Regulation 19 in Galway
Health, Welfare and Development of Child: 21 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
Burren View Creche & Montessori, Gort · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 19(1)(a) The registered provider did not ensure that each child’s well-being was facilitated, as demonstrated by the following observations: -
- Staff in the outdoor area did not respond to the cues of distress displayed by a child aged 2 years 10 months old. The child was observed visibly upset and crying for a period of 12 minutes between approximately 11.22 and 11.34 and was not comforted by either of the 2 staff present. One staff was heard saying in a loud tone of voice “who’s crying, stop crying” but did not attend to the emotional and physical needs of the child. This was at variance with the service’s Behaviour Management Policy which stated, “Staff respond to infants in a timely and appropriate way when they cry or become upset”
- The basic needs for comfort of a child aged 4 years and 8 months were not met as they were placed to sleep on the floor of the Montessori ECCE care room, potentially impacting the physical comfort of the child. This was at variance to the sleep policy of the service which outlined that floor beds would be provided for sleeping children with a safe and comfortable sleep surface. In conversation, the registered provider stated that the child would not sleep on the mats available. 19(1)(b)
- In the Montessori ECCE room staff were observed to make negative comments when communicating with the children. The following examples were observed:- • On three occasions, between 10.29 and 10.32, one child who was playing with another child was told he was “obsessed” with the other child in front of their peers. • A staff member was heard saying “If you don’t stop doing that to each other there will be no outside”. • The staff member was observed removing a child from the slide because the child was “not listening to me”. • On another occasion the adult asked the child in front of his peers “What’s wrong with you, you are hyper today”. These interactions were at variance with the services Behaviour Management Policy which outlined that staff would provide positive guidance, support and encouragement to children using appropriate tones and body language. This could potentially impact the child’s emotional development
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The submission received from the registered provider did not meet the requirements. 2. The submission received from the registered provider did not meet the requirements
- 1. The submission received from the registered provider did not meet the requirements
12 March 2026
Tirellan Montessori, Galway · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The children were observed to eat their lunch/snack at approximately 11.00 from their lunch boxes, tinfoil and the table surface. Plates were not provided when the children sat to eat their lunch. It was acknowledged by the registered provider that they had the plates in the kitchen, but they had not been in use for some time. The registered provider brought the plastic plates to the playroom and gave them to the children for their snack
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 13/3/2026 and the 17/4/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action The plates and cutlery have been relocated to the playroom alongside the childrens drinks. This allows for easy access at snack time. The issue was discussed at a staff meeting on the 13/3/2026. A named staff member has the responsibility of issuing the children a clean plate and cutlery at snack time each day
26 February 2026
Wild Roots Preschool Oranmore Ltd, Oranmore · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Each child’s learning, development and well-being were not facilitated with the daily life of the preschool service because: 1. On the day of inspection, there was an overreliance on adult directed play in the Fawn playroom during the morning session. Child directed play (where a child decides and leads the play in a way in which they want) was not observed. One child was observed playing in the home area for a number of minutes, they put a doll into a pram and were bringing the doll for a walk around the room, when a staff member intervened and took the pram and doll away from the child and was heard saying “ You aren’t bringing that doll for a walk, you have to sit down and do a puzzle”. The child sat for a few minutes but eventually returned to the home area and returned to play with the dolls. When asked by the inspector why the child was not allowed to play with the pram, the staff member said they tend to go quickly around the room with it. That was not observed on inspection. 2. The children all sat in the soft seating area for a period (25 minutes) while the transition of sessional children leaving the service and other children arriving was taking place. Two staff members sat with the children. During this time one staff member read a story to a group of 15 children. After a short time, one child was observed getting a different book from the box and proceeded to look at it. The child was called on a number of times to listen to the story. A staff member then removed this book from the child and told them to listen to the story. The inspector asked the staff member who picked the book that was read to the children. Two staff members provided different answers. One staff member said the staff always pick the book and another staff member stated a child picked the book yesterday. 3. The children did not get to decide where they could sit at lunch time. When they returned from washing their hands, a staff member had placed their labelled placemats on the table, which was an indicator of where they should sit. The inspector suggested that the children could decide where they wanted to sit during their mealtimes. The staff member let the children sit where they wanted
Provider's corrective action:
- The following was acknowledged at regulatory compliance meetings on the 01/05/2026 and the 08/05/2026. • Staff training had been conducted to implement child led play and more autonomy for children around activities and seating at mealtimes
23 February 2026
