Inspection of 7 August 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A Garda vetting disclosure that was available for 1 staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. A wall-mounted blackboard in the outdoor play area was damaged as the veneer surface had worn away in parts leaving segregated edges of exposed wood. This increased the likelihood of injury through splinters or cuts to children’s hands. Infection Control: 3. It was observed during the inspection that a nappy changing mat was placed directly on the floor in the sanitary accommodation located off the Playgroup room when a child’s nappy was being changed. The limited space available resulted in the mat being positioned close to the toilet while the floor beneath the mat was wet from water splashes which had occurred when the children were washing their hands, both of which posed a risk of cross infection. Additionally, the placement of the nappy changing mat on the floor prevented the door from being closed when this procedure was taking place. This did not afford privacy for the child or maintain their dignity when they were having their nappy changed. Nappy changing facilities were not provided on the first floor of the premises. 4. The bin provided for the disposal of nappies in the sanitary accommodation off the Playgroup room was not pedal-operated. This increased the risk of cross contamination due to the numerous touch points required to dispose of a soiled nappy. 5. The nappy changing room adjoining the Baby room was used for general storage. A number of push-along toys and a stand-in activity centre were observed in this area which posed a risk that these items could become contaminated. 6. Some staff members were vague in their knowledge of the procedures in relation to the sterilisation of soothers. Staff members explained that soothers are washed under running water and stated that there was no further cleaning or sterilising conducted. Soothers needs to be cleaned and sterilised effectively to reduce the risk of cross contamination. 7. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not available for hand washing at the wash hand basins in the sanitary accommodation adjoining the Den. The water in both the hot taps and the cold taps felt cold to touch. Cold water does not support pre-school children to effectively wash their hands. 8. Two of the original cloth mattress covers were stained in the sleep room adjoining the Baby room which posed a risk of cross-infection for the children placed to sleep in these cots. Safe Sleep: 9. The ambient lighting in the sleep room adjoining the Penguin room was excessively dark when children were sleeping during the inspection. The darkened room did not facilitate staff members to clearly see or easily monitor each child’s colour, breathing pattern or position at the time of each sleep check. 10. The sheets in place on 3 cots in the sleep room adjoining the Penguin room were too big for the cots and did not fit snugly. There was a risk that these standard single bed sheets which were provided could loosen and cover a child’s head or face, increasing the risk of sudden infant death. Fire Safety: 11. One of the designated emergency exits leading from the Afterschool room to the hallway on the first floor was obstructed with a large number of children’s bags during the inspection. This posed a safety hazard as it would delay staff and children in evacuating the building safely and quickly in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action The registered provider in the Corrective and Preventive Action Plan stated that the following actions had been carried out to address the non-compliances found. General Safety: 1. A Garda vetting re-newel application had been made for the staff member on the 17th of July 2024. The Garda Vetting disclosure for the staff member was received by “Funtimes” on the 15th of August 2024. 2. The wall-mounted blackboard in the outdoor play area was removed and replaced with a new one. Infection Control: 3. The designated person in charge informed all staff members that they must use the nappy changing facilities on the ground floor to change any children that require nappy changes in the preschool rooms. This change in procedure will enable all children to be changed in a clean, hygienic and caring environment while providing them with privacy and dignity throughout the nappy change. Children in the preschool room who require nappy changes now have their own labelled box with their belongings in the downstairs changing room. This change took place immediately after the inspection. 4. The designated person in charge informed all staff members that all children in the preschool rooms requiring nappy changes must use the nappy changing facilities on the ground floor. The nappy changing area on the ground floor has all the facilities including a pedal operated bin to dispose of nappies in the correct manner. This action was taken immediately following the inspection. 