Inspection of 20 November 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a) & (b) One of the references available for a staff member employed since the previous inspection was not deemed appropriate. There was no address on the reference; it was not stated in what capacity the referee was known to the staff member and there was no information documented on the verification record. (d) Two out of seven adults required international police vetting. There were no international police vetting records available or records to show that any attempts had been made to source these. (3) The registered provider did not ensure that the procedures outlined in regulation (2)(a), (b) and (d) were always carried out prior to allowing staff access to children. (4) There was no documentation available to evidence that one of the adults employed to work with children since the previous inspection held the required qualification. This regulation was non-compliant on the previous inspection dated 9 November 2023. The actions submitted following that inspection had not prevented the issue from recurring
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) & (b) The staff member in question has not worked in Confey Montessori since 18th November 2025 and will not be returning. (d) One staff member has not worked in Confey Montessori since 18th November 2025 and will not be returning. The second staff member has applied for and received international police vetting. (3) A full and thorough review of all HR and recruitment polices has taken place. A new ‘Reference Validation’ form has been created and must be completed for all new recruits. Also, a new’ Staff File – Pre-Start checklist’ has been created to ensure nothing is missed prior to a new staff member starting. New staff members cannot start until the ‘Pre-Start Checklist’ is completed. (4) The staff member in question has not worked in Confey Montessori since 18th November 2025 and will not be returning
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The registered provider did not ensure that entrances/exits were appropriately secured as outlined below. The registered provider is required to ensure that entrances/exits do not pose a risk to children whilst also adhering to fire safety legislation. (a) The door in the reception area which led directly to a carpark was secured with a low-level, thumb-turn lock which could be opened by a child. This area was used by children to hang their coats and belongings, posing a risk of harm if a child were to leave unsupervised. (b) The gates to the two outdoor areas were secured with a low-level latch which could be opened by a child from the inside and by an adult from the outside. These led directly to the car park, posing a risk of harm if a child were to leave unsupervised or if an unauthorised person gained entry. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. (a) & (b) New locks have been put in place out of reach of children on the two front doors and two gates leading outside on to the primary school yard. The new locks prevent a child being able to get to the outside
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1)(b) A record was not available in relation to the smoke alarm. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) The service is based in rooms belonging to the primary school. Therefore, all fire safety systems are linked and are the responsibility of the primary school. The last fire alarm checks were completed in October 2024 and were due for review in October 2025. A fire safety review took place on 27 November. The technician made recommendations for improvements to the current system. The school is going to invest in a new system and is currently undertaking tenders for the required works. The principal has assured works will be completed as soon as possible
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 27.