Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for eleven staff members. However, one 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’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Garda vetting was applied for immediately and completed. A written record of vetting dates for each staff member will be kept in the staff folder as a clear reminder when vetting is due for renewal to ensure Garda Vetting is completed in future in a timely manner to ensure compliance is maintained
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
(2)(a)(b) Two staff had only one written validated reference on file where two references were required. (c) The garda vetting disclosure presented for one staff member did not meet the regulatory requirements as it was for an educational work experience placement and not for their current employment
Provider's corrective action:
On 30th of July and 8th of August 2024, the person in charge submitted a written response to state: (2)(a) &(b) The two staff have supplied a second reference and these have been added to staff details file. (c) Garda vetting has been obtained for the staff member. The person in charge will ensure the staff details are checked on a yearly basis to ensure all the necessary documents are on file and new staff will have all necessary documents before starting employment
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1)(a) A record of employment/employment history was not on file for two staff
Provider's corrective action:
On 30th of July and 8th of August 2024, the person in charge submitted a written response to state (1)(a) The two staff have supplied an updated record of employment/employment history
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A thumb lock device positioned at child height was fitted on the fire door leading to the sides of the building in the Playgroup 2 which could pose a potential safety concern. It is acknowledged on 26th of June 2024 the person in charge submitted photographic evidence to the office of the early years inspectorate of an additional securing mechanism fitted on the fire door. 2. A number of windows in service including the dining room and in Playgroup 2 room opened outwards and did not have safety mechanisms in place with the potential risk of children leaving the areas. 3. A blind cord in the dining room was not secured in the safety device provided on the wall. The blind was secured immediately by staff members when this was brought to their attention. 4. The door to an area known as the “storeroom” was unsecured with the door open on the inspector’s arrival. This area had cleaning equipment and a heater and vacuum system and required securing to prevent access by children. 5. Two hinges on two of the low cabinet doors in Playgroup 1 were not adequately secured and could pose a potential safety concern. Infection Control: 6. Some play equipment including small plastic balls and a ball pond were stored in one of the adult sanitary units posing a potential infection control risk. 7. A number of waste bins were not foot pedal operated including an open bin in a sanitary unit and an open waste bin in the dining room and an unlidded bin in Playgroup 1 posing infection control risks. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: On 26th of June,30th of July and 8th of August 2024, the person in charge submitted a written response to state 1. An additional securing mechanism has been fitted on the fire door in Playgroup 2. 2. Safety mechanisms have been fitted on the windows of the dining room and Playgroup 2. 3. The blind cord attachment has been secured to the wall in the dining room. 4. The door to the storeroom has had a lock fitted to ensure the children cannot access this space. 5. New hinges have been fitted on the low cabinet doors in Playgroup 1. Infection Control: 6. The adult sanitary unit has been cleared out with the play equipment and plastic balls removed, cleaned and these are now stored in the attic .The staff have been advised to ensure that the sanitary accomodation is not used to store items. 7. All waste bins replaced with foot pedal bins throughout the facility and the bins will be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are in proper working order and replaced if necessary
Regulation 25 — First aid
(2)(a) and (b) Inadequate first aid equipment supplies were available on the day for the numbers of children in the service including alcohol wipes that had passed expiry dates and eye pads that did not meet the requirements
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) and (b) On 8th of August 2024, the person in charge advised that the wipes and eye pads have been replaced and the contents of the first aid box will be checked every 6 months to ensure they are complete and in date
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1) (a) Written records of the fire drills undertaken in the service were available however, the fire drills were not carried out on a monthly basis as required
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (a) On 8 August 2024, the person in charge submitted a written response to state they would ensure to carry out a fire drill on the first week every month and all staff have been informed of same with reminders on the calendar to ensure it is carried out monthly