Regulation 19 in Louth
Health, Welfare and Development of Child: 11 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.
26 February 2026
Ladybird Lane Day Nursery & Montessori, Clogherhead · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (3) At approximately 3.35pm in the Foxes Room, one child was observed crying over at the soft area. A staff member went over and knelt down beside the child to ask what was wrong. The child told the staff member that a peer sitting beside them had hit them. The staff member was then observed to turn to that child, still down at their level and point their finger at them saying “you can’t be hitting, that’s the 3rd time you hit today” and then got up and walked away saying to the other staff member “… is after walloping ….”. This is not an effective form of behaviour management as it did not adequately address the situation or provide sufficient support to either child involved
Provider's corrective action:
- s (3)Staff in the afternoon Foxes room have been spoken to by management. All interactions with children are aimed at promoting their wellbeing and staff expectations for children’s behaviour should always be developmentally appropriate. All staff will complete Positive Behaviour Management training on 13th and 20th April 2026.Certificates will be kept on file. Management, Room Leaders and all other staff shall ensure that no practices that are disrespectful or degrading are carried out in respect of a preschool child in our service. Ongoing staff training and supervision in the use of Positive Behaviour strategies. The key components of Regulation 19 (3) and (5) has been provided to all staff, read and signed and is available in all care rooms
17 December 2025
Pugwash Bay LTD, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- At 13.45pm when the inspector entered the Caterpillar Room to do the afternoon headcount the room was converted to a sleep room and was in darkness. One child was awake and walking about the room with the staff member while 2 others slept. This child was awake from approximately 13.15pm. The lighting in the room was insufficient for the child to partake in meaningful activities either at the tabletop or in any other area of the room. It is acknowledged that the regional manager who came in after the inspector noted the darkness and immediately opened one of the blinds
Provider's corrective action:
- The manager spoke personally with each staff member to reinforce the importance of adequate lighting at all times, ensuring the environment reflects the current needs and activities of the children present. An email was issued to all staff outlining the Safe Sleep Policy, specifically highlighting the section relating to room lighting and the care of awake children during rest periods. A memo was issued to all staff, which they were required to read, sign, and return, confirming their understanding of and commitment to adhering to the Safe Sleep Policy going forward. Immediate action was taken by management to increase lighting in the room once the issue was identified. The manager will provide ongoing supervision and monitoring to ensure the Safe Sleep Policy and appropriate room lighting are consistently implemented. A clear procedure is now in place whereby lighting must be adjusted immediately when any child wakes, to ensure the child can engage in age-appropriate and meaningful activities. All staff covering rooms for breaks or lunches, including relief or new staff, will receive a verbal reminder at handover regarding lighting adjustments should a child wake. The Safe Sleep Policy will be reviewed at staff meetings to reinforce expectations and ensure consistent understanding across the team. Management will conduct periodic spot checks during rest periods to ensure compliance. If required, the service will purchase and install an appropriate lamp for the room to ensure adequate lighting can be provided without disrupting sleeping children. This issue and the actions taken will be recorded and reviewed as part of the service’s quality and risk management process
3 December 2025
Lios na nOg Playgroup CLG, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- During the inspection, one staff member was observed to speak to the children when carrying out activities in a loud voice on a number of occasions. In addition, on day 2 this same staff member was observed bending over and speaking ‘down’ to two children in a loud voice while dealing with a minor behavioural issue. This is at variance with services ‘Encouraging Positive Behaviour’ policy that states “we will speak at the child’s level, so the adult’s body language is not intimidating to the child”
Provider's corrective action:
- The staff member noted has completed extra training on ‘Positive behaviour in the Early Years’ supporting children age 2 and above. The registered provider is sourcing more detailed training in ‘challenging behaviour’ and ‘positive behaviours’ for all the staff in a training week later this year. Further observations will be completed by senior team members in the room to ensure staff are not stressed or ‘burnt-out’ which can lead to stress when dealing with children. The senior team and Link co-ordinator will also offer support and strategies to all staff upon dealing with challenging behaviours
3 November 2025
Kidz Akademy Ltd, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The registered provider did not ensure that each child’s learning, development, and well-being was facilitated within the daily life of the service in relation to the following: 1. The consistency of the dinners provided on both days of the inspection was not considered appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children in attendance. There was no variety in textures and all children ranging in age from 1 – 4 years were provided with a pureed dinner of ‘Irish stew’ and mash potato on the first day of inspection and a pureed dinner of mince and mash potato on the 2nd day. 2. The majority of toys and equipment in the Toddler Room were on high shelves, in heavy boxes and were inaccessible to the children. For example, the plastic blocks, kitchen equipment, jigsaws and some books were contained within heavy plastic containers or on high shelves and the children could not access them independently. 3. The physical and material environment in the Toddler room was not adequately resourced for the number and developmental stage of the children attending. Many of the toys were plastic or wooden with a limited variety of specific areas of interest, textures, shapes and sizes. 