Regulation 19 in Waterford
Health, Welfare and Development of Child: 2 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.
17 June 2026
Kiddies Kingdom, Kilmeaden · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Mealtime practices regarding equipment and materials were not aligned with the service healthy eating policy as follows: a. The tables and chairs in the Penguins room were not suitable for the age of the children. During dinner time on day 1, it was observed that the chairs were too big and eight children’s feet did not reach the floor. The tables were too high which contributed to three children being at the same height as the bowl with their dinner in it. The service policy stated that tables and chairs are suitable to children’s age and stage of development. b. Children in the Penguins, Jellyfish and Dragonflies rooms were observed to eat their 10am snack from the table. Plates were not provided for the children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that: a. The table height has been reduced to ensure the children are comfortable and new chairs have replaced the old ones. b. Plates have been provided for all rooms and extra plates are available if required
24 February 2026
Cappoquin Childcare Facility, Cappoquin · Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The lack of a designed environment and considered staff engagement impacted on the experiences and care of the children attending the Daisy room. On both days of the inspection this room accommodated up to 12 children between 1 and 2 years. This room did not facilitate individual’s children’s development or learning through the provision of activities materials and equipment. The room layout did not enable the children to independently engage with activities or experiences. The following was observations were made: 1. The children had no free access to play materials and toys. There were no shelving units or furniture in the area of the room where the children occupied. The children’s toys were stored on shelving in the area which was inaccessible to them. 2. There was a limited amount of play materials in the children’s space, for example there was only soft matting and with soft shapes for climbing and crawling and two climbing apparatus. 3. Staff were not observed to offer planned activities or experiences for children. On day two when the children returned from the garden, a box of magnetic squares were placed on the floor for the 12 children. These did not engage the children in meaningful play as only two children played with the shapes while the other children walked around the room. No additional toys were introduced into the play area. 4. Children’s artwork and pictures displayed on the wall were placed high and out of the children’s eyeline. 5. Staff described how the partitioned part of the room is only used for art activities or if the children are eating as this is the space with tables and chairs. This reduced the space the children had free access to
- A number of interactions between the staff and children were observed in the Daisy room which were at variances with the service’s ethos, statement of intent and policies. Staff members in the Daisy room were observed not picking up on children’s cues. For example, the following was observed: 6. At 11:50 a staff member was observed to sit and read a book with the children, one child lay on the mat with their soother and teddy and two staff acknowledged that they were probably tired but there was no action taken to support the child’s needs. The service guidance policy stated that soft quiet spaces are provided for children to withdraw comfortable when they are feeling tired or overwhelmed or just want to be alone. 7. The staff in this room did not display awareness of the services behaviour guidance policy which stated that staff member need to know the service’s approach to supporting children in their social, emotional and behavioural development. Staff were overheard commenting negatively about a child who had hit a second child with a book. Staff did not intervene only to say, ‘ah ah, stop that’, no alternatives were offered to the child to distract them and engage them in positive behaviour. 8. There was limited engagement by staff with the children during transition periods. Children were upset and crying as the dinner was brought into the room. Two staff members left the play area to prepare the serve the food. One staff was left with 12 children, and 5 children stood at the divider with 2 of these children visibly upset
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that a new floor plan for the room has been agreed and a board meeting was held with funding allocated to purchase the necessary furniture and toys for the rooms. The divider will be removed from the room to give the children full access to clear floor space. A meeting was held with the room leaders and a follow up meeting with the team in this room. Management discussed activities, and curriculum planning with the team in this room. A follow up meeting is planned for the end of the month. Management have been in touch with the Better Start the Quality Development service, and a date has been agreed for a site visit