Inspection of 18 September 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- A sample review of the staff roster indicated that on the following dates, a minimum of two adults were not consistently present throughout the hours of operation, as required: • On 2/9/24, 4/9/24, 5/9/24, 6/9/24, 10/9/24 and 16/9/24, only one adult was present in the service from 5.45pm to 6.00pm. During discussion with the inspectors, the person in charge also stated that on Fridays, only the registered provider was present between 5.30pm and 6.00pm, with approximately two children
Provider's corrective action:
- In her written reply, the person in charge stated that there are now two adults rostered during the hours of operation
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The Garda vetting disclosure available for one of the adults was not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It was acknowledged that, at the time of inspection, updated vetting had been applied for and was awaited. This was also found at the previous inspection on 12 February 2024. The CAPA response at the time outlined that, as a preventive measure, managers would check the staff folders at the end of August each year and note any staff that required vetting renewal. However, this was insufficient as the vetting had expired in March. 2. The risk of unauthorised access to the outdoor play environment at the front of the building was not prevented. The gated entry from the public car park had two bolt locks at varying heights on the interior side, with an additional chain around the top bolt. However, the lower bolt had been secured open with a cable tie and as there was a gap between the gate frame and the hedging, the chain around the upper latch could be accessed and opened through reaching around the gate frame. This issue was also found at the previous inspection. It was noted that the chain around the upper latch had been installed as an additional security measure since the previous inspection, however, it was still possible to open the chain and gain entry, while the children played outdoors. 3. Two unsecured drawers in the Pre pre-school room contained items which posed a risk of injury to a child. There were plastic aprons in the lower drawer and disposable gloves and a roll of plastic in the top drawer, which posed a risk of suffocation to a child. A pair of scissors were also accessible in the top drawer. It was acknowledged that a restrictive opening device was installed on the lower drawer once this was brought to the attention of a staff member and that the items were removed from the other drawer. Infection Control: 4. During discussion, staff confirmed that perishable snacks belonging to the children who attended the ECCE care rooms were not refrigerated before the mid-morning snack, as required, which increased the risk of food spoilage. 5. Hygienic storage of sleep equipment and linen was not ensured in the Pre pre-school room, which increased the risk of cross infection. Thirteen stackable beds were openly stored by one of the walls in the care room and were accessible to children. Fitted sheets were already attached to nine of the beds, which further increased the risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The written reply stated that vetting is now in place for the staff member. As a preventive measure, checking the dates of staff vetting is now listed on the managers checklist and will be completed every two months. 2. The lower bolt is now in operation again and as this cannot be accessed by the general public from the car park, only staff will be able to admit parents or visitors, when the children are playing in this outdoor area. A quote for a keypad operated gate lock is also in process. 3. A child safety lock has been fitted to the drawer. As a preventive measure, ensuring the safe storage of hazardous items has been added to the managers hazard checklist. Infection Control: 4. There is now a new refrigerator in the hallway, for storing the children's perishable snacks. Reference to the storage of snacks in the refrigerator has also been added to the Healthy Eating policy. 5. The reply stated that a new storage cupboard has been ordered to store the floor beds, along with canvas bags for each individual sheet. As a preventive measure, ensuring that beds are stored in the designated storage cupboard and that all sheets are removed and stored in individualised bags, has been added to the Infection Control policy
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 31.