Regulation 23 in Longford
Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child: 13 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.
25 May 2026
ABC Minard, Longford · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. See Statutory Notice section in relation to Immediate Action Notice IAN 1708 served. 2. Garda vetting was available for all staff members however; one vetting disclosure w as not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 3. The fixings which attached t wo slides to a wooden activity frame in the outdoor area were loose and could cause an injury to a child if they came became detached causing the frame to become unstable. Infection Control: 4. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron and disposable gloves were not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy. Soiled nappies used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. 5. Wipes were used to clean the children’s hands in the Baby room after mealtime rather than soap and water . This posed an infection control risk as the children’s hands were not adequately cleaned. 6. Soothers were observed stored in sterilisation solution rather than removed after the correct period of immersion, air dried and then placed in a clean labelled container. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Corrective action received and accepted for IAN 1708 served. 2. The Garda Vetting disclosure was received. A new check system for Garda Vetting renewals has been introduced. 3. The slides have been repaired and are very stable. A maintenance and safety checklist is now in place to check equipment. Infection Control: 4. We have gone through the nappy changing policies with all staff. We have asked all staff to complete a nappy change with the manager observing. Nappy changing will be spot checked on random days and at random times by the manager to ensure that the nappy changing is being completed correctly. 5. All babies wash their hands now with soap and water. 6. A new steam steriliser has been purchased, and staff will use it at the end of each day to sterilise the children’s soothers
10 March 2026
StepByStep, Killoe · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for eleven staff members. However, two vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI -RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. Nappy changes were observed on the day of inspection. On all occasions, the adult did not remove their apron following the bagging up of the soiled nappy and removal of used gloves. Soiled nappies used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy. Administration of Medication: 3. There was no documentary evidence that the health care plans for children requiring medication to be administered for a health condition had been regularly reviewed and updated. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The Garda vetting renewal documents are now on file. There is a tracking system on the service App. Reminders will be sent to staff to complete Garda Vetting links within the required timeframe going forward. Infection Control: 2. Nappy changing procedures have been reviewed with all staff. Ongoing supervision and regular checks will be carried out to ensure practice is consistently maintained. Administration of Medication: 3. Where any child has a diagnosis of allergies, etc an up -to-date health care plan will be in place and regularly reviewed to ensure compliance . Parents will be reminded to ensure the service is updated with relevant information as required
4 February 2026
Winnie the Pooh Montessori, Drumlish · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The insurance for one of the vehicles used to transport children to and from the service did not have business class cover. It is acknowledged that there was current car insurance in place. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The car insurance company was contacted, and the policy was updated to business use class insurance . The manager will review all insurance policies at the time of renewal to ensure the correct cover for business class is obtained for both vehicles
12 January 2026
Dromard Childcare Community Group CLG, Moyne · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for eleven staff members. However, one vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI -RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: Garda vetting was applied for immediately and completed. A written record of vetting dates for each staff member will be kept in the staff folder as a clear reminder when vetting is due for renewal to ensure Garda Vetting is completed in future in a timely manner to ensure compliance is maintained
8 December 2025