Socrates Learning Ltd t/a Spraoi Early Learning Centre, Tuam · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (19)(1)(a) Physical & Material Environment The issue outline below could negatively affect the learning and development opportunities available to the children: 1. Although there were musical toys in the Bumble Bee and Tigers playrooms these did not work as the batteries were not replaced in them. 2. Although there were baskets for sensory/treasure they were not equipped. 3. The household area in the playrooms was poorly equipped with natural materials and required development. 4. In the Monkey playroom jigsaws were stored in clear boxes with no pictorial representation. 5. The Bumblebee playroom did not have a suitable chair for comforting a child. 6. The mud kitchen in the outdoor play area had no utensils for children to play with. 7. There was a blue sofa in the Monkeys playroom which was in a poor state of repair
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated in their response: Corrective and Preventive Action Physical & Material Environment Further training is being developed and rolled out to support room leaders and practitioners in creating invitations to play and to support managers in identifying areas that need development. 1. The batteries have been replaced in the toys in the bumblebee room. 2. Sensory/Treasure baskets have been fully restocked in the playrooms. 3. Household areas have been further developed with natural materials. 4. Pictorial representation has been added to the clear jigsaw boxes making them easily identifiable for children. 5. A comfort chair has been purchased and added to the Bumblebee playroom. 6. The mud kitchen has been further developed with more utensils and structured invitations to play. 7. The blue sofa in the Monkeys playroom has been replaced with a new sofa
28 January 2026
Naíonra Mhaigh Cuilinn, Maigh Cuilinn · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Kitchen crockery was not observed at snack/mealtime the children were observed to eat from their hands at approximately 10.50 and from lunch boxes and tin foil wrapping or the table at approximately 11.40
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 27/02/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. Plates will be provided for the children to place their snacks and lunches on going forward. The children and staff will make every effort to use the plates during snack and lunch times
19 January 2026
Teddy House, Rahoon · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The dignity and privacy of the children using the toilet was not maintained on the 19/01/2026. On two occasion, at approximately 12.00 three children could be seen while using the toilet, the half doors were open and their privacy was not maintained. At approximately 12.47 one child was using the toilet and the toilet door was left open. The manager was informed and both the early years inspector and manager witnessed the child while using the toilet. This was at variance with the service policy on toileting as the childrens privacy and dignity was not maintained
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 13 02 2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. New purpose-built toilet cubicles have been purchased that are higher than the cubicles that were in place. The staff will encourage the children to keep the doors closed while toileting
14 November 2025
Sea Garden Childcare, Leenane · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (1)(a) Physical and Material Environment 1. The dress up outfits available in the service were stacked randomly in a bundle in an open top box which reduced the opportunity for children to see what was available and select a costume of their choosing. 2. The physical environment in the playroom was not purposefully structured to develop babies’ curiosity and desire for exploration. There was no soft matting or pull to stand props to develop babies gross motor skills. Two children under 12 months of age had no safe soft play area where they could lie, roll, creep, crawl, pull themselves up, learn to walk and be protected from children who were more mobile. − It was acknowledged that 2 covered cot mattresses and 3 yellow cushions were available in the playroom. From 10.25 – 10.45 on the day of inspection, 1 adult and the 2 children under 12 months were observed using this area for story time. The area was not an adequate environment to provide learning experiences for these children. This area needs further development. 3. There was no adult armchair provided in the playroom to allow the adult to sit and hold, feed, cradle or comfort the children. The adult was observed to sit on the mattresses that were on the floor in the corner of the room while holding a baby under 12 months of age. 4. It was observed that 7 children aged between 16 months and 4.5 years sat directly on the hard floor during story time. There was no adequate soft seating, couches or an area for rest and relaxation available for the older children attending the preschool service. This area needed further development
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 23/12/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action
- 1. The dress-up area was immediately reorganised, with costumes displayed on hangers and placed in an accessible container, allowing children to clearly see the available materials and make independent choices. The playroom environment will be planned and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is developmentally appropriate for all age groups. 2. A safe soft play area for babies was immediately established. The required equipment had been ordered and was delivered the day following the inspection. The area is clearly defined and protected and equipped with cushions of various textures and shapes and appropriate materials to support the development of gross motor skills, including rolling, crawling, pulling to stand and early walking. The playroom was reorganized to clearly separate areas for babies and more mobile children, ensuring the safety of children under 12 months of age. The playroom environment will be planned and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is developmentally appropriate for all age groups, especially babies under 12 months of age. 3. An appropriate adult chair/armchair was provided in the playroom to enable staff to sit safely and comfortably while holding, feeding, soothing or comforting children. Appropriate furniture and equipment for both adults and children will be available at all times and maintained in good condition. Management will continuously monitor the organisation of the playroom. 4. Mats and rugs were added to ensure that older children do not sit directly on the hard floor during activities such as story time or circle time
21 October 2025
