(1)(b) The requirement for either the person in charge or a named deputy to be on the premises at all times was not met. The staff roster for the current week indicated that neither the person in charge nor the named deputy were rostered on duty for the following dates and times: • 9 March 2026- 8:00 am to 8:45 am • 10 March 2026- 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm • 11 March 2026- 8:00am to 8:45 am • 12 March 2026- 8:00 am to 8:15 am and 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm • 13 March 2026- 8:00 am to 8:30 am and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm There was no named person in charge during these periods. This non-compliance was identified at the last inspection dated 10 October 2024. At that time the service stated via the CAPA process that room leaders have been appointed as alternate deputies, and the roster had been changed to ensure that either the person in change or a deputy was always present. However, this was not found on inspection. (4) One new staff member, who required a Letter of Qualification Recognition from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality did not have this on file. It is acknowledged that this had been applied for and was awaited
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (b) The registered provider has deputised the room leaders of the service and has amended the staff roster to reflect which staff member is in charge when the person in charge or the designated deputy is not on site. (4) The registered provider has provided the inspectorate with a Letter of Qualification Recognition
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure 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 this had been applied for and was awaited. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: In her written response, the registered provider has submitted the updated Garda vetting
(b) The requirement for either the person in charge or a named deputy to be on the premises at all times, while the service is in operation, was not met. The staff roster for the current week indicated that neither the person in charge nor the deputy were rostered on duty for the following dates and times: • 7/10/24: 5.15 pm to 6.00pm • 8/10/24: 5.15 pm to 6.00pm • 9/10/24: 2.00pm to 6.00pm • 10/10/24: 5.15pm to 6.00pm • 11/10/24: 2.00pm to 6.00pm This was confirmed during discussion with the person in charge. (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 are allowed access to, or contact with children. (4) Evidence, either in the form of a final certificate or a letter from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), was unavailable to demonstrate that the studies undertaken by one of the adults, met the minimum requirement of a level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education
Provider's corrective action:
The written reply outlined that staff rosters have been amended. Room leaders that hold a level 8 award have been appointed as deputies and will be rostered to cover any previous times where either the person in charge or the deputy were unavailable. These permanent changes to the weekly rosters have been made to ensure that either the person in charge or the deputy are always present
The Garda vetting has been received
A Letter of Qualification Recognition form the DCEDIY has been applied for and has been received in respect of the adult
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) Two medication administration records were signed by a staff member, but had not been signed by a second staff member as a witness, on administration of these medicines. This practice was at variance with the service’s medication management policy, which stated that Staff will administer medicine at the prescribed time. This is recorded and is additionally witnessed by the second staff member. A finding of incomplete administration of medication records was also found at the previous inspection on 4 April 2022. The CAPA response at the time stated that the issue was raised at a staff meeting and that staff would be more mindful of completing these records. However, this was not found in practice
Provider's corrective action:
The written reply from the registered provider stated that the practice in relation to this has been changed. Prior to administering medication, staff in the childcare rooms must now call a manager in advance, to witness the administration of the medicine and provide the second signature. All staff have been informed of this new practice and will initially be closely monitored to ensure compliance
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. While the service had a sufficient number of nappy changing facilities overall, one of the nappy changing units was over utilised, which increased the risk of cross infection. The person in charge advised that the nappy changing unit on the lower floor, which consisted of one nappy changing unit and one wash hand basin, was used by the children who required nappy changing from the Nursery, Senior Toddler and Junior Pre-school rooms. It was subsequently confirmed that this was up to 19 children. However, 1 nappy changing unit and 1 wash hand basin are required for every 11 children in nappies. 2. Appropriate practices were not ensured in the preparation of powdered infant formula, which increased the risk of food borne illness. In the Nursery room, powdered infant formula was stored in a cupboard, above the sink. A staff member advised that the formula milk was prepared by mixing cooled boiled water with the powdered infant formula and that the milk was then heated in a bottle warmer, to approximately room temperature. The staff member also confirmed that feeding bottles were not sterilised at the service, prior to preparing formula feeds. The practice outlined by staff was at variance with the service’s Healthy Eating policy, which stated that Babies bottles must be made up and provided to the service in bottles suitable for refrigeration clearly labelled with the child’s name. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In her written reply, the registered provider stated that the children who attend the Senior Toddler Room are now using the nappy changing area upstairs and that this new practice will be maintained. Infection Control: 2. A letter has been issued to all parents in the Nursery room, requesting that bottles are sent into the service pre-prepared. These bottles will then be refrigerated in the room, until they are required. Staff and parents have been made aware of this and the service will continue to monitor this practice, particularly in the event of staff changes and when new children begin attending the Nursery room
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) While six of the staff members held current First Aid Response (FAR) certification, review of the service’s staff roster demonstrated that an adult with FAR training was not available to the children at all times, as required. Between 5.15pm and 6.00pm on the 9th, 10th and 11th October, an adult with FAR training was not rostered on duty. It was acknowledged that staff members with up to date paediatric first aid were rostered to cover these timeframes, however, a FAR trained adult is required to be available to the children at all times
Provider's corrective action:
The written response outlined that weekly rosters have been adjusted, to ensure that a FAR certified staff member is present at all times when the service is open and that this will be taken into account, when weekly rosters are compiled
Regulation 27 — Supervision
At 1.37pm, it was observed that the second sleep room on the lower floor was occupied by four children from the Senior Toddler room, who were asleep on stackable beds, without an adult present to ensure appropriate supervision. It was acknowledged that an adult did enter the room to undertake 10-minute interval physical checks of the sleeping children, however, this intermittent level of supervision was deemed inadequate, as the children may have woken up outside of these times and in such instance, would have been unsupervised
Provider's corrective action:
Practices have been changed in order to ensure that when children are in the sleep room, a staff member will be present at all times. All staff have been informed of this change and extra cover in the care rooms will be provided by management, during this time
Regulation 28 — Insurance
The available insurance certificate did not indicate the number of children that were insured or whether fire and theft were covered as part of the policy
Provider's corrective action:
A more detailed, up to date record of insurance has been requested and received from the insurance company. As a preventive measure, insurance documents will be checked when they are received on an annual basis, in order to ensure that the required information is included