Whizzkids Drumlish Community Childcare CLG, Drumlish · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The slide bolt locking mechanism was located on the top outer edge on the inside of the side gate, at the front of the premises leading to the Baby room play area ; this was easily accessed and opened from the outside by the inspector and the potential for unauthorised entry was therefore possible. It is acknowledged there were no children in this outdoor play area for the duration of the inspection. 2. There was no documentary evidence available that daily outdoor and indoor room environmental risk assessments were completed to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. This did not align to the risk management policy which stated that daily risk assessment s of the classrooms, sanitary areas, sleep areas and outdoors should take place. Infection Control: 3. There was a lack of clarity around the process of cleaning and sterilising of soothers, toys and other equipment in the ‘Baby room’. There was no system in place for the immediate removal, cleaning and sterilisation of shared toys. There was no container of sterilisation solution made up and immediately available for staff to use on the day of the inspection. 4. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron was not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy. Soiled nappies, used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. A new high fence has been erected with a blot locking system so that no unauthorised entry is possible at any time. Management and staff do daily checks to ensure that there is no unauthorised entry at any time, and the daily Management Risk assessment is completed daily. 2. A new Indoor and Outdoor risk assessment policy has been developed. Management will do daily check of both indoors and outdoors and this is signed off by Management daily. Infection Control: 3. The shared toys are put into a container during the day and taken in the evening by a staff member to be sterilised and washed and brought back to the room the following morning. Each child has a separate container for their soothers, and they are also sterilised and washed by a member of staff when required daily. 4. We discussed with staff and we put a more step by step procedure in place
17 November 2025
Catkins Early Years Service, Longford Town · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all staff members and 4 students on work placement experience; however, one vetting disclosure w as not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. There was no documentary evidence available that daily indoor room environmental risk assessments were consistently completed to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. 3. The chairs used in the Baby and Junior preschool rooms were not suitable for children aged 1-3 years to use for meals and tabletop activities as they were unable to place their feet on the floor for stability and balance. Infection Control: 4. Twelve low level beds were stored in the lobby of the sanitary area used by the junior preschool room; this was unhygienic and posed a risk for cross contamination. Safe Sleep: 5. Two children aged under two years were observed to be sleeping on low beds instead of a cot. 6. A sleep plan was not available for the two children aged under two years observed to be sleeping on low beds in the Baby room. 7. The mattress used in cot 5 was too small for the cot frame and created a risk of entrapment as gaps were observed at the side of the mattress. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The Garda Vetting disclosure is on file. 2. The Centre Manager went through the forms, requirements and how to submit. All rooms now submitting their assessments daily via the Little Vista App. Centre Manager sent a reminder message on little vista. The task has been delegated by Lead Educators with an alternative person delegated in the case of absence. 3. Two sets of new chairs purchased, 15cm chairs & 20cm chairs. This will ensure we have height appropriate chairs for the smallest children attending regardless of height. Lead Educators know now to check their feet touch the floor. Infection Control: 4. The beds were removed and are now stored in a storage press beside the room. Safe Sleep: 5. Floor beds have been purchased for the children aged under 2 years who do not sleep in a cot. 6. Sleep Plans are completed as per Tusla Sleep Guidelines. The Lead Educator trained in the sleep guidelines to ensure the forms are completed in the future. The sleep plan requirement now included in the full policies and procedures for the service. 7. A new mattress has been purchased . All mattresses are labelled to match with the corresponding cot so the long cot doesn’t end up with a short mattress again after they are stripped for cleaning
10 November 2025
St. Marys Childcare Campus CLG, Edgeworthstown · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Two gates in the outdoor areas were not secured to prevent unauthorised entry. A written immediate action notice under Regulation 23 – Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of child was issued to the registered provider by the Early Years Inspector on 10 November 2025. 2. There was no documentary evidence available that daily indoor room environmental risk assessments were completed to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. Infection Control: 3. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron and disposable gloves were not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy. Soiled nappies, used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Replacement locks on the gates with a combination lock to open have been fitted to the gates. The locks will be checked as part of the risk assessment to ensure that they are operating correctly. 2. The daily risk assessments are now recorded on the electronic record system. The Manager/person in charge completes a manager’s daily risk assessment on the electronic record system. Infection Control: 3. The new staff members are asked to read thoroughly the nappy changing policy and sign to say they have read and agree to adhere to the nappy changing/pull up and toileting policy of St. Mary’s Childcare campus . The room leaders will ensure that all staff are adhering to the correct steps. This is included in new staff induction training
