1. The outdoor play area at the rear of the premises was not maintained, clean, safe and suitable for children to use on the day of the inspection. This non-compliance was highlighted in the last inspection report dated 09/05/2024 and posed a risk to the health and safety of the children. • Toys, the mud kitchen, ride on bikes and buckets were full of stagnant water and leaves. This posed an infection control hazard. • A box containing earth for sensory play contained stagnant water. • The all-weather surface was covered in moss in different sections and posed a slipping hazard to the children and staff. • A large slide was knocked over. • The gate to the oil tank and coal bunker was open and accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
The outdoor play area was thoroughly cleaned and all hazards were removed to ensure it is safe, hygienic and suitable for childrens use. All equipment, including toys, ride-on bikes, buckets, and the sensory play box, were emptied, cleaned, and disinfected, with contaminated materials removed and replaced as required. The all-weather surface was treated to remove moss and eliminate slip risks. The slide was repositioned and secured to ensure stability. The gate to the oil tank and coal bunker was secured to prevent access. A full risk assessment of the outdoor area and equipment was completed
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 10, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28.
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1)(a) BASIC NEEDS: 1. A documented programme of activities or curriculum plan which demonstrated play as the primary mode of learning and to support childrens learning and development was not available or displayed. 2. There were no sensory play materials such as water or sand available to the children in the playroom or the outdoor play area. Natural play materials such as sand and water enhance childrens motor skills, social and emotional awareness, improve language, speech, spark creativity and improve concepts of science. 3. Childrens names or their pictures were not displayed overhead their coat hooks to promote their independence , self-care skills and support their identity and belonging. 4. Children did not go outdoors to play on the day even though the weather was fine and dry
Provider's corrective action:
The service follows the Aistear curriculum and is an emergent curriculum which follows the child’s interests. Aistear short term and medium-term templates are used for documentations. The outside area was cleaned and the water table is in use once again and cleaned prior to every use. Photographs have been displayed along with the child’s name over their coat hook and this will be the practice on an ongoing basis. Pictures will be taken at the beginning of the school year and displayed over the hook with the child’s name. The outside area has been cleaned after building work and a system in place to check the area before the children arrive each day. Cleaning schedules have also been put in place
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
Adequate and suitable play and work equipment were not available as evidenced by: 1. Both child sized couches in the playroom were torn and stained. 2. The floor mat placed between both couches was dirty and the floor behind the couches was dusty and dirty. 3. The water table in the outdoor play area was filled with dirty water which posed an infection control hazard. 4. There were two large planks of timber and a drainpipe in the outside play area which posed a safety hazard. 5. Shelving against the wall was broken in the playroom. 6. A childrens play ironing board was stained and dirty
Provider's corrective action:
1. The couches in playroom have been replaced. 2. The floor mat has been removed from the playroom and professionally cleaned. 3. No response received. 4. The planks of timber were removed, and drainpipe secured. 5. Broken shelving has been removed from the room. 6. The Ironing board in the playroom has been recovered
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 25, 26, 28.