Inspection of 9 May 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under regulations 9, 11, 16, 19, 23, 25 and 26; however, on inspection additional non-compliance which posed a risk was identified under regulation 8. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulations of this report.
Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances
- 2 (a)(b) The registered provider had not ensured the following: One written and validated reference was not available for one adult employed in the service. (d) International Police vetting was not available for one adult who had lived outside of the state for a period of more than six months. (4) Documentary evidence was not available to confirm that one adult who works directly with the children held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Minister
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action 2(a)(b) One written reference for one staff member was received and validated. This reference was also added to the staff folder. (d) International police vetting was requested and received. It was also added to the staff folder. Preventive Action 2(a)(b) The service will make sure to always receive and validate all staff references and add these to their staff folder. (d) The registered provider stated that they were not aware this was required. (4) The registered provider stated that a new fully qualified staff member will be starting in the service in the new school year
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(a) One CV was not available for one adult. Therefore, it was unable to ascertain if police vetting was required in this instance. (h) The details of the attendance of all children had not been accurately recorded in the attendance book. All 22 children in attendance on the day had not been recorded as present from 9.00am until 10.35am. The children who had left the service at 1.30pm had not been signed out from 1.30pm until 1.50pm. It is acknowledged that this was rectified when the inspector brought this to the attention of staff. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in an emergency. This non-compliance was identified at the previous inspection of the service on the 07/03/2022
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(a) The CV mentioned was saved on the setting’s computer but was not printed and added to the staff folder. This has now been amended and included in the staff folder. (h) The staff will have the roll call opened and sign the children in as they enter the premises. Preventive Action (1)(a) The service will ensure that all CV’s and staff documents are printed and included in the staff folder at all times. (h) The service will continue following the regulation regarding signing children in as they enter the premises. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions and evidence submitted. The non-compliance under Regulation 16 has been addressed. The corrective and preventative actions stated to have addressed this non-compliance will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for the registered provider and four adults. However, three vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. A trampoline sunken to ground level was provided in the outdoor area. Trampolines are prohibited from being used in an early years service as per the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework. Use of prohibited equipment in an early years service poses a safety risk to children. This non-compliance was identified at the last two inspections of the service on the 17/01/2019 and the 07/03/2022. The regulatory requirement was not met on the previous inspection and remains outstanding. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. All 3 staff members have their garda vetting updated. 2. The registered provider has stated that the trampoline remains in use in the service. At the start of each school year, parents/guardians sign and give write permission which is included in the service enrolment form to allow or not their child/children on the trampoline and the service follows their choice. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. The staff have set reminders in their phones when all staff garda vetting is due to be renewed. Supporting documentation submitted • Garda vetting disclosures for 3 adults have been submitted. • Blank permission slip provided to parents submitted. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions submitted. The actions as stated by the registered provider to non- compliance 1 addresses the non-compliance identified. The corrective and preventive actions in relation to non-compliance 2; the provision of a trampoline in the pre- school service, demonstrates that that this equipment continues to be used by the pre-school children. The regulatory requirement has not been met and remains outstanding
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- 1(b) An up-to-date record was not available of the number, type and maintenance of the firefighting equipment and smoke alarms. The non-compliance in relation to a record for the smoke alarms was identified at the previous inspection of the service on the 07/03/2022. The regulatory requirement was not met on the previous inspection and remains outstanding. This matter was raised at a Regulatory Compliance Meeting convened on the 09/09/2022 and the required paperwork was not submitted as agreed
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action 1(b) Firefighting equipment and smoke alarms have been serviced and an up to date record is available and included in the files. Preventive Action 1(b) The service have scheduled a yearly service of firefighting equipment with a fire protection company
Regulation not named in the report text
- (1)(3) On the day of inspection the registered provider was found to be operating outside of their registration status in the absence of required approval from Tusla Registration Office. The service is currently registered to accommodate a maximum of 18 children. However, on the day of the inspection the service had 22 children in attendance. There were 22 children on the children’s attendance sheet
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1)(3) No actions to correct non-compliance submitted. The service is currently engaged with Tusla Registration Office in relation to the SOORS referral. Summary Comment The registered provider did not submit evidence through the CAPA process to state they had made changes to operate within their registration status. At the time of publication, the SOORS process was ongoing. Therefore, this regulatory requirement has not been met, and the non-compliance remains outstanding
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25.