Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection General Safety: 1. At 10.45am, the surface temperature of the radiator in the sanitary area on the ground floor, was recorded at 58.8°C which exceeds the recommended maximum surface temperature of 50°C. This went unnoticed by the staff present in the service. The risk assessment sheets that were on display in the sanitary area did not detail the surface temperature of the radiator as a potential risk even though this is also a recurring non-compliance from the previous inspection on 04/02/2025 inspection. 2. At 11.00am the hot water temperature in the sanitary area off the Poppy Room was recorded at 48.3°C which exceeds the recommended maximum hot water temperature of 43°C. This went unnoticed by the staff present in the care room and was not documented on the risk assessment sheet that was completed on the day of the inspection. 3. At 11.35am the air temperature of the Sensory room was recorded at 24.6°C. This exceeds the recommended maximum room temperature of 18-22 °C to ensure the children’s safety and comfort. The staff member was heard to say “it’s hot in here” but no remedial action was taken at this time to reduce the room temperature. Infection Control: The staff did not always take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of infection in the service. For example; 4. One staff member returned to a care room without removing the disposable apron used while changing a child’s nappy. 5. In the Poppy Room the preschool children were observed to use a blue cloth towel to dry their hands after handwashing which is a cross-contamination risk. At this time the paper towel dispenser was empty. 6. The nappy bins in use in in the sanitary areas off the Daisy and Lavender Rooms, for the disposal of soiled nappies were lidded and pedal operated. However, staff members were observed using their hands to open the inner flap of the nappy bin to dispose of soiled nappies. This practice is incorrect as it is a source of cross contamination of the staff members hands. 7. The pedal function on the metal bin for blue paper towel disposal in the downstairs sanitary area was broken. The staff were observed to use their hands to open the lid to dispose of the use towel. This is a cross-contamination risk
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. To correct the surface temperature of the radiator area on the ground floor, the registered provider has completed the following: A wooden radiator cover was installed to prevent the children from being exposed to high-temperature heating. Risk assessments of the surface are being carried out on a daily basis to ensure the correct temperatures. 2. The registered provider turned down all the hot water thermostat to ensure the correct temperatures. Risk assessments have been carried out to prevent the hot water temperature from rising at any time. 3. The registered provider turned off the radiator in the sensory room and a daily risk assessment will be carried out. The radiator in the sensory room has been turned off because the space is small and sufficient heat flows in from the Toddler Room to maintain the recommended room temperature. Infection Control: 4. The registered provider has spoken to the staff member who returned to a care room without removing the disposable apron following changing a child’s nappy and has stated ‘this will not happen again’. Staff have received a copy of the policies regarding Infection Control and in-house training will commence next month. 5. The cloth towel has been removed and staff have been spoken to by the registered provider. Staff have been advised not to use cloth towels to dry children’s hands and that the blue roll must be used to prevent cross contamination. 6. All nappy bins have been replaced in all changing areas. Going forward, all staff will use pedal labelled bins to dispose of nappy waste. 7. The blue paper towel bin and staff are using the pedal to open the bins. In-house training will commence in a month in relation to infection control measures within the services policies. Staff have been advised to use the pedal bin to dispose of blue paper towels
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 20, 26.
