Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the caterpillar room, trailing wires from a light and a fan were observed to be hanging from a wooden unit. The wires were accessible to the children. This posed a risk of strangulation to a child if they accessed it. 2. The door into the kitchen was observed to be open while the kitchen was unattended, a child was observed to walk past the kitchen door unsupervised to access the children’s bathroom. The kitchen door is directly facing the children’s bathroom. Throughout the inspection, children walked to the bathroom independently. This posed a potential risk of harm to a child accessing the kitchen area unsupervised. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The registered provider stated: 1.The trailing wires have been securely pinned to the wall out of reach of children. Staff have been retrained in carrying out a risk assessment in the room. 2.Staff have been remined of the importance of closing the door when the kitchen is unattended. A sign has also been placed on the door as a reminder. Staff will accompany children when they are in the hallway going to the toilet or garden
(2)(a)(b) There were no references available for one adult. (3) The registered provider did not take appropriate measures to ensure that all adults were suitable to work in an early years service prior to their commencement as follows: • There was no evidence available to demonstrate that two references in respect of one adult had been validated by the registered provider before staff commenced working in the service. (4) There was insufficient evidence available to show that one adult who was working directly with the children in the service, held a relevant major award in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications
Provider's corrective action:
Appropriate references have been received for the staff member in question. Recruitment Policy updated and checklist created for documents which must be received before commencement of work
A checklist was planned for the documents needed before a staff member commences work
The staff member does not work directly with the children, she has been put on admin duties. Email from Chevron confirms she has to do more modules which she has applied for. She will work with the afterschool children for the summer and has been given notice for September that she can no longer work with the children until she has completed her full QQI Level 5 in childcare
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. A number of nappy changes were observed on the day of inspection and were at variance with the service policy as follows: • The children’s hands were not washed following the nappy change. • Two staff members hands were not washed following the change. • The changing mat was not wiped down following a change. The above non-compliance was found on the last inspection dated 12th September 2023. Fire Safety: 2. Regular fire drills did not take place in the service. This can impede the safe evacuation of staff and children in the event of an emergency. The last fire drill took place on the 22nd March 2024. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. Nappy changing and toileting policy & procedure updated, policy given to all staff. Procedure displayed in nappy changing area. Regular training in our nappy training procedure and observing to ensure it is being carried out correctly. Fire Safety: 2. A fire drill was carried out the following day after inspection. Monthly reminder set to conduct a fire drill
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 25, 26, 29.
Inspection of 12 September 2023 — Inspection Report
There was only one reference available for two staff members, a second reference had not been sought or kept on file
Adequate validation was not available for eleven references. The date of validation or person who validated the references was not recorded. The inspectors were unable to ascertain from the information recorded whether the steps had been completed prior to the staff commencing employment in the service
Provider's corrective action:
The two references were misfiled and returned to the staff members folder. Information was sought regarding timeline of reference checks and dates added. Ensure staff files are in correct place by introducing a filing system. A form will accompany the references with a set of questions to be asked and recorded on the form
No corrective or preventive actions were submitted
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(h) A record of immunisations was not available for one of the records reviewed
Provider's corrective action:
(h) Dates for all immunisations were sought by all parents and updated on the children’s files. The forms will be checked upon arrival and enrolment form changed to remind parents to communicate vaccines as the child receives them so we can update their child’s immunisation history
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) There were no medication administration records available for any children who received medication in the service or signed parental consent
Provider's corrective action:
(j) Ensure all antibiotic forms are filled as soon as parent hands over the medication on paper form
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Plates were not provided in the Ladybird room, at snack time inspectors observed a snack of fruit being placed on a tissue on the table which could lead to cross contamination. 2. In the Caterpillar room bibs were not used for children during dinner resulting in the children’s clothes becoming soiled
