Two written and verified past employer references or references from a reputable source other than a past employer, were not available in respect of one adult whose records were reviewed. (d) Police vetting was required for one adult who had lived in a state other than the State for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months
Provider's corrective action:
Both references pertaining to this staff member have been obtained and verified. References will be obtained and verified prior to staff member commences employment. The police vetting application sent via courier and will take approximately 6 weeks to process and will be returned by courier to Ireland. This will be the same for any other Police clearance in future
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all staff members however, two 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’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Garda Vetting for 2 staff members had been submitted and one Certificate has been issued, waiting for the second one. I have made a visual list of Garda vetting renewals. I will ensure that applications are processed 6 weeks prior to expiry date
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
The firefighting equipment had not been recently serviced and was dated 21 October 2024
Provider's corrective action:
Arranged for company to service equipment. Annual service contract in place
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 24, 25, 28.
Inspection of 9 September 2024 — Inspection Report
(a)(b) Two written and verified past employer references or references from a reputable source in the absence of a past employer were not available in respect of four staff members whose records was reviewed. (d) Police vetting was not in place for one adult employed who had lived in a state other than the State for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service
• There was no evidence that staff were provided with training on the policies and procedures for the service. • There was no evidence that individual staff supervision was completed between the registered provider and each staff member on a regular basis
Provider's corrective action:
(a)(b) All outstanding Staff References have been located and verified. Recruitment policy has been adjusted to ensure references are fully compliant. (d) Police vetting applied for and an appointment to begin the application process has commenced. (3) The recruitment policy has been updated. (7) Evidence of staff acceptance and review of policies is now available. The staff handbook has been updated and contains sign off sheet that will be completed annually
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
1. The registered provider did not provide the following requested policies: • Safety Statement • Supervision of children including management of transitions in the service. • Staff training policy. 2. The following unsigned and dated policies and procedures for the service had insufficient detail to underpin practice for the service: The outings policy did not include the following details: • The risk assessment processes and procedures and how the service would respond to identified risks. • A checklist for the outing. • The method of checking children, e.g., roll call. • Details of the management of a critical incident while on an outing, e.g., missing child. • Details of insurance cover. The health and safety policy did not include the following details: • The procedures to assess any potential risks to the safety of the pre -school children attending the service and the measures to either eliminate or mitigate the risks identified. • How risk assessments completed by the service are conducted and documented. • The risk assessment record must show who is involved in the risk assessment process. • The retention period for the risk management records. The policy on accident and incidents did not include the following details: The measures taken in the service to prevent accidents and incidents. • The steps taken to contact parents / guardians or the emergency services if necessary. • How information is recorded, documented and stored regarding accidents and incidents • How notifiable incidents are to be informed to the Early Years Inspectorate. • Outlines the risk assessment procedures to be taken following an accident / incident in the service. The induction policy referred to volunteers and student in the service and did not include new staff members. The critical incident policy did not provide details of the response required in an immediate emergency e.g. missing child. The settling in policy did not include details of how continuity of care is maintained e.g. key person system. Policy 19 - Infection control risk assessments was a document which had templates for the managers daily checklist, daily checklists for the sanitary area and the care room. This content of the document did not meet the requirements for a policy document for either risk management or infection control
Provider's corrective action:
Please see new Policies attached. Outings Health and safety Managing accidents and incidents Induction Critical incidents Settling in Infection control
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. It is acknowledged that the registered provider managed the entrance door entry, however on the morning of the inspection while the entrance door was closed, it was not secured, and the inspector opened the entrance door in to the entrance hall . This is a busy space where children are putting their bags in to their cubby ’s and changing in to indoor shoes . There is a potential for the person monitoring the entrance door to leave it unattended if they are attending to a child or speaking to a parent. This was brought to the attention of the registered provider during the inspection. 2. There was no documentary evidence available that a written risk assessment had been completed by the registered provider following the incident on 3 September 2024. 3. There was no documentary evidence available that a daily risk assessment of the indoor environments was routinely completed prior to the children using the indoor areas. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Policy has been altered to ensure that a dedicated staff member is responsible for controlling access to the main entrance/exit. Staff will attend door at all times children are in the hallway. 2. Risk assessment has been completed. Risk assessments will be performed and documented within 1 day of any incident. In this case the assessment identified new auto latches should be attached to the doors. This has been addressed. 3. Daily risk check sheet has been adapted and initiated