also outlined that the layout of the room is carefully designed and the equipment is accessible to the children to encourage free choice. The following was observed; a. Staff did not ensure that a variety of equipment and toys were easily accessible to the babies to support their exploration and play. In the Baby room, the three children aged 1 to 2 years had access to one push/ pull toy, a mirror and a wall jigsaw. It is noted that play equipment was available in boxes on a shelving unit. However, as the children were continuing to develop their skills to crawl and walk, these materials were not easily accessible. It is noted that the staff members provide the children with story books and a box containing plastic toys during the inspection. b. In the Toddler room, the jigsaws were stacked on the shelving unit and were not easily accessible for the children. T here was a play kitchen in the room too, however, there were no supporting materials including food or kitchen utensils to extend the children’s play. c. In the Montessori room, the children had access to Montessori equipment, art easel, blocks jigsaws, and a sensory table. T here was also children’s dress up clothes , however, these were stored in a plastic box. (b) 5. Staffing allocation did not align with the service ’s policy objective to support the development of relationships between the staff members and children. The service’s behaviour management policy outlined that there was a key worker system in place within the service to support the development of secure, trusting relationships between staff members, the children and parents/guardians. The policy outlined that the key worker system supported children’s care routines such as mealtimes, sleep and the personal care of the child and when the key person was absent, there was a secondary key worker available who was familiar to the children. It is noted that the person in charge outlined there was a transition of staff happening between care rooms. However, on the day of inspection, within the Baby room there were five staff members intermittently working with the three children aged 1 to 2 years old. In discussion with staff members, this routine was in place on a daily basis
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The baby room ceased operation from 11 July 2025. Additional staff members have been recruited to provide support in rooms throughout mealtimes. This is visible on the roster. 2. The baby room has closed since 11 July 2025. However, the manager reiterated the importance of daily outdoor play to staff members and support is available from the manager on heling the children while outside. All children will have unlimited daily access to the outdoor area and daily outdoor play will be stressed to staff members at the next planned meeting. 3. Each room has a defined rest area. The manager will carry out regular ad hoc checks in all rooms to ensure rest areas are available and maintained at all times. 4. The service is engaged with a quality support mentor who will provide guidance and direction regarding the environments within the service. More diverse materials are being sourced. The registered provider will also source natural, diverse, and creative age-appropriate materials for all rooms. Creative materials will be accessible and will be at a low level for all children. The service will provide more real-life materials to the home area and display them in an inviting manner for the children. the service will provide natural age-appropriate materials in all rooms. And the dress up clothing will be hung up in a more captivating manner. 5. The service is engaged with a quality support mentor who will provide guidance regarding a key worker system. Each child and group of children have a key worker assigned