4. The programme of activities observed for the children attending the Toddler Room was limited e.g., on the 1st day of the inspection while it is acknowledged that the children were observed to engage in an adult initiated jigsaw activity and a reading activity when an additional staff member arrived on the premises. For most of the time prior to this the children (aged 1-2 years) were observed to wander around the Toddler room without any engagement from the staff in attendance as they were more focused on meeting the children’s basic needs or tidying up the room. 5. The children attending the Toddler Room did not get a change of environment to the outdoor areas on either day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. There are a variety of textured meals available (sausages, stew, mince, chicken, fish fingers) Food is provided by a HSE approved food supplier, vegetables (carrots, turnips) are mashed before they mixed with dinners as many children are reluctant to eat their meal when whole pieces of vegetables are visible, this ensures nutrient intake of the children’s daily dietary needs. Environmental Health Office has been contacted and completed a review of the menu and are satisfied with it. Manager will review menus monthly to ensure all dietary requirements are met and alterations will be made to the menu if needed. 2. Toys have been moved to the lower shelves at an appropriate level for the children to access them at all times. The room has been re-arranged to give the children more independence and access to materials. The service has engaged with an external early years quality development agency to review the layout and materials within the service. Following contact, the agency is liaising with staff to review and change the layout of the room. 3. Additional materials have been added to the toddler room as there are many types of play that takes place in the toddler room which were not on display at the time of the inspection as they are stored in different areas of the building due to lack of storage space in the toddler room. The registered provider is engaging with the quality development agency regarding the materials, equipment and space in the toddler room. 4. The daily routine for the Toddler Room has since been revised. The updated daily room routine will be displayed in the room, including visual aids. Assistance will also be provided for staff with the classroom curriculum from the quality development agency. 5. Each room has their own set times to access the covered outdoor area. Going forward the daily timetable will be placed in each room to ensure all staff are aware of times for access to the covered outdoor area in circumstances where the main outdoor area cannot be used
16 September 2025
Pugwash Bay LTD, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. During the inspection on a number of occasions the children from the Dolphins Room were observed to walk through the Turtles Room and use the exit door from this room to access the outdoor area. The children also used this door to access the toilet facilities when they were in the outdoor play area. Some children in the Turtles Room who were playing on the ground with their chosen toys had to move their toys out of the way or were interrupted playing. This was disruptive to the activities of the children in the Turtles Room
Provider's corrective action:
- s 1. Staff supervision was increased during transitions to ensure children follow designated pathways. Temporary measures were put in place to minimize disruption to the Turtles Room activities, such as rearranging play areas and supervising children to avoid interference with ongoing play. A team meeting was held to inform staff of the issue and reinforce procedures for maintaining boundaries between rooms. Staff were reminded of the importance of maintaining uninterrupted play for all children. A dedicated access route for Dolphins Room children to reach the outdoor area and toilets will be established without passing through the Turtles Room. Room leaders and the Person in Charge (PIC) will monitor transitions between rooms and outdoor areas daily for a period of four weeks to ensure compliance. Monthly reviews will ensure that the new system is effective, and children’s play is not disrupted
12 June 2025
Dundalk Tiny Tots Nursery LTD, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The door to the sanitary area off Preschool Room 2 remained propped open, therefore the children having their nappies changed could be seen from the care room. This does not maintain the privacy and dignity of the child during toileting
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The steps to prop the door to the sanitary area have been removed and the door remains closed Management have discussed with the staff the importance of privacy and dignity while changing nappies, reminding them to keep the door closed at all times. A sign has been placed on the door to remind staff
14 November 2024
Ready, Steady, Grow: Stonetown, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The following observations did not ensure that the children’s well-being and development were being supported in the service: Basic Needs: 1. There was no documentation available in the care room detailing important information on the care, supervision and strategies required for children who had additional care needs attending the service. This information should be readily available in order to provide and plan for children’s safe care and development
Provider's corrective action:
- s Basic Needs: 1. Children who require additional supports in the service now have their goals printed and placed on file. Evidence of supports used to reach these goals inclusive of supporting documentary evidence of meetings/correspondence with parents/primary care teams have also been filed. Communication books and files will be set up in September with progress and goals updated frequently. Room leaders will be supported in maintaining these files
18 July 2024
