Regulation 30 in Dublin
Minimum Space Requirements: 11 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.
15 June 2026
Horizons Montessori School, Dublin 6W · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- In Montessori 1 and Montessori 4, the floor space available for the work, play, and movement of children attending the service was inadequate, as outlined in Regulation 30(2) below
- 1. In Montessori 1 the available amount of clear floor space measured at 14.81sqm, which meets the regulatory minimum space requirement for six children. There were eight children in attendance on the busiest days as confirmed through a review of records and discussion with staff. 2. In Montessori 4 the available amount of clear floor space measured at 14.54sqm which meets the regulatory minimum space requirement for six children. There were eight children in attendance on the busiest days as confirmed through a review of records and discussion with staff
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(2) Points 1. and 2. The registered provider stated that four children will attend alternative rooms as there is space capacity in those rooms and that going forward management will ensure that classes are correctly divided according to room space
23 April 2026
The Village Day Care & Montessori School Ltd, Dublin 22 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- Adequate clear floor space was not available for the work, play and movement of eight children attending the backroom between 2.30pm – 5pm, on the 22 April 2026. The children ranged in age from 3-5 years. This room measured 16.48 m². The minimum amount of clear floor space of 2.3 m² required for each child attending the service on a full day care was not available. The maximum number of children this room can cater for on a fulltime basis is seven children
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has reduced the number of children in this room to 7 . The manager will check that the correct floor space is adhered to
1 April 2026
Early Journeys, Dublin 9 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (2) During the inspection the registered provider did not ensure there was a minimum clear floor space available for the number of children attending the service. The table below details the maximum number of children that can be accommodated and the number of children present. The following was observed: Day 1 Room Name Maximum number of children allowed Children in attendance Baby room 1-2 years 44.8 m2 16 children attending full day care (FDC) (2.8 m2 required per child 1-2years) Am - 17 children FDC Space available exceeded by 1 child Toddler room 2-3 years 27.12 m2 11 children attending full day care (2.3 m2 required per child 2-3years) Am - 12 children FDC Space available exceeded by 1 child It is acknowledged on day one of the inspection families were contacted to collect children early where possible. This resulted in a large volume of children exiting the service across all care rooms before the PM count. Day 2 Room Name Maximum number of children allowed Children in attendance Baby room 1-2 years 44.8 m2 16 children attending full day care (FDC) (2.8 m2 required per child 1-2years) AM - 18 children FDC Space available exceeded by 2 children PM - 18 children FDC Space available exceeded by 2 children Preschool room 3-4 years 22.8 m2 9 children attending full day care or 12 children attending sessional care (1.81 m2 required per child during sessional care) 2.3 m2 required per child during FDC) PM - 12 children FDC Space available exceeded by 3 children Ready for School room 3-5 years 32m2 13 children attending FDC or 17 children attending sessional care (1.81 m2 required per child during sessional care) 2.3 m2 required per child during FDC) AM - 21 children sessional Space exceeded by 4 children PM - 23 children FDC Space available exceeded by 10 children Day 3 Room Name Maximum number of children allowed Children in attendance Baby room 1-2 years 44.8 m2 16 children attending full day care (FDC) (2.8 m2 required per child 1-2years) AM - 18 children FDC Space available exceeded by 2 children PM - 17 children FDC Space available exceeded by 1 child Ready for School room 13 children attending FDC or AM - 20 children sessional Space exceeded by 3 children 3-5 years 32m2 17 children attending sessional care (1.81 m2 required per child during sessional care) 2.3 m2 required per child during FDC) PM - 20 children FDC Space available exceeded by 7 children In addition to the inspection day a review of attendance records dated between January and March 2026 demonstrated that this is an ongoing practice for the service. This non-compliance was observed on the previous inspections. The preventive action has not been carried out in line with the information provided to the inspectorate following the last inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- Immediate action was taken to reduce the number of children within the affected rooms to ensure compliance with the required minimum clear floor space per child. Children were relocated to our second location, which reduced occupancy and ensured adequate space within the service. Room layouts were also reviewed and adjusted, and children were redistributed appropriately across rooms. Ongoing monitoring of attendance and room occupancy is in place to ensure continued compliance with space requirements. Management confirm that the service is now operating within the required space standards
11 March 2026
Lucan Child Nursery & Montessori, Lucan · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- A review of attendance records and discussions with staff members evidenced that the minimum amount of clear floor space required for the number and age of the children attending the Toddler room was not available at all times as follows: • On the busiest day in the care room, three children aged 1 year and two children aged 2 years attending on a full day care basis requiring a minimum of 13.1square metres clear floor space when only 2.61square metres is available
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action Going forward on a day when there are more 1 year olds than 2 year olds, the group will be split between the toddler room and the sleep room. The sleep room will be set up as a care room/sleep room. Square footage of this room is 14sq meters. More consideration will be had when a new toddler is starting in the service. The service will need to take into consideration of the children already attending our service
10 March 2026
Doreen's Preschool Montessori, Dublin 7 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (1) The morning sessional service is registered to operate from 08:45-11:45am. On the day of inspection, 5 children remained on the premises when the morning session ended. Staff informed the inspection team that some children stay on for 30-45 minutes. The registered provider did not furnish the agency in writing of any proposed changes to the operational hours of the sessional service or submit an application to operate as a sessional and part time service
