Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: The following cross infection risks were observed: 1. The nappy bins observed in use on the day of the inspection were considered unsuitable as the pedal operating function was broken and the staff had to push the soiled nappies through an opening on the top of the bin. One of the bins also had a front panel open exposing the content of the bins. This is at variance with the infection control requirements to have a pedal operated sealed, airtight, leak proof container for the disposal of soiled nappies. 2. One child’s own chicken dinner which was not eaten at lunchtime was not returned back to the fridge and left sitting out on the worktop. Allowing food to remain at room temperature for longer than 2 hours has the potential to permit the growth of food poisoning bacteria. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
s 1. The nappy bins were removed and replaced with new bins that are lined with bags. These are foot operated and meet the standards required for cross infection. Monthly risk assessments are in place and the bins will be checked to ensure they meet compliance. 2. All staff have been advised to return all foods if not consumed by the child to the fridge and the lid placed on the box afterwards. Staff all signed off in this and are aware of the potential food poisoning bacteria if left out
Regulation 29 — Premises
1. In the toilet off the Aqua Room, mould spots were evident along the edges of the ceiling. Paint was observed chipping off the walls in places and there was a lingering odour of ‘damp’. In addition, there was a lingering odour of damp emanating into the hallway when the door to the Discovery room opened. 2. The second toilet in the Aqua Room was kept locked throughout the inspection and after the morning session chairs were stored in front of the door. The toilet was therefore not freely accessible at all times to the children. This was also evident when all the children were queuing to wash their hands, and 1 child had to seek out a staff member to say they needed to use the toilet. The staff member had to open the 2nd toilet to allow the child use it
Provider's corrective action:
s 1. All the walls of the Aqua room were washed down. An electoral air freshener has been ordered from Initial hygiene. This will be part of the monthly risk assessments of the rooms and toilets to ensure that they are compliant at all times. 2. The second toilet in the Aqua room is now open at all times and the key has been removed. There is no items blocking the door. The staff in the Aqua room were spoken to regarding the second toilet that it must remain accessible at all times
Immediate action notice. This inspection was carried out following receipt of information from the service. An Immediate Action Notice was issued in respect of 1 staff member who did not have documentary evidence of a processed Garda Vetting disclosure. The registered provider gave written assurances of appropriate immediate actions undertaken in the service to control the risk to children.
s Two written and validated references were provided to the inspectors. Garda vetting was applied for. This staff member was asked to leave the business until the Garda vetting was processed. The staff member in question now has documentary evidence of international police vetting for 2 countries. They have also applied for an English translation. International Police vetting has been applied for by the student. The placement with Dun Dealgan Childcare has been put on pause until the police vetting is processed. Going forward the registered provider has taken over the duty to obtain written and validated references, Garda vetting and to ensure all international vetting is in place prior to commencement of employment or student placements. The registered provider will also make sure that all police vetting is in English translation if required
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service. The following observations were made: General Safety: 1. On arrival to the premises the inspectors were able to walk directly into the service as the front door was unlocked. 2. The registered provider and service manager when questioned were not familiar with some of the procedures contained within the services child welfare and protection policy. Infection Control: 3. At 1.30pm there was no running hot water available in the sanitary areas when the inspectors checked the water temperatures. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
s 1. This has been addressed to all staff to keep the doors on lock at all times to avoid this from happening again. Also, a notice has been fixed to the door as a gentle reminder to staff. The door is checked all the time and staff have been made aware from a health & safety & welfare of all the children that the door must remain on lock at all times to ensure the safety of the children. 2. The registered provider is familiar with procedures contained within the child welfare and protection policy for the service. A review of the procedures in the child welfare and protection policy will be reviewed in the next staff meeting by all the staff team. This-will be scheduled at the end of January for a staff meeting. 3. The thermostat temperature has been moved up to help with that problem going forward. Periodic checks take place throughout the day to make sure that the water is hot at all times for usage of staff and children for infection control