(9)(2)(d) See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice 0144 served. (3) Documentation reviewed evidenced that the procedures specified in paragraph (2)(d) had not been carried out prior to one of the adults commencing employment in the service, see statutory notice
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (j) A sample of medication administration records were reviewed by the inspectors. Two of the records were not signed by a second staff member as a witness to the administration of the medication. One of the records contained no evidence that the child’s parent/guardian had been informed that their child had received medication in the service. This was at variance with the medication administration policy in place in the service and posed a risk of harm to a child
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action All Staff have been informed of the non-compliance in person and through our Monthly Staff Memo in order for them to be reminded of the importance. Medication forms have been reviewed, and forms will be reviewed regularly by Admin to ensure compliance is upheld. Staff have re-read the Medication Management Policy and all staff have signed off on this. In addition, further enhancements to the medication form now includes a pre- consent signature for parents that they must sign before the child is administered medication (where possible). (This does not apply to anti-febrile medication that is needed unexpectedly but applies to known medications being brought to the service on arrival in the morning)
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Some practices observed did not meet the care needs of some children present which may negatively impact their health and wellbeing as follows; Three children aged three years were observed asleep on the floor of the Little Moons care room during the inspection, two on a floor rug with a pillow and one on a wooden floor with a pillow. During discussions with the inspector, staff detailed there were no beds available upstairs for the older children to sleep
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action The number of children that would have a tendency to fall asleep during relaxation time in all Senior units has been assessed and a suitable number of beds are now available and easily accessible to these children. It has been recognised that although no formal nap is offered for this age group, a few children tend to fall asleep during relaxation time and so proper provisions have been made for this
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: See Statutory Notice section in relation to Improvement Notice 0143 served. 1. An electrical cable was hanging in reach of the children in the Junior Montessori room from a shelf to a low-level socket posing a risk of harm to a child. Infection Control: 2. Four of the shared cot mattresses in use did not have a waterproof covering in place to prevent cross contamination. 3. Children were offered fabric pillows for sleep time in the Junior Montessori room. Staff stated the pillows were shared, not designated to one child, and washed at the end of the week. This poses a risk of cross contamination. 4. Children’s nappy supplies were stored in the sanitary area of the Junior Montessori room down the side of the children’s toilet which staff members stated is in use daily posing a risk of cross contamination. 5. The paper towels used for hand drying in the Junior Montessori room were not stored in a dispenser as required. Staff members and children were observed handling the large roll to tear pieces off to hand dry posing a risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The cable has been secured correctly using Velcro/adhesive cable ties to ensure the cable cannot become loose again. Risk assessment checklists have been amended so there is now a section that staff need to check to ensure that all cables in care rooms are secured in the morning before children enter the care room. Infection Control: 2. Further waterproof covers for mattresses have been purchased to ensure that all mattresses in the service are now waterproof. Unit heads of all units with children under 24 months have read the updated guidance on sleep policy to ensure staff are fully aware of safe sleep needs and prevention of cross contamination and sanitation. 3. Children are now assigned designated pillows which means there is no risk of cross contamination. The designated pillows use a numbered system to ensure that it is clear and organised, and each child uses the same pillow every week. 4. These nappies have been moved and are no longer stored in this area to eliminate the risk of cross contamination. Nappies are now being stored in covered boxes away from the sanitary area. These nappies are only spare nappies that can be re-stocked to the shelf above the toilet for easy access when changing nappies. 5. Blue Roll Dispensers have been fitted in all units and are being always used correctly – inside the dispensers. All staff have been reminded of the importance of keeping all disposable paper towels and blue roll in the dispensers at all times. This has been documented in the Staff Memo
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice (IAN) was issued under
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
A sample of ten medication administration records were reviewed and ten records were not signed by a second staff member as a witness to the administration of the medication contrary to the service’s administration of medication policy. Failure to maintain accurate administration of medication records and to have medication administration witnessed poses a risk to the children. It is acknowledged that staff adequately detailed the procedures for administering medication if required to inspectors and that staff were observed taking appropriate safety measures when administering medicine to a child in the Junior Montessori room on the first day of inspection in line with the service’s administration of medication policy
Provider's corrective action:
The following response was provided by the service: Corrective and Preventive Action We have now edited the form so that it requires a second signature in line with our medication policy, before it can be submitted. It means that all forms going forward will have the required signatures
