Inspection of 24 September 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. 1 A written immediate action notice under
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- (b) The date on which the child first attended the service was not recorded in one of the records assessed. (e) Details of the authorisation for the collection of a child were not recorded in one of the records assessed. (f) There were no written care plans for two children attending the service. A written immediate action notice under Regulation 23 in respect of Regulation 15(1)(f) was issued to the registered provider on 24 September 2024 by the Early Years Inspector. (g) The name and telephone number of the child’s registered medical practitioner was not recorded in two of the records assessed. (h) The record of immunisations received by the child was not available in four of the records assessed
Provider's corrective action:
- 6 out of the 10 records assessed now have the required information. Furthermore, all Child Record forms have been reviewed and have the required information in accordance with Reg. 15. (b) Date child first attended the service is now entered on the assessed child’s record form. (e) Details are now recorded on the assessed record (Authorisation for the Collection of the Child) (f) Two Care Plans completed, submitted and accepted. (g) Name and phone number of G.P is now recorded in two records assessed. (h) Immunisations now recorded on the four records assessed A copy of Reg 15 is attached to the front of the Child Record Folder to ensure that in future all Child Record forms have the required information in accordance with Reg 15. Checklist at the back of each child record form will be ticked and signed off by the registered provider to confirm all required information is included as per Reg 15
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The entrance door to the service was not secured to restrict unauthorised persons from gaining access to the pre-school room as the Inspector walked directly in to the service. A written immediate action notice in respect of Regulation 23 was issued to the registered provider on 24 September 2024 by the Early Years Inspector. 2. The plastic lid of the green sand box in the outdoor area was broken in several places. The sharp edges could potentially cause an injury to a child. 3. Garda vetting was available for four staff members; however, one vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI -RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 4. Children’s clothing was observed to be stored in the sanitary area which was not adequate for infection control purposes. 5. Three toilet trainer seats were observed placed on the window sills in the two sanitary areas which was not adequate for infection control purposes. Administration of Medication: 6. The bottle of fever reducing medication was passed the expiry date recorded on the bottle. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. It will be ensured in future that the main entrance door to the preschool will be securely closed with latch bolted after the last child has entered the classroom. There will always be a staff member present at the door as children enter. When the last child has entered, the door will be locked securely and latched to prevent unauthorised entry to the preschool. If parents arrive late to preschool, parents will be requested to ring the doorbell in order to gain entrance to the classroom. The registered provider will check every morning this rule is followed by all staff members. Furthermore, the blue door which in the classroom door will be closed and locked securely as a secondary precaution to ensure children are safe and cannot leave the preschool unattended and also to ensure unauthorised entry to the preschool premises. Ensuring the main door is locked is recorded and checked by the registered provider when completing the daily indoor risk assessment record and signed off. 2. This green sand box has been removed from the Outdoor play area to prevent any injuries . This low -lying sandbox will not be replaced as we have no control over outsiders entering and destroying the playground equipment after preschool hours. We have an adequate number of durable sandboxes which are raised at children’s level and cannot be walked on. The outdoor daily risk assessment checklist will include checking the playground equipment to ensure it is safe for children. Any damaged equipment will be removed by the registered provider. 3. Garda Vetting was obtained on 3 rd October and is on file . The registered provider will ensure Garda Vetting disclosures are in date for all staff members and completed within the 3-year time frame. A reminder to renew vetting disclosures has been entered in the compliance folder with a copy of Reg 23 General Safety Infection Control: 4. The basket containing clothing has been removed from the sanitary area and is now stored in the classroom . The sanitary areas will be checked daily by the registered provider when carrying out Indoor daily indoor risk assessment to ensure no clothing is present in accordance with Reg. 23 Infection Control. 5. The toilet trainer seats have been removed from the sanitary areas. They are no longer required for the children in the setting. The seats are now stored away in the store room. The sanitary areas will be checked daily by the registered provider when performing the indoor daily risk assessment to ensure no toilet seats are present . If and when toilet seats are required in the future, they will be hung at the back of the toilet doors for easy access. Staff will assist children with toileting and sanitise the seats after use. Administration of Medication: 6. The expired temperature reducing medication has been removed from the First Aid Box and replaced with in - date medication. The medication and expiry date has been recorded in the first aid box contents record sheet. This record sheet is checked monthly by the registered provider to ensure medication is in-date in keeping with Reg 23 Administration of Medication
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- 1. Children were observed to go to sanitary area unaccompanied by a staff member, however the staff members were aware when they left the room . The sanitary area was located in an area outside the care room along a short corridor which turned right. The sanitary area was not in the staff members immediate line of vision or hearing. Three children were observed in the sanitary area washing their hands after an art activity in the care room. One child requested assistance from the inspector with handwashing and accessing paper towels from the electronic dispenser
Provider's corrective action:
- Following a discussion with staff regarding the supervision of children in the classroom, we now have a staff rota in place at all times to ensure one staff member is positioned near the door exit to monitor children leaving the classroom. The staff member will accompany children to the bathroom to assist them if required. Regular toilet breaks are arranged so that a small group of children can exit the classroom and be supervised by a staff member. These children are being assisted in the bathroom to wash and dry their hands using the child step. All s taff are aware of their absolute responsibility to monitor children exiting the classroom. We continue the practice of one teacher being present in the hall with children while they put away lunchboxes and return to the classroom with their coats and bags. All staff are alert for children leaving the classroom and will ensure they accompany them. We have a routine at lunchtime where two staff members are present with children while washing hands and using the toilet before lunch. Also, one staff member will remain in the corridor with children while they put away lunchboxes and return to the classroom
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) 1. Six of the sixteen ceiling lights in the care room were not working. (d) 2. Two of the six lights which were not working did not have a protective cover fitted
Provider's corrective action:
- (c ) 1. An Electrician replaced the 6 ceiling lights in the classroom on Friday 10th October. All ceiling lights are working. Please note the registered provider had requested the management to replace the bulbs on several occasions explaining the necessity. There are spare bulbs in stock if lights need replacing and they will be replaced immediately. (d) 2. Electrician has replaced the light covers on the two ceiling lights. There are spare light covers in stock should we need them in future
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 26, 28.