Provider's corrective action:
1. Staff reminded to use the plates for food and not tissues. Retrained staff on the policy and procedures of HACCP Food Handling. 2. Staff reminded to put bibs on children at all meal times. Sign on wall to remind staff members to use bibs
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The kitchen, office, cupboard in the hallway and staff bathroom were all accessible on the day of inspection. These areas were accessible to children from Butterfly, Bumblebee and Dragonfly rooms that independently accessed the toilet in the hallway of the service. There were a number of hazards identified in these areas which posed a risk of harm to the children including the following: • A number of hazards in the office including a handheld drill, 5ltr tin of paint, large scissors, loose cables, extension lead, screws and nails in an open box which could cause a risk of injury to a child. • An unlocked cupboard located in the hallway contained large 5 litre drums of washing detergent and fabric conditioner together with cleaning products which could cause a risk of a child ingesting the product. • The staff bathroom which was unlocked and contained bleach and cleaning products which could cause a risk of a child ingesting the product. • Vacuum cleaner located in the hallway with a long trailing cable which could lead to a risk of injury to a child. 2. In the garden area a number of hazards were identified which included: • a ladder which was stacked against a wall, it is acknowledged that the person in charge removed this when the inspectors noted it, however, the children had been in the garden prior to the inspector’s arrival in the garden. • loose wires and pipes which ran along the gable and rear walls of the premises in reach of the children which posed a risk of injury to a child. • The waste pipe from the washing machine was broken and used water could not go down the drain which poses a risk of a child ingesting waste water. • A number of planks of wood were loose and stored in the garden which could cause a risk of injury o a child. 3. In the Ladybird room an unlocked press under the sink contained 2 irons with long cables which were accessible to the children which posed a risk of injury to a child. 4. In the Bumblebee room a number of chairs were stacked on top of the tables whilst the children ate their snack. The children were observed pushing the chairs. Later inspectors observed seven chairs stacked on the floor of the care room. This posed a risk of injury should the chairs fall. Infection Control: 5. Children did not wash their hands prior to dinner in the Butterfly and Bumblebee rooms which could pose a risk of cross contamination. 6. There were 3 open bins in the Bumblebee room. Soiled tissues, gloves and paper towels were observed in them. Two open bins in the Ladybird and Dragonfly rooms were also observed to contain soiled tissues. Pedal operated bins are required to ensure adequate infection control. 7. In the garden a number of discarded tissues and wet wipes were noted discarded on the ground. Children who could not walk were observed to crawl in the garden whilst these items were present. There were also other items of refuse including plastic packaging and wood discarded in reach of children. These hazards could cause a risk of cross contamination and injury to a child. 8. A number of containers in the garden contained stagnant water and was not removed or cleaned prior to children entering the garden area which poses a risk of gastrointestinal illness if ingested. 9. During a nappy change a staff member was observed to re-dress a child with soiled gloves. This practice was at variance with the service nappy changing policy. This poses a risk of cross contamination. 10. Soiled toilet brushes containing faecal particles were observed in the sanitary accommodation on the floor where children accessed the toilet without supervision. This poses a risk of cross contamination should they be handled. 11. The rugs in the Caterpillar, Ladybird and Bumblebee rooms were observed to contain a build-up of dirt and debris and appeared soiled. Administration of Medication: 12. During conversations with staff it was noted that three children had received medication in the past week including an anti-biotic, temperature reducing medication and a prescribed medication which is given to a child daily. There was no signed documentation available detailing the administration of these medication or prior parental consent. This could affect the continuity of care of the children. Safe Sleep: 13. Sleep checks were recorded on an electronic application evidence observed by the inspectors noted that no sleep checks had been completed in the past week for a child attending the Caterpillar room whilst they slept. Other records demonstrated that sleep checks were not completed every 10 minutes as is required as per the service policy. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. 1. Hazards removed from the office. Door to kitchen will be repaired to make it easier for the member of staff in the kitchen to keep the door closed. New bigger sign added for visual reminder. Door locks ordered. Keep door closed when not in use sign put on office door. Door locks installed. The cleaning materials were removed from the staff bathroom while awaiting high storage to be installed. Shelf secured high on wall for cleaning materials. The vacuum cleaner was removed from the hall and placed in the office. Risk assessments updated to include hazardous items not being in reach of children. Door locks put on cupboard, kitchen and office out of children’s reach. Shelf installed to store cleaning materials out of child’s reach. Staff reminded not to leave the vacuum in reach of children. 