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
• While it is acknowledged the staff were attentive to the children from the Transitions room before and during mealtime in the dining room area the transition from the dining room after mealtime back to the classroom was not adequately managed by staff. There were eighteen children present and three staff members. A number of children required a change of clothes due to wet and dirty tops. Two children slipped on food on the floor unnoticed by staff. One staff member took five children out to the Transitions room when they were cleaned and left two staff with thirteen children in the dining room. While the two staff members were cleaning the children that were wet after the meal, the other remaining five children still eating were left unattended and began to eat each other’s food, drinks of water and food that had spilled onto the floor
Provider's corrective action:
The following response was provided by the service: Corrective and Preventive Action New bibs have been purchased and are in use, minimising the need for children to be cleaned or changed after meals. This has supported the staff in the transition from mealtime. In addition, we have split the dinner time into two separate time slots so there are now only a maximum of 10 children during each dinner time. With the changes made, this has shown to prevent the staff from being overwhelmed with tasks related to the dining room
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: • An immediate action notice was issued for the storage of medication accessible to children on the second day of inspection 8 April 2025. Two children’s emergency medication was stored in low presses with no locking mechanism or safety lock to prevent the children gaining access posing a significant risk to the children in both the Senior Montessori rooms one and two gaining access to the medication. • The locking mechanism on the second stair gate was not working and posed a risk of a child gaining access to the stairs unattended. • The water temperature in the children’s handwash sinks in the Montessori room sanitary areas was above the required maximum temperature of 43°C and posed a risk of scalding to a child. The water temperatures ranged from 53°C to 55°C. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 24 October 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. • Trailing cables from electronic devices were observed hanging from shelfs, stored on the floors and windowsills in reach of the children in the Senior and Junior Montessori rooms posing a risk of injury. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 24 October and 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. Infection Control: • The handwashing practices observed were inconsistent during the first day of inspection and at variance with the policy in place in the service. While it was observed some of the children in the Senior Montessori room washed their hands before dinner some also did not on. Inconsistent handwashing practices were observed on the last inspection on 24 October and 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. • In the Junior Montessori room, the children’s beds were stacked up against each other with their bed linen touching off one another. This poses a significant risk of cross contamination. Safe Sleep: • The temperature of the room used for nap time in the Junior Montessori unit was not taken prior to or during sleep time. It is acknowledged that there was an electronic thermometer in this room however, the temperature recorded at the time of sleep was 25.5°C. This posed a risk to the children’s safety and was at variance with the safe sleep policy in place. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 24 October 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The following response was provided by the service:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The two emergency medications referred to in the report have been permanently moved to a high shelf, labelled and the children have no access to this area. 2. A new lock has been fitted on the gates and is functioning correctly. 3. The water temperatures were corrected after the day of the inspection and were below 43 degrees on day two. 4. All trailing cables have been secured, and the risk assessment checklist has been edited to specify that cables need to be checked each day. Infection Control: 1. We have now assigned a staff member to supervise the handwashing before mealtimes to ensure that all children wash their hands properly and effectively. 2. Beds are now being stored without linen on them – linen is now being stored in separate bags and laundered each week. Safe Sleep: 1. We have purchased a new room thermometer alongside the egg to ensure accurate room temperature readings. We are now recording the temperature in the sleep rooms, 30 minutes prior to sleep time
Regulation 29 — Premises
(e) On the first day of inspection in the Transitions room it was observed that eighteen children were present, and all required a nappy change with only one changing mat in use on the day. This is not suitable to the number of children requiring a nappy change
Provider's corrective action:
The following response was provided by the service: Corrective and Preventive Action There is now sufficient storage space for all nappies to ensure that the second changing mat will not be used for storing nappies
Two of the references obtained in respect of two external contractors from a source other than a past employer were not suitable as the source of the references could not be considered independent or unbiased
Police vetting was required and was not available for two adults who had lived outside the State for a period exceeding six months as an adult. This non-compliance was present on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as outlined by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
