The following vetting information was unavailable for inspection: (2) (a) Evidence of the validation of one reference from a past employer was required for one adult. (c) The garda vetting documents on file for one adult did not meet the regulatory requirements. (d) An International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) was required for one staff member who had lived outside of the state for a period longer than six months as an adult
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (2) (a) The written reference for the staff member in question has been validated. A checklist has been devised which will be completed before an employee commences employment in the service and approved by the Manager. (c) Updated Garda vetting documents were obtained for the adult. The service has devised a Garda vetting schedule which clearly shows when employees must be re -vetted and will submit applications in a timely manner. A checklist will be completed before an employee commences employment in the service and approved by the Manager. (d) The staff member has applicated for an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) which may take up to 20 days to be issued. The certificate will be submitted to the Inspectorate on receipt. A question relating to international police vetting requirements will be included in all future interviews. A checklist will be completed before an employee commences employment in the service and approved by the Manager
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for twenty adults. However, the vetting disclosure for one staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. A waste bin provided in the Preschool sanitary unit was not the required foot pedal operated bin to prevent the spread of infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service advised in a written response:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. An application for Garda vetting was submitted however the staff member has now left the service. The service has devised a Garda vetting schedule which clearly show when employees must be re-vetted, and staff will submit applications in a timely manner. Infection Control: 2. A foot pedal operated bin has been provided in the Preschool sanitary area. Regular checks will be conducted on the bins in each room and sanitary areas to ensure that the bin is pedal operated and functioning correctly
(a) There were no written validated references on file for one adult and a second written validated reference was required for another adult. Two written validated references were required for a further three adults as the information provided did not meet the requirements of the regulation. There was no evidence provided of the validation of a written reference for one adult. (d) The international police vetting on file for one staff was not the International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) required for this staff member. There were gaps in employment/experience histories for two adults and it was unable to be verified if international police vetting was required for these periods of time. (4) There was insufficient evidence available to show that the qualifications for one adult met the requirements of the regulation
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action
(a) All references have been obtained and added to staff files. (d) Required documentation has been acquired and added to files. An ICPC application has been made for an adult but will take 20 days to process. (4) The service has received the qualification documentation from the staff member and added it to their file. In future the staff will ensure that upon commencement of employment all required documentation will be gathered and added to their file
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(a) There was no record of employment/experience available on file for one adult
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action
(a) All documents have been obtained for relevant staff member. The staff will ensure all documentation is added to staff file upon commencement of employment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting available for four staff members was not dated within the previous three years and not in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The water temperature of the water at several of the wash hand basins in the sanitary/nappy change areas used by the children ranged from 44.9 to 48.5°C and was above the required maximum level of 43°C. 3. A play activity engaged in by the children and staff sitting in groups in one of the playrooms involved using large and mini-marshmallows and thin wooden sticks to construct different shapes on tables. One of the children was observed to be eating the marshmallows. Marshmallows can cause choking and should not be given to young children. The service’s healthy eating policy also stated that a balanced diet is provided with no sweets. Infection Control: 4. The nappy bins in the lobby, Playschool, Toddler and Baby nappy change areas were operated by handles and were not foot pedal operated as required. 5. A push top bin was provided in the Preschool room sanitary unit and observed to be used by children for the disposal of waste including paper handtowels. 6. A stackable bed was stored in a cot used by children in the Toddler sleep room. Two of the cot sheets on cot mattresses were stained and dirty and required washing. The laundry roster on display detailed that the linen from this sleep room was due to be laundered the next day. 7. The inspectors observed children in the Baby playroom to eat their morning snack of chopped fruit and corncake straight off the table without a plate/bowl provided. 8. Covering on the blue soft seating in the Preschool playroom was torn exposing foam and posed difficulties for cleaning and presented an infection control risk. 9. The aprons/bibs used to protect children’s clothes during paint and messy play activities were stored in a pile on the floor beside the Toddler nappy changing unit and posed an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider advised in a written response that:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting has been obtained for the staff members. The service will ensure Garda vetting is up to date for all staff. 2. A plumbing company have been out to assess the service and have provided a quote for works to rectify the problem. The use of thermostats and regular servicing will be implemented. Thermostats have been fitted, and the temperature has been set to required range. The service will ensure the monitoring and servicing of the thermostats is carried out. 3. All staff have been reminded about the Service’s Healthy Eating Policy and to take care when planning activities to ensure they are adhering to the policies. Infection Control: 4. New pedal operated bins have been ordered. The service will ensure pedal operated bins are the only bins purchased. 5. New pedal operated bins have been ordered. The service will ensure pedal operated bins are the only bins purchased. 6. The sheets were sent to the laundry and fresh linen provided. The service will ensure that staff change dirty linen as soon as necessary. The stackable bed is no longer stored in the cot as demonstrated in a photograph submitted. 7. Bowls are now always provided to children to eat from. 8. New furniture has been ordered. The service will ensure that furniture is maintained in good condition. 9. A labelled storage system has been provided for the aprons. The staff will ensure that all aprons/bibs are stored in a lidded plastic storage box
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The ceiling mechanical ventilation vent in the nappy change area of the Playschool room was very dusty/dirty and required cleaning. There were cobwebs on the wall of the Preschool sanitary area that required cleaning. (e) A storage area off the Playschool room was now being used by staff as a nappy change facility. The area was small and was still used to store large amounts of items including toys, clothes, sweeping brush/pan, files and paperwork
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (d) Cleaning of the vent and removal of the cobwebs has taken place. Regular cleaning of vents and walls will be implemented. (e) The nappy changing unit has been removed, and this area will only be used for storage going forward. The nappy changing unit has been moved to another sanitary area and staff have been reminded to use this facility for children in the Playschool room