First Friends Rathpeacon Preschool

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Rathpeacon, Cork · Tusla ID TU2016CC029 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections

2non-compliances at latest report read

0immediate action notices

0registration conditions

(2) (a) & (b) Two references were not available in respect of one adult working in the service. A further four references available had no validation conducted by the service available on day of inspection. This was also found non-compliant on previous inspection on 04 October 2023. (2) (c) A Garda vetting disclosure conducted by the service was not available on day of inspection for one staff member. A Garda vetting disclosure was available from the staff member’s University only. Vetting is required to be carried out by the service. (d) Through discussion with the registered provider and review of the adult file, it was not possible to determine if international police vetting was required for one adult attached to the service. (3) The registered provider did not carry out the procedures specified above prior to the adults being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with the children in the service in respect of one of the staff

Provider's corrective action:

(2) (a) & (b) The registered provider submitted the validated references to the Early Years Inspectorate. The registered provider will ensure that all details are in staff files going forward. (2) (c) The registered provider conducted the Garda vetting, and a disclosure is now kept onsite. The registered provider will ensure to store files correctly going forward. (2)(d) Following review of documentation submitted by the registered provider, a police vetting was not required for the adult member. (3) The registered provider will ensure that all documentation will be kept on file

Infection control: 1. The children’s lunches which contained perishable food was not stored in a refrigerator for the duration of the session. On discussion with the registered provider, it was identified that usual practice is for lunches to be stored in the refrigerator however this was not completed on day of inspection. This posed a risk of food spoilage to the children. 2. A pedal operated bin was not available in the adult sanitary facility. This posed a risk of infection to the staff. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Infection control: 1. The registered provider stated that food will be stored in the refrigerator at all times. 2. The registered provider purchased a new pedal bin and replaced the bin in the adult sanitary facility

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28.

(a) Records of validation were unavailable for four of the six references, which had been provided by past employers

Provider's corrective action:

The registered provider responded to advise that the reference validations have been obtained

General Safety: 1. The risk of unauthorised persons gaining access to the early years service was not appropriately managed. Upon the inspector’s arrival, the main entrance door to the premises was found to be unsecured, along with an inner door, which provided access to the large hall and two subsequent doors, which led to the children’s sanitary area and care room. As a result, the inspector was able to enter the care room unannounced. Infection Control: 2. A malodour was evident in one of the children’s sanitary facilities and the mechanical vent in the same area did not appear to be functioning correctly, as there was no audible sound from the vent. This may lead to the spread of infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety: 1. Going forward, a member of staff will remain in the hall until all children have arrived. The member of staff will then lock the main entrance door and access will only be available through the buzzer entry system. Infection Control: 2. The vent has been repaired

(a) The use-by date had expired on all of the available, various-sized, sterile wound dressings and the five available sterile eye pad dressings were also out of date

Provider's corrective action:

(b) Annual servicing of the wired smoke alarm was not ensured, as required. The most recent record of servicing was dated 22 October 2021

Provider's corrective action:

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 20.

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