Inspection of 3 December 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider by hand on the day of inspection as neither the registered provider nor the core staff member held in-date First Aid Response (FAR) training. The registered provider provided written assurances of appropriate immediate actions taken to address the risk identified within 24 hours of issue, confirming that on the day of the inspection she had booked to attend First Aid Responder refresher training on 10/12/2024. This response was accepted.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(a)(b) A second written and validated reference was not available for the relief staff member
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (2)(a)(b) The registered provider has included a verified written reference for the relevant staff member in the service records. Preventive Action (2)(a)(b) Ensure verified references are always present in staff files
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- (1)(a) – (i) Of the 15 children’s forms required to be maintained in the service, the form for 1 child who was present in the service on the day of inspection was unavailable. Therefore, the service did not have sufficient documented details available for this child including a record of the person(s) authorised to collect the child from the service, information as to whether the child had allergies or not or written parental consent for the child to avail of medical treatment in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions, and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (1)(a) – (i) The registered provider obtained the child’s form from the child’s mother on the evening of the inspection. Preventive Action (1)(a) – (i) The registered provider will ensure to continue to request forms when parents haven’t sent them in , even if the parents are personal friends of the registered provider as was the case in this instance
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Some play materials and equipment including building blocks, jigsaws, shape sorters and interconnecting toys were stored in 6 zipped canvas boxes fitted into wooden cubby-style shelving units. Storing the play materials within the enclosed boxes which were snugly fitted into shelving units resulted in the contents not being easily visible and did not readily capture the children’s interest. Furthermore, the contents were not easily accessible to the children as the standard nylon zips were fitted with small pull tabs making them difficult for a child to open
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action 1. Toys are taken out from the zipped boxes out every morning now and they are put back after end of class. Also the toys behind the curtain are always accessible. Preventive Action 1. Keep reviewing the play areas and access to toys. The service has a lot of materials for the children so it goes against the energy of the classroom to have them ALL out and accessible every day. Summary Comment The inspector reviewed the corrective action submitted by the registered provider after the inspection in relation to Regulation 19(1)(a). Assurances given by the registered provider have been accepted and this will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: 1. A bar of soap was provided for hand washing at the wash hand basin in the children’s sanitary accommodation and at the sink in the front pre-school room. As opposed to liquid soap, bars of soap pose a risk of bacteria growth and cross-infection for the children in attendance. This non-compliance was also found during the last inspection on 18/10/2021
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action & Preventive Action 1. The soap was replaced with liquid soap and will be used going forward. Summary Comment The inspector reviewed the corrective action submitted by the registered provider after the inspection in relation to Regulation 23. Assurances given by the registered provider have been accepted and this will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) Neither the registered provider nor the core staff member held in-date First Aid Response (FAR) training. This resulted in pre-school children being present in the service without an adult trained in First Aid Response (FAR) being present and available at all times to the children when on the premises. (2)(a)(b) The first aid box on the premises was not suitably equipped as all dressings and eye patches were out of date. A similar non-compliance was also found during the last inspection on 18/10/2021
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (1) The registered provider has completed FAR training in December 2024. The registered provider had previously done the FAR training, but it was out of date. (2)(a)(b) The registered provider has updated the first aid kit. Preventive Action (1) The registered provider has set an alert in her mobile phone calendar for timely completion of the refresher course. (2)(a)(b) The registered provider has set a reminder in an electronic calendar for the next replacement date for bandages and eye pads in the first aid kit
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1)(b) There was no written maintenance record available for inspection to indicate that the smoke alarms had been appropriately serviced by a person with expertise in fire safety on an annual basis, in accordance with best practice guidelines. This non-compliance was also found during the last inspection on 18/10/2021
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action & Preventive Action The registered provider had had the servicing completed on time but did not have the document available when the inspector was here. The registered provider will ensure that all documents for proof of servicing are immediately requested and put on file
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) 1. The low-height space beneath the wooden play structure platform in the outdoor play area contained a car roof box, tarpaulin, discarded toys, lengths of timber and weeds which posed a risk of harbourage for pests. A similar non-compliance was also found during the last inspection on 18/10/2021. Additionally the narrow space between the two garden sheds was cluttered with tubing, timber, sacking and tents which also posed a risk of harbourage for pests
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions, and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (d) 1. The registered provider has ordered a strong coloured plastic cover to seal off the underneath of the raised decking area from children. The registered provider will send on photographs when the work is complete. The registered provider will seal it off in the meantime with a temporary cover. The registered provider has cleared out the narrow gap between the two sheds. Preventive Action (d) 1. The registered provider will ensure that this is included in the service’s risk assessment forms for the outdoor space
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 28.