Policies & Compliance — Confey Montessori

Our commitment

Confey Montessori operates as a registered early-years service under Irish law. We adhere to the requirements set by Tusla — the Child and Family Agency — and align with national frameworks and guidance from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Pobal.

This page is an overview of the main legal and regulatory requirements that apply to Montessori preschools in Ireland and how we meet them. Full written versions of all our policies are available to parents on request — please email info@confeymontessori.com.

Registration & inspection

Confey Montessori is registered with Tusla — the Child and Family Agency as an Early Years Service under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (as amended). We are subject to unannounced inspections by Tusla's Early Years Inspectorate, and our inspection reports are published on the Tusla website.

As a registered provider of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, we are also registered with Pobal via the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP) and subject to compliance visits.

Child protection

Confey Montessori operates in line with:

The Children First Act 2015 and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children
A written Child Safeguarding Statement, displayed on the premises and available to parents on request
A designated Mandated Person and a trained Designated Liaison Person (DLP) with a Deputy DLP, who receive and report any concerns or disclosures
Completion of the HSE/Tusla Children First e-Learning Programme by all staff, refreshed at the recommended intervals

Garda vetting

Every member of staff and any adult who works directly with children at Confey Montessori holds current Garda Vetting issued by the National Vetting Bureau under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016. Vetting is renewed on the schedule required by Tusla.

Staff qualifications

Our staff hold the qualifications required by the Department for early-years educators and ECCE providers:

Room leaders hold a minimum QQI Level 6 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education (or recognised equivalent)
Early-years educators hold a minimum QQI Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education (or recognised equivalent)
Staff also hold Montessori-specific training appropriate to the role
Continuing professional development is supported, recorded, and refreshed annually

Curriculum framework

Our daily programme is grounded in the Montessori method and aligned with Ireland's national frameworks for early-childhood education:

Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, published by the NCCA
Síolta: the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
The Montessori method, drawing on the prepared environment, mixed-age grouping, and child-led learning developed by Dr Maria Montessori

Adult-to-child ratios

We maintain the staff-to-child ratios set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. The ratios that apply most often at Confey Montessori are:

Sessional pre-school service (ages 3–6): 1 adult to 11 children
Part-time / full day care (ages 3–6): 1 adult to 8 children
Younger age groups, where applicable, follow stricter ratios required by regulation

Health, safety & first aid

We meet our obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations:

A written Safety Statement and documented risk assessments, reviewed at least annually
Fire-safety procedures, regular fire drills, and compliant fire-safety equipment
At least one member of staff trained in Paediatric First Aid (PHECC FAR or equivalent) on the premises whenever children are present
Recording and notification of significant accidents and incidents to Tusla as required
An infection control policy in line with HSE guidance

Inclusion & equality

Confey Montessori is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment for every child, in line with:

The Equal Status Acts 2000–2018
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for children with additional needs attending the ECCE programme
A written Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, available on request

Food, hygiene & allergens

Where food is served or prepared on site at Confey Montessori:

The service is registered with the HSE Environmental Health Service
Staff handling food complete appropriate food safety training
Allergen information is provided in line with the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (No. 1169/2011)
Each child's individual dietary needs, allergies, and medical requirements are recorded and managed in partnership with parents

Data protection & privacy

We process children's and families' personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Our written Data Protection Policy sets out how we collect, store, share, retain, and dispose of personal data, and is available on request.

Insurance

Confey Montessori carries appropriate public liability and employers' liability insurance for our setting. Certificates of insurance are displayed on the premises and available for inspection.

Other written policies

Alongside the areas summarised above, Confey Montessori maintains written policies covering:

Admissions
Settling-in
Behaviour management (positive behaviour)
Outings & activities outside the setting
Sleep and rest
Sun protection
Administration of medication
Complaints & grievance
Staff supervision & whistleblowing
Confidentiality

Copies of any of these policies are available to parents and prospective families on request.

Email info@confeymontessori.com

Questions about a specific policy?

Email us and we'll send you the relevant document, or arrange a chat with Jen.

Email info@confeymontessori.com Contact form