Regulation 20 in Dublin
Facilities for Rest and Play: 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.
28 May 2026
Little Brightstars Montessori Ltd, Ballyboughal · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (2)(a) There is no outdoor area available in the service for the children to use. At previous inspections of the service in 2022 and 2023 there was no outdoor area for the children to use. At the inspection of the service in January 2024 a temporary outdoor area was provided for the children however at the inspection in January 2025 the outdoor play area was not available
Provider's corrective action:
- The new permanent outdoor play area has been built and is just at the finishing stage. The temporary area was being used up to this point. Access to the new permanent play area will be available for everyday use from now on
26 May 2026
Little Harvard Childcare Ltd, Swords · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) Adequate and suitable sleep facilities were not provided in the service for children under 24 months as demonstrated by the following: • There were no cots available in the service for children under 24 months. The service is currently registered to provide care to children from 12 months. Staff members stated that children typically commence attendance in the service at 15 months and are automatically assigned to sleep on a floor bed. This is at variance to the ‘Guidance for the early learning and care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months’ which emphasises that children’s individual sleep needs are required to be met and outlines the safeguards required to be completed prior to a child under 24 months moving from a cot to a floor bed. The safeguards include consideration of a child’s needs, parental involvement, risk assessments and appropriate equipment. The absence of cots impacts the service’s requirement to provide adequate sleep facilities for children under 24 months, as there are no alternative options to the floor bed. • The beds that were available for the children under 24 months were inadequate as they did not meet the requirements of the Tusla ‘Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months.’ The guidance document outlines the type of floor bed and mattress’ required for children who have sleep plans in place to sleep on floor beds. The beds provided were stackable beds. • A designated sleep room was not provided in the service for the children under 24 months. The Wobbler Room, where the youngest children aged 1 to 2 years attending the service are cared for, accommodates up to 8 children at any one time. The children slept on floor beds in the care room typically at one scheduled time. This is a service led approach rather than based on the individual needs of the children. Considering the service can accommodate children from 12 months onwards, the ability to provide child- led sleep practices is impacted. It was recorded in the services’ last fit for purpose inspection carried out on 30 March 2021 that the service had a designated sleep room with 10 standard cots for children under 24 months. This was no longer available
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(b) The service acknowledges the inspection finding regarding sleep provision for children under 24 months. At the time of the inspection, the youngest child attending the service was 18 months old. The service currently uses cocoon beds specifically designed for use in early years settings. Following the inspection, the service has confirmed that no child under 24 months is to sleep on stackable beds. Children under 24 months will sleep in a cocoon bed or a cot, where required, based on an individual sleep assessment, documented risk assessment and the child's individual developmental needs. Following the inspection the Centre Manager was retrained on the service’s sleep policy and the Tusla Guidance for the Early Learning and Care Sector on Sleep Provision for children under 24 months. The Regional Manager has reviewed all sleep procedures and will monitor compliance through regular audits to ensure all required documentation is completed prior to any transition from a cot to a cocoon bed. All children under 24 months currently attending the service now have an individual sleep plan, documented sleep risk assessment and written parental agreement in place. These records will be reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to reflect each child's individual sleep needs and stage of development. As an interim control measure, children who have been individually assessed as developmentally suitable will sleep in cocoon beds. No child under 24 months will transition to a stackable bed or floor beds. To fully address the inspection finding, from September 2026, Little Harvard will introduce dedicated foldable cots and will continue to have cocoon beds available for children under 24 months, where appropriate, based on an individual's sleep risk assessment, the child's developmental needs, and documented parental agreement. Preventive Action (1)(b) Going forward, the Centre Manager, Regional Manager and the Operations Manager will complete regular audits of sleep practices, documentation and risk assessments to ensure ongoing compliance with the regulations and Tusla Guidance, and to ensure that each child’s individual sleep needs continue to be met
20 January 2026
First Steps Academy, Lucan · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1 (b) On the day of inspection, six children under 24 months of age were found to be sleeping on sleep mats in the service instead of either a cot or a floor bed. Sleep mats are generally used for children over 24 months. A sleep plan incorporating a risk assessment should be completed before moving a child from a cot to a floor bed. Neither was available on the day of inspection for these children
Provider's corrective action:
- Following inspection, all children under 24 months are now sleeping in either a cot or a designated floor bed. Individual sleep plans incorporating risk assessments have been completed in consultation with parents prior to any transition from a cot to a floor bed. Individual sleep plans incorporating risk assessments will be completed prior to any future transition from a cot to a floor bed
