Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Two floor mats in the service appeared worn, frayed and dirty posing a trip hazard to preschool children. 2. A fire door was held open with a door stop in the sanitary area in the junior room posing a risk to preschool children in the event of a fire. 3. A sharp kitchen utensil was found in a drawer in the senior preschool room posing a risk to the preschool children. Infection Control: 4. Foot-operated waste bins were not in operation throughout the service on the day of inspection. Bins observed in the preschool rooms and handwashing areas required manual handling to open, which failed to prevent the cross-contamination of hands and posed an avoidable infection control risk to the children attending the service. 5. Hand hygiene practices were inadequate in the senior preschool room. Inspectors observed three separate occasions where children did not wash their hands after using the toilet. Staff failed to prompt or assist the children
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1.Floor mat have been removed and replaced 2. Door stopper has been removed and staff made aware door has to be closed at all times. 3. Kitchen knife has been removed and staff informed to keep out of room. We have had a staff meeting and discussed the non-compliant areas, we have put a plan in place going forward on staff to inform management of any mats etc that need replacing, door stoppers removed and no sharp knifes allowed in any rooms. Infection Control: 4. . We have replaced all bins with new foot pedal bins. 5. We have updated our hand hygiene policy as well as updating the staff on the importance of role modelling and observing hand always washing. In every hand-washing area we have put a visual aid to support children during hand washing. New policy update and staff made aware of the changes going forward
Regulation 25 — First aid
(2) (b) The first aid boxes available to the preschool children were insufficiently stocked with out-of-date equipment (Sterile wipes)
Provider's corrective action:
Out of date sterile wipes have been removed and replaced with in date wipes. Designated person appointed to check First Aid boxes on a regular occurrence
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) • Soft furnishings in the Wobbler room (Pink Matts) appeared frayed, dirty and worn. • The walls in the Junior preschool room required painting. (e) The sanitary washing basins required maintenance due to faulty taps leading to inadequate flow of running water in the following rooms • Senior preschool (sanitary room) • Wobbler room (care room)
Provider's corrective action:
1. Pink mats removed and replaced with new soft mats. Staff have been informed to report if mats are needing freshened or replaced. 2. Painter has been booked for Saturday 1st August leading into the bank holiday weekend to give all rooms a freshen up. 3. Faulty taps have been fixed and have adequate flow of running water. Staff have been encouraged to keep a close eye if children are pulling on taps and report any faults of any inadequate flow of water
(d) Police vetting from the police authorities in another state was not available for two adults who had lived outside the state for a period of six consecutive months or more
Provider's corrective action:
(d) Police vetting submitted for one of the two adults. The second adult is currently awaiting an appointment with the relevant authorities to obtained police vetting documentation from those countries
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) Records pertaining to a staff roster was held for adults working within the service. However, the roster did not record the break times of staff or note who was available to cover the staff breaks. (j) Administration of medication to children was not always adequately recorded. It is noted that parents are communicated to on pick up, and through notebooks that are sent home with children daily. Of the samples reviewed the dosage given, the staff member signature, the signature of the witness to medications given, and the parents signature were not always present
Provider's corrective action:
(i) Rotas now include “Lunch Breaks & Cover” and the staff cover for these breaks. This was explained to all staff during a meeting held on 15/05/2025, explaining this reason for this and to make staff aware of who or where they may be covering a break for another staff member. These are available on hard copy in the office and displayed in the office. (j) All staff were asked to read and reflect on “Administration of Medication” Policy and Procedures during a staff meeting held on 15/05/2025. A discussion was had during this meeting on this and how to implement this in practice. Procedures are now reinforced with no child receiving anti-febrile medication without a phone call made by a member of staff prior to administration. An “Administration of Medication” form is also completed by the staff member administrating the medication and this is to be signed by the parent upon collection of the child. These forms are located on the back of each child’s enrolment form, and these are reviewed by the room leader on a weekly basis to ensure that practices are in line with the “Administration of Medication” Policy. This practice is signed and dated by the room leader
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for two staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. During discussion with staff, it became apparent that some adults were unsure about who was trained in providing first aid to children, should a need arise. Additionally on the day of inspection there was confusion regarding the location of the first aid box, and the inspector was initially directed to the wrong place. The lack of clarity poses a potential risk to children safety, in the event of accident or medical emergency. 3. A low hanging wire was accessible to children in the sleep room. This posed as a safety risk to children. 4. Wooden pallets, and rusted tins were observed in the outdoor area. These posed a risk of snagging and causing injury to a child. 5. Two tall shelving units, one in each of the care rooms, were found to be unsecured and posed a potential risk of injury if they were to tip over. Infection Control: 6. Children who were observed wiping their noses independently did not wash their hands afterwards. This poses a risk of spreading germs and infections among children and staff. 7. A toilet training seat was observed to be hanging from the radiator in the sanitary area. This poses a risk of cross contamination. 