Inspection of 8 October 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances
- (1) & (3) A review of records found that on numerous dates there were eighteen or nineteen children present attending sessional services at any one time. This was confirmed through discussion with the staff. The service was registered for a maximum of seventeen children. The service had also been found non- compliant in relation to this on the most recent inspection of the 25 January 2022
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider advised in writing that: Corrective and Preventive Action (1) & (3) Two children have been moved from the morning group to the afternoon group bringing the number of children attending the morning session back to 17. The service has been in contact with registration office and have provided copies of the attendance role book. The service continues to look into changing circumstances so that the service can cater for more children. The service is to pursue a change of circumstances but in the meantime will ensure that the maximum number of 17 children is adhered to
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
- The following polices reviewed by the inspector during the inspection did not contain adequate detail to meet the requirements of the regulation as follows: (b) The complaints policy did not clearly outline the process for storage of complaint records and timeframe for retention of records. (e) The policy on managing behaviour did not clearly state the supports provided to staff to support children’s emotional and behavioural needs or that the procedures for the protection and welfare of children are managed in line with the service’s safeguarding statement. The policy did not clearly set out how children’s behavioural wellbeing is supported and promoted reflecting up to date best practice
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider advised in writing that: Corrective and Preventive Action (b) The service has reviewed their complaints policy and added where and how long records are stored for. In future the service will review their policies and follow guidance from Tusla. (e) The service has completely reviewed their behaviour management policy and forwarded a copy to the Inspectorate. In future the service will review their policies and follow guidance from Tusla
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (g) and (3) The following policies were not available for inspection: • fire safety policy; • policy on outdoor play; • recruitment policy; • risk management policy; • policy on staff absences. (1) (i) The staff record of attendance/roster was incorrect for one staff member who was recorded as present in the service at 9:00 hours but did not arrive to the service until 9.30 hours during the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (1) (g) and (3) The service has added the following policies: • fire safety, • outdoor play, • recruitment, • risk management, • staff management policy. The service will regularly review and update their policies as required. (i) Each staff member must sign the attendance book themselves on arrival to the service going forward
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. One of the windows in the upstairs playroom was not secured and presented a potential risk to children in the playroom. It is acknowledged that when this was brought to the attention of the designated person in charge that the window was immediately secured. 2. There was a rodent bait box was a sign stating that it contained rodenticide and it was accessible to children in the upstairs sanitary unit. 3. A number of play items in the outdoor area including a plastic tree house and a playhouse were damaged and had pinch points that posed potential risks of injury to the children. One of the playhouses was positioned over a drain cover that was not securely anchored in the ground posing a hazard to children playing in it. 4. There were gaps between some of the impact resistant ground cover tiles in the outdoor area and posed a potential tripping hazard to the children and adults using the area. This was also non-compliant on the most recent inspection of the 25 January 2022. 5. There were several old broken toys discarded in the grass section of the outdoor area. It is acknowledged that this area was not used by the children during the inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider advised in writing that:
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The window is usually secured when not in use and is secured at the end of each day. The windows are opened for a period each day to provide ventilation and are out of children's reach. The window will be secured when not in use. 2. The service has contacted the pest control company and asked them to put bait boxes in safer places. The bait box has been moved from the area accessible by children. 3. The tree house has been repaired and a playhouse has been disposed of. The other playhouse has been pushed forward and a mat has been put in place to prevent it from sliding back towards the drain. 4. The staff have pushed the outdoor tiles together as is done every Friday as the tiles separate slightly during the week when the children are playing on trikes etc. The staff have repositioned other tiles to try to prevent them separating. In future the staff will reposition the tiles every evening. 5. The broken toys have been removed. In future broken toys will be disposed of
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- (3) (b) The daily visitor record did not detail the reason for entry, person who approved access to the service or the check in and out times of the visitor
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider advised in a written response that: (3) (b) Corrective and Preventive Action The service has a new visitor book with additional information to be included. V isitors will now have to state the reason for their visit
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 28.