Inspection of 17 January 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(a) There was one staff member working at the service who did not have the required 2 validated references available. (4) There was 1 staff member working at the service who did not have a major award in Early childhood Care and Education
Provider's corrective action:
- (2)(a) A written reference was added to the relevant staff file. The staff member subsequently left employment at the service. (4) Proof of qualifications were submitted from the relevant college for the staff member who required certification following completion of the course
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- BASIC NEEDS 1.The outdoor area was closed as the playground was damaged following a recent storm. Additionally, there was no appropriate outdoor space for children who were not yet walking. This was highlighted in a previous inspection in March 2024. It is acknowledged that on the day following the inspection, photographic evidence was forwarded to the Office of the Early Years Inspectorate, showing evidence that the outside area was cleaned, all broken furniture was removed, and children had resumed using this area of the service 2. The dignity and privacy of children were not ensured during nappy changing. Three children from the Toddler room were taken to the changing room together, where they had to stand and wait for their turn while each child was changed, one at a time. This procedure did not meet the required standard of changing only one child at a time
Provider's corrective action:
- 1.All repair works were completed in the outdoor area and the facility was reopened for the children. Plans to establish a separate safe area for the younger children were in progress. 2. The nappy changing policy at the service was reviewed. Children no longer must wait their turn in this area of the service. A copy of the new procedure was displayed in the changing area to remind staff of the updated policy
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all staff members. However, for 1 staff member the vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2.Due to the closure of the outdoor play area since December 9th, 2024, children were taken on short walks around the business park. However, these areas were unsafe due to high traffic in the surrounding car parks, presenting a potential danger to the children. 3 During the inspection, the laundry room door was propped open with a clothes horse, preventing it from closing. The door was not properly secured to prevent children from entering the room. Additionally, the washing machine and dryer lacked childproof locks, creating an unsafe environment as children could potentially access this area. Infection Control: 4. In one of the Toddler nappy changing areas, the hot water tap was broken, leaving only cold water available at the sink next to the changing unit. Thermostatically controlled hot water was not available to ensure hygienic hand washing, and to reduce the risk of cross infection. 5.The service did not adhere to its own Nappy Changing policy, which included: • Wearing fresh gloves for each change. • Washing hands before and after each change. • Cleaning and drying the changing mat after each use. During the observation, the changing mat was only cleaned at the start and not again after subsequent changes. The staff member used the same gloves and apron for all three changes, and neither the staff member nor the children washed their hands before returning to the room, which increased the risk of cross-contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. In adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’, the required renewal application of Garda vetting for 1 staff member was completed. 2.Childrens outings are now once a month, and these walks are not through busy areas within the Business Park. 3.The laundry room is now locked, and the area is inaccessible to the children attending the service. Infection Control: 4.Repair works were completed on the broken tap. 5. The staff were retrained on the Nappy Changing Policy
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28.