Regulation 20 in Louth
Facilities for Rest and Play: 9 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.
11 March 2026
Pugwash Bay LTD, Dundalk · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There were instances where sleep facilities were found to be inadequate, as demonstrated by the following: • In the sleep room off the Jelly Babies room, two of the cot mattresses were ill-fitting and had a foothold present in the cot. This is a potential safety hazard and was not identified by the staff carrying out the daily risk assessment of the sleep room
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) (b) The ill-fitting mattresses were removed from use immediately upon identification of the issue and replaced with appropriately fitted mattresses that meet safety standards. All cots in the sleep room were checked to ensure compliance. Staff were informed of the issue and reminded of the importance of ensuring all sleep equipment is safe and suitable. A comprehensive review of all sleep equipment has been conducted to ensure that all cots and mattresses are correctly fitted and compliant with safety standards. The daily risk assessment procedure has been strengthened to include a specific check of cot and mattress suitability. Staff have received refresher guidance on identifying potential sleep safety hazards, including ill- fitting mattresses. Management will carry out regular audits of sleep rooms to ensure ongoing compliance with Tusla requirements
13 January 2026
Little Treasures Preschool, Drogheda · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There was no dedicated relaxation area available for the children on a daily basis. The staff members discussed that they may bring in soft furnishings for children to relax on. However, on the day of inspection this facility was not available to provide children with an opportunity to relax in a quiet area if they required
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) The registered provider stated that on certain days soft furnishings were being brought in by staff members to create a cosy corner. This was not available on day of inspection, following a discussion there is a dedicated relaxation space
9 January 2026
Scallywags Crèche, Drogheda · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) Sleep facilities were found to be inadequate as demonstrated by the following: 1. In the sleep room 4 out of 8 cot mattresses did not have the required safety standards label available for inspection. No documentary evidence was available on the days of inspection of a risk assessment having been carried out on the cots used for sleep and this was confirmed by the staff present. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection that was carried out on 15/05/2025 and is also at variance with the corrective and preventative actions that were previously submitted to address the non- compliance which stated that “In the sleep room all our mattresses are of the same standards and quality, however this occasion, the label has fallen off. For future only mattress with label attached will be used. Staff have been trained to do risk assessment and supervisor will ensure these procedures are adhered. New risk assessment in place”. The previous actions submitted therefore did not prevent the non-compliance reoccurring
Provider's corrective action:
- The response from the registered provider stated that new mattresses were in place and had the required safety labels. A daily risk assessment is in place for each room, on this assessment there is now an insert that requires the member of staff doing the assessment to check the status of the mattresses, check for wear and tear and make sure labels are intact, and report to management immediately should they notice any issues
3 December 2025
Lios na nOg Playgroup CLG, Dundalk · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1 (b) The rest area available in Prefab 2 consisted of a mat. This is not considered adequate to provide an inviting, comfortable area for a child to rest or take a break from activities when required during the day
Provider's corrective action:
- 1 (b) The cosy area in Prefab 2 has been updated to make it more appealing to the children. Review of the rooms by senior team to make it more appealing for the children
3 November 2025
Kidz Akademy Ltd, Dundalk · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The rest and sleep facilities in the service were found to be inadequate, as demonstrated by the following: • There were no adequate rest facilities available in the care rooms for a child to rest or take a break from activities when they required. For example: one child in the Toddler room was observed to attempt to lie down on a wooden bench in the room and when they rolled off the bench they tried to lie down again but could not settle. • One of the cot mattresses was unsuitable as it was ill-fitting and had a foothold present in the cot which is a potential safety hazard. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection carried out on 15/07/2024 and is at variance to the corrective and preventative actions submitted by the registered provider in response to the previous non-compliance which stated that; “Checklists for cleanliness and upkeep done for each cot to be carried out daily/weekly. All staff informed about checklists and how to implement them”. However, when the inspector reviewed the checklists, the last recorded checklist was dated August/ September 2024. The corrective and preventative actions submitted following that particular inspection failed to prevent reoccurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
