Inspection of 3 February 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- Four references in respect of one staff member and one student had not been validated by the registered provider prior to the adults working directly with the preschool children
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: References were immediately obtained and validated all outstanding references for the adults identified in the report. Reference checks were reviewed to ensure they were satisfactory and appropriately documented. Confirmation has been placed on each personnel file to verify that references have now been checked and validated in line with regulatory requirements. The manager will review and sign off on personnel files prior to start dates. Personnel files will be audited quarterly to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. In the outdoor area, a tyre swing was identified to be a hazard as a safety rope had become loose, forming a loop which could pose a risk to a child. This was brought to the attention of the registered provider who rectified the issue immediately. 2. The windows on the ground floor of the service had no restrictors in place posing a risk of safety to the preschool children. 3. In the toddler sleep room, a nail had become loose from a fixture and was protruding from the wall. A cot was placed beside this wall which could potentially be accessed by the toddler. This was brought to the attention of the registered provider who ensured this cot was not in use until the matter was rectified. 4. A child was placed in a highchair which had no safety harness in place, posing a risk of safety to the preschool child. 5. Shaving foam was stored in the care room. Shaving foam is not permitted in early years services as it could be ingested by children. It is acknowledged that the registered provider stated it was in use for arts and crafts. Infection Control: 6. The nappy bin did not have the required working foot pedal, which resulted in the adults using their hands to dispose of nappies resulting in a risk of cross infection. 7. Water temperatures were recorded at 12.9°c which is below the recommended temperature for effective hand hygiene, posing a risk of infection. This non-compliance was identified on the previous inspection on the 20 April 2025 where measures taken by the registered provider failed to prevent a reoccurrence. 8. Soft furnishings in the outdoor shelters were worn and visibly dirty, posing an infection control risk. Safe Sleep: 9. Four cots in a sleep room where not the recommended 50cms apart. This could lead to infection and control risks for the preschool children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: In a written response the registered provider stated: 1. The registered provider immediately secured and adjusted the safety rope on the tyre swing to remove the loop and eliminate the potential hazard. Visual safety checks will be completed daily. 2. Window restrictors have been installed on the ground floor windows. 3. Nail has been removed and the wire secured. 4. The highchair without a harness was immediately removed from use. New highchairs, each fitted with fully functional safety harnesses, were purchased and put into use for all children. Safety checks have been introduced. Staff have been reminded that all children must be secured in highchairs using the provided harness at all times. Daily equipment checks have been introduced to verify that all highchairs remain in safe working order. Any damaged or incomplete highchair will be removed immediately and reported to management for replacement. 5. Shaving foam removed. A policy review has been completed to ensure all art and craft materials are safe, non-toxic, and suitable for young children. Staff have been reminded not to use any materials that could pose a risk of ingestion or harm Infection Control: 6. Bins have been replaced with pedal foot operated bins. 7. The boiler has been fixed. 8. Soft furnishings have been removed. Safe Sleep: 9. One cot has been removed from the room and remaining cots have been placed 50cm apart. This will be monitored
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) The service was not adequately heated as follows: • The temperature in the dining room was recorded to be 13.4°C at approximately 12 midday. This is below the recommended room temperature of 18°C to 22°C. Some staff and preschool children were wearing hats and coats in the dining room during morning snack and again at lunch time. • The room temperature the sleep room was below the recommended guidance of 18°C to 22°C. The temperature in the sleep room at 11:23am was recorded as 12.8°C. (d) The wooden teepee in the outdoor area was not maintained or cleaned appropriately. The internal wall linings showed signs of wear and tear and some parts where ripped. The teepee was visibly dirty and had a build-up of green algae both inside and outside. There was a build-up of dust and cobwebs on the ceiling on the teepee
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: (c) Temporary heating measures were put in place immediately, including portable heaters where safe and appropriate, to ensure staff and children remained warm. The central heating system and boiler are being fully inspected and repaired to ensure consistent heating throughout the service. Heck lists have been out in place to ensure the morning staff checks the system. The central heating system and all radiators will continue to be regularly serviced and maintained to prevent recurrence of heating issues. (d) The entire teepee was power-washed to remove algae, dirt, dust, and cobwebs
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 17, 18, 21, 24, 27.