A Sunday Tribune analysis of almost 230 preschools inspected by Health Service Executive (HSE) officials between March and November of last year has revealed that just one in 20 was found to be fully compliant with the legislation.

The review of inspection reports covering 18 counties, including parts of Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Sligo, Roscommon and Wexford, also reveals that in almost half of the cases, inspectors also expressed concerns about inadequate or dangerous fire safety procedures.

Elsewhere, they also noted concerns about a lack of adequate evidence that staff had been properly "vetted".

The HSE is responsible for the inspection of preschools and can apply to the courts for the closure of a facility where there are persistent breaches of the legislation.

New regulations covering the sector came into force in September 2007, with a view to improving the quality of childcare in Ireland.

While many of the breaches were relatively minor in nature, with inspectors frequently seeking to highlight positive aspects of individual services, they also pulled no punches when it came to the problems they encountered.

For example, when inspectors visited Little Peoples Playworld Crèche in Sligo last September, on foot of a complaint about staff shouting at children in their care, they noted that the alleged staff member in question had since left the service.

But in their report, the inspectors noted: "It was observed during inspection, that members of staff (toddler room) did not address children in a calm manner as outlined in your displayed discipline policy… examples of instructions given to children were 'sit down', 'sit in your own seat', 'get off that' and children were not addressed in a supportive manner."

In the Central Park facility in Dundalk, inspectors also expressed concerns after sand in the sand box was found to contain "animal excrement".

"Paint pots, harmful chemicals and a gas cylinder were present within the outdoor play area," the report also stated.

Separately, an inspector who visited the Bright Sparks Community Playgroup, in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, said that they had gained access "without having to alert a staff member".

Overall, just 6% of the 226 reports, which relate to inspections conducted between March and September of last year, found the premises in question to be fully compliant with the regulations. Interestingly, half of these were located in the Roscommon area.

Copies of the inspection reports were released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Fire safety issues also feature strongly in the reports, with inspectors expressing concern about problems such as inadequate fire drills and records. In one instance, inspectors who visited the Nanny Boppers crèche in Dundalk also noted that a fire exit on the ground floor had been locked with the wrong key to unlock it.

Under the new regulations, since September of last year garda vetting of all staff is required, and this has been rolled out on an ongoing basis over the past year.

However, several providers contacted by this newspaper expressed significant concern about the difficulties they face in obtaining police clearance for individuals who may have worked in other jurisdictions.

Due to the timeframe involved, some of the inspections refer only to the previous regulations governing the sector, while others were conducted according the more recent regulations.

Some are compiled according to a new standardised format, while others are not.

Not all operators of the facilities in question were available when contacted by the Sunday Tribune. However, those who did stressed that any issues identified in the reports have since been addressed by them.

Laura Gravino, manager of the Westwood Crèche in Clontarf, told the Sunday Tribune that she had only joined the service last December. Since then, there had been significant improvements in the service which had been noted by the HSE in the interim.

"It was definitely a terrible report that we received back then… but we have been praised on the turnaround," she said. "It is definitely not acceptable to ever have children being put in an environment where things are not up to par."

Owners Jackie Mahon and Sinead Keighron of the Little Peoples Playworld Crèche in Sligo said they took any complaint about the service "very seriously". A follow-up report by the HSE had testified to this, in particular noting the positive interaction between staff and children, they added.

Marian Higgins of Bright Sparks Community Playgroup in Roscommon said the hall in which it operates has since undergone extensive renovations, including a new double door, while Marisa McGeown of Central Park in Dundalk said the sandpit had been replaced with rubber matting, adding that "everything that was in that report has been addressed".

Gillian Moran of the Playhouse in Drogheda said the service had changed from a childminding to a preschool service shortly before the inspection, meaning some policies and procedures had needed to be updated.

The service was now "fully compliant" following a subsequent inspection. Christine Duffy of 'Nanny Boppers' in Dundalk said the issue surrounding the locked fire exit had been "resolved on the day".

"Once the health board say do it, you do it," she said.

Preschool Inspections: what the inspectors saw

1) The Playhouse drop in service, Pavilions shopping centre, Swords, Co Dublin

"You must have available for future inspections past employer references, in particular the most recent employer reference in respect of all staff… you are required to seek (when available) garda vetting for all staff, students and volunteers. Such vetting procedures shall be carried out prior to any person being appointed or assigned or being allowed access to a child in the service."

2) Nanny Boppers, Newry Road, Dundalk

"On examination of fire exits within the premises, one was locked on the ground floor. When asked, the staff member removed a key from a high level hook to open the door. The key present was not the key that fits the lock."

3) Stepping Stones crèche, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon

"The provider and play assistant need to complete the Children
First training. The provider needs to also complete the designated person's training. This has been outstanding since the previous inspection."

4) Teach na nOg, Carrig on Bannow, Wexford

"Garda vetting and references to be available for all staff, students and volunteers as soon as possible.

"The preschool is damp, most likely through a defective roof…

"there was a distinctive damp and musty odour detected…

"moulds and dampness can produce allergens and can cause several health effects."

5) Bright start, Southside Community Centre, Sandfield, Mallow, Co Cork

"References were not available in respect of all staff who have access to a child... references must be sought for all staff who have access to a child."

6) Central Park, St Brigid's Terrace, Dundalk, Co Louth

"...no designated area for the under ones, no care programme in place for this age group…

"The sand in the sand box contained animal excrement."

7) Little Peoples Playworld Crèche, Brooklawns, Sea Road, Sligo

"Complainants expressed concern in relation to the behaviour of staff towards children, ie shouting… You have also informed us that the matter had been dealt with and the staff member allegedly involved is no longer working in the service.

"It was observed during inspection, that members of staff (toddler room) did not address children in a calm manner as outlined in your displayed discipline policy… examples of instructions given to children were 'sit down', 'sit in your own seat', 'get off that', and children were not addressed in a supportive manner."

8) The Playhouse, Roschoill, Dublin Road, Drogheda

"To protect the health, safety and welfare of the children attending your crèche, all adults caring for children in your crèche must be aware that no corporal punishment is inflicted on a child attending your service… to ensure (this) it is advised to have a written behaviour-management policy."

9) Westwood Health and Fitness Club, Clontarf, Dublin

"Although the staff were caring, there was very little evidence of interaction with the babies… One baby was crying and was given a bottle, he fed himself while still crawling around the room."

"(In the toddler/wobbler room), there was very little interaction between the children and the staff… Staff should be aware of the importance of positive interaction with children… some elements of home comforts should be provided where appropriate."

"The sink in the (toddler room) was dirty. The taps were in a filthy condition. The skirting was filthy."

10) Bright Sparks Community Playgroup, Lisacul, Ballaghaderreen,
Co Roscommon

"Upon arriving at the premises, I gained entry without having to alert
a staff member."