Immediate action notice. 11/06/2024 An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider in relation to the regulation 9 with a response received which was accepted by the inspectorate.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(c) No garda vetting was available for one staff member who did not work directly with the children but had access to the children on a daily basis. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on the 11/06/2025 with a response received which was accepted by the inspectorate. (d) Police vetting was not available for the following: • One new staff member who had resided outside the jurisdiction for a period of more than 6 consecutive months as an adult. • One staff member who had resided outside the jurisdiction for a period of more than 6 consecutive months as an adult. This was found non-compliant on the last inspection on the 29/05/2024 and remained outstanding. (4) One staff member had no documentation to confirm that she had completed a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education. This was a non-compliance on the last inspection on the 29/05/2024 and remains outstanding
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(c) Garda vetting was received for the staff member and was submitted to the Inspectorate. (d)Application has been made for Police vetting for the 2 staff members. The registered provider will ensure that all staff members have garda vetting and police vetting where required before commencing employment. (4) A letter has been received from the college. Certificates are not awarded until October 2025 and will be forwarded to the inspectorate when received. The registered provider will ensure that all new staff members have a childcare qualification before commencing employment
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
There was no alternative hot meal available for the children who did not eat meat or disliked the hot meal available. Five children had mash potatoes only as their main hot meal
Provider's corrective action:
The chef will prepare an alternative hot meal on a daily basis. The registered provider will ensure that an alternative hot meal is available
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. One staff members garda 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’. Safe Sleep: 2. The sleep log was not being maintained at all times, at 11:40am in the Play school room, one child was asleep on a stackable bed and a records of sleep checks was not maintained. Recording of the sleep log commenced when requested by the Early Years Inspector
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1.Garda vetting has been renewed for the staff member. The registered provider will ensure that garda vetting is renewed every 3 years. Safe Sleep: 2.A sleep log is now maintained on all sleeping children The registered provider will ensure that this practice is implemented on a daily basis
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) There was no means of heating in one of the sanitary facilities in Studio 1
Provider's corrective action:
(c) A new heater has been installed in Studio One. The registered provider will ensure that the heater is turned on as required
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28.
(2)(a)&(b) Three validated written references were not available either from a past employer or from a reputable source. (d) Police vetting was not available for 1 staff member who had resided outside the jurisdiction in 2 different countries for a period of more than 6 consecutive months as an adult. (4) One staff member did not have a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 and above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a)&(b)Three validated written references are now available either from a past employer or from a reputable source. The registered provider and manager will ensure that all references are sought at induction before the staff member commences employment. (d)Application has been made for police vetting for 1 staff member. This will be forwarded to the inspectorate when received. The registered provider and manager will ensure that police vetting where necessary will be obtained before the staff member commences employment. (4) This staff member is currently completing her childcare qualification. The registered provider and manager will ensure that this staff member will not maintain ratio’s and will always be supervised by qualified staff
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic needs: 1.In the Crèche room, two children were placed in chairs with harnesses, their feet were swinging with no footrest available to provide stability
Provider's corrective action:
1. High chairs with no footrests have been removed. Staff members have been informed to ensure that footrests are available on all highchairs. Summary Comment The registered provider in the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan has addressed the non-compliances the response received has been reviewed and accepted
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
1. In all 4 care rooms inspected areas of interest were poorly developed with little supporting equipment and materials to enhance the themed areas. For example: In the Crèche and Play school rooms kitchen equipment was available but not placed with the kitchen. Animal baskets were available but not placed with the animal sheds. Construction play equipment was available but not stored with the construction table. In Studio one there was limited support equipment with the toy kitchen, many of the books available were tattered or torn, the car garage had only two cars available. 2. Equipment and materials were placed on linear shelving and in baskets with no visual labelling. The physical indoor environment should be stimulating, challenging, diverse, creative and provide an enriching experience for all children to ensure meaningful sustained play
Provider's corrective action:
1&2 All rooms will be upgraded with new play equipment and areas of interest during the summer. Summary Comment The registered provider in the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan has not addressed the non- compliances. These non-compliance remains outstanding
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 9 staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The large outdoor grass area was not secure as there were footholds between the panels of the fence adjacent to the car park. Infection Control: 3. In the nappy changing area off the Crèche room the bin for disposal of nappies was not pedal operated and in the kitchen off the room the bin for disposal of food was an open top bin. In Studio 1 the bin for general waste including food had no lid. All nappy bins and bins for food and contaminated waste must be pedal operated and have a non-touch mechanism. Administration of Medication: 4. Medication forms in Studio 2 were not always signed by a second staff member who witnessed the medication administration for example on the 25/01/24, 30/01/24 and 22/02/24. Parent consent was not always obtained on the medication form for example on the 25/02/24, 30/01/24, 22/02/24 and the 28/02/24. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been applied for all staff members whose vetting were out of date. The registered provider and manager will ensure that the expiratory dates are checked on all garda vetting on a regular basis. 2. Net fencing has been put on the wooden fencing adjacent to the car park to avoid foot holds. The registered provider and manager will ensure while doing their daily outdoor risk assessment that this net fencing remains in place. Infection Control: 3. Two pedal bins have been purchases. One has been places in the Crèche room nappy changing area and one in the Crèche room kitchen area. The registered provider and manager will ensure that pedal bins are available on a daily basis. Administration of Medication: 4. These medication forms have all been signed. Management have spoken with all staff members on the importance of ensure that all medication forms are signed by a witness and consent for the administration of medication obtained from parents. This practice will be monitored on a daily basis
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) There was no means of heating in the sanitary facilities in Studio 1
Provider's corrective action:
(c) Two heaters have been purchased and installed in the toilets in studio 1
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28.
Inspection of 16 January 2024 — Change in Circumstance