Cairde ELC, Roscam · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. There was no evidence that staff members were using ongoing observations and interests of the children to create an effective programme of activity for the children in the playrooms. The Toddler and the ECCE playroom followed the same curriculum plan. The curriculum plan was developed in September outlining the weekly plan until December. This may have a negative impact of the wellbeing, learning and development of the children attending. 2. A staff member in the Wobbler room was observed placing a child’s dinner directly down on the highchair tray, the young child was expected to eat their dinner of chicken stew with their fingers from the tray. There was no effort to provide the child with age-appropriate crockery and cutlery suitable for their age and stage of development. This practice did not encourage the child to learn the skills of using cutlery and learn the skills of self-feeding
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Staff have received training on child led activities and emergent curriculum planning from the service area manager. Staff will continue to review and discuss curriculum planning at team meetings. 2. This was discussed at a staff meeting and staff will ensure to follow the service policy on healthy eating and use age-appropriate crockery and cutlery
7 October 2025
Child's Play Creche, Galway · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Outlined below are two examples, where staff did not implement the positive behaviour management of the service and this have a negative impact of the behaviour of the children attending this room. 1. In the Montessori room, the staff used a behaviour tracker to account of an individual’s child’s behaviour. The poster was displayed on a notice board with the child’s name and picture and outlined 6 responsibilities that the child must undertake which ranged from playing nicely to following the routine. If the child achieved the desired result, they received a ✓ and if not, they got a x each day. On the Friday they either received a ✓ or a x. Three large x’s were displayed on the poster. 2. There was also a behaviour tracker for the whole class in relation to activities during the day. Morning time, outside time, dinner time and outside time. The children’s behaviour was rated by 3 coloured faces, a red sad face, an orange face and a green happy face. If the staff gave 3 green happy faces during the day, the class got awarded a star and when 30 stars were collected, they got a toy for the playroom. On the day of inspection, the children were awarded 1 green face, 1 orange face and 1 red face. This practice is at variance with promoting positive behaviour management, praising children and acknowledging their positive actions as was outlined in the service’s behaviour management policy
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1, 2 Management had a meeting with all staff to reinforce the importance of positive behaviour strategies. The behaviour tracker was removed and management will review all of the activities taking part in the classrooms in future. Summary Comment The Inspector reviewed the actions submitted and the non-compliance identified under regulation 19 have been adequately addressed
2 October 2025
Millbrook Creche, Tuam · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. There was no evidence that staff members were using ongoing observations and interests of the children to create an effective programme of activity for the children in the playrooms. This may have a negative impact of the wellbeing, learning and development of the children attending. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated the following in their reply:
Provider's corrective action:
- We have had staff appraisals to inform the staff of how important ongoing observations are in the development of the children. The staff are working on the interests of the children to create an effective programme of activities which relate to the children. The staff have commenced these ongoing observations. Staff will be observed on a more regular basis and we will carry out regular appraisals to ensure the staff get support to enable them to achieve the goals we need them to be working towards. Summary Comment The inspector reviewed the actions submitted. The non-compliance identified under regulation 19 has been adequately addressed
10 September 2025
KJD Childcare LTD, Glenamaddy · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Programme of activities: • Contrary to the service’s sleep policy there were no alternative activities on offer in the Toddler care room for 3 of the 11 children observed awake, while children were resting. In conversation, staff stated that activities are offered but none were observed on the day
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statement was received from the registered provider. • All children are offered alternative activities if they cannot sleep or do not need a sleep. Table top activities or an alternative room is available if they do not wish to rest
27 June 2025
Corrandulla Community, Corrandulla · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The adult in the baby room did not have a comfortable place to sit, hold and feed babies. The adult chair available was not suitable for the adults to interact with and comfort the children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1. A chair that can offer support and comfort to the staff member to feed and comfort a child is now in place in the baby room. This chair will be replaced when required
13 May 2025
Sonas Early Learning Centre, Rahoon · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs of Children: Provisions for children’s sleep requirements were not observed. At approximately 11:15 am, a child in the Penguin room was displaying signs of tiredness including crying, rubbing their eyes, closing their eyes and clinging to an adult in the outdoor play area. The child was not placed to sleep until approximately 12:10 pm despite the Early Years Inspector advising the adult that the child required sleep. Failure to facilitate children to sleep according to their needs may impact negatively on their emotional and cognitive development
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider responded to say: Corrective and Preventive Action Staff have undergone supervision meetings and have been addressed on such actions. A further training session was completed on the 06/06/2025 in which understanding basic needs and looking for non-verbal behavioural ques were discussed. Mentoring from management and eight weekly supervision reviews in line with the company policy will prevent the non-compliance from reoccurring in the future
20 March 2025
