(2)(d) While out of state police vetting was available for new two staff members, police vetting was not available for one new staff member who had lived outside of the country for a period longer than six consecutive months
Provider's corrective action:
Out of state police vetting was applied for one staff member. Service will ensure all vetting is completed for new staff members prior to commencement of employment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety, and welfare of child
General safety: 1. There was a loose blind cord on one of the windows in the sleep room which posed a risk to children. Infection control: 2. The vinyl on one of the nappy changing mats was split. This posed a risk of cross contamination due to not being able to be cleaned properly. 3. There was exposed timber on one of the sets of children’s steps in the nappy changing room. This posed a risk of cross contamination due to not being able to be cleaned properly. 4. There were three open jars of barrier cream in the ‘creams’ drawer in the nappy changing area. The creams were not labelled with the name of the child on whom they were to be used or marked with the date they were opened. Creams should be labelled with the name of the child to prevent cross contamination and marked with the date the jar was opened to avoid using creams past their opened shelf-life. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: 1. Blind cord has been secured. Infection control: 2. Vinyl on changing matt has been replaced. 3. The steps in the nappy changing room have been painted. 4. All creams have been labelled for individual children. Regular maintenance and upkeep checks now in place
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 16, 21, 22, 25, 26.
Immediate action notice. This inspection was triggered by receipt of information to the Inspectorate. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) regarding absence of a Garda Vetting disclosure, which was not available for one staff member, was issued on the day of inspection. It is acknowledged that an adequate response to the Immediate Action Notice was received on the evening of the inspection.
Immediate action notice. The inspection focused on an examination of compliance under regulations 9, 11, 19, 23, 27, and 32, however, on inspection additional non-compliance which posed a risk was identified under Regulation 25. These findings are outlined within the relevant regulation within this report. A sampling process was used under regulations 19, 23, 27 and 32. The scope of the inspection included observation in the four classrooms and inspection of the outdoor play area.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)(b) The inspectors reviewed 15 staff files including the files for 3 auxiliary staff members. While it is acknowledged that validated references were available for 14 staff members, there were no references available for 1 staff member. (c) While Garda vetting was available for 14 staff members, an immediate action notice was issued as Garda vetting was not available for one staff member. (3) On review of the staff file, records demonstrated that adequate vetting procedures had not been carried out prior to three staff members being employed in the service. Garda vetting was not in place prior to three staff members being employed
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded with the following corrective and preventive actions. Corrective and Preventive Action 2 (a)(b)(c) References unavailable for one staff- the person will not be on the premises until Garda vetting and references have been supplied and validated. All references and vetting will be validated prior to anyone commencing employment. (3) The registered provider states that Garda vetting was in place for the three staff members who had left the service and returned
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The inspector observed several overhanging thorny briar branches, on which a child may catch and injure themselves, in the back corner of the outdoor play area, next to the insect hotel. 2. Garda vetting was available for 14 staff members, however, 1 of the 14 vetting disclosures available was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. Infection Control: 1. The inspectors observed three rubbish bins that were not pedal operated and had lids that had to be lifted to place rubbish inside. These were in the following areas- senior Montessori room, children’s toilets and staff toilet. The handling of the lids increased the potential risk of spreading infection in the service. 2. There was a straight tear observed in the pink couch in the Senior Toddler room, which exposed the inner foam stuffing. This posed a potential risk of infection as the couch could not be disinfected effectively. Safe Sleep: 1. None of the eight mattresses inspected in the cots were waterproof or had waterproof covers as recommended for safe sleep in line with what the service’s safe sleep policy states and with safe sleep and infection control recommendations. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider has submitted the following response
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The overhanging branches were removed immediately. The owners of the adjoining field and ditch have been contacted to remove the ditch, in order to prevent the risk of any overhanging branches in the future. 2. Garda Vetting had been applied for and was returned on the 23rd of January. Service will ensure to re- apply for garda vetting at least 12 weeks before the three-year expiration date to allow for delays in the vetting processes. Infection Control: 1. Bins replaced with pedal bins. 2. Couch replaced. Safe Sleep: 1. All mattresses and mattress covers have been replaced
Regulation 25 — First aid
1. Two staff members, who had up to date First Aid Responder (FAR) training, were not available to the children at all times in case of an emergency. On a review of the staff roster for the week beginning 6 January 2025, there were no First Aid responders available to the children at the following times: • Monday from 7.30am to 8am and 5.30pm to 6.30pm • Tuesday from 7.30am to 9am and 6pm to 6.30pm • Wednesday from 7.30am to 9am and 5pm to 6.30pm • Thursday from 7.30am to 8am and 5pm to 6.30pm • Friday from 7.30am to 8am and from 5.30pm to 6.30pm However, it is acknowledged that the registered provider has First Aid Responder training booked for eight staff members for three dates in February 2025
Provider's corrective action:
1. Rota altered so that there is always a staff member with FAR on the premises. Eight staff members will be certified in FAR by the end January 2025
(2)(a)(b) Two references which were available for one staff member from either a past employer, or from a reputable source had not been validated by the registered provider. This non-compliance was previously identified on inspection 11 September 2023 and the preventative actions as stated by the provider “The designated person will ensure this process is completed prior to any new employees starting” did not prevent a reoccurrence. (4) It is acknowledged that a provisional statement of results was available for one staff member, however it could not be determined if this documentation met the minimum qualification requirements as detailed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a)(b) (4) The staff member has ceased employment in the service. Designated person will ensure that all new employee reference checks are completed prior to employment commencing and submit correct qualification requirements
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. The mattress protector on one mattress did not fit correctly and foam from the mattress was exposed. This posed a risk choking as a child could potentially break off exposed foam. A potential risk of cross contamination was also posed as effective cleaning could not be completed. This non-compliance was previously identified on inspection on 14 September 2022 and 11 September 2023. 2. Two bins in the junior Montessori room were unlidded, this may lead to cross contamination; foot pedal operated lidded bins are required to address this risk. This non-compliance was previously identified on inspection on 11 September 2023. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. Mattress Protector replaced. All staff have been reminded to be extra vigilant in checking mattress protectors when putting children down for their sleep. 2. New bins have been purchased. All staff members will inform management/maintenance of any bins that need to be replaced, and this will be completed immediately