Inspection of 4 April 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The registered provider did not have 2 written and validated references from a previous employer or reputable source available for 1 staff member, and 1 written reference available for a staff member was not validated
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated in the response that two written validated references are now in place for each staff member. The service has implemented a template system to send to referees when employing new staff
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
- One record of the six records reviewed did not have information for the authorisation for the collection of the child on file. (h) One record of the six records reviewed had no immunisation details recorded for the child
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (1) (e) (h) The registered provider stated in their response that children’s registration forms now include details of authorisation to collect their child and that immunisation records have been completed. The registered provider will ensure all children’s records are complete prior to the children commencing pre- school
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A child was observed to have whole grapes in their lunch box. The grapes were not cut in half which presented a potential choking risk. 2. Visibility strips positioned at a child’s eye level were not in place on the glazed panels on the double patio doors leading to the outdoor area. There was a potential risk that a child could walk into glass doors and receive an injury. Infection Control: 3. Single use paper towels were not available in the sanitary accommodation to support effective hand hygiene practices. Children were observed to use a communal cloth hand towel located in the sanitary accommodation. This practice increased the risk of cross contamination and the spread of infection. 4. Perishable items such as yoghurts and ham sandwiches contained within the children’s lunchboxes were not refrigerated. Administration of Medication: 5. Temperature reducing medication was not available in the service should it be required in the event of an emergency. It is acknowledged that parental consent for the administration of this medication was on file. Outings: 6. The inspectors were informed that the children are brought on outings to the local GAA pitch which is located across the road from the service. No documented risk assessments on outings that had previously occurred were in place to support this practice and ensure the safety of the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective Action General Safety: 1. The registered provider has communicated to parents to cut fruits such as grapes and cherry tomatoes. Lunches will be checked by staff to minimise any potential choking hazard risks. Staff will cut any foods deemed to be a choking hazard. 2. Visibility stickers have been placed on the centre of the glass patio doors that lead out to the garden. Infection Control: 3. Paper towels have been placed in the hand towel dispensers in the sanitary accommodation. 4. Perishable food items are now stored in labelled resealable lunch bags in the fridge. Administration of Medication: 5. A bottle of temperature reducing medication has been purchased for the pre-school. Best before dates of medication will be noted and medication will be replaced before it goes out of date. Outings: 6. A risk assessment has been established for outings. Risk assessments will be conducted prior to outings. The registered provider will ensure staff are aware of the safety requirements for outings. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: A copy of the letter to parents regarding potential choking hazards was submitted to the inspectorate. Photographic evidence of eye level visibility strips was submitted to the inspectorate. Infection Control: Photographic evidence of stocked paper towel dispensers was submitted to the inspectorate. Photographic evidence of lunch stored in resealable lunch bags in the fridge was submitted to the inspectorate. Administration of Medication: Photographic evidence of temperature reducing medication was submitted to the inspectorate. Outing: A copy of the outing’s checklist and risk assessment specific to the GAA pitch was submitted to the inspectorate. Summary Comment In respect of the corrective action taken photographic evidence was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate, reviewed by the Early Years Inspector and deemed to meet the regulatory requirement
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1)(a) Evidence that fire drills were carried out monthly was not available. A fire drill was not recorded as taking place in March 2025. (b) The smoke detection system was not serviced on an annual basis. Records reviewed demonstrated that the smoke alarms were last serviced on 06 September 2023
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(a) The registered provider stated in the response that a fire drill was conducted on the 07 April 2025. (b) The registered provider stated in the response that the smoke detection system was serviced on 28 April 2025. The registered provider stated that the fire extinguishers and smoke alarms have been serviced by an appropriate person. The maintenance of the fire safety equipment will be booked for service in advance of the expiration date
Found compliant: Regulation 10, 11, 16, 19, 25, 29.