Inspection of 26 January 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(d) Police vetting was not available for one staff member who had lived in a country other than Ireland for a period of six months or more as an adult
Provider's corrective action:
- (2)(d) The staff member has applied for police vetting. Police vetting will be obtained for all staff who have lived outside of Ireland
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. The programme of activities and availability of toys and materials in the Toddler room was not adequate to support children’s learning and development for example; o No toys or play materials were accessible to the children in the care room; boxes of toys were observed to be stored in a large cupboard inaccessible to the children. o The daily routine showed allocated times for adult led activities for example on the day of inspection the activities were; Circle time 9am-10am, Lego, cars, garage, and construction tools 2pm-3pm and 4pm-5pm home corner, babies and buggies. Children were observed wandering around the room between care practices and were not observed to access any toys until 1:50pm when a staff member took out some ride on cars and buggies. Discussion with the staff showed that toys are kept out of reach to support “room management” however this was observed to instigate minor altercations among the children. o The table and chairs in the room was not accessible to the children between meals as the table was pushed against the wall and the chairs stacked; access to tabletop activities is important for building core strength. This was also observed in the playschool room. The service policy details having defined interest areas an accessibility of toys and equipment to the children to support and encourage learning and development. The structure of the daily programme of activities prevented children from making choices and engaging in spontaneous play experiences which are required for development
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. A new weekly/daily routine has been implemented in the Toddler room. The routine provides choice and more options for the children as to what they would like to do. New shelves were purchased so toys are accessible to the children throughout the day; a kitchen corner and builders’ section have been created. The table and chairs will be left available at all times. This was discussed with staff at the staff meeting. A review of the room will be conducted monthly
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A cable from an electric fan was observed to trail at a level accessible to the children in the Toddler room and posed a risk of injury should the children pull on the flex. Infection Control: 2. Five cot mattresses were observed to be torn at the corners exposing the inner foam. This prevented adequate cleaning and posed an infection control risk. 3. The nappy changing procedure observed was not in line with best practice or the service policy, for example neither the adult or child’s hands were observed to be washed following nappy changing and the nappy changing mat was not cleaned between nappy changes. This increased the likelihood of the spread of infection. 4. Children in the Toddler room did not have their hands washed before dinner which is contrary to the service policy and may increase the spread of infection. 5. The soap dispenser in the Toddler nappy changing area was empty and no other soap was available to support adequate hand hygiene. 6. A child in the Toddler room was observed to access and use a facecloth which had been used to clean another child’s face after dinner, this posed an infection control risk. 7. Two cushions in the cosy area of the Toddler room did not have an easy to clean surface and were visibly soiled. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The fan has been moved to a higher shelf out of reach of the children. All appliances will be secured on high shelves and cables secured out of reach. Infection Control: 2. New mattresses have been ordered. Frequent checks of sleep equipment will be carried out. 3. Staff have been reminded of the nappy changing procedure and a copy of the written procedure emailed to them. Staff will be re-trained regularly on the procedure. 4. Staff have been reminded of the handwashing procedure and a copy of the written procedure emailed to them. Staff will be re-trained regularly on the procedure. 5. Hand soap was replaced on the day of inspection, it had run out in the morning. Staff have been advised to inform management when soap is running low in the dispensers. 6. Facecloths will be placed out of reach of the children once used prior to laundering. 7. The cushions were removed. Soft furnishings will be reviewed on a weekly basis and disposed of if needed
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 22, 24, 29.