Inspection of 7 April 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a)There were no written references available for one adult. A second written reference provided for another adult was not validated. (4) There was no evidence available to confirm if an adult who worked directly with the children held the required qualification or a qualification deemed by the minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
- (2)(a) Two written references were obtained for one adult. A second written reference was validated for another adult. Recruitment process reviewed, check list of documents carried out by the manager before onboarding new employees, monthly audit of staff files will be carried out to ensure compliance. (4) Email to Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) requesting a letter of recognition of qualification. Practitioner will work in the afterschool room until the letter of recognition of qualification is received
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) The rest areas in Pre-school 3 and the Toddler rooms were unsuitable. The mats provided were thin and not padded and therefore did not afford the children adequate comfort
Provider's corrective action:
- New mats & cushions placed in preschool 3 and Toddler room to ensure area is comfortable for the children. Team is engaging in training with Better Starts concentrating on indoor/outdoor environments for the children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures available for two adults were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting.’ 2. The required maintenance had not been completed for the smoke alarm. The last maintenance record for the fire fighting equipment was dated June 2023.This posed a potential safety risk the equipment may not be effective in the event of a fire in the building. 3. The following hazards were observed in the outdoor area. (a) A screw was protruding from a wooden train posing a potential injury risk. (b) The wood was worn on the surface of the wooden train exposing wood splinters posing a potential injury risk. (c) Sharp corners on the mesh cover for the trellis were exposed posing a potential injury risk. 4. In the Toddler room and sanitary area the following safety issues were identified. (a) The seam was torn on the couch and foam was exposed posing a potential inhalation risk. (b) In the sanitary area there was a loose radiator beside the sink posing a potential injury risk. (c) In the sanitary area wooden shelves were stacked against the wall posing a potential injury risk. Infection Control: 5. In the sanitary area used by Pre-School 3 room the two pedal bins provided were broken posing a potential infection control risk. 6. In Pre-School room 3 the covers on the two soft chairs were torn and could not be cleaned effectively. 7. In the Wobbler room staff did not wash their hands after children’s noses were cleaned. 8. In the sanitary area used by the Toddler room the extractor fan was covered in dust posing a risk of diminished ventilation. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Garda Vetting for two adults completed. Manager will conduct monthly check of staff files to ensure vetting applications are completed in full within the required time frame to prevent garda vetting going out of date. 2. The required maintenance of the smoke alarms and firefighting equipment completed. Fire equipment company employed to carry out regular maintenance of smoke alarms and firefighting equipment. 3. (a)-(b) Wooden train removed from the outdoor area. (c)Trellis removed from the outdoor area and new mesh covering installed. Practitioners will conduct daily garden checks to ensure upkeep of outdoor area and equipment. 4. (a) New couch installed in the toddler room. (b) Radiator in sanitary area secured. (c) Shelves removed from the sanitary area. Care room audits conducted monthly by practitioners to ensure items showing wear & tear are replaced in a timely fashion. Monthly maintenance list compiled by the manager for the maintenance team to ensure regular work carried out. Infection control policy reissued to team & in house training carried out on the importance of ensuring furnishings are kept in good repair. Infection Control: 5. New pedal bins replaced installed in preschool 3 sanitary area. 6. The soft chairs removed from preschool 3 and replaced with a new couch. 7. The infection control policy reissued to all team members, in house training on infection control given & management are carrying out spot checks to ensure compliance. 8. Extractor fan in toddler room sanitary area cleaned
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 26.