Inspection of 16 April 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. 1. A written immediate action notice under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(a), (b) 1. Two written and verified past employer references or references from a reputable source in the absence of a past employer reference were not available in respect of one adult employed and one written and verified past employer reference or reference from a reputable source was not available in respect of two adults employed in the service whose records were reviewed. (c) 2. Garda vetting disclosures were unavailable for three adults employed by the service. A written immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider 16 April 2025. (d) 3. Police vetting was required for two adults who had lived in a state other than the State for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months
- 4. The procedures specified in paragraph (2) in relation to the mandatory Garda vetting and police vetting was not carried out in respect of three adults employed since the last inspection, prior to being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service. This was a non-compliance on the last inspection 19 November 2024
- 5. There was no documentary evidence provided to state that one employed adult, working directly with children in the service, held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or equivalent on the National Framework of Qualifications
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Every staff file on the premises of staff who are currently working for Cookies ELC were revaluated and updated with any missing documents. 2. The three adults were taken off the premises until Garda vetting was fully completed. Garda vetting disclosures were received and the documents were added to their files. 3/4. International police vetting has been received for two adults and placed on file. 5. The staff member will be helping in the office and cleaning within the building and will not be working directly with children until full award received. Preventive Action 1. We have updated our staff file check list to ensure that we have every document needed for their file. 2. Once the candidate obtains employment by Cookies ELC, we will ensure the Garda vetting process is completed prior to the successful candidate starting with us. 3/4. On our new staff file check list, we added international police vetting check. During hiring stages, in an interview we ask if the possible candidate has lived outside of the country for longer than 6 months. If they have, they must produce internation vetting prior to starting with Cookies ELC. 5. During hiring stage, we ask candidates to bring a copy of their major awards or equivalent certificates along with any other documents for interviews
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A Large amount of small hard beans that were store cupboard ingredients, approximately .5-1cm in size, were being used for sensory play in Dreoilín room; these were observed in the sensory tray and some had also spilled onto the floor. These beans posed a choking risk to the children attending this room as they ranged in age from, 1-2 years x 8 children and 2-3 years x 1 child. Immediate corrective action was taken by the registered provider and the room staff when it was brought to their attention by the inspector and the beans were immediately removed, swept from the floor and discarded. Infection Control: 2. The toilet rolls in the sanitary areas attached to Dreoilín/Feilecháin and Spideog/Éin Mhuire rooms, were observed placed on the toilet cisterns in each cubicle and not hygienically dispensed form the wall mounted units, this posed a risk of cross infection. 3. Two insert toilet seats were observed placed on the floor of two toilet cubicles in the sanitary area between Spideog/Éin Mhuire rooms and posed an infection control risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Discussion had with staff members regarding choking hazards and child safety and how we can provide a safe edible/sensory environment for children. During this discussion, we discussed the Childcare Act, 1991 and discussed topics within the Health and Safety Act 2006. Topics discussed included toy safety, safety measures for furniture and outdoor access, food preparation, hygiene and space provision. Infection Control: 2. Discussed with staff members about infection control and that we need to be placing toilet paper into the correct place. Also reminded staff of our infection control policy and to read the health protection surveillance centre booklet. 3. A deep clean of the toilet seats has taken place, staff reminded to place them onto main toilet seats and not on floor to prevent spread of infection. Also reminded staff of our infection control policy and to read the health protection surveillance centre booklet. Preventive Action 1. In all our 2.5 year of age children’s rooms, we have added a document with a list of appropriate foods for sensory activities and the safest way for the children safety. 2. We added hygiene posters/ reminders to guarantee that staff are placing every item in the correct place. Management to spot check this regularly. 3. We have added hooks to our walls to allow the insert toilet seats to hang from when not in use. These are cleaned between children using them and prevent infection spread. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: Photograph x 1 Infection Control: Photographs x 3 Summary Comment Following review of the corrective actions taken and a review of the submitted evidence, the inspectorate is satisfied the requirement for Regulation 23 has been met. This area of the regulation will be reviewed at the time of the next inspection
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26.