5. The designated person in charge spoke to the staff in the Ducklings care room about the importance of not storing equipment in the changing area due to the risk of cross-contamination. Staff were consulted on the importance of engaging consistently in best practices and the importance of adhering to our infection control policy. The equipment was removed from the changing room. 6. The designated person in charge spoke to all staff in relation to the necessity to continually adhere to our procedure in relation to the sterilisation of soothers. Staff where informed soothers must be washed and sterilised at the end of the day or as needed throughout the day. The designated person in charge went through the sterilising procedure and demonstrated how to use the sterilisation equipment with staff. The designated person in charge also requested that staff who were unsure of the procedure complete this task for a period of time until they were confident in their ability to complete it. Staff were made aware of their roles and responsibilities in implementing this practice as it is important for the children’s personal care and wellbeing and infection control. 7. The designated person in charge rang a plumber and electrician to fix the water heater in the sanitary facilities in the Den. A fuse socket was replaced in the sanitary accommodation which ensured warm water is available to support effective handwashing. 8. Two new mattresses were bought for the cots. Safe Sleep: 9. Staff in the Penguins room have been informed to use the light on the care room phone to enable them clearly to see and easily monitor each child’s colour, breathing pattern or position at the time of each sleep check. 10. Any sheets that did not fit snugly on the cot mattresses where removed. New cot sheets were also purchased to ensure there was always an ample supply of appropriate sheets available. Fire Safety: 11. Staff were spoken to about the importance of keeping emergency exits clear. All schoolbags belonging to the Afterschool children were moved to a different area. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Management have a record of all staff members garda vetting on file. Manager will monitor it to ensure applications are processed in a timely manner to ensure garda vetting is processed every 3 years to maintain compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. 2. The designated person in charge liaised with staff members to ensure they understood the importance of documenting any equipment that needs to be repaired or replaced on the daily outdoor risk assessment and reporting it to management. This will enable management to replace or repair equipment to ensure we continuously provide a safe and fun environment for the children. Implementation will be monitored by the management team. Infection Control: 3. The designated person in charge or deputy will complete regular checks to ensure our procedure in relation to nappy changes is being adhered to. 4. The designated person in charge or deputy will complete regular checks to ensure our procedure in relation to nappy changes is being adhered to. 5. Following the inspection all staff received refresher training on our infection control policy. Management will monitor the room to ensure no toys or equipment are stored in this area. 6. Management have set up a system where staff will record and sign off each day that they have sterilised soothers and the children’s individual containers. Management will monitor to ensure this procedure is being implemented in the care rooms. 7. Staff will continue to record the water temperature in the Den sanitary accommodation as part of the daily risk assessment and will report to the designated person in charge or the deputy if the temperature of the water is cold to touch. The designated person in charge and deputy will monitor to ensure this procedure is successfully implemented. 8. Management informed staff mattresses must be checked when changing the bedding. If a mattress cover is soiled, they must put it in the laundry room to be washed. Management have added in a section onto the Baby and Toddler Sleep Room Weekly Cleaning Records and the Sleep Room Risk Checklist to ensure mattresses are inspected and any anomalies are addressed. Safe Sleep: 9. Implementation of this procedure will be monitored by the room leader, designated person in charge and the deputy. 10. Staff in the Penguin room were informed to make sure only fitted sheets that correctly fit the cot mattress be put onto them. The designated person in charge and deputy will monitor to ensure this is implemented. Fire Safety: 11. Staff have been informed that escape routes and exit doors should be maintained free from obstruction so that they can be safely and effectively used at all times. Following the inspection all staff received refresher training on their Fire Safety Policy. Management will monitor to ensure this is implemented
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- (1) Four children who were present in the Ducklings room were not signed into the attendance register on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) Staff in the Ducklings room were spoken to regarding their responsibility and importance of recording every child onto their roll sheet as soon as they enter the care room. This was also addressed with all staff at our recent staff meeting on the 27th of August 2024. Staff have subsequently received refresher training on their Recording of Attendance policy. Preventive Action (1) Room leaders have been charged with ensuring children’s attendance is recorded effectively. The designated person in charge and the deputy will also closely monitor attendance records in all care rooms to ensure children are being recorded in and out in an efficient manner. Summary Comment The evidence submitted by the registered provider in relation to regulation 24 - Checking in and out and record of attendance has been reviewed and accepted
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26.