Regulation 19 in Sligo
Health, Welfare and Development of Child: 6 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.
4 November 2025
Toadstool Cottage, Ballyrush · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. On the day of inspection, it was observed in the Navigators Room that the playroom lacked clearly defined interest areas and material’s, which resulted in a lack of structure for the children's play and learning activities. Furthermore, many of the electronic and battery-operated toys were non-functional as they did not contain batteries. This led to visible frustration among the children as they competed for the limited number of working toys. 2. The transition to rest time in the navigators Room was not managed effectively to meet the children's needs. On the day of inspection, the routine required the sole staff member to prepare the sleep area while simultaneously supervising the group, which resulted in a period of inadequate oversight. During this transition, the environment became unsafe as children were observed tilting and pulling at wooden bed bases, creating a risk of injury that required the inspector to intervene. 3. Furniture in the Navigators Room was found to be unsuitable for the age and developmental stage of the children. Specifically, the tables and chairs provided were of an inappropriate height, preventing children from resting their feet flat on the floor. This lack of necessary postural support negatively impacts the children's comfort and physical development during mealtimes and tabletop activities
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. An environment and resource check was introduced and implemented. The playroom was reviewed immediately, batteries were replaced, additional age-appropriate materials were introduced, and the room layout was reorganised to provide clearly defined areas of interest. The environment and resource Check is now completed on a regular basis to ensure resources remain in good working order and that adequate materials are available within each area of interest. The check includes a simple rating scale to identify where resources require review or replacement and provides space to document emerging interests, expansion of interest areas, introduction of new resources, and planned toy rotation. This supports a responsive, child-led learning environment in line with Aistear and Síolta. The environment and resource check is completed by the room lead, with management review. Actions identified are followed up and recorded as part of the service’s continuous quality improvement process. 2. The transition process to rest time in the Navigator room was reviewed immediately to ensure children’s safety during this period. Additional staffing support was deemed necessary to ensure children’s safety during this process. Management support has been introduced during rest-time transition to ensure appropriate supervision and safe practice. The additional support in the Navigator room for sleep transition is now planned for as part of daily staff planning including the organisation of staff breaks to ensure adequate staffing. This ensures that additional oversight is planned and an integral consideration in to staff daily plans and considered allocation of staff duties and rest breaks. 3. New table and chairs has been purchased and introduced to the room. The furniture is lower in height and more appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children using the room. Chairs with side supports have been selected to promote children’s safety, postural support and stability during seated activities. The suitability of furniture will continue to be considered as part of room set-up and reviewed in response to the changing needs of the children. This will be recorded during the environment and resource check with any issues identified addressed promptly to ensure continued appropriateness
13 October 2025
Cre8ive Corner Creche, Sligo · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (1) (a) • The individual sleep needs of children in the wobbler room aged 1 year old were not met. One child was notably tired at 10.00am and were observed to wait up to until after dinner at 12.02 before being placed to sleep. The child was observed rubbing their eyes, crying and disengaging from play activities and unable to eat their dinner. The structure and routine of the day in this room indicated that children ate their dinner prior to being placed to sleep. This process did not allow for children to be placed to sleep when they were tired and in need of rest. • On the day of the inspection, the privacy and dignity of children were not respected. At 2:00 PM, a child’s nappy was being changed in the bathroom while six other preschool children were present
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) The child on the day in wobblers was settling in. The child’s parents had known the child was upset and had requested the child have sleep at 12 as it is what she has as routine at home. All children have opportunity to sleep when they want which was observed on the day in toddlers. When parents ask about doing their routine, we do explain that we have to let the children sleep as they need. (2) To keep ratios the staff used to split the number of children between two staff to change nappies. We will now use the door so staff will bring one child at a time to changing unit to keep the child’s privacy. I have briefed all staff that they can use the sliding door in toddlers for changing nappies
24 September 2025
