Inspection of 20 March 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) Both staff members were unable to access their staff rosters from a mobile application. Staff attempted to locate the staff rosters however these were not accessible to evidence staff signing in/out, cover in event of staff absence and if appropriate break times of persons in attendance each day. The absence of a staff roster was noted as a non-compliance on the last inspection dated 08/12/2022 in which the registered provider stated that staff rosters were in place and staff had been trained in their responsibilities
Provider's corrective action:
- (i) The staff roster is now available to all staff. Paper copies will be displayed in the service in the future
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Drinking water was not freely accessible while the early years children were present in the service. Individual water bottles were placed on a high shelf in an area of the kitchen, which was inaccessible to the children, preventing the children from availing of water if they were thirsty. 2. The temperature of the playroom was not maintained between 18°C-22°C. The inspector observed at 10:15 that the temperature of the playroom was recorded as 16.2°C and at 12:15 the temperature had gone down to 15.9°C. The heating control clock indicated that the heating was timed to come on between 08:30 and 09:00
Provider's corrective action:
- : 1. An easily accessible table has been set up to ensure the children have access to water while present in the service. 2. The heating system will be managed by staff to maintain the required temperature between 18°C -22°. Temperatures and timings will be monitored daily by staff as part of the daily risk assessment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all six adults. However, one adult vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The wooden table in the outdoor play area was observed to have sharp edges where the veneer surrounding the edge of the table had come off. This posed a safety risk should a child come into contact with the sharp edges. 3. Cleaning agents place on the window sill in the children’s nappy changing area were within reach of the children’s changing plinth posing a safety risk. 4. The gate in the kitchen was left unsecured, posing a safety risk to the children. The inspector observed at 10:30, 10:35 and 12:15 staff members leaving the area without securing the gate. 5. There was no safety catch on the cupboard under the sink where the cleaning products were located, posing a safety risk to the children. Infection Control: 6. The inspector observed that there was no pedal operated, sealed, lined and lidded nappy changing bin available. A staff member was observed bringing a used nappy in a sack through both interconnecting rooms to dispose of the nappy in an outdoor bin. In discussion, the staff member stated that this was normal practice, posing a risk of cross infection. 7. In contrast to the service’s nappy changing procedure a staff member was observed carrying out two nappy changes at 09.27 and 11.20 without the use of disposable aprons, posing a risk of cross infection. Administration of Medication: 8. There was no temperature reducing medication available in the service, posing a safety risk to a child in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Renewed Garda vetting is now in place for one adult for whom it was required. Management will ensure that vetting is checked yearly to ensure compliance. 2. The wooden table in the outdoor area has been removed. Staff have been reminded of the importance of carrying out a risk assessment prior to children accessing the outdoor play area. 3. The cleaning agents have been removed and stored safely. Staff have been reminded of the requirement to store cleaning agents out of reach of the children. 4. Staff have been reminded to ensure that the safety gate, securing the kitchen remains closed at all times. The gate will be checked as part of the daily risk assessment, and a notice has been placed reminding staff to keep the gate closed. 5. A child safety lock has been placed on the cupboard under the sink to prevent children accessing the area. Infection Control: 6. A suitable nappy bin has been ordered. The nappy changing policy has been reviewed by all staff. 7. Aprons are now available at the nappy changing station. Staff have been advised that single use aprons are worn during nappy changing in order to prevent cross infection. These are disposed of after each nappy change. Administration of Medication: 8. Temperature reducing medication, stored in sealed container, out of reach of the children is now available in the event of an emergency
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- The attendance records, available on a digital application, evidenced that children had not been signed out on the 18/03/2025 and 19/03/2025. This may pose a risk to a child in the event of an emergency or in the event of a child leaving the service unsupervised. In conversation, the staff member stated this was an error and it should have been completed
Provider's corrective action:
- Staff have been reminded of the requirement of signing children in and out of the service each day. This now forms part of the end of session checklist to ensure that all children have been signed in and out
Regulation 25 — First aid
- 2. (b) The inspectors observed that the following supplies were missing from the first aid box: • Plasters x 20 • Sterile eye pad x 1 • Wound dressings in sizes medium x 2, large x 2 and extra-large x 2. • Sterile water 500ml x 2 • Burn dressing x 1 • Crepe bandage x 1
Provider's corrective action:
- 2. (b) All missing supplies have now been replaced. The first aid box will be checked on a regular basis
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (a) There was no written evidence of recent fire drills having been carried out in the service. The date recorded of the last fire drill was November 2022, posing a risk that the adults and children in the service were unaware of the procedures to be carried out in the event of an emergency or a fire. (b) There was no written maintenance record available of the most recent smoke alarm testing. The certificate presented indicated that the smoke alarms had been fitted in 2018. 4. The procedures to be followed in the event of a fire were not displayed in a conspicuous position in the premises
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) A fire drill was carried out and recorded on 24 March 2025. In future, fire drills will be carried out on a monthly basis as required. Staff and management are aware of the requirement to carry out and maintain records of the monthly fire drills. (b) The smoke alarm was tested on 24 March 2025. Management will ensure that this is carried out on a yearly basis. 4. The procedures to the be followed in the event of a fire are now visible in each care room
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 28.