23 September 2025
Little Angels, Longford · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The hot water at the hand basin in the Wobbler room, at the four hand basins in the main sanitary area and at the hand basin in the single toilet on the corridor was recorded at 69°C, 62°C and 50.5°C respectively at 10:30am and was a risk of a scald injury to a child or staff member. When it was brought to their attention, immediate corrective action was taken by the registered provider who advised all staff members not to use the hot water taps and the water was immediately switched off at the immersion tank. The water temperature was recorded between 28-29°C at 12:30pm. Infection Control: 2. Five nappy changing procedures were observed, during two of the nappy changes the staff members did not remove their gloves and aprons before putting the clean nappy in place; this posed a risk of cross infection. Safe Sleep: 3. One child, aged 17months who had not adjusted to sleeping in a cot, was placed to sleep on a low -level bed in the Wobbler room each day, this bed did not meet the recommended sleep requirement for a child less than 2 years old not sleeping in a cot. A specific floor bed with mattress was required. Fire Safety: 4. There was/were no visible outdoor fire assembly point(s) on the premises. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The hot water tank thermometer was reset. A separate water heater is in place for the kitchen sink to ensure hot enough water for the washing dishes etc. The thermostat will be checked on a regular basis to ensure it is maintaining the correct temperature. Infection Control: Corrective Action: Nappy changing procedure was updated to state when the gloves and aprons are to be removed which was signed off by all staff that change nappies. A practical demonstration was carried out with staff that change nappies. Preventive Action: Regular checks on nappy changing will be carried out by management every couple of months. Safe Sleep: Corrective Action: A floor bed has been ordered. Preventive Action: Standard cots will be used for sleeping children under 2 years. Fire Safety: Corrective Action: The fire assembly sign was put back up at the back of the garden Preventive Action: We will ensure this fire assembly sign will remain in place at all times in line with fire safety regulations
22 September 2025
Scallywags, Longford · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. There was no documentary evidence available that daily indoor room and outdoor environmental risk assessments were completed to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. Fire Safety: 2. The firefighting equipment was not serviced yearly as the maintenance record for firefighting equipment was dated May 2024. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The risk assessment policy now in place as well as daily risk checklist for each room and outdoor areas . Management will ensure risk assessments are carried out for each room and outdoor area everyday Fire Safety: 2. The fire equipment has been serviced in October 2025
15 September 2025
ABC Childcare Stonepark, Longford · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Full length hanging curtains were observed in the Wobbler and ECCE 1 rooms. These posed a potential risk of injury to a child if they became entangled in them and required to be secured or removed. 2. The door lock mechanism on the door between ECCE 1 and the sanitary area was not working and did not secure the ECCE 1 room. As a result, there was a potential for children to leave ECCE 1 room un-noticed. 3. In the sleep room there were two electrical sockets which had five plugs connected and created a potential electrical overload risk. 4. A can of air freshener was placed in a hanging container on a cot in the cot room and accessible to a preschool child if they were using the cot. It is acknowledged that corrective action was taken when the issue was brought to the attention of the manager. 5. The mattress on cot 4 was not the correct size for the cot as gaps were observed between the mattress and cot frame on two of the four sides. This created a potential risk of injury to a preschool child if they became trapped. 6. The hot water at the hot tap in the senior Toddler room and at the hot tap in the sanitary area on the first floor was recorded at 45.2 °C and 45.7 °C respectively at 11:19am. It is acknowledged that corrective action was immediately taken by the person in charge when it was brought to their attention and the thermostat was adjusted. The water temperature had reduced to 43.7°C when recorded at 12:20pm. 7. There was no toilet seat on the toilet in the ‘Boys’ cubicle in the upstairs sanitary area, as a result there was no stability provided for a child to safely sit on this toilet. The toilet seat was observed placed on the floor inside the cubicle which was also a potential infection control risk. 8. Despite daily indoor and outdoor environmental risk assessments completed on the day of the inspection, a review of the risk assessment practice is required to examine how the general safety risks identified during the inspection were not captured. Infection Control: 9. The paper towel was not placed in a dispenser in the nappy change area and two toilets in the sanitary area on the ground floor for hygienic dispensing for infection control purposes. 