Regulation 22 in Cork
Food and Drink: 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.
9 June 2026
Naionra Chuain Bhaoi, Bantry · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. At morning break, it was observed that the service was not adhering to the healthy eating policy as some children were observed eating unhealthy foods such as crisps and large yogurt cartons with chocolate pieces. Staff members informed the inspectors that parents were informed by email and digital messaging app about the healthy eating policy. The services healthy eating policy stated children would have a choice between milk or water at snack times. There was no milk available to children. A child was observed to drink juice; this was at variance with the service policy. 2. The children did not receive a serving of prepared snacks at their second break which is a requirement for a part-time service
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The healthy eating policy was reviewed by the registered provider and all staff have been reminded of the importance of implementing the policy consistently and will ensure it is fully adhered to when the service reopens on 24th August 2026. Prior to the summer break, a reminder was issued to all parents. This outlined the services expectations regarding healthy eating and included examples of healthy lunch and snack options. Parents were informed that crisps, chocolate, sweets, sugary yogurts, and sugary drinks are not permitted in children's lunchboxes. Staff will check lunchboxes on arrival and, where an unsuitable food item is identified, parents will be reminded of the healthy eating policy and encouraged to provide suitable alternatives. From the reopening of the service on 24th August 2026, the service will provide milk to all children at snack times, along with water, in accordance with the healthy eating policy. Juice will no longer be provided or permitted during the preschool session. 2. Following the inspection, parents have been informed that children attending the part-time service have two healthy lunches each day to meet their nutritional needs during the preschool session. In addition, from 24th August 2026, the Naíonra will provide a prepared healthy snack to all children during the second break. Snacks will consist of nutritious options such as fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, wholemeal crackers, cheese or toast, with milk or water offered to all children. The updated healthy eating policy will be shared with all current and new families, and staff will implement it consistently. The person in charge will monitor compliance through regular observations of the food and drinks provided by parents/guardians
12 March 2025
Ballygroman Day Care Centre, Ovens · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. There was one child attending the pre-school room on a full day care basis that did not have a main hot meal
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The person in charge discussed with the child’s parent, who will send in a main hot meal for the child each day
18 February 2025
Early Years Educational Centre, Cobh · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- It was noted that one of the children who attended the service for longer than five hours, was not provided with a hot meal, as required. At lunch time, the child’s snack consisted of rice cakes, with yogurt and fruit
Provider's corrective action:
- An email was sent to the parent of the child, explaining the requirement for a hot meal. Going forward, the service will inform parents that if their child stays longer than five hours, a hot meal will need to be provided and if not, an email will be sent
1 November 2024
Head Start Creche & Montessori Ltd., Cork · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. Food/snacks were not provided between breakfast and dinner in the baby room. Snack provided in The Sun Room was banana and orange, with no milk or additional food offered. Not providing a snack or providing insufficient food for snack may allow the children to become hungry which may lead to behaviour problems
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The registered provider has discussed the provision of all meals and snacks in the service with the staff at a staff meeting. Revised menus have been developed and have been implemented
15 August 2024
Goldfinch Early Education Limited, Buttevant · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- (1) The inspector observed that seventeen out of twenty-four children, in the Butterfly care room at lunch time, were waiting twenty minutes or more from initially sitting at 13.35 pm until 13:55 pm to receive a hot lunch. One staff member was re-heating the food in two microwaves in the kitchen, a third microwave in the Butterfly care room was not in use. Some children were just receiving their lunch when others had already left the table. (2) Crockery was not provided in the Butterfly, Buzzy Bees and Baby Bunny care rooms at lunch time where children were observed eating food from their lunch boxes. In discussion, the registered provider stated that crockery was available and will be used in the future
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statements were received from the registered provider: (1) The children are now divided into three groups. One group is brought in, and the three microwaves are in use to ensure that they receive their hot food in a timely manner before the next group come and sit for lunch. (2) Age and stage appropriate crockery is now available for all children to eat their lunch from
13 February 2024
Naíonra Phobail an Sciobairín CTR, An Sciobairin · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. The staff members did not sit with the children during lunch which was at variance with the service policy. 2. The children did not have access to their water bottles as they were stored in their bags
Provider's corrective action:
- & Supporting Documentation Submitted 1. The manager stated that the staff members now sit with the children during the lunch meal. 2. The children are now supervised and reminded to take their water bottles from their bags on a daily basis and store them on an accessible table so that they may help themselves to drinks when they are thirsty. Photographs of the above actions were submitted. Summary Comment The Requirement has been met
17 January 2024
Coomhola Montessori, Bantry · Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- 1. During the lunch meal it was observed that a child was eating a chocolate spread sandwich which was not a healthy option for a sandwich filler. 2. The children’s water bottles were stored in their bags and not easily accessible so that they could freely drink and hydrate as they wished. 3. Although a fridge was available in the smaller playroom for the storage of the children’s lunches, only 4 lunches were observed to be stowed. A child was eating chicken drumstick which had not been refrigerated, which posed a risk of contamination
Provider's corrective action:
- & Supporting Documentation Submitted The registered provider stated that – 1. The healthy eating policy has been resent to parents to remind them of the correct healthy lunch requirement. An updated healthy eating policy was submitted. 2.Water bottles are now stowed on a water station for the children’s easy access A photograph of the water station was submitted. 3.The fridge is now being used for the children’s lunches. A photograph was submitted to evidence this practice. Summary Comment Documentation in the form of a policy and photographs were submitted to the early years office; the information was reviewed and found to be satisfactory. The Requirements have been addressed