Little Angels, Sligo · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The privacy and dignity of the children were not respected on the day of inspection. The inspector observed four children and one staff member in the bathroom. One of the children’s nappies was being changed while another child was using the bathroom. Two other children were waiting to be changed. Staff informed the inspector that the usual practice is to bring three children at a time to the bathroom. This is in contradiction to the services toileting policy where it states that children’s privacy is always respected
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Going forward only one child will be brought by a staff member at a time to be changed or to use the toilet to protect their privacy. I have had a staff meeting so all staff are aware of the toileting policy and have read and signed it
17 July 2025
Once Upon a Time Montessori, Ballinfull · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. On the day of inspection, food was provided from home and reheated by the service. However, it was noted that some children were not supplied with a hot meal from home and instead consumed cold food for their main meal, including items such as cold pasta, cheese, and crackers. This practice does not align with the service’s Healthy Eating Policy, which states that children attending full-day care for more than five hours, one of the two meals must be a hot meal. 2. On the day of inspection, children were observed consuming a variety of foods including doughnuts, brownies, sweets, cookies, chocolate biscuits, and potato crisps. These items were provided from home and do not reflect the healthy food choices promoted in the service’s Healthy Eating Policy. 3. During the inspection, some younger children were observed sitting at child-sized tables and chairs that were not suitable for their age or size. Their feet did not touch the ground while seated during mealtimes. Although the registered provider stated that highchairs were available, these were not in use at the time of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The children’s parents have been verbally informed of the service’s hot food policy and the importance of providing a nutritious hot meal during the day. As a result, parents are now consistently sending in hot meals for their children. 2. The healthy eating policy has also been reinforced with all parents, highlighting the importance of nutritious food in the crèche. 3. Smaller chairs have been provided for the children, and a highchair is always available for use when needed. Ongoing checks will be carried out to ensure adherence to both the healthy eating and hot meal policies
20 June 2025
Little People's Playworld Creche, Sligo · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (19) (1) (b) • A log of behavioural incidents were maintained by the service and a sample of these were reviewed. A response to an incident logged was in contradiction to the service policy on managing behaviour where on a date noted food was withheld as a consequence for a child not listening to staff members. This is in contradiction the service behavioural management policy which states that prohibited practices include: ‘Children are never ignored, spoken to sarcastically, humiliated, segregated or have food withheld.’ • This inspection was triggered on information received to the inspectorate where a child placement was terminated due to ongoing concerns of the child’s behaviour. Evidence of an individualised behaviour support plan could not be sourced on the day. This is at variance with the services behaviour management policy where it outlines steps taken to support a child where ‘a child’s serious behaviour issues are causing disruption and problems for other children in the group’. This includes developing an ‘individualised plan that takes a positive learning approach’. • On discussion with staff members the support needs of another child attending the wobbler room was discussed, the staff members were knowledgeable about the needs required to support this child. However no formal support plan was in place to support this child, which is in contradiction to the services policy on managing behaviour. • A child receiving support under the access inclusion model (AIM) did not have the required inclusion plan in place. These plans are required to ensure the child’s safety, learning and development needs were provided for within the service
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: • A discussion with staff was held about with-holding food and snacks from children. Staff were reminded that our policies have been updated since the incident and what is expected of them going forward. All staff have completed behaviour management training. We will ensure all staff are aware of our policies and procedures. • Individualised support plans were printed off and introduced to all staff again. We will ensure all staff are aware of the behavioural support plans in place within the service. • A support plan to meet the child’s individual needs was reintroduced. Management will ensure that staff are aware of who has a support plan and where it is located. • An inclusion plan was located and management will ensure that any child receiving AIMS will have an Inclusion Plan implemented as early as possible and kept in the AIMS folder. Click or tap here to enter text
2 May 2024
Tir na nOg, Collooney · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (a) Sheets of paper towel were placed on the table by staff for children to eat their snacks off in one of the care- rooms at mid-morning snack time even though plastic plates were readily available in this care-room for the children’s use
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) It was discussed at a staff meeting as a reminder to use plates, cutlery and utilise provided instead of using single paper towels for snack time. A notice will be displayed in the care-room as a reminder to use plates, cutlery and utilise provided for all snack and mealtimes