Regulation 20 in Monaghan
Facilities for Rest and Play: 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.
3 February 2026
Naíonra Eois, Clones · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The soft cosy areas in the rooms were inadequate. Both consisted of two small wooden armchairs and one fold-out mat which does not provide a cosy and welcoming area for a child to go and rest in or take a break from activities should they wish to do so
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) The registered provider stated that they have acted by designing a cosy corner for Seomra glas. The service has tried to make it a nice enclosed space that is welcoming to the children. Furniture for the Seomra Gorm cosy area has also been delivered. The service acknowledges the importance of providing soft furnishings to support opportunities for rest and play. The service will continue to ensure that a designated space with appropriate soft furnishings is available within the room to promote children’s comfort, relaxation, and engagement in play
14 October 2025
Carrickmacross Preschool Playgroup, Carrickmacross · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The soft area in Preschool Room 2 was inadequate as it consisted of a small wooden sofa with plastic seating and 3 small wooden chairs. This is not inviting for a child to go and relax or lie down on if they so wished or to take a break from activities
Provider's corrective action:
- A small soft fold away sofa was purchased. This can also pull out into a soft bed type mattress. A rug and soft cushions were also added to the area to make it cosy and inviting. This will remain in the setting and all staff are aware that cosy inviting areas are now essential
11 September 2025
Bright Stars Childcare, Castleblayney · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1. There was no safety impact attenuating surface under the large wooden climbing frame with slide outside the Senior Preschool Room. This is a health and safety and potential injury hazard. 2. Some of the chicken wire fencing had sharp bits protruding which were a potential injury hazard should a child ‘hit off’ them. 3. There was a crack in the slide of the plastic climbing frame on the concreted area which was a potential pinch or injury hazard. In addition, one of the plastic platform areas on the frame was broken and a replacement surface was in place which was observed to move up and down when a child stood on it
Provider's corrective action:
- 1.The registered provider stated that adequate safety matting was placed under the climbing frame and pizza swing suitable to meet health and safety requirements. Management will ensure adequate safety matting is always placed under children’s play equipment meeting health and safety requirement and according to the requirements of the children’s climbing equipment. 2. Chicken wire fence has all been checked and any sharp edges have been removed and repaired. 3.Cracked climbing frame slide was removed from the service. Regular checks on fence safety and outdoor slides and play equipment included on risk assessment
23 October 2024
Scotshouse Community Childcare, Clones · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(a) The sofa in the care room was in disrepair as the back corners were torn and the foam was exposed
- 1. The back gate in the grass outdoor area which led to large bushes was open when the children went out to play. This is a safety risk. It is acknowledged that the staff member closed the gate when it was brought to their attention by the inspector. 2. There were 2 wheelie bins inappropriately stored in the grass area which were accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(a) The sofa covers have been repaired. The person in charge will be more aware of wear and tear in the environment and act on repairs and the up-keep right away
- 1. The gates have been added to the daily outdoor risk assessment checklist. The staff are to be more aware of health and safety risks that can occur any day and bring them to the attention of management. 2. The wheelie bins are moved to the side of the school, where the children do not play. For staff to be more aware of health and safety risks that can occur any day and bring them to the attention of management
11 June 2024
Newbliss Childcare Services, Newbliss · Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (3)(a) The following non-compliances were identified in the outdoor areas and presented as a health a safety risk to the preschool children. 1. In the play area outside the Little Buds Room and in the area off the Little Seedlings Room there were a number of unprotected wooden support posts in the covered areas which were a potential impact hazard. 2. In the Sensory Garden, there was no safety surface under the “pizza” swing and a second swing set should a child fall off it. This is a safety risk. 3. A number of mini trampolines were observed in use in the large outdoor area to the side and in the outdoor area off the Little Seedlings Room. These are a health and safety risk and prohibited unless prescribed for therapeutic use. 4. The following pieces of equipment in the outdoor areas were broken and had sharp unprotected edges and corners exposed to the children e.g. the green metal shed, the green plastic playhouse, the plastic tunnel, the wooden mud kitchen and the wooden panel on the playhouse. In addition to this the outdoor risk assessment on display was last dated 13/2/23 and did not identify these injury hazards. 5. The adult rocking chair in the Little Buds Room was in a state of disrepair, the arms were cracked and pieces of wooden were missing. This was a potential injury hazard to the children in this room who were observed pulling themselves up onto the chair
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Protective padding is now in place covering the posts. Hard surfaces such as the wooden posts will be included in the risk assessment sheets and the importance of checking all surfaces and equipment has been addressed with staff. 2. The staff have been asked not to use the sensory garden until the registered provider resolves the issues with the safety surface. The registered provider will ensure that all outdoor equipment is used with the recommended safety precautions in place. 3. All the mini trampolines have been removed from the Toddler Room. The registered provider has explained to staff the importance of following age-appropriate guidelines for the toys the children pay with, and they were also informed of the health and safety risks. They have been asked to include this information on their risk assessment sheets in the room. 4. Broken pieces of equipment in the outdoor area have been fixed. The green metal shed has been removed and the importance of filling out the risk assessment has been pointed out to the staff. Any equipment broken will be recorded and fixed as quickly as possible. 5. The registered provider has replaced the rocking chair in the Little Buds room. The staff have been spoken to about the importance of not having broken furniture in the room and identifying this on the risk assessment
27 March 2024
Fingers & Toes Community Childcare & Education Centre, Castleblayney · 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. The room temperature in the sleep room off the Baby Room was recorded at 21.6O C at 10:50 and up to 22.7 o C at 11.20. This exceeds the safe sleep room temperature of 16 – 20 o C and is a health and safety risk. It is acknowledged that this was identified by staff and doors were opened to try and bring the temperature down. 2. One of the cots in the sleep room off the Baby Room had a broken latt in the base which was lying on the floor and therefore unsuitable or safe for use. Children were observed to be put to sleep in this cot. In addition, on the sleep room risk assessment the cots were ticked as being in good condition. 3. In both sleep rooms off the Toddler Room, two of the cot mattresses were ill-fitting, and a foothold was observed, which is a potential safety hazard. In addition, there were cobwebs on two of the cot frames. These observations were not identified or detailed on the sleep room daily check list which had been completed by staff. 4. Cot sheets and blankets were not changed between use in the Baby Room and Toddler Room with other children placed down to sleep on these used sheets. In addition, used blankets and sheets were observed to be stored on top of clean linen in the Baby Room, when removed and were then re-used instead of being replaced by clean cot linen. Sheets were observed to be soiled with black marks on 1 sheet and wet patches of dribble on some of the others
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Staff will open doors and windows to keep the room temperature down on the warmer days. 2. The cot has been fixed. The room leader will do a risk check on cots every morning. 3. New mattresses have been purchased for the cots. 4. Cleanliness and correct practice for sleep time has been discussed in depth with the baby room staff. Staff will ensure that sheets are changed between children’s sleeps as our policy states and that all linen will be sent to laundry room. Preventive Action 1.The service have applied to the committee for the funding for the air conditioning which they have in place. 2, 3 and 4. Staff have been spoken to about their responsibilities to ensure thorough cleaning has been done and cleaning/risk assessment form for the cots and cot room are completed correctly ensuring the action is completed before signing. Management/deputy will do spot checks on the cleaning and changing of the linen