Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. The inspector noted that the water temperature in the two sinks in the Daisy room nappy changing area ranged from 45.8°C to 46.3°C and three sinks in the Daffodil room ranged from 46.2°C to 46.6°C. This posed a scalding risk to the children as the water temperature is above 43°C. It is acknowledged that, when brought to the attention of the Deputy, maintenance was contacted, and the water temperature was reduced to below 43°C. Infection control: 2. During the nappy changing procedure in the Daisy room, the inspector observed that a child’s hands were not washed after. This was at variance with the services nappy changing policy which stated that a child’s hands were washed after a nappy change, and this posed a cross-infection risk to the children and staff. 3. A staff member in the Naíonra Poipin room informed the inspector that nappy changing was carried out at regular intervals. The bin used in the nappy changing area was not foot pedal operated. This posed an infection control risk to the children and staff. Administration of medication: 4. The inspector observed that emergency medicine in the Sunflower room that may be required by a child had an expiry date of September 2024. Expired medicine posed a risk to the child should it be needed in an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following statement was made by the registered provider:
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. Maintenance had adjusted the thermostat to reduce the temperature of the water. This is recorded on a weekly water temperature check. A plumber is booked to install a stand-alone pump in the kitchen to ensure all the rooms have water maintained at the correct temperatures. Infection control: 2. The services policy on nappy changing and hand hygiene was circulated to all the team and discussed at the team meeting. The service plans to have more frequent reminders of the policies and procedures and carry out spot checks. 3. A foot pedal operated bin has been purchased. The service put a reporting procedure in place for items needed or to be replaced in the care rooms. Staff have been encouraged to familiarise themselves with the QRF and the service hopes to give staff more time to engage with these resources. Administration of medication: 4. The service has obtained in date medication from the parents and will ensure to return out of date medicine and obtain an in-date supply in the future. A check list has been introduced in the service to check medication
(f) There was no individual care plan available for a child for whom it was required. Not having an individual medical plan available for a child with a chronic illness poses a safety risk for the child as the condition could be mismanaged
Provider's corrective action:
The following statement was received from the registered provider: (f) An individual care plan is now on file for the child with a chronic illness
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
(1) A child under two years of age sleeping in the Daffodil sleep room, who had an individual sleep plan signed by a parent, was observed sleeping on a mat which was not a piece of sleep equipment suitable for their age and stage of development. This could impact on the level of comfort and quality of sleep, as the requirement for children over 15 months, with a sleep plan signed by a parent, is that the floor bed must be fitted with a firm and perfectly fitted mattress designed to fit the specific bed. The mattress must be at least 6 cm in depth
Provider's corrective action:
The following statement was received from the registered provider; (1) Following the inspection, the child turned two years old and no longer requires a floor bed. Management are currently sourcing floor beds in the event that they are required in the future for children from 15 months to 2 years who have a risk assessment completed and an individual sleep plan in place
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
(1) The inspector observed that children in the Bluebell Preschool room only had access to water at designated meal times. In conversation, staff stated that there is no water provided other than at designated meal times. Water should be available and accessible at all times
Provider's corrective action:
(1) The water station in the Bluebell room has been reinstated to ensure that water is available to the children at all times. Management will check weekly to ensure the water stations are in operation in the care rooms and that children can access the water at all times. Regular reminders will be sent to staff regarding same
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: (1) The internal door of the Bluebell Preschool room was not secured posing a safety risk should a child leave the room unsupervised. (2) There were large volumes of water on the tarpaulin and in the toy box of the outdoor area of the Bluebell Pre-school area, posing a safety risk to the children. Infection Control: (3) One of the soap dispensers in the hand basin of the children’s toilet area in the Bluebell Preschool care room was not working, posing a risk of ineffective handwashing and the spread of infection as a result. (4) Two sofas and one corner chair in the rest area of the Bluebell Preschool room had exposed foam making them difficult to clean effectively. (5) Two chairs in the Daisy care room had exposed foam making them difficult to clean effectively. (6) The air vent in the children’s toilet cubicle in Naionra Poipin was covered in dust impeding the circulation of fresh air. Administration of Medication: (7) Staff in the Bluebell Pre-school room stated they had not received training on how to administer medication to a child with a chronic illness, posing a safety risk should staff fail to administer the medication properly and the child become unwell as a result. This was in conflict with the service’s sickness/illness and exclusion policy. The policy states with regards to administering prescribed medication “it is the creche’s responsibility to ensure that they are proficient before undertaking the task”. Fire Safety: (8) Fire doors in both the Snowdrop Nursery and Daisy sleep rooms were obstructed with cots, preventing the quick evacuation of children and adults in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
The following statements were received from the registered provider: General Safety: (1) The registered provider will ensure that a safety device is fitted to the internal door of the Bluebell Pre- school room to ensure that the children do not leave the building unsupervised. (2) The water was removed immediately, and the toy box was disposed of in the Bluebell Pre-school outdoor play area. Staff have been reminded to seek assistance to remove the water in a timely manner. Infection Control: (3) The soap dispenser in the sanitary are of the Bluebell Pre-school care room has been replaced. (4) (5) The soft furnishings with exposed foam in the Bluebell Pre-school and Daisy care rooms were removed immediately. New furnishings are currently being sourced. (6) The air vent in the children’s toilet cubicle in Naionra Poipin has been cleaned. The registered provider will follow up with maintenance to ensure that the cleaning of the air vents is carried out weekly. Administration of Medication: (7) The registered provider will ensure that staff receive appropriate training for administering medication. Fire Safety: (8) The cots in the Snowdrop Nursery and Daisy sleep rooms have been repositioned to ensure that the fire exits remain unobstructed