(4) The documentation available for inspection regarding the qualification for a staff member who worked directly with the children was insufficient to show that the qualification met the regulatory requirements
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in writing that:
Corrective and Preventive Action Clarification in relation to the qualification was sought from the relevant bodies however the staff member left the service before a final outcome was received. In future, the manager will conduct a more through review of qualifications. In cases where a full qualification certificate may not be available, the manager will seek confirmation from the relevant Government department to ensure the service remains compliant with all regulatory requirements and the documentation will be kept on file for inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: • Garda vetting available for one staff member 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’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service advised in writing that:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: • Garda vetting was applied for the team member on the day of the inspection. Renewed vetting for the team member was received from the appropriate body on 19 March 2025. The manager will apply for all outstanding vetting due for expiry in 2025.The manager will then review garda vetting in January of each year and organise the timely renewal of Garda vetting for team members
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) The mechanical ventilation system in the nappy changing area on the ground floor did not appear to be working correctly on the day of inspection as evidenced by the strong malodour at 11.34am
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in writing that: (c) Corrective and Preventive Action The caretaker cleaned around the ventilation extract valve and it appeared to be working correctly. A maintenance company then inspected the ventilation system and it was found to be working efficiently. The caretakers will clean the ventilation extract valves once every quarter and check that the ventilation system is working. In the event the ventilation system is not working, it will be serviced
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 16, 25, 27, 28.
(a) A second written, validated reference from a past employer was required for one staff member for whom a reference from a source other than a past employer had been obtained. Neither of the references from past employers for a second adult had been obtained from the staff member’s most recent employer as required under the regulation
(a) The service’s training policy detailed that during induction staff would be familiarised with essential policies and that each staff being inducted, and existing staff would complete a record template in relation to receipt of policies. Discussion with staff found that some staff had not been forwarded the service’s policies and procedures. Review of records found that there was no record to demonstrate that some staff had received the service’s policies and received training in relation to the policies. The staff induction records did not demonstrate that the service’s induction training as described in the service policy had been fully completed. The service’s staff supervision policy stated that all staff members must have regular and consistent supervision and detailed that supervision meetings will be scheduled every six weeks. However, the staff supervision records available showed that the last recorded staff supervision meeting was held on the 10 November 2022 in the service. There was no detailed formal mechanism in place for the supervision of some staff member
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action
(a) A second written reference from a previous employer has been provided to the manager and verified. At the time of inspection, a written reference had been requested from the most recent employer for another staff member, and this was provided to the manager the day after inspection. The manager will ensure that references sought are from previous employers, not work placements. Once notice has been given from new employees to their most recent employers, the manager will request that a written reference is provided and verified prior to beginning in the service
(a) The policies and procedures have been emailed to all staff including those who had not yet received them. All team members have signed a document to show they have read the service policies. The staff induction record has been reviewed, and all new team members have been brought up to date in their induction in line with the service training policy. The staff supervision policy has been revised to reflect a more achievable timeline of providing support and supervision once every quarter. Staff support and supervision meetings have commenced and are due to be completed with all team members and the manager in three weeks. All new team members will be emailed the policies and procedures of the service by the manager upon hiring for any new position in the service. The manager will ensure that time is given to complete the induction training and records with each new employee. The manager will ensure that the support and supervision is completed once every quarter, as stated in the policy
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
(m) The outdoor play policy did not contain details of the grass outdoor play area used by the service accessed via the community centre carpark. (u) The supervision policy did not detail how supervision would be provided for all of the staff members
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action (m) The outdoor play policy has been reviewed and updated to include the sensory garden . The service policies will be reviewed annually and updated as needed. (u) The supervision policy has been updated to include how supervision will be carried out for all staff. The service policies will be reviewed annually and updated as needed. The manager will pay particular attention to the timeframes set out in the policies ensuring timeframes are met
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(2) Between 13:59 and 14:14 hours one staff member cared for eleven children aged from three to five years attending full day care services in the Early Preschool room. The required adult to child ratio for this age range of children is one adult to each eight children and a second adult was required
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action (2) A team meeting was held with a particular focus on supervision. During this meeting the manager also stressed the importance of communication during handovers and meeting the correct ratios. The manager will ensure that adequate staffing levels are maintained in accordance with meeting the required staff / child ratios per room
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(k) Accident and incident forms had not yet been fully completed and signed by parents in relation to an incident notified to Tusla by the service involving two children on the 3 April 2024
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action (k) The accident and incident forms were completed and signed by the parents. Parents were provided with a copy for their records. Accident and incident reports will be completed on the day the incident occurs and signed by the parents in a timely fashion
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An incident occurred in the service on the 3 April 2024 and was notified to Tusla by the service. On inspection a review of written records and discussion with staff members found the following: • the main entrance door to the service had been left open and unattended at the time of the incident; • the internal entrance door to the Baby room had been left open and unattended at the time of the incident. Since the incident the following actions have been put in place: (a) The main entrance door to the service is to be secured at all times when not opened to allow people to enter or leave the service. (b) The internal entrance door to the Baby room is to be secured at all times when not opened to allow people to enter or leave the playroom. On inspection these actions were observed to be operational and effective. 2. The service’s accident and incident policy states that a risk assessment will be completed following any accident or incident to prevent an accident reoccurring and to take corrective action. There was no written risk assessment undertaken by the service available following a notifiable incident that occurred in the service on the 3 April 2024. Infection Control: 3. It was observed that staff in the Baby room did not change the plastic protective aprons in between nappy changes during the inspection. Outing: 4. The service’s outings policy stated that risk assessments will be carried out for outings however there was no written risk assessment available for each outing undertaken by the service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service advised in a written response:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The front door and internal entrance to the Baby room door continues to be secured at all times. All team members will ensure that the front door and internal room doors remain secured to ensure the safety of the children in the service. A sign is put up for visual reminder. 2. A risk assessment specific to the incident was completed following inspection. The manager will ensure that risk assessments are regularly reviewed, reflected on and updated as needed to ensure the safety of the children in the service. Infection Control: 3. A staff meeting was held in which team members were reminded to change aprons after every nappy change. A sign was placed in the changing area for reminder. The manager will reflect on policies and procedures with staff in team meetings to ensure that everyone is carrying out best practice in the service. Outing: 4. Risk assessments were carried out for each outing which takes place outside of the service’s building. The manager will ensure that risk assessments are carried out for any outings outside of the service and reflect on and update current risk assessments as needed
Regulation 25 — First aid
(b) The service’s accident and incident policy details that a fully equipped first aid box is available on outings however during discussion between the inspectors and staff it was confirmed that first aid equipment was not always brought on outings off the premises
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action
(b) The manager has purchased additional first aid equipment. The manager has placed a sign in each room with an outing checklist. The team will always bring their backpack with first aid equipment on all outings. All team members have been informed
Regulation 27 — Supervision
Review of records and discussion with staff members found that the supervision of children in the Baby room did not meet the regulatory requirements at the time of a recent incident on the 3 April 2024 notified to Tusla by the service
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action A staff meeting took place on the 15 April 2024 with a particular focus on supervision and effective communication between team members. The manager will revisit this again with the team in the next team meeting. The manager will communicate this with any new team members during induction, to ensure that all team members communicate effectively
Regulation 28 — Insurance
There was inadequate information available on the insurance policy documents provided for inspection to confirm that the service was insured for outings
Provider's corrective action:
The service advised in a written response: Corrective and Preventive Action The registered provider contacted the service’s insurance company, and the insurance company has detailed their cover for outings. The registered provider will ensure that cover for outings remains on the insurance policy when it is next renewed