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has submitted a change in circumstance application to change service type from sessional to part time care. The service will operate as a sessional service until this is approved
10 March 2026
Doreen's Preschool Montessori, Dublin 7 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (3) On the day of inspection, the inspectors observed 9 children present within the Montessori room. The total number of children currently accommodated in this room is 10. The room was measured at 15.98 m2. To ensure that a minimum of 1.818 square metres of clear floor space is available for each child attending the service 9 children can be accommodated in this room
Provider's corrective action:
- (3) Effective immediately 9 children will be accommodated in this room, additional children being accommodated in the Playroom. From September 2026, 9 children will be registered for the Montessori room
12 January 2026
The Embassy Montessori, Dublin 4 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (3) On the day of inspection there were 11 children aged between 2-3 years of age attending a sessional service in the Junior 1 room. However, on review of the children’s attendance records and on discussion with staff it was confirmed that 12 children are registered and have been in attendance in the care room. The care room is 19.6m 2 and only has adequate clear floor space for a maximum of 11 children attending a sessional service and 8 children on a full day care basis
Provider's corrective action:
- (3) In response the registered provider has stated that to ensure full clarity and absolute alignment between registration and room capacity, the registered number for the Junior 1 room has now been formally reduced to 11 children. All relevant records have been updated to reflect this. Management has reviewed and documented the maximum capacity for each room based on clear floor space requirements. Procedures have been strengthened to ensure that registration numbers do not exceed the approved room capacity. Management will continue to monitor registrations and attendance to ensure ongoing compliance. Management is committed to maintaining full compliance with the Regulations and to ensuring ongoing adherence to all regulatory requirements
11 November 2025
The Little Willows Preschool, Finglas · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (2) The registered provider did not ensure there was a minimum clear floor space available for the number of children registered in the Little Buds room. This can impact on the safety and supervision of children. The room measures 22.3m2 which can accommodate up to 9 children in the 2-to-6-year age range*. A review of the attendance log showed that up to 11 children were regularly present in the room at any one time. *2.35m2 space required for each child in the 2 to 3 years age range. 2.3m2 space required for each child in the 3 to 6 years age range
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider reports that some of the children in the room have reduced their hours to back to sessional hours which the room size allows for a period of up to 3.5 hours a day. Parents have been advised that any change in their service hours must be agreed in advance in order to meet service space requirements
21 May 2025
Lámha Beag, Swords · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- The registered provider did not ensure that the children attending the service had access to adequate floor space. The Baby Room had a clear floor space of 24.1m². The following was observed; • On the Inspector’s arrival until 9.57am there were 5 children aged 1-2 years old, 4 children aged 2-3 years old and 2 children aged 3-6 years old. The children required 26.06m². • Between 9.57am and 10.20am, before the children went into the garden, there were 6 children aged 1-2 years old; 4 children aged 2-3 years old and 2 children aged 3-6 years old. These children required 30.66m². The registered provider was found non-compliant in relation to regulation 30 on the last inspection completed on 23 May 2024
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that a permanent staff member and a relief staff member were unavailable. The registered provider stated that the ratio had been miscalculated on the day. A member of the afternoon staff came in early to cover the morning shift and arrived at 10.20am and the issue was resolved as both rooms were occupied with sufficient floor space. As a preventive action the registered provider has stated they will Increase our relief staff portfolio so we can arrange adequate cover more seamlessly. Summary Comment The actions as stated by the registered provider in their corrective and preventive action plan, and evidence submitted, have addressed the non-compliance as observed on inspection
6 May 2025
Tigers Childcare, Glenageary · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (1) There was inadequate clear floor space to facilitate the children in the Wombats room on the day of inspection. There was eleven one year old children and three two year olds, for full day care in this room during the inspection. Please see table below. Room Wombats m2 available 33.7m2 m2 required for ages and no. of children present 37.05m2 No. and Age of children present 3X 2 year olds 11X 1 year olds Total no. present for Full Day Care 14 Age Range Clear Floor Space per Child for Full Day Care 0-1 year 3.5 square meters 1-2 years 2.8 square meters 2-3 years 2.35 square meters 3-6 years 2.3 square meters
Provider's corrective action:
- The service has rearranged the staff and children to ensure the space requirements are available to the children. The preventive action is to plan to double check the room sizes in future if changes of numbers or ages of children are to occur to ensure adequate space is available
11 November 2024
Little Fingers, Dublin 24 · Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- Adequate floor space was not available for the children attending the service. Eleven children are registered to attend daily, however the floor space available to the children in this room measured 13.8 sqm and provided enough space for a maximum of 7 children at any one time. It is acknowledged that the children had opportunity to use an area in the registered providers sitting room to the rear of the house from 10:43 until 11:05. Children returned to the room at the front of the house at 11:10 to eat their snack
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that she has changed the main care room from the room at the front of the house to the room at the back of the house. This will provide adequate space for the 11 children registered to attend