Inspection of 24 October 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (3) A Garda vetting disclosure which had been obtained through another organisation was held on file in respect of one of the adults who worked at the service. However, this was not accepted under part (3) of the regulation, as Garda vetting cannot be transferred from a previous role and a registered provider is required to process their own staff with regard to Garda vetting, before staff commence employment at the service. It was acknowledged that the Garda vetting had been applied for and was awaited
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply outlined that the service’s practice has always been to ensure that new employees are not permitted in the care rooms until their Garda vetting is received and that the adult had been on site to complete their induction. Following the inspection, the staff member was not permitted on site to complete their induction until their updated Garda vetting was obtained. As a preventive measure, the service will ensure that Garda vetting is received for all staff members prior to them completing their induction at the setting
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The Garda vetting disclosures available for one of the adults was not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. While the service had a sufficient number of children’s toilets and wash hand basins overall, one of the toilet facilities was over utilised, which increased the risk of cross infection. On the day of inspection, 19 children attended the outdoor preschool service. The inspectors were advised that all of these 19 children used the adjacent outdoor toilet facility, which consisted of 1 toilet and 1 wash hand basin. When asked by the inspectors if another toilet facility was available to these children, the staff member outlined that they could use one of the indoor toilet facilities, only if needed. However, 1 children’s toilet and 1 wash hand basin are required to be assigned to every 11 children. 3. Two children in the Sunrisers room were observed to sleep in cots which were positioned side by side, with no space in between. The required 50cm distance apart was therefore not maintained, which increased the risk of cross infection. Safe Sleep: 4. Six children under the age of two, were observed to sleep on either stackable beds or floor mats, in the Sunrisers and Moonwalkers rooms. Tusla’s Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months states that floor mats and stackable beds are not suitable for use by children aged under 24 months, as they are not sufficiently conducive to sleep for children in this age range. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The written reply from the registered provider outlined that the Garda vetting application was followed up and has been received for the adult in question. A follow up procedure for applications has been put in place. Infection Control: 2. The response stated that this group of children will continue to be encouraged to use the additional available toilet facilities. As a preventive measure, all educators have been informed in relation to this requirement and children have been reminded of the locations of the additional toilets. 3. The cots have been moved and are now the required 50cm apart, in order to avoid the risk of cross infection. Safe Sleep: 4. Suitable floor beds have been ordered and delivery is expected by the 18th of November. Sleep plans and risk assessments have been completed for all children between the ages of 15 months and 2 years, who will be sleeping on the floor beds and these have been signed by the children’s parents. These documents will be obtained for all children who require a floor bed currently and going forward
Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 19, 22, 25.