10. The toilet paper was not placed in a dispenser in the two toilets in the sanitary area on the ground floor or in the toilet cubicle in the sanitary area on the first floor for hygienic dispensing for infection control purposes. 11. The toilet seat belonging to the toilet in the ‘Boys’ cubicle in the sanitary area on the first floor was observed placed on the floor inside the cubicle; this was an infection control risk. 12. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron and disposable gloves were not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy. Soiled nappies, used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. A frosting film has been placed on the door , and the curtains have been removed. T he curtains have been removed from the conservatory area. This has been added to the room risk assessment. 2. The door lock has been replaced. Checking door handles and locks is added to the room risk assessment. 3. Some of the electrical devices have been moved to another area. Ensuring sockets are not overloaded with electrical appliances has been added to the risk assessment sheet. 4. The air freshener has been removed from the area. The risk assessment has been updated to ensure there are no items left within a child’s reach in the sleep room. 5. A new mattress has been bought for the cot to ensure it fits snuggly in the cot. The risk assessment has been updated to ensure cots and mattresses are checked to ensure that mattresses are the correct size for the cots. 6. The thermostat was adjusted to bring down the water temperature to an appropriate level. As part of the daily cleaning, staff will check and document the water temperature and highlight to management if it needs to be adjusted. 7. A new toilet seat has been put on the toilet. The toilet risk assessment has been updated to check that toilet seats are secured. 8. The risk assessments have been updated to ensure the general safety risks identified during inspection does not reoccur in the future. The risk assessments will be updated annually or when any changes have been made to an area if this is sooner. Infection Control: 9. All paper towels have been placed in dispensers. A staff member has been assigned the responsibility to ensure all toilet rolls and paper towels are placed directly into the dispensers and check daily to see if they need replacing. This is now part of the daily risk assessment check. 10. All toilet rolls have been put into the toilet roll dispensers. A staff member has been assigned the responsibility to ensure all toilet rolls and paper towels are placed directly into the dispensers and check daily to see if they need replacing. This has been added to the daily risk assessment/cleaning sheet. 11. The toilet seat has been removed. The toilet cleaning chart has been updated to ensure any equipment not fit for purpose has been discarded. 12. Staff have received inhouse training on nappy changing and were reviewed carrying out nappy changing to ensure they followed all steps on our nappy policy procedure . Inhouse nappy changing training will form part of our team meetings to ensure all staff are kept very familiar with all steps. Our nappy changing policy is displayed in the nappy changing area to remind staff of the step-by-step procedure that they must follow
28 July 2025
ABC Childcare Drumlish, Drumlish · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The main entrance door to the service was observed unsecured at 10:46am, immediate corrective action was taken by the person in charge once it was brought to their attention by the inspector and remained secured for the remainder of the inspection. 2. The entrance door to the Baby room and Portacabin building were observed during the inspection not to be consistently secured to prevent unauthorised entry to the two areas. It is acknowledged that corrective actions were completed when it was brought to the attention of the staff members and both entrance doors were secured. 3. There was no documentary evidence that daily indoor room and outdoor risk assessments were completed and maintained to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. 4. A cord blind was observed to be unsecured in the Pre-school room. A corrective action was completed by the inspector where the loose cords were secured and placed out of reach ; the completed action was brought to the attention of both staff in the room. 5. There were no visibility strips on the full-length glass doors in the Baby room. This created a potential risk of injury to a child if they failed to recognise the glass panels. Infection Control: 6. The nappy change practices required to be reviewed as it was observed that the single use disposable apron and disposable gloves were not removed following the bagging up of the soiled nappy . Soiled nappies, used aprons and used disposable gloves need to be disposed of at the same time following removal of the old nappy for best infection control practices. 7. The low-level sleep beds were stored with the sheets in situ; this was inadequate for infection control practices as the sheets had the potential to be in contact with each other. 