2. Ladder moved to safe area away from children. Wires secured with cable ties and pipe secured to wall. Waste pipe from washing machine repaired. The wood is used as part of play, not waste. Put into correct storage. The garden risk assessment was updated and in print form, so the staff carry out inspection before children enter the room. Children reminded of where open-ended material is stored and staff informed to oversee where the children put items. 3. Child lock put on the press to restrict the children from accessing it. All presses which contain hazards will have child locks on them. 4. Chairs were separated to remove the hazard of falling. Staff informed not to stack chairs at height and to remove stacked chairs from tables before children access the room. Infection Control: 5. To ensure the staff follow procedures, reminders of times to wash hands after. 6. Bins with no lids emptied of soiled waste. New pedal bins ordered for all recycling bins and bins regularly checked by staff members for mixed waste disposal. 7. Rubbish removed. Risk assessment for garden implemented to include ensuring no rubbish and to check garden when finished in case of any discarded wipes or tissues after use. 8. All open material with water was emptied. Staff reminded to empty any water after children’s play. 9. Staff reminded of nappy changing procedure. Staff retrained on nappy training procedure and encouraged to follow picture signs on the wall. 10. Brushes removed and stored away from children. 11. Mats removed and replaced with clean ones. Staff informed to keep their mats clear of debris and put them to be washed when visually soiled. Administration of Medication: 12. Staff reminded to have consent before administrating an antibiotic. Forms will be filled out physically on paper to ensure forms are signed. Safe Sleep: 13. Sleeping forms filled out on paper. Staff participated in CPD of Safe Sleep for children. Forms printed to ensure 10-minute checks are signed off as well as physically checking the children
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The service was not cleaned, maintained or repaired as follows: 1. All of the care rooms, children’s bathrooms, nappy changing areas, and some furniture were observed to be heavily soiled and required a deep clean as follows; • Areas of the flooring, skirting boards, radiators, ledges, and shelving had heavy accumulations of dust, dirt and debris in crevices and on surfaces of all care rooms, sanitary accommodation and common areas. • Areas of the walls and doors in the sanitary areas and the care rooms were heavily stained. 2. The floor covering in a number of care rooms and sanitary accommodation was missing exposing concrete as follows: • In the Caterpillar room there was a number of large parts of flooring missing and torn in places throughout the room exposing loose concrete. A number of children who attended this room were observed to be crawling along the floor in the room. • In the Butterfly room the flooring is missing in part throughout the room pieces of concrete and plaster from the wall was observed on the floor. • In the Bumblebee room parts of the flooring is missing and doesn’t meet the walls. A number of holes in the flooring was observed throughout the care room. • The sanitary accommodation flooring was missing in parts in the toilet cubicles. A build up of dirt and debris was noted in all of the missing parts of flooring throughout the service. 3. In the sanitary accommodation at the end of the main corridor of the service the pipe from a sink was leaking and left a stain on the tiles. 4. The partitions of the toilets in the sanitary accommodation at the end of the corridor were chipped exposing wood and could not be adequately cleaned. 5. A number of walls throughout the service were heavily chipped exposing sharp edges. 6. In the sleep room, paint was observed to be heavily chipped and lifting from the walls in parts. Staining was also noted on the walls in areas where the person in charge confirmed there had been a leak. 7. A step in the changing room was heavily rusted. It could not be effectively cleaned. 8. The light fitting in the sleep room was not covered with a shatterproof diffuser posing a risk of injury to a sleeping child should the bulb shatter
Provider's corrective action:
1. A deep clean was done in all the rooms on the premises. Staff reminded to follow the cleaning schedule as per cleaning form. Advert posted to find a permanent cleaner. 2. Any debris in crevices removed. Flooring repaired and replaced. Floors in the Caterpillar, Butterfly and sanitary rooms were repaired. Floors will be checked regularly for any maintenance issues. Routine check and record of maintenance has been implemented. 3. Pipe tightened to stop leak. Regular checks for leaks are done and recorded on maintenance form. 4, 5 and 6. A painter sought to do painting in all areas mentioned. Painter booked in for the end of October to complete painting. A review of painting and chipped areas of the walls will be checked every six months from when painted. Any chips that can harm a child will be immediately repaired. 7. Step replaced with new set. Any rusty items will be discarded immediately. 8. Light not used until light safe. Check lights for any safety issues