Olive Tree Daycare, Drogheda · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. There was a lack of natural, sensory and open-ended materials in Amy’s Room and in the Toddler Room to facilitate sensory play experiences or encourage the children’s creativity and imagination at times of their own choosing. For example, sensorial materials such as sand, water, compost, dried rice, crushed cereal or dried pasta were not provided for play in these rooms. The inspector was informed that sensorial play was facilitated in both these rooms on a regular basis and photographs in the service confirmed this, but the lack of accessible sensorial play materials in the rooms denied the opportunity for the children in these two rooms to exercise choice in relation to their engagement in sensory activities throughout the day
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action 1. A new range of sensorial play equipment was purchased for the rooms. Tray tables are available in both rooms and supplied with various sensory materials that are accessible to children throughout the day. Sensory toys, sensory floor mats and foam seating a re added to the rooms and accessible to children throughout the day. A 3-drawer storage unit is now in the Baby Room for storage and accessibility to additional sensory equipment and toys. Preventive Action 1. Manager will continue to add to the range of accessible sensorial equipment and materials in these rooms
25 April 2024
Little Rascals, Drogheda · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- In the Toddler Room the inspector observed staff attempting to wake up 2 children who were asleep on floor mats. The children were displaying obvious signs that they wanted to continue to sleep for example lying back down on the mat and going back to sleep. When questioned the staff member stated to the inspector that “that the parents request it”. No documentary evidence of a child led sleep care plan or consultation with parents on the children’s individual sleep needs was available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has notified parents that we are no longer allowed to facilitate children being woken early without written request signed by the parent. Written permission will be sought from any parent requesting children to be woken early and kept on the child’s file. 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 19 has been addressed. Implementation and sustainment of the corrective and preventive actions will be assessed at the next inspection
8 April 2024
Respond Early Years Service, Tredagh Close, Drogheda · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic needs: 1. In Room 3, water was not available to the children to take as they desired during the day. Children were provided with water at mealtimes but was not available for them to take spontaneously if they needed at other times during the day
Provider's corrective action:
- Baic needs: Corrective Action 1. A jug of water and cups will be readily available for each child throughout the day. Preventive Action 1. Access to drinking water in all playrooms is included in the daily checklist to ensure it is always available. Summary Comment The actions as stated in the corrective and preventative actions addresses the noncompliance identified. The regulatory requirement for regulation 19 - Health, welfare and development of child has been addressed
14 March 2024
Redeemer Creche & Playgroup, Dundalk · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The registered provider did not ensure that each child’s learning, development, and well-being was facilitated within the daily life of the service in relation to the following:
- 1. The environment in Playgroup Room 1 was chaotic at times during the afternoon session particularly during transition periods for example, one child was observed walking around the room, lying on the ground for periods of time, throwing food on the floor and on occasions throwing toys around the room. A staff member was observed at this stage to try and unsuccessfully lift the child up off the floor by their arms. During this time while this staff member was trying to deal with these incidents a 2nd staff member was trying to put out lunches and stop some of the children climbing on the tables and worktops at the same time. 2. A number of children in Playgroup Room, needed additional support from the staff members to facilitate their participation in the service. Individualised care plans, which were developed with the support of an external agency were in place for the children with identified goals and actions to support development. However, there was no evidence of recent planning by the staff in the care room to implement strategies and supports to achieve these goals e.g., when questioned one staff member was not familiar with the strategies detailed on the plans and a second staff member who was familiar with some of the strategies stated that they had not recently reviewed the care plans or completed any planning to implement supports even though some of the goals had been identified since February 2023. In addition, staff also reported that they had not been updated in relation to these care plans. 3. Some of the language used during the afternoon session in Playgroup 1 was not supportive in helping children who were stressed to self-regulate their behaviour for example one staff member was heard saying “Oh God what is ….. gonna get now”. A second staff member was observed standing at the toilet door saying “bye bye …your messing now” as the child lay on the toilet floor and “sure I told mam that… didn’t like that” after the child was observed to throw their lunch on the floor
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. A meeting was held with the staff on April 15, 2024. To provide additional support, a CE staff member was assigned to the room. The manager is currently assisting the staff in the room daily until a new full-time member of staff is recruited. An interview was conducted on April 17, 2024, to select a suitable candidate for a position in the room. 2. The goals were discussed, and measures were put in place to facilitate a child in this room with additional needs. 3. Discussion took place with staff who were advised about their use of language. A new policy will be implemented regarding the use of language when communicating with children. The current staff will closely monitor and support the children in this room. The registered provider is also seeking additional staff to support them. A meeting was held with an external agency on April 23, 2024 to gain their support. A visit is scheduled two weeks from now for the service to be advised on improvements and strategies for moving forward