- • A quiet/rest area has been added to the toddler room furnished with soft calming materials. • Regular checks do be done on the resting area to ensure it is working and the children are benefiting from the addition. Soft furnishings will be taken home weekly and washed. • A new mattress has been purchased. Checklists have been updated and are being carried out daily with the other daily checklists. This task has been delegated to a specific staff member. • Manager will perform weekly checks on the new updated daily checklists
12 February 2025
Little Mochtas, Louth Village · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) One child aged under 2 years was observed sleeping on a floor mat. This is not considered suitable for a child under 2 years to use for sleep. (2)(a) The children attending the service did not have access to a suitable outdoor space on the day of the inspection as one area was out of use due to recent storm damage and the second area was also in poor condition. The artificial surface was ‘bumpy’ and a potential trip hazard and the sides of the area were slopped and muddy and a potential slip hazard. It is acknowledged that the children attending Room 1 did have a change of environment to the ‘Teddy bear club’ in the activities hall of the primary school
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) In order to provide better support to the children's sleep and rest routine the registered provider has purchased an additional floor bed that is suitable for under 2-year-olds. This additional bed has been purchased, should the need for it arise. (2)(a) Outdoor area has since been cleared of fallen tree and branches. Outdoors has been cleared and is checked daily, this is documented on the outdoor checklist. Resources belonging to the preschool next door have been sent back and the area with has been furnished with a Mud kitchen furniture , slide and play house from the Service. The registered provider has works scheduled to include an outdoor matted area that is fully sheltered, this has been designed to support the children to have access to outdoor play all year round. This is due to be completed in the coming weeks
19 July 2024
Kool Kidz Creche, Dundalk · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There were instances were sleep facilities were found to be inadequate as demonstrated by the following: 1. In the sleep room observed in use, one of the cot mattresses was unsuitable for use as it had brown stains evident on it and it was ill-fitting creating a foothold which is a potential safety risk. 2. During the allocated rest time after dinner, 2 day beds were positioned on the floor in the Toddler area for the 2 children who required a sleep. These were positioned directly in front of 9 children who did not wish to sleep and were seated on chairs to watch the television which was in use for a brief time. This does not provide a suitable rest area conducive to rest/sleep
- 1. In the partially covered play area outside there were a number of unprotected wooden support posts which were a potential impact and injury hazard
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. A new mattress has been purchased for the cot. Cot mattresses will be checked more often and replaced if any stains are on them. 2. The day beds are now in the sleep room where the cots are. All children that are resting or sleeping will go into the sleep room from now on
- 1. A carpenter has been contacted about putting up a surrounding fence in front of the posts. He said it would be done by mid-October 2024. In the meantime, the posts have been covered with a foam cover. All outdoor posts and fences will be checked regularly for any wood splinters and add this to our risk management log
25 April 2024
Little Rascals, Drogheda · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There were instances were sleep facilities were found to be inadequate for example, in the sleep room off the Baby Room one cot mattress was ill-fitting, and footholds were present, which is a potential safety hazard
Provider's corrective action:
- The mattress in the cot has been replaced with a new mattress. Staff have been retrained on safe sleep practices (how to identify a foot hold) and they carry out daily risk checks to ensure there are no foot hold in each cot
14 March 2024
Redeemer Creche & Playgroup, Dundalk · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) There were instances where sleep facilities were found to be inadequate as demonstrated by the following: 1. In the sleep room off the Waddler Room, 2 of the cot mattresses were stained and required cleaning. 2. The other 2 cot mattresses were ill-fitting, and footholds were present, which is a potential safety hazard
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Cots were removed from the room. Three new cots with new mattresses were purchased, existing mattresses replaced on the other cots. 2. New protectors for all existing cots were purchased. All cots will be checked daily, and mattresses will be inspected for any issues. A log-sheet was created to ensure records are kept of cots and mattresses been inspected on a weekly basis