Regulation 20 in Galway
Facilities for Rest and Play: 7 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.
21 October 2025
Cairde ELC, Roscam · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- The points below outlined areas where the learning and the development needs of the children were not accommodated and may have an impact on the children attending these playrooms: (1) The interest area provided for children in the Wobbler room and the ECCE room were poorly stocked with toys and had poorly defined interest areas for the children to play. The children in the ECCE room were observed to be engaged in predominantly tabletop activities through the session. There was a lack of sensorial developmental toys and imaginative role-playing toys available to the young children attending this room. (2) The children were observed taking part in adult led activity which involved making a cobweb. This activity was linked to the theme which was “Halloween”. The staff member was observed to show a child how to weave wool around lollipop sticks in the shape of a 6 sided cross, to represent a cobweb. The child attempted to do this activity; the staff intervened and took the sticks from the child and proceeded to undo what the child had done and handed it back to the child and redo it again correctly. This activity was adult led. There were 4 children sitting around the table watching each child been shown individually. This arts and craft activity carried a risk of not facilitating the children’s learning and development as it was not based on their ability and skill level. (3) The children in the Wobbler room were observed engaging in a painting exercise (painting on a paper plate), however only 2 of the 11 children attending got to complete the activity as the staff member informed the inspector there weren’t enough resources for each child to complete the task. This arts and craft activity carried a risk of not facilitating the children’s learning and development as there were insufficient resources to facilitate the number of children present
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The management team and room leader have made changes to the preschool room to allow for more imaginative role play. A referral has been made to Better Start to help the staff further their understanding of the need for a variety of play activities. 2. A review of the planned activities within the preschool room took place at staff team meetings. An early year’s child led approach will be adopted and the support of the Better Start service will reinforce this. 3. There are sufficient materials to complete the tasks and activities set for the children
7 October 2025
Child's Play Creche, Galway · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1. There was no soft seating or an area for the children attending the playschool upstairs to sit and relax during the day. The staff informed the early years inspector that they sit directly on the timber floor, if they are listening to a story or reading a book. This impacted on the children attending this room as they children did not have a comfortable place to sit on or an area opt of an activity. 2. There was a poor selection of puzzles and jigsaws available to the children attending the Montessori room. There were 15 peg boards available to the children, but there weren’t enough puzzles available to the children that had mastered theses puzzles and needed a new challenge. Four jigsaws were all stored together in a plastic bag. There were no photographs of the completed jigsaws to help the children complete the task. This could have an impact on the children as the limited and varied number and type of jigsaws, may not suit the current and new skill levels of the children. The points below outlined areas where the learning and the development needs of the children were not accommodated and may have an impact on the children attending these playrooms : 3. There was a large dolls house in the playschool room that was void of any furniture or dolls, it contained a plastic box of puppets and a basket of odd toys which were not linked to the playhouse. 4. The interest area provided for larger dolls play in the playschool room and in the Montessori were poorly stocked. In the playschool room the space contained at least 6 unclothed dolls and were all just placed on top of each other on a small cot. In the Montessori room the dolls were stored in a large plastic box that was stored under a shelfing unit. There were no accessories or equipment to support the children while they played with the dolls. 5. The dress up costumes in the Montessori room were stored in large box, there were poorly presented, many were stored inside out and were in poor condition. The costumes were not presented in a manner that would encourage the children to use them for pretend play
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered Provider stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action 1 to 5. Soft seating and cushions are now in place in the playrooms and the children’s comfort is our priority. The staff were made aware that if they require any equipment to inform management. The lay out of the playrooms will be monitored going forward by the management to ensure it is up to standard and suitable for each age group
2 October 2025
Millbrook Creche, Tuam · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1. The sleep room contained 5 cots for the children under 2 years of age that required sleep, however 2 of these mattresses did not contain a wipeable cover or have a waterproof covering to ensure that they could be easily cleaned. A third mattress was not firm or covered in a waterproof material and was not presented in a good condition and may pose a risk of cross infection to the sleeping children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered providers stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action New mattresses have been purchased. They will be checked on a regular basis to ensure high quality
17 September 2025
Enfant Educare, Ardrahan · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- The rest facilities in the Marvellous Minds playroom were not suitable for the number of children attending this playroom and also the length of time the children spent in this room. On the day of inspection, 2 children were observed sitting and looking at books on the child sized sofa in the library area of this playroom, a third child tried to sit in the sofa as well and one of the children was pushed onto the floor as there was no space for a third child on this seat. On the day of inspection 21 children were attending the full day care service and were catered for in this room for period of time in excess of 5 hours. and there was no soft seating other than this small sofa for them to sit and relax on
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following in their reply Corrective and Preventive Action Additional seating, beanbags, and a large, comfortable rug were ordered to expand and enhance the space for the children. The rest area will provide a more inviting and functional space for children to relax and engage comfortably. Staff will engage with the children to gather their input and preferences, ensuring the space is both enjoyable and functional
21 May 2025
Wild Roots Preschool & Afterschool Limited, Athenry · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- The Junior playroom was not supplied with adequate materials to support children’s play and learning. For example. • The play kitchen area was poorly stocked with accessories. The kitchen unit was broken and void of toys. • The dress up clothes were in poor condition and all in a bundle on the ground making it difficult for the children to pick and choose what they wanted to play with. • The books in the library area were in poor condition, many were ripped and torn. • The work bench was void of any tools or toy accessories. • The dolls and dolls accessories were in poor condition and they were poorly displayed. This did not make it attractive for the young children to want play with them
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following in their reply: Corrective and Preventive Action The service is currently closed to make necessary renovations. This non-compliance will be rectified on reopening in August 2025
10 March 2025
Boin De, Mionloch · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 20(1)(b) There were no adequate facilities for the preschool children aged three to five years of age to take a rest or slee p during the operation of the part time service hours. It was acknowledge d that the registered provider purchased four stackable beds, linen and bedding for the preschool children following the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 2/4/2025 and 1/5/2025 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action The registered provider contacted the Change in Circumstances office and the SOORS dept to inform them that they were no longer operating as a part time service. The equipment and materials purchased for sleep provision in a part time service is no longer required as the service will only operate as a sessional service going forward
19 February 2025
Bright Minds Preschool, Salthill · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (b) Contrary to the service’s sleep policy there was no individual bed linen, mattresses or low-level beds for the twelve children remaining on in the service on a part-time and full day care basis. In conversation, the registered provider stated that no children required a rest or sleep
Provider's corrective action:
- (b) The service has reverted to a sessional service therefore the requirement for sleep equipment and bed linen is no longer required