Regulation 21 in Waterford
Equipment and Materials: 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 21 — Equipment and materials
- Evidence of ongoing engagement with the Quality Mentoring programme was visible in the work that had happened since last inspection. However, there remained areas for development in the Penguins room and Messy Monkeys room: 1. There were insufficient supporting materials in the home corner in the Penguin’s room. This room caters for up to 20 children aged 2 to 2.5 years. In the home corner, there were 8 plastic food items which constituted the layers of a plastic beef burger and three real-life containers. Other supporting equipment was not available. Based on the number and age of the children, the equipment and materials available were insufficient. 2. The equipment and materials which were available to children who did not sleep in the Messy Monkeys room was not sufficient. Staff outlined that each day, the Messy Monkeys care room was sub-divided from 11.10am to 1pm to cater for up to five sleeping children. During this time, the upper section of the room was available for the 16 awake children aged 2.5 to 3 years to play in. There was a lack of resources during this time, as the equipment and materials in the lower section of the room were inaccessible. 3. The rest areas in the Penguins, Messy Monkeys and Rocking Racoons rooms were inadequately equipped to provide the children with a space to rest or retreat to during the day. The floor furnishing in the rest area was a thin foam material. Soft floor furnishings were required to provide comfort for children sitting or lying in the rest areas
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that: 1. More supporting equipment has been added to the Penguins room including real life containers and going forward they will ensure that real life equipment is replace regularly to ensure good quality equipment. 2. The sleeping arrangements have changed – children in Messy Monkeys room will now sleep in the Rocking Racoons room allowing children who do not sleep access to a room for play. The internal sleep room has been removed on the advice of the Fire Officer which allows more space for children to sleep in a dedicated area. 3. Penguin room now has an enhanced rest area if children require a break or a rest away from the main play area. These areas are being developed in the Messy Monkeys room and the Rocking Raccoons room
22 May 2025
Small Talk Pre-school and Creche, Dungarvan · Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
- The was a limited amount of play equipment for the children in the Wobbler room, Toddler room and the Junior Preschool room to offer children different play experiences. For example: • There was a limited number of books available in the Wobbler and Toddlers rooms. The books were stored in a pile on a high shelf in the Wobbler room, with 15 books available to the 15 toddlers their room. • The play kitchen in the Wobbler room had no accessories to allow for imaginative play. • The sorting toys in the Wobbler room had no shapes to sort as part of the activity. • There was a limited number of toys for the toddlers for open-ended play. There was one plastic container in the Wobbler room with a mixture of an assortment of toys, for example, a few blocks, a few plastic animals, and small plastic balls. • The shelving units in the Junior Pre-school were sparsely equipped with play materials for the children. • The Toddler room had no low shelving for toys or play equipment. There were three baskets with a mixture of plastic toys with no theme or common play outcomes, for example, plastic blocks, plastic figures, plastic animals, and dolls
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that they have added equipment and toys to the children’s care rooms. They stated that there would be an ongoing review of the books and play equipment available to the children. This is to be discussed at the next staff meeting in August 2025. Staff will be advised to use the Aistear/ Siolta Practice guides to support the play equipment and environments. Staff will participate in ongoing training