Inspection of 28 February 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (k) A sample of 15 accident and incident records were reviewed; of these five did not contain the signature of the service manager confirming they were aware of the accident, and one did not contain any signatures at all including the staff member completing the form, service manager or parent. Accurate and complete records are required to be kept in relation to all accidents which occur within the service
Provider's corrective action:
- (k) Staff have been spoken to about the correct completion of these records. A new policy has been drafted and all staff have signed to say they have read the policy
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Defined play areas were not present in the Wobbler room and a lack of materials and equipment was observed for example the play kitchen was placed in the corner of the room away from all other play items and had limited supporting equipment available and a large doll house was filled with large dolls and no small figures were provided in the room appropriate to the doll house. Children were observed to wander around the room and engage in minor altercations. A selection of toys and equipment which are readily available and grouped appropriately supports children to engage in spontaneous play experiences. 2. The transition from the care room to the dining room for dinner and back to the care room for naptime was observed to be unstructured for the children for example, the children were not provided with advance warning that a transition would occur, the care room door was opened and children were told to go out to get dinner, one staff member had just left the room so was not available to support the transition. The children’s beakers were not brought to the dining room and children were finished eating before being provided with a drink. A significant amount of movement was happening in the dining room as the children ate, put their plates on the tray and get their faces cleaned; two children were observed to have minor accidents during this time caused by the amount of movement happening. Children should be given advance warning of a transition to allow them to prepare and finish their activity along with clear direction to prevent accidents. 3. Battery operated toys in the Baby room and Wobbler room were observed to not be working. This limits play value and does not support children’s sense of cause and effect
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Staff and parents have worked collaboratively to create defined areas in the Wobbler room. Smaller baskets and low shelving have been used to display toys at the childrens level in an accessible way. 2. Staff have discussed the transitions. Children are notified of the transition to dinner and all children will be given their beakers with their meal. 3. Battery operated toys which are not working have been removed from the rooms and will be replaced with non-battery operated toys or toys made from natural materials
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for five adults however, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 2. Handwashing was not completed before dinner in the Wobbler room. Handwashing is required to prevent the spread of infection. 3. Two nappy changing mats in the sanitary area shared by the Baby and Wobbler rooms were observed to be torn in the corners posing an infection control risk as they could not be adequately cleaned. Safe Sleep: 4. A child aged 8 months old was observed to be asleep in a buggy in the care room. Staff advised that the parent had requested this to ensure the child was propped up during sleep. A buggy is not deemed appropriate sleep equipment for children in early years services. Fire Safety: 5. A designated fire door in the entrance area was observed to be propped open throughout the inspection. Fire doors are an important means of containing a fire and are required to be kept closed. 6. Adequate space was not provided between a low-level bed in the Wobbler care room and a fire exit door and may have impeded the use of the fire exit in an emergency evacuation. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been re-done. Staff have been assigned to check dates for Garda vetting. Infection Control: 2. Children are brought to wash their hands before meals. 3. Nappy changing mats have been replaced. Staff have been advised to inform management if new mats are required. Safe Sleep: 4. Staff and parents have been informed that children are not to sleep in buggies. Fire Safety: 5. Fire doors will be left closed at all times. Staff have been made aware to close the door behind them. 6. The cots and beds have been rearranged in the Wobbler room to ensure fire exits will be blocked during sleep
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11.