8. Wipes were used to firstly clean the children’s faces and then reused to clean the children’s hands in the Baby room. This posed an infection control risk as the children’s hands were not adequately cleaned. This was a non-compliance following inspection conducted on 17 October 2024. The corrective action submitted by the registered provider following the inspection failed to prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. Safe Sleep: 9. Two cot mattresses were observed not to fit the cots they were placed in snugly thus leaving a gap at one end; this had the potential to cause an entrapment injury to a child. 10. The cot mattress in the foldable cot did not have a recognised safety label attached. 11. Two cots were placed adjacent to the full-length blind covering the fire escape door and as a result was accessible to children. 12. A plug in air freshener with liquid contained in its receptacle, was observed plugged in beside a cot and was accessible to a child; it is acknowledged there was no child using the cot at the time of the inspection. 13. Two plastic storage units were observed placed between two sets of cots; this created a potential risk of a child gaining a foot hold and climbing out of the cot and a further potential risk of injury in the process. 14. The available cot room risk assessment, which was displayed on the wall in the cot room, did not prompt the identification the above risks observed by the inspector. 15. An area of mould was observed on the ceiling of the cot room. Fire Safety: 16. The fire exit door in the sleep room was obstructed by a cot, a plastic storage unit, a cot mattress and a metal clothes horse. This could potentially compromise the evacuation of children and adults from this area in the building in the event of a fire or other emergency occurring. 17. There was no signage for the fire assembly point in outdoor area. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. All doors were locked immediately, and we are ensuring they are locked every day . A MS teams meeting with held with all staff to remind them of the importance of keeping the entrance doors locked. 2. All doors were locked immediately, and we are ensuring they are locked every day. A MS teams meeting with held with all staff to remind them of the importance of keeping the entrance doors locked. 3. The cleaning sheet has been updated to include a risk assessment . The indoor and outdoor maintenance risk assessment is completed by the caretaker weekly. The updated sheet has a space for staff to document a ny risks/hazards that they identify. 4. The cord blind was replaced on the blind with a new cord and secured. 5. Visibility strips have been added to the window in the form of a window art decoration. Infection Control: 6. The nappy changing policy has been updated and shared this with all staff. All staff have been re -trained in nappy changing practice. 7. The bed sheets are stored in individual storage boxes with each child’s names on them and beds are dressed as they need before children go to sleep. 8. Disposable wipes have been replaced with individual face cloths for each child. Retraining has been competed with the staff on the importance of proper effective handwashing. The practice will be monitored by room leaders and the centre manager. Safe Sleep: 9. All cots were checked and are fitted with snugly fitting mattresses. A new cleaning/risk assessment was created for the sleep room to prompt staff to check mattresses. 10. The foldable cot has been replaced with a regular cot and a snug fitting mattress with a recognised safety label attached. 11. The sleep room was reviewed, and the cots have been re-arranged in the room. 12. Plug in air fresheners are not used in the centre. A new cleaning/risk assessment was created for the sleep room to prompt staff to check all plugs have safety covers on them and to ensure that there is nothing plugged in within children’s reach. 13. The storage units were removed following the sleep room review. 14. The risk assessment has been updated. 15. The mould has been cleaned, and the ceiling was repainted. Fire Safety: 16. All items were removed to ensure the fire exit is clear. A new cleaning/risk assessment was created for the sleep room to prompt staff to check that the fire exit is kept clear at all times. 17. The fire assembly sign was changed to the opposite side of the garden and is now securely fixed. The sign is larger and more visible
16 June 2025
Club Ardagh CLG, Ardagh · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: 1. Perishable food items in children’s snacks were not refrigerated in the senior room. A fridge was available for the storage of children’s snacks. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: 1. From date of inspection all perishable items were placed in the fridge provided. From September, all perishable items in children’s lunch boxes will be placed in the fridge. New signage prompts have been placed in the cloakroom and classroom to remind staff and children to place lunches in the fridge
5 March 2025
Longford Montessori Centre, Longford · Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: 1. A roll of paper towel was not hygienically dispensed from a wall mounted dispenser in the care room and was observed on the countertop adjacent to the hand basin. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: 1. The paper hand towels are in a dispenser