The registered provider did not take appropriate measures to ensure that all employees were suitable to work in an early years service prior to commencing employment. It is acknowledged that a Garda vetting disclosure and two validated references were available for a staff member who had previously been employed in the service and who had returned to work in the service in April 2024. However, the Garda vetting disclosure and validated references available were dated from 2022 and had not been renewed before the staff member commenced employment on 22 April 2024
Provider's corrective action:
Appropriate references have been sought and are now validated and in the staff files. Staff File Cover Sheet specifies what constitutes an appropriate reference for any staff member, including contractors coming weekly to the school
Police Vetting (Full Criminal) has been obtained for two adults. Will ensure that full police vetting is obtained (not just certificate for sexual offences but full criminal records) and translated in English before employee start date
Employee has been re-vetted (Garda vetting) and certificate is available to view. One old reference was re- validated and one new reference has been validated as employee only had one job between leaving us and re- joining us. We now have instructions in place for if an employee returns to the service, to ensure all documents are compliant. It is the first time we have had an employee return and since it was within 6 months of leaving there was uncertainty about documents needed. It is clear now
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Inspectors observed that the needs of all children were not adequately provided for at mealtimes. Bibs were not provided for children in the Tiny Tots room during the morning snack on the first day of inspection. Three children’s tops became wet during the meal. The children were then placed to sleep in the wet clothing
Provider's corrective action:
1. Bibs are worn at every meal time to ensure children have dry clothes before nap time. Children are checked before being brought to the sleep room to ensure they are clean and dry. Action has been added into Staff Daily Duties to ensure that the staff are aware of who is responsible for this task every day
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
1. Appropriate rest facilities were not provided for all children under 2 years in the Transitions unit. On the first day of inspection, one child, aged 1 year, was observed on a low stackable bed. This bed was not fitted with a firm, flat, waterproof and breathable mattress. It is acknowledged that an order had been placed for a suitable mattress, however it was not available before the child began attending the service in October. 2. Children in the Junior Montessori room who required a nap were not provided with appropriate rest facilities. It is acknowledged that suitable mattresses were available and in use for the six children who require a nap. However, these mattresses were not fitted with sheets, contrary to the service sleep policy which states that individual bed linen is provided to each child
Provider's corrective action:
1. There are now a suitable amount of mattresses and floor beds for all children under 2. We now have enough cots, floor beds and stackable beds for the maximum amount of children possible in each Unit so there will be no shortages in the future. 2. Appropriate individual bed sheets have been purchased and are in use everyday in Junior Montessori. Staff have re-read safe sleep policy and signed a policy sign off sheet to ensure that the whole team is aware of the needs and expectations of the policy for child safeguarding, compliance and comfort with regards to sleep
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
The two wooden climbing structures in the outdoor area were observed to be unsuitable for use. The laminate covering had worn away in places and the layers of wood had become water damaged. Staff had blocked off access to the play equipment with stackable beds and rocking horses and stated that the play equipment was unsafe for use. This non-compliance was present on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
Climbing structures will be removed in the New Year – when the carpenter is available to come. Carpenter has said that he is not available to do this job until after Christmas. We have been trying for a long time to get someone to come and remove these structures as we are aware that they are old and unsafe for use (which is why we have at least had them blocked off so the children are not using them). We understand the importance of this and have now contacted numerous professionals and have found someone else who has confirmed they will come in January to complete this job. As mentioned in the report, the structures have been blocked off as we acknowledge they were unsafe for use – the intention is to get new play structures but more toys for the garden have been purchased to ensure children are engaged in resources whilst outside and once the structures are removed, the ground will be even and the children will have space to play with these toys until new play structures are found and installed
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The water temperature in the three children’s handwash sinks in the sanitary area adjacent to the Tiny Tots unit was above the required maximum temperature of 43°C and posed a risk of scalding to a child. The water temperatures ranged from 44.8°C to 49°C. 2. The room temperature was not maintained between 18°C to 22°C in the Junior Montessori unit on the first day of inspection. The temperature was recorded at 22.5°C at 11:02. At this time, the two windows in the room were open and the radiator was on. The temperature was brought to the attention of staff by the inspector as six children from this unit would be sleeping in the room. It is acknowledged that staff turned the radiator off and turned the fan on, however the temperature was recorded at 23.6°C at 12.08 when six children were sleeping. The temperature reducing measures taken by staff did not sufficiently reduce the temperature in the room. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 3. Trailing cables from an electronic thermometer and a fan were observed hanging from a shelf in reach of the children in the Junior Montessori unit posing a risk of injury. