Inspection of 11 October 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- BASIC NEEDS: (1) The inspector observed that the rest/quiet area of the service required further development; equipment was sparse and there was no seating available where the children could sit and relax/rest
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statement was received from the registered provider: (1) Two child sized couches have been added to the rest/quiet area. Further development is planned with new seating planned. Staff have been asked to inform management weekly of the need for new equipment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: (1) Contrary to the service’s infection control policy, handwashing practices observed by the inspector were inadequate to control the spread of infection. Staff failed to notice that children disposing of used tissues, after blowing their noses, did not wash their hands. In discussion, staff members were unaware that the children wiping their noses needed to wash their hands after disposing of the tissues to prevent cross contamination. (2) The pedal on the pedal operated bin in the care room was broken, posing a risk of cross contamination as the inspector observed children using their hands to open the bin lid to deposit the used tissues. (3) Contrary to the service’s infection control policy perishable food was not stored in the fridge in the service. At snack time the inspector observed children removing perishable food from their bags which were hung on hooks in the playroom, posing a risk from the food spoiling. In conversation, staff were unaware of the requirement to store perishable food in the fridge. (4) The inspector observed that no cleaning schedules were available in the care room or in the children’s sanitary areas to evidence that the areas had been cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of infection. (5) The inspector observed that there was no nappy bin or disposable aprons available in the nappy changing area to prevent cross contamination. In conversation, a staff member confirmed that they were waiting on both of these items to be delivered. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: The following statements were received from the registered provider; (1) A staff meeting was held, and staff were reminded of the importance of handwashing after using tissues to prevent cross contamination. (2) A new pedal operated bin has been installed in the care room. (3) A new fridge is in operation in the care room. Staff were reminded at the staff meeting of the importance of storing perishable food in a fridge to prevent the food from spoiling. (4) A service book with all templates was given to staff. Cleaning schedules are in operation in the care room. (5) A new nappy bin and disposable aprons have been added to the nappy changing area
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (a) There were no written records available of any previous fire drills that had taken place in the service. In conversation the manager stated that no fire drills had taken place since the new term commenced in September 2024 and they were awaiting templates from the registered provider. Not carrying out fire drills poses a safety risk for the adults and children in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statement was received from the registered provider:
- (a) Fire drill records are now in place and staff will carry out and record monthly fire drills
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) (1) The inspector observed that the hot water tap in the care room was constantly running unless switched off by a mains handle on the wall. In conversation, the manager stated that it was not possible to turn off the tap at the sink
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statement was received from the registered provider: (d) (1) Arrangements have been made with maintenance personnel to replace the hot water tap in the care room
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 28.