Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Safe Sleep: The temperature recorded by the service at 12.30pm in the Wobbler sleep room was 24°C with 12 children sleeping in the room. This posed a safety risk to the children. The recommended sleep temperature for children under the age of 2 years is 16-20°C. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Safe Sleep: A digital thermometer is now in place in the sleep room to accurately record the room temperatures. The air conditioning unit within the sleep room will be used to cool the room and this will remain on during the children’s nap time. A permanent air conditioning system in use in other care rooms in the service will be added to the sleep room
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28.
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: (1) Garda vetting was available for 25 staff members. However, one person’s vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It is acknowledged that the service was in process of applying for this renewal. Infection Control: (2) Soft furnishings in the rest areas of Montessori blue and Toddler room were worn with exposed foam resulting in inefficient cleaning posing an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider In a written response he registered provider stated:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting received for the adult. Garda vetting will be reapplied for every 3 years Infection Control: 2. The soft furnishings where foam was exposed has now been disposed of. New cushions have been ordered and proof of purchase sent to the inspectorate. We will dispose of any furnishings with foam exposed
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
(1) The registered provider did not ensure that children attending the sessional room were checked in and out on the week of the 2nd of December. This poses a safety risk in the case of a fire or emergency evacuation knowing the number of children in the building
Provider's corrective action:
In a written response the registered provider stated: Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The register will be completed each morning when children arrive and leave. Staff have been informed of the importance of signing children in and out of the building
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 22, 27.
Inspection of 22 November 2023 — Inspection Report
(d) There was no international police vetting documentation available on file for one staff member who had lived outside of the State for a period longer than six consecutive months as adult. This requirement was also found to be non-complaint on the previous inspection of 7 December 2022
Provider's corrective action:
International police vetting has been received
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) (2) The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum ratio of adults to children was maintained at all times as evidenced by the following: 1. During the staff lunch period from approximately 12.10pm until 12.50pm, there were 14 children in the wobbler room being cared for by 2 staff members. The children were aged 1-2 years. The required ratio of adults to children for this age group is one adult to every five children therefore one additional adult was required to be present and caring for this number of children
Provider's corrective action:
1. Staff will stick to their allotted breaks as per the rota, you could see that we had adequate staff to adhere to the ratios and regulations, but one staff member went on lunch early. We will ensure that staff will adhere to their lunchtime break times
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Medication for children was observed to be stored in the refrigerator in both the wobbler and toddler room. Both refrigerators were low level and unsecured therefore were accessible to children posing a safety risk. 2. The highchairs used in the wobbler room were not equipped with a five-point safety harness as required. They also did not have a stable footrest for children to sit comfortably while eating. 3. The running water temperature at one of the wash hand basins in the nappy changing unit between the wobbler and Montessori 1 rooms measured above the safe maximum limit of 43°C. The water temperature when measured by the inspector was 44.2°C. It is acknowledged that a second wash hand basin with thermostatically controlled warm water was available in the area however both wash hand basins were required to comply with regulation given the number of children attending. Infection Control: 4. The nappy changing process observed in the wobbler and Montessori 1 rooms did not promote effective infection control practices and presented a risk of cross contamination as evidenced by the following; • Staff members did not routinely wear a protective apron when changing children’s nappies. • Staff did not remove their disposable gloves and protective aprons prior to dressing children. • Staff members were observed on occasion, to return children to the care room and escort another child to the nappy changing area while wearing the protective apron and disposable gloves. • Staff did not always wash their own hands following each nappy change. • Staff did not routinely clean the nappy mat after each child’s use. • Staff members did not always dispose of the soiled nappies immediately. On one occasion there were three soiled nappies sitting on the nappy bench. 5. The soiled nappies were placed into a shoot in a wall, that moves into a large bin. The staff were observed to use a stick to push the soiled nappy into the shoot. The wooden stick was not observed to be routinely cleaned after each use, therefore posing a risk of cross contamination. The stick was also not sealed in a way to allow for effective cleaning after each use. This is a recurring non-compliance from the previous inspection on 7 December 2022. 6. There was an accumulation of dust and dirt on the bench under the nappy mat posing an infection control risk. 7. It is acknowledged that staff, when questioned, demonstrated an understanding and awareness of the services procedure for the management of toys that children placed in their mouth. However, in the wobbler room, one child placed a number of toys in their mouth while playing, none of which were removed by the staff for cleaning and sterilising. 8. The soft floor mats in the wobbler room were stained and required cleaning to prevent the risk of cross infection, particularly as the children in this room spend a significant amount of time playing on the floor. 9. The waste disposal bin in the toddler room was not foot pedal operated, thus posing a risk of infection control when disposing of waste. Administration of Medication: 10. While the medication administration records recorded parental consent for administration, there was no evidence that parent had been informed of medication administration after each administration. It is acknowledged that a phone call is made to parents prior to administration and verbally informed on collection of the child however a written record is required. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Fridge locks were put on the two fridges. 2. We purchased 7 new highchairs that meet regulations. 3. The temperature in the sink has been reduced by 1.5deg in one sink Infection Control: 4. The policy has been updated to increase infection control practices. See attached. All staff are aware of this. 5. A new nappy bin has been purchased in both nappy changing rooms so the nappy shoot is no longer used. 6. Staff have been advised to ensure under the changing mat is checked more regularly and cleaned 7. All staff have been made aware to remove toys when children put them in their mouth and put them in the container for cleaning. 8. New floor mats have been purchased for the wobbler room. 9. The waste disposal bin in the toddler room has been changed to a foot operated bin. Administration of Medication: 10. Parents are now asked to initial medication form at the end of the day to ensure they are aware that their child has received medication