13 November 2025
Little People's Montessori School, Dublin 6W · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1 (b) The rest area consisted of a small child size couch and two small cushions/stools. During the inspection two children were observed sitting on the couch. There was no room for any other child if they wanted to rest. The couch is in a corner beside the preschool tables and chairs. The layout of the preschool room and the rest area did not encourage any of the children to rest if required. This was a non-compliance on the last inspection 23 March 2023, the corrective and preventative actions submitted by the registered provider have failed to address the non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
- Zips have been added to the couch so the covers can be removed weekly for cleaning and a new wipe down vinyl couch has been ordered. A second larger vinyl corner couch will be ordered in the coming months, which will replace the current velour fabric couch
4 November 2025
Koala Childcare Ltd, Dun Laoghaire · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1(b) Appropriate rest facilities were not provided for all children under two years in the Toddler room. Five children aged one year were observed on foldable mattresses placed directly on the floor rather than suitable floor beds. This may impact the safety and quality of sleep for children under 2 years. Five children in the Toddler room were not provided with sheets for their beds contrary to the service policy on safe sleep. Children were observed sleeping directly on the waterproof mattress
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider completed a safe sleep assessment with each family in the toddler room which outlines the change from a cot to the floor mattresses. The registered provider also provided sheets to the Toddler room. To prevent this noncompliance from re occurring in the future, each child that moves from the Wobbler room up to the Toddler room will be required to have the safe sleep assessment filled in by the parents
30 June 2025
Charlies Childcare (Donabate), Donabate · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1. In the Toddler room there was 1 child aged 23 months who was observed sleeping on a stackable floor bed which is at variance to Tusla guidance on safe sleep provisions for children under 24 months. There were sleep plans in place and available for this child, but this was completed for the use of cocoon beds only
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action
- 1. Child is now of age to be on a stackable bed, however immediately after inspection was placed on a cocoon bed. This was an error on the day as there was a sufficient number of cocoon beds available. Preventive Action
- 1. Staff were retrained on the 18th of July by senior staff member and external consultant R.R. who provides in house training to all staff
7 April 2025
Busy Kids Creche, Lucan · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The rest areas in Pre-school 3 and the Toddler rooms were unsuitable. The mats provided were thin and not padded and therefore did not afford the children adequate comfort
Provider's corrective action:
- New mats & cushions placed in preschool 3 and Toddler room to ensure area is comfortable for the children. Team is engaging in training with Better Starts concentrating on indoor/outdoor environments for the children
11 December 2024
Alexandra College Pre-School, Dublin 6W · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1) (b) Adequate and suitable rest facilities were not provided in the afterschool room which was used by the pre-school children from 3-6pm. There was no facility available for a child to lie down if required and the designated rest area consisted of a small rug which did not accommodate all the children present
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) The registered provider purchased two nap mats for the afterschool rooms. The nap mats will be on the shelf at all times in case they have to be used. New, larger mats were bought and put into the aftercare area for the children to play on. Mats will be checked regularly and replaced when required
28 November 2024
Bright Sparks Montessori, Dublin 22 · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (2) (a) The registered provider did not ensure that a suitable, safe and secure outdoor space to which the preschool children attending the service have access to on a daily basis. On the day of inspection, the outdoor space was off limits to the children as it was in use by the school
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that an earlier slot for outdoor play has been secured with the primary school. Staff have been instructed by the registered provider to ensure children have outdoor play each day
22 May 2024
Respond Early Years Service, Ard Mor, Dublin 24 · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- The sleep facilities and equipment provided by the service were not suitable for the individual needs of the children attending the service. There were no beds available for children who may require a nap while in the service. The person in charge stated that some children attending occasionally need a nap and that they use the couch in the rest area for this purpose
Provider's corrective action:
- 2 day beds have been sourced and are on site
19 April 2024
Little People Playgroup, Dublin 15 · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The service did not have a suitably equipped area for children to rest during the day and take a break from activities. A rest area with soft seating or matting allows for the children’s comfort and provides a space to rest or lay down
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action The library area has had some matting, a washable bean bag and some washable cushions added. The library has been positioned to section the area while still allowing for supervision. Preventive Action The area will remain like this as it has been a very positive change. The children really like to relax there