Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The sink in the Top House Montessori sanitary area was not secure and had a sharp edge with posed a potential risk of injury to children. 2. In the Toddler room trailing flexes accessible to children from a fan, charger and thermometer posed a potential risk of injury. This non-compliance was observed on the previous inspection in January 2025. The preventive action has not been maintained in line with the information provided to the inspectorate following the last inspection. 3. A damaged blind in the Baby cot room posed a potential risk of injury. It is acknowledged that this was removed on the day of inspection when brought to the attention of staff by the inspector. 4. The service was operating in variance with their risk management policy by not completing and documenting daily risk assessments of classrooms and sleep areas. The practice of completing comprehensive and regular risk assessments helps identify potential hazards and reduce potential risk to children. Infection Control: 5. Two tables in the Top House Montessori room were damaged with exposed chip board which prevented effective cleaning and posed a potential infection control risk. 6. A floor mat in the Toddler room was torn with foam exposed which prevented effective cleaning and posed a potential infection control risk. 7. Areas in the Top House Montessori room were visually dirty and required a deep clean to support effective infection control measures. The following was observed: • The radiator positioned at the front area of the room was heavily coated with a thick layer of dust and debris. • The rug in the library area was visibly stained. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Maintenance was carried out and the whole unit underneath the sink was replaced. 2. Meeting was held with staff to remind them of the dangers of low wires in their rooms. This was also shared in the service monthly memo. Management have removed any unnecessary wires from this level and secured another up high out of reach. 3. The blind was removed from the sleep room until it was properly installed by a maintenance worker. 4. Management have added daily safety/health assessments along with daily garden assessments. Infection Control: 5. Management recognises the potential infection control risk and has ordered new tables to replace the damaged ones. 6. The floor mat has been disposed of. 7. The radiator has been cleaned externally and internally, and a new mat has been ordered. Management held meetings staff to ensure this does not re-occur and to be kept clean
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 26.
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) The registered provider did not ensure a full record was maintained for the administration of medication. A sample of 20 forms were reviewed. The following was observed: • The form used to record administration of antifebrile medication did not include the signature of a second person present for the administration. • Seven forms did not include the date of the medication administration. • One form did not include the child’s full name who received medication. This is not in line with service policy that states a second person must be present and countersign the administration form and that staff must record the child’s name and date of dosage
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective action: The service has updated the administration of medication form in relation to antifebrile medication to include the signature of a second staff member as a witness. Preventive action: The medication form has been updated, and staff have been informed of the changed
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The transition for children in the Nursery 1 room when waking from sleep was observed to be disorganised which led to upset and frustration for children. Children were observed upset and signalling for attention by standing and reaching with stretched arms from their cots. It is acknowledged that the staff member present attempted to offer comfort to the children but was unable to address all behaviours as four children required support between the cots placed in the care room and cot room located off the main room
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective action: Management stays as a supporting staff member on the nursery level 12-2pm to assist with transitions from sleep. The service has creche phones and intercoms available in each room to be able to contact management if help is needed, this was done on the day of inspection. Preventive action: The service will continue to have the above routine in place and management will be more aware of nursery level needing this assistance
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Two trailing flexes were observed accessible to children in the Toddler room which posed a risk of injury. Safe Sleep: 2. The form being used by staff to record ten-minute physical checks on children did not include details of a sleeping child’s breathing or colour. The practice and recording of comprehensive physical sleep checks help provide for children’s safety. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Corrective and preventive action: Management have spoken with staff and included in memos that wires need to be put away safely at a high level. Safe Sleep: 2. Corrective and preventive action: The service has updated the sleep chart with new in-depth information to ensure safe sleep at all times to be documented every 10 minutes. Included are: time, position, breathing, colouring and staff member initials
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) One sanitary facility was available for thirteen staff. An additional sanitary facility is required to meet the requirement of one hand basin and one toilet for every eight staff members. This was a noncompliance on the previous inspection reports in May 2023 and March 2024
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and preventive action: The information has been shared with the registered provider
(3) A review of available documents demonstrated that the procedure specified in paragraph (2)(c) consideration of garda vetting disclosure was not carried out prior to the employment of 1 staff member
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action It was acknowledged that the timeframe between the contract and Garda vetting didn’t match with dates. Preventive Action Management will ensure that Garda vetting is carried out and completed before staff commence employment. Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 9 have been addressed
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for thirteen staff members. However, one of these vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It is acknowledged that a renewal of Garda Vetting disclosure was applied for on the day of inspection. 2. There was a pest control box with the words ‘do not touch’ accessible to the children in the children’s sanitary area on the middle floor. This posed a risk of poisoning or skin irritation to the children. It is acknowledged the box was removed when brought to the attention of the person in charge by the inspector. Infection Control: 3. Two cot mattresses in nursery room 1 and two cot mattresses in nursery room 2 were not waterproof and did not have a waterproof cover on. This prevented effective cleaning and posed an infection control risk. Fire Safety: 4. Child and staff attendance records were not maintained correctly. These attendance books are used during fire drills to ensure child and adult safety. The following was observed: • Ten children were present in the Toddler room however only nine children had been signed in when the roll book was reviewed at 12:21pm. • One staff member had not signed in on review of the care room roll book at 12:13pm. • Two staff members had signed out by 11:57am however they were still working. This was a noncompliance in the previous report from May 2023. The steps taken by the registered provider have not prevented the noncompliance from reoccurring. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Corrective action: As mentioned Garda vetting was carried out on the day of inspection for the staff member in which the Garda vetting expired. Preventive action: A checklist in place to make sure Garda vetting is carried out before their expiration date. 2. Corrective action: A pest control box was removed and placed in an area out of reach for children. Pest control came out for inspection, raised concern about pest control stated that there is no poison within the boxes and designed for childcare facilities. Preventive action: The service spoke to Pest control and the box has been moved to ensure highest safety for the children Infection Control: 3. Corrective action: Waterproof mattress covers were purchased and placed on all nursery mattresses. Preventive action: Management will ensure these covers are maintained to the highest hygiene standard. Fire safety: 4. Corrective action: Memo’s & meetings with each staff member was carried out to ensure they knew the importance of signing themselves and children in and out were appropriate during working hours. Preventive action: Random inspections will be done weekly to ensure this is carried out properly
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) 1. One sanitary facility was available for eleven staff. An additional sanitary facility is required to meet the requirement of one hand basin and one toilet for every eight staff members. This was a noncompliance on the previous inspection report in May 2023. 2. A divider used to separate two children’s toilets on the middle floor covered only a small portion of the toilet and was open in the front meaning children remained in view of each other while using the toilet or the sink. The divider installed did not provide for privacy of the children during toileting
Provider's corrective action:
1. The service owner has been informed of the need for another sanitary facility for staff. 2. A wooden divider will be installed which will slide across when two children are using the bathroom. It will be wipeable and a height suitable to ensure privacy. Work to be completed by June 21st 2024
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 21, 25, 26, 28, 32.