Inspection of 10 April 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1) The inspector observed that three children’s interactive toy computers in use in the Pre-school 4 care room were not working, reducing the enjoyment and learning experiences of the children. In conversation, the staff member stated that they had tried changing the batteries however this had not worked
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statement was received from the registered providers; (1) The defective toy computers were removed from the Pre-school 4 care room and replaced with new battery operated toys to ensure positive learning experiences for all children. The method of disinfecting battery operated toys has been revised and a repair log book is now available for staff to record faulty equipment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: (1) There were seven highchairs available in the Wobbler care room. Three of the highchairs were in operation, two of which were observed to have no shoulder harnesses in use, posing a risk that a child could climb out over the top of the highchairs. In conversation, a staff member stated that a shoulder harness had been missing from one highchair for some time and the other highchair had shortened straps which were not long enough to reach around the child’s shoulders. (2) A mechanism in use to secure the fire exit door in the sleep area of Rest Room two in Pre-school 3 care room was ineffective. A bar which connected it to the contact point on the opposite side was missing, posing a safety issue should a child open the door and exit the building unsupervised. (3) A shatterproof tiled mirror in the Wobbler care room had tiles with broken edges, posing a safety risk should a child catch or trap their fingers on one of the sharp edges. (4) Two light storage units in the Pre-school 4 care room were not anchored, posing a risk of them tipping or falling on a child. (5) There were two aerosol cans within reach of children on a sill above the children’s changing table in the nappy changing area of the Pre-school 4 sanitary area. (6) There was a large, unsecured, adult sized castle frame in the Pre-school 1 care room, posing a tipping hazard to the children. Infection Control: (7) The inspector observed that there was no sterilising fluid in the containers for soothers or mouthed toys in the Wobbler and Pre-school 3 care rooms. This potentially poses a risk of cross infection from children leaving down and picking up mouthed toys and soothers which had been in use by other children. Staff stated the sterilising fluid is not in use at all times. (8) There was no hot water available in the Wobbler/Pre-school 3 changing area. The temperature of the water of the thermostatically controlled water in the adult sink was recorded as 14.7°C and the temperature of the water in the children’s sink was 10.8°C, reducing the risk of hygienic handwashing. (9) The nappy changing bin in operation in the Pre-school 4 nappy changing area was not pedal operated, posing a risk of cross infection and contamination from the lifting of the lid after each nappy change. In conversation, the manager furnished the inspector with a copy of an order which had been made to replace the nappy changing bin. (10) The nappy changing mat in the Pre-school 4 changing area table was torn and the foam was exposed, making it difficult to clean effectively. When informed the manager changed the mat immediately. (11) The two blue rest mats on the floor of the Pre-school 1 rest/quiet area were frayed at the edges making them difficult to clean effectively. (12) The stackable beds in use after lunch in the Pre-school 3 care room were not placed more than 50 cm apart, posing a risk of cross contamination from being too close to the child next to them. Fire Safety: (13) There was a cot blocking the fire exit door in the Wobbler sleep room, posing a safety risk in the event of an emergency. In addition, there was equipment stored on the floor posing a tripping hazard. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- The following statements were received from the registered provider; General Safety: (1) The two high chairs without harnesses were removed and two new high chairs are now available in the Wobbler care room. The staff have been asked to report any broken equipment to management and a repair log book is now available to record same. Management will conduct weekly checks to ensure the high chairs are in a good state of repair. (2) The mechanism used to secure the fire door in Rest Room two in Pre-school 3 care room has been replaced. Management will conduct weekly checks to ensure that all mechanisms are in working order. (3) The tiles on the shatterproof tiled mirror in the Wobbler care room have been replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management if the tiles need replacing and the repair log is available to record same. The repair log will be checked regularly by management. (4) The two light storage units in the Pre-school 4 care room have been securely anchored. Management will check weekly to ensure all storage units are securely anchored. (5) The two aerosol cans, within reach of the children in the Pre-school 4 sanitary area, were removed. Staff have been reminded to store aerosol cans out of reach of the children. Management will check weekly that this is being carried out. (6) The adult sized children’s castle frame in the Pre-school 1 care room has been secured. Management will ensure that all equipment that is required to be anchored will be secured before the children access to the equipment. Infection Control: (7) Mouthed toy sterilising containers are now in use in the Wobbler and Pre-school 3 care rooms. Staff have been reminded to ensure that mouthed toy sterilising units are replenished each day in order to prevent the spread of infection. Management will carry out checks to ensure that this is done. (8) A plumber was called and the blown fuse which had caused the issue of no hot water in the Wobbler/Pre- school 3 changing area was replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management should there be an issue with the temperature of the water. A repair log book is now available for staff to record same and this will be checked by the management team regularly. (9) The nappy changing bin in operation in the Pre-school 4 nappy changing area was replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. (10) The nappy changing mat in the Pre-school 4 changing area table was replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. A repair log is now available to record any repair/replacement issues. (11) The two blue rest mats on the floor of the Pre-school 1 rest/quiet area were removed and new ones have been ordered. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. A repair log is now available to record any repair/replacement issues. (12) The stackable beds in use after lunch in the Pre-school 3 care room are reviewed daily by staff to ensure that they there is a minimum of 50 cm between each one. Fire Safety: (13) The cot blocking the fire exit door in the Wobbler sleep room has been repositioned and the toys have been removed
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) (1) The laminate material on the front of the kitchen door, under the sink, in the Pre-school 2 care room was not maintained in a good state of repair. The inspector observed that it was peeling off and in conversation staff stated the door had been repaired a number of times previously. (2) The handle, on one of the windows of the Pre-school 4 care room, was broken making it difficult to open and close the window effectively, without the handle falling off. (3) The hot and cold water taps in one wash hand basin, in use in the Pre-school 1 sanitary area, would not turn off and water was dripping constantly from both
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) (1) The doors under the sink in the Pre-school 2 care room have been replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. A repair log is now available to record any repair/replacement issues. (2) The handle on the window of the Pre-school 4 care room was replaced. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. A repair log is now available to record any repair/replacement issues. (3) The washers on the tap in the Pre-school 1 sanitary area, were replaced by the plumber. Staff have been reminded to inform management of any equipment which needs replacing. A repair log is now available to record any repair/replacement issues
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 22, 25, 26, 28.