Athenry Community Childcare, Athenry · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Drinking water was not freely accessible while the early years children were present in the service. Individual water bottles were placed on a high shelf in an area of the kitchen, which was inaccessible to the children, preventing the children from availing of water if they were thirsty. 2. The temperature of the playroom was not maintained between 18°C-22°C. The inspector observed at 10:15 that the temperature of the playroom was recorded as 16.2°C and at 12:15 the temperature had gone down to 15.9°C. The heating control clock indicated that the heating was timed to come on between 08:30 and 09:00
Provider's corrective action:
- : 1. An easily accessible table has been set up to ensure the children have access to water while present in the service. 2. The heating system will be managed by staff to maintain the required temperature between 18°C -22°. Temperatures and timings will be monitored daily by staff as part of the daily risk assessment
25 February 2025
Mervue Community Creche, Mervue · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs 1. The staff in the Baby room did not promote an awareness of healthy habits in children, the babies and young children’s hands were not washed or cleaned prior to their mealtime. 2. The staff in the Baby room were observed to use blue hand paper to clean and wipe the young children’s noses, soft tissue paper was not used. 3. The children in the Toddler room did not have access to tables and chairs in their playroom, to sit and engage in activities. 4. The children had limited space to rest and relax in the Toddler room. The area in the corner of the room that was allocated for the children to sit on the floor had only a small number of cushions and a soft blanket. The children were observed using this limited space for a large portion of the time the inspector was in the room. 5. The privacy and dignity of the children using the children’s sanitary area (five cubicles) were not respected as the doors of the cubicles could not be closed fully, as the staff identified there was a risk the children would not be able to open them. 6. There was no adult chair available to the staff in the Toddler room, for the purposes of comforting and nurturing the young children in their care
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following in the reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The importance of handwashing was discussed at a recent staff meeting and posters to reinforce this practice are on display in the playrooms. 2. Tissues are now used by staff and children; blue hand paper is no longer in use. 3. Age-appropriate tables and chairs are now in use in the Toddler room. 4. The soft seating area has been developed with the addition of soft matting and bean bags and will be further developed over time. 5. Work has commenced in changing the locking mechanism of the toilet doors and will be completed over the next few months. 6. A suitable chair is in place in the Toddler room. Summary Comment The actions taken by the registered provider addressed five of the six non-compliances identified. The findings documented at point 5 remains non-compliant as the registered provider did not provide adequate assurances that the non-compliance had been rectified
23 January 2025
Childrens Republic, Craughwell · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs • The dignity of the child was not respected at nappy changing as other children and adults could view children being changed. The registered provider had moved the location of the nappy changing unit since the last inspection to the lobby area on the way into the children’s sanitary area
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated in their response: Corrective and Preventive Action The nappy changing unit is moved to protect the dignity of the child and a new sink fitted
5 November 2024
Bubbles Montessori, Knocknacarra · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic needs. The service did not provide for each child’s comfort and need for sleep, rest and relaxation. At 13.00pm on the day of inspection, 1 child was put down to sleep in the rest area of the upstairs playroom. The remaining 7 children attending this playroom did not have access to soft seating or any means to sit and relax while this child slept in this area. All of these children present were aged between 2 and 3 years of age and attending the service on a full day care basis
Provider's corrective action:
- Soft seating is made available to all children in the Junior playroom
16 October 2024
Laura's Laugh 'N' Learn, Roscahill · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs 1. The interval between meals and snacks were served more than 3 hrs apart on the day of inspection. Children aged between 1 year and 9 months and 2 years 7 months in the Toddlers room were given a ham roll at 10.30 am, they were put down to sleep at 11.45am, they ate their main meal of turkey burgers, potatoes and vegetables after 2pm, when they got up from bed
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following: Corrective and Preventive Action We have reviewed our mealtime to ensure that there no longer than 3 hrs between meals
16 July 2024
Little Red Hen Creche, Rahoon · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (19)(1)(a) BASIC NEEDS • The dignity of the child was not respected in the sanitary facilities in the sessional building. Although the toilets were partitioned off doors were not fitted on the 2 toilet cubicles
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider responded on the 12/08/2024 to say that: Corrective and Preventive Action A contracted builders is employed to change the sanitary area. One toilet will be removed to ensure the dignity of the child is always respected
30 May 2024
Wizkidz, Tuam · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Physical and Material Environment 1. While it is acknowledged that defined interest areas were provided, they did not allow access to enough variety of materials and equipment e.g. the play kitchen was poorly stocked with play accessories and the tuff tables were void of resources for the children to play with
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has engaged with a quality and development service to help develop perspective on how to lay out the playrooms. We have conducted a toy and material audit prior to reopening in September 2024
23 February 2024
Jolly Tots at the Meadows, Tuam · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Soft seating or relaxation areas were not available in all of the playroom upstairs, children attending on a full day care basis in these playrooms did not have access to an area that they could sit, rest or relax through the day
Provider's corrective action:
- A sofa and cushions are ordered for the playrooms upstairs, and we will ensure that there will always be soft seating for the children to use