8. The sand pits in the outdoor area were left uncovered when not in use, posing as a risk of infection should vermin access it. 9. A nappy changing mat and a child size sofa in the outdoor area were both torn, leaving the internal foam exposed. These items could not be cleaned effectively therefore posing a risk of cross infection. Administration of Medication: 10. On discussion with staff, it was clear that some staff were unaware of children within the care rooms who had medical needs. This could lead to a delay in treatment if required. Fire Safety: 11. A referral was made to the local fire officer in relation to a fire escape door that was found to be locked on inspection with the key in the lock. The door was in the sleep room for children aged under 2. The fire officer confirmed this did not satisfy fire safety conditions. It is acknowledged the lock mechanism was removed the following day. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting Renewals were carried out for these two members of staff and have been completed. Employee file checklists are now carried out every month by Management to ensure that actions can be made in a timelier manner. These checklists are signed and dated by whoever is completing it. 2. First Aid Responders are named on the rota on the days that they are on shift. This was also discussed with all staff at a meeting held of 15/05/2025, when discussing the new layout of the rota. During the staff meeting there was also discussion and clarity given around the location of the first aid box. A label has also been located on this first aid box. The rota gives clarity on who is present on shift. A staff member has now been assigned to carry out the role of First Aid Safety Officer. This role involves the staff member carrying out monthly checks on first aid supplies, the visual representation of the first aid box, checking in with members of staff if they are aware of who first aid responders are on shift that day and reviewing who may need to obtain refreshers in their first aid. 3. This low hanging wire has now been removed. Discussions were had during staff meeting on 15/05/2025 on the importance of removing hazards as soon as possible should be notice these. Management also highlighted the need to inform them of any hazards once they notice these. A Health and Safety Officer is also in place to do monthly checks. 4. The wooden pallets have been removed from the outdoor area. Outdoor areas are checked by members of staff every morning before entering outdoor areas. This is now part of the opening routine. This has been discussed and agreed upon during a staff meeting on 15/05/2025.Health and Safety checks are carried out monthly by the Health and Safety Officer. 5. The shelving units have now been secured to the wall. Health and Safety checks are now carried out on a monthly basis to look for those things that may pose risk to children or adults. Infection Control: 6. Discussions were had during staff meeting on 15/05/2025 on the infection control policy in place. All staff were asked to read over the hand washing and nose wiping section within the infection control policy. This is reinforced daily by room leaders and more child friendly posters available to remind staff and children. Handwashing is part of the routine within rooms, e.g. before meals, after toilet. 7. Toilet training seats have been removed from two of the three toilets. One toilet training seat is located on one of the toilets. This was discussed and clarified during staff meeting on 15/05/2025. Discussions were had during staff meeting about ensuring that the amount of toilet training seats needed are to be reviewed every month as to when and if children need then. Room leaders are responsible for ensuring this happens. 8. Door closures have been made for the sand pit area. These doors are closed when not in use. Signs have been made for these closures to remind staff to close these when not in use. 9. The torn nappy changing mat has been disposed of and a new nappy changing mat is in place. The torn child sized sofa in the outdoor area has also been disposed. Administration of Medication: 10. Leaders have the role of ensuring that all staff within rooms are aware of any medical needs. This is communicated on entry into the room. All medical needs are displayed on the medicine cupboards to allow for a visual display to remind staff. Leaders have been trained in how to effectively deliver this information to others and created visual prompts. A checklist has been created. Fire Safety: 11. The door has been opened, and the key was removed from the area. All staff were made aware of the importance of ensuring this door is not to be locked at any times on 15/04/2025. This door is never locked, and the key is located in the office, away from the location of the fire door. Only management have access to this key
Regulation 27 — Supervision
1. It was observed during nappy changing, at 12:01 and 12:16, children in the baby room were left without direct supervision. Although a viewing panel is installed in the nappy changing area, it does not provide adequate oversight of the room in its entirety or replace the need for active supervision. 2. During a sleep check, the adult left the room to enter the sleep room and children were left unattended. A child became visibly upset after another child interacted with them in an unwanted manner. The safety and wellbeing of all children must be always considered throughout the day. 3. Handwashing and toileting were not consistently supervised by staff to ensure children were following good hygiene practices. Older children were observed using the sanitary facilities and returning to the care room without flushing the toilets or washing their hands. While staff did call out to check if assistance was needed, this approach did not provide effective supervision during these times
Provider's corrective action:
1. Another member of staff is to be made available should a nappy change need to happen when only one member of staff is in the baby room, e.g. a manager can supervise children in the baby room while a nappy is getting change by key worker staff. The routine of the baby room has been changed. Nappy changes are now scheduled when at least two members of staff are in the baby room. 2. More staff have been made available during sleep times. We are currently recruiting for additional staff to specifically support sleep times and lunch cover. 3. Infection control was again discussed during a meeting on 15/05/2025, also looking at Toileting and Supervision Policy. Leaders are reinforcing handwashing and supervision during these periods. Key workers are now taking groups of children to the toilet areas at scheduled times to reduce these incidents, ensuring adequate staffing is available