Inspection of 18 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- Five written and validated references were unavailable for three adults. Three records of validation were unavailable for a further three references, in respect of three adults. (d) The required police vetting was unavailable for one staff member, who had lived outside the State for a period that exceeded six consecutive months, as an adult
Provider's corrective action:
- The written response stated that the references are now in place for these staff and that validations have been completed for the three adults. When new staff members begin at the service, it will be ensured that all references are checked. Management will take responsibility for this. (d) The registered providers stated that a response via email is awaited regarding the police vetting
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- The information regarding when a child first attended the service was not available on the 10 forms reviewed. (h) Information regarding the child’s immunisation status was unavailable on two of the records sampled
Provider's corrective action:
- (b) The written reply stated that start dates have been added to the service’s application forms. This new application form will eliminate the problem and prevent reoccurrence. (h) An email request has been sent to the child’s parents in relation to the immunisation records. It will be ensured that all records are received before children commence attending
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- The rest areas in Rooms 4 and 5 were under furnished and required further development in order to adequately meet the children’s need for rest and relaxation: • In Room 4, a staff member advised that the large floor mat in the centre of the room was available if a child needed to rest. However, this was insufficient and while a supply of round vinyl cushions was also available, these cushions were stored on a high-level shelf and were inaccessible to the children. • Four cushions were provided on the floor of Room 5. However, no additional furnishings or books were available to create an inviting rest area for the children
Provider's corrective action:
- In their written response, the registered providers stated that new soft furnishings have been purchased to create a space for rest. A library has been created in Room 5. When preparing preschool classrooms for the new school year, staff will ensure that each classroom has an appropriate rest area
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- It was noted that one of the children who attended the service for longer than five hours, was not provided with a hot meal, as required. At lunch time, the child’s snack consisted of rice cakes, with yogurt and fruit
Provider's corrective action:
- An email was sent to the parent of the child, explaining the requirement for a hot meal. Going forward, the service will inform parents that if their child stays longer than five hours, a hot meal will need to be provided and if not, an email will be sent
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General safety: The Garda vetting disclosure available for one of the adults was not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- The Garda vetting has been obtained. As a preventive measure, management will carry out yearly checks on Garda vetting
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) Review of the staff roster demonstrated that there were periods during the hours of operation when a FAR qualified adult was unavailable at the setting. For example, in the afternoons from 4.00pm to 5.30pm, on the week beginning 10 February 2025. It was acknowledged that two of the adults who worked with the early years children held up to date paediatric first aid training. However, an adult with current FAR certification is required to be available to the children at all times
Provider's corrective action:
- The written response stated that the staff roster has been adjusted to ensure that FAR certified staff are available, during opening hours. When creating the weekly roster, management will ensure that there is a FAR certified staff member in the building at all times
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (b) A record of servicing, dated within the previous 12 months, was unavailable for the smoke alarm. This is required to ensure efficient functioning. The most recent maintenance record for the smoke alarm was dated 4 May 2023
Provider's corrective action:
- The smoke alarms have been checked and serviced. The relevant company that carries out the testing has scheduled the service in for yearly/monthly checks going forward
Found compliant: Regulation 11.