Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: Garda vetting disclosures for one staff member was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General safety: Garda vetting renewal for one staff member had been applied for prior to inspection. Copy of application was observed by the Early Years Inspector
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 21, 22, 25, 31.
Inspection of 30 September 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General safety: 1. Several doors to the rear of the building were unsecured. This posed a risk that unauthorised adults could enter the premises unhindered, and a child could potentially exit unsupervised to the back of the service. One of the open doors allowed for direct access to a playroom that was used for children to sleep. 2. A number of fire exit doors were obstructed with toys and equipment. Corridors and the stairwell were cluttered with toys, equipment and furniture not in use. This posed a risk of obstruction in the event of an emergency and a trip hazard. The fire exit door was obstructed in one of the sleep rooms with stackable beds. 3. The area outside one of the sleep rooms was also cluttered and posed as a trip hazard in the event of an emergency. 4. A child was observed placed to sleep beside a radiator. 5. The service did not demonstrate compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice requiring services to re-new Garda vetting every three years. Garda vetting records were available for all staff members. However, two vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. Infection Control: 1. Children’s hands were not washed after nappy changing procedures. The inspector observed the procedure on a number of occasions during the day and did not see handwashing take place for these children. 2. A staff member did not change gloves or aprons or wash their hands between each nappy changing procedure. 3. Mattress/ mattress covers on cots were not waterproof, and therefore could not be adequately cleaned which posed as risk of infection. Safe Sleep: 1. There were no thermometers available in some rooms of the service for staff to ensure comfortable or safe temperatures. For example, there were none available in one of the sleep rooms and in the baby room while that space was being used for sleep by older children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Four doors have been fitted with a security keypad locking system. • Rear door leading to the stairway area. • Door from the childcare corridor to the stairway area. • Door leading from the sleep/sensory room from the corridor to the main Knockanrawley centre. • Door from Knockanrawley centre corridor to toddler/playroom. Childcare staff only have been provided with the door code to access childcare facilities. 2. The fire exit doors which were obstructed along with the sensory room have been decluttered. The area under the stairwell was decluttered before the inspectors left on the day of inspection. A notice has been put in place highlighting these areas need to be kept clutter free. 3. Area outside the sleep room has been decluttered. A room leaders meeting has taken place, followed by individual room meetings where all staff were informed of the necessity of keeping fire doors clear and areas decluttered. Items not required for daily use are now stored in the attic or storeroom. 4. The sleep area has been increased to accommodate children sleeping away from the radiator. Staff have been informed via memo that no child is to sleep beside a radiator. 5. Two staff whose vetting was out of date since August 2024 have been revetted and disclosures submitted to Tusla Early Years. An excel sheet has no been set up by the service to monitor staff vetting dates. Infection Control: 1. All children’s hands are washed after each nappy change. All staff have been notified to follow the current nappy changing procedures and notices in relation to this procedure have been placed in nappy changing areas. 2. All staff have been retrained in accordance with the correct procedures regarding the disposal of gloves and aprons after each nappy change. Notices on correct hygiene procedures are in place and all new staff members are to be trained in this area on induction. 3. Waterproof mattress protector and new mattress have been purchased and are cleaned regularly. Safe sleep policy has been updated to ensure waterproof mattress/mattress covers are used and cleaned. Safe Sleep: 1. All rooms are now fitted with thermometers. Thermometers are checked regularly to ensure they are in working condition, ensuring safe temperatures for all children. This procedure has been added to our safe sleep policy
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26, 28.