Inspection of 28 October 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (4) While documentation was available to evidence one staff members qualification, the accuracy of that document could not be verified. The registered provider could not provide assurance that the staff member holds a qualification deemed appropriate by the minister to work directly with children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that the staff member has received correspondence from the college where they received their qualification. Official certification is available to confirm the staff members’ qualification but must be collected in person. The staff member will collect the certificate during the Christmas holidays
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1)(2) Although it is acknowledged that there was a sufficient number of staff available in the service throughout the inspection, the appropriate ratios were not maintained at all times. Please refer to the information outlined under safe sleep in Regulation 23 of this report
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provided has stated that a new routine has been developed to allow a member of staff to remain in the sleep room with the children who sleep on floor beds
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. In the toddler sleep room electrical cables from a number of devices were hanging down or tailing on the floor and in reach of children during the inspection posing a risk of injury to a child. 2. In the toddler sleep room, a disposable bag containing cushions was observed to be stored between two cots in use by children, the top of the bag open and assessable to children. This poses a potential risk of suffocation to a child who could reach the bag and cushions. 3. In the toddler sleep room, a stapler and scissors were stored on a table close to a cot in use by a child. This poses a potential risk to a child who could reach out and access them. Infection Control: 4. During the nappy changing procedure, practices observed were not effective for infection prevention and control purposes, the same pair of gloves were worn by a member of staff throughout the whole process. This included redressing the child. The staff member did not wash their hands or the hands of the child following the removal of gloves and completion of the nappy changing procedure. The staff member applied hand sanitizer to their hands and rubbed the child’s hands with the sanitiser. This is at variance with the nappy changing policy displayed in the service and poses a potential risk of cross infection to children and adults. 5. In the pre-Montessori room at dinner time, the children from the toddler room were not afforded the opportunity to wash their hands before eating, staff members were observed to rub hand sanitiser onto children’s hands as they sat in the highchairs. 6. In the toddler room, three vinyl floor mats were torn in the corners, the foam was exposed which prevented adequate cleaning and posed an infection control risk. 7. In the pre-Montessori room, two vinyl armchairs used by the children were torn in the corners and at the front, the foam was exposed which prevented adequate cleaning and posed an infection control risk. 8. Adequate space of 50cm was not maintained between cots to limit the spread of infection. Two cots in the baby sleep room were positioned 10cms apart. Safe Sleep: 9. In the pre-Montessori room, children were left unattended on floor beds during sleep time, which poses a potential risk of harm if they got up from bed without adult supervision. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The registered provider has stated: 1. The electrical cables were immediately removed and are no longer trailing. A Safety notice was placed on the wall of the cot room reminding staff to secure cables to ensure they are not accessible to children. 2. The disposable bag has been removed from the sleep room. A Safety notice was placed on the wall of the cot room reminding staff that items cannot be stored in the sleep room between cots. 3. The scissors and stapler were removed immediately following the inspection. The desk was removed subsequently from the sleep room. Infection Control: 4. A new nappy changing policy has been drawn up stating that gloves are to be removed and replaced with a new pair before dressing the child. Service has now reverted back to hand washing instead of using hand sanitiser. 5. All children’s hands will be washed at appropriate times instead of using hand sanitiser. This updated information has been shared with all staff. Staff have availed of training to support back care while washing children’s hands. 6. The torn floor mats have been removed from the service. Staff will carry out regular risk assessments to monitor the room and equipment. 7. The two vinyl chairs in the pre-Montessori room have been removed. Staff will carry out regular risk assessments to monitor the room and equipment. 8. A storage unit in the sleep room was removed allowing 50cm between cots. No additional furniture will be placed in the sleep room in future. Safe Sleep: 9. The registered provided has stated that a new routine has been developed to allow a member of staff to remain in the sleep room with the children who sleep on floor beds
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25, 26.