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of inspection in relation to immediate safety concerns that were identified. The registered provider responded and gave written assurances of appropriate immediate actions undertaken in the service to control the risk to children within 24 hours of the inspection.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a) One staff member did not have a second written and appropriately validated reference
Provider's corrective action:
A new reference has been obtained from the employee. The registered provider will ensure that the appropriate references are kept on file for all employees
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) The service rota was not reflective of all staff who work or provide relief in the service. For example, the staff rota reviewed for the week prior to the inspection did not detail 1 staff member who provides relief in the service and works directly with the preschool children and 1 student who was employed to carry out catering and administrative duties
Provider's corrective action:
The Manager will ensure that all staff is recorded on the rota on a daily basis going forward. The rotas now display all staff from all areas of the business
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. In the Daisy Room two children were observed together in the small toilet area with a staff member. One child was having their nappy changed and the 2nd child was using the toilet both at the same time. This does not maintain the privacy and dignity of the child during toileting. 2. On the day of inspection, the children did not have access to the outdoor area due to previous flooding issues and the area was in a state of disrepair. Maintenance works were required. This was also noted on the last inspection where the outdoor area was not suitable for use. There was no other alternative area for those children attending on a parttime or full daycare basis to avail of a change of environment to the outdoors. In addition, some staff did not appear to be aware that the outdoor area was out of use when questioned. It is acknowledged that the registered provider had engaged the maintenance person to commence work on the outdoor on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
1. All staff have been spoken to and will follow the policies of the service, it is vital that at all times we respect the rights and needs of the children in our care. All staff have received a copy of the Intimate & Personal Care policy & also the Toileting Policy to review. These policies will be reviewed in our next staff meeting. 2. A landscaping company has been contracted to make the garden suitable for usage. Monthly Management Checklists to check staffs work under Regulation 19
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The registered provider did not ensure that all reasonable measures were taken to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of a preschool child in relation to the following: General Safety: 1. Blind cords were not restricted and were accessible to the children attending the Daisy and Bluebell rooms. 2. The hot water temperature in the Poppy Room exceeded the recommended maximum safe hot water temperature of 43°C. The hot water was recorded at 60.2°C at 10.50am by the inspector. 3. The surface temperature of the radiator in the sanitary area downstairs exceeded the recommended maximum safe temperature of 50°C. The radiator surface temperature was recorded at 63°C at 11.00am by the inspector. 4. An unsecured laminator machine was accessible to the children attending the Daisy Room, which is a potential impact hazard if pulled by a preschool child. 5. A sweeping brush was inappropriately stored at the sink in the Daisy Room and was observed by the inspector to fall over onto the floor. This was a potential impact and safety risk. These safety concerns went unnoticed by the staff members present in the care room and even though documentary evidence was available of a risk assessment which had been completed on the morning of the inspection it did not identify these risks. As an immediate risk was identified, an immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of the inspection in relation to the identified non-compliances 1, 2 and 3. Infection Control: The following infection control risks were observed: 1. There was no running hot water in the Daisy Room when checked by the inspector at 11.25am or in the nappy changing room off the Lavender Room. This went unnoticed by the staff members present and was not identified on the daily risk assessment sheet which had been completed and signed by staff. As such the children and staff were unable to carry out effective hand washing practices after toileting and nappy changing which is an infection control risk. 2. In the Lavender Room nappy changing area the nappy changing mat and station required a deep cleaning as there was evidence of soiling on the nappy changing mat. This is a cross infection and infection control risk. 3. The sleep mats were stored in the nappy changing area off the Lavender Room, this is an infection control and cross contamination risk. Safe Sleep: 4. When the Lavender Room was converted to a sleep room the room temperature was not being checked or recorded on the 10-minute sleep checks. In addition, there was no way for the staff to check the room temperature. Staff were unaware of the need to check and record the room temperature when this was discussed with them
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Actions General Safety 1. All blind cords were examined on the day the of the inspection by the manager and restricted from the children until fixed properly. A blind repair company came out to examine all the blind cords and fixed any that were not properly secure. Daily risk assessments from staff have been ongoing to alleviate risk. Monthly Management Checklists to check staffs work under Regulation 19. 2. &3 All radiators & water temps have been checked to remove any risk to children or staff. The gas repair company came out to fix the problem with the hot water. The radiator in the toilet was switched off until a carpenter puts a radiator cover on it. The Room leaders are conducting daily risk assessments, and the Management team are conducting monthly safety checks to ensure compliance under regulations. The gas company was contacted to come to the service and rectify the problem with the water. All staff have received a copy of the risk management policy and have signed off on it to prevent this from happening again. 4 &5 All items were removed in accordance with the Health & Safety & Welfare policy. The laminator is stored in the stationary press which is located in the reception area. The sweeping brushes have been secured with a holder to prevent them from falling or obstructing a child in a room. Infection Control 1. The gas repair company came out to fix the problem with the hot water. The Room leaders are conducting daily risk assessments, and the management team are conducting monthly safety checks to ensure compliance under regulations. 2. Regarding the nappy changing area, a deep clean commenced straight away and has been scheduled twice a week. 3. Sleep mats have been removed from the nappy changing area and stored in a new area. Safe Sleep 4. The Safe Sleep policy has been discussed with all staff and a thermometer has been purchased and is on display in the Lavender room. The temperature is now being recorded on the 10-minute checks on a daily basis
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25.
Inspection of 22 August 2024 — Change in Circumstance