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 4. A box containing plastic aprons, plastic bin bags and four bottles of cleaning agents was observed within reach of children on a low shelf in the sanitary area in the Transitions room posing a risk of injury to children. 5. In the outdoor area, a section of the all-weather rubber matting was observed to be broken and coming away from the ground posing a potential risk of injury to the children. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 6. A low-level vent on the wall in the Senior Montessori 2 room in the rest area was observed to be cracked with sharp edges exposed posing a risk of injury to children. Infection Control: Inspectors observed a number of practices which posed a risk of transmission of infection within the service: 7. The handwashing practices observed were inconsistent during the inspection and at variance with the policy in place in the service. Children in the Tiny Tots unit did not wash their hands before dinner on the first day of inspection. Inconsistent handwashing practices were observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non- compliance. 8. In the Tiny Tots unit on the first day of inspection, part of the children’s morning snack was served directly onto the table posing a risk of the spread of infection. 9. The foot pedal function of the pedal bin in the sanitary area adjacent to the Tiny Tots unit was broken. 10. There was no dispenser for paper towel in the sanitary area in the Junior Montessori unit. On the first day of inspection paper towel for hand drying was observed on the toilet cistern. Safe Sleep: 11. The temperature of the room used for nap time in the Junior Montessori unit was not taken prior to or during sleep time. It is acknowledged that there was an electronic thermometer in this room, however, discussion with staff demonstrated that they do not routinely record the room temperature in this room. This posed a risk to the children’s safety and was at variance with the safe sleep policy in place. 12. There was no individual sleep plan in place for one child aged 1 year who was observed sleeping on a bed in the Transitions unit contrary to the service policy on safe sleep. This child was observed on a low stackable bed on the first day of inspection. It is acknowledged that individual sleep plans were in place for nine other children aged 1 year of age. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Water temperature has been reduced (connected with the heating system which is now timed to come on and off intermittently reducing temperatures) and temperature is being monitored to ensure it is within safe limits at all times. Handwritten form is used to record water temperatures in Unit sinks AND toilet sinks. Water temperature records will be verified, signed and dated and a note has been added to the chart to remind staff of maximum safe water temperatures. 2. As we are now using an online application – we are inputting the room temperatures intermittently into the app for all units, in order to monitor the room temperatures constantly. Staff are now aware of the importance of inputting this data into the app so the record will be there and all staff are aware of the temperature. In addition, overall heating in the school has been altered so that it is turning on and off throughout the day which is also maintaining better room temperatures overall and has stopped overheating in any rooms. 3. All cables have now been secured and are not in reach of children. Daily risk checklists, both indoor and outdoor, are now done on an online application every day and this is monitored in the office to ensure forms are filled and checks are done. 4. Box is now permanently out of reach of the children – children cannot access any toxic or harmful items. Daily risk checklists, both indoor and outdoor, are now done on an online application every day and this is monitored in the office to ensure forms are filled and checks are done. 5. We have been in contact with a contractor (the only people available that can fix this ground with wet pour) since September, which was before this inspection. It has been difficult to get a booking as they have been busy and were uncontactable but they have confirmed that they can come in January to do this job (once the play equipment has been removed). Daily risk checklists, both indoor and outdoor, are now done on an online application every day and this is monitored in the office to ensure forms are filled and checks are done. 6. Vent has been replaced. Daily risk checklists, both indoor and outdoor, are now done on an online application every day and this is monitored in the office to ensure forms are filled and checks are done. Infection Control: 7. Hands are always washed before every meal. It is true that at the time of inspection they were not all cleaned but staff are aware of the importance of washing all children’s hands before every meal to reduce the spread of infections. As this has now been added into the Children’s daily routine, which is displayed on the wall in the Unit, staff will ensure this process is always carried out, as is usual. 8. All meals are now served in bowls or on plates – including snacks. No food is given directly on table surfaces. As all meals will be given to children on plates or in bowls, there will be no risk of infection for the children with regards to meal times. This goes for clean hands before eating too. 9. Bin has been replaced. Risk Assessments for all broken equipment or lacking equipment in the units and toilets will highlight any issues going forward. These risk sheets are still in paper form and signed off each day and week. 10. Paper towel dispenser has been installed and secured in sanitary area for Junior Montessori. Risk Assessments for all broken equipment or lacking equipment in the units and toilets will highlight any issues going forward. These risk sheets are still in paper form and signed off each day and week. Safe Sleep: 11. As with Regulation 23(1.) room temperatures are now input during sleep time into online application and recorded there. All the staff have re-read and signed the Sleep Policy. Now that an online application is being used, all information is recorded and checked on. All Staff have profiles and it is confirmed in the daily staff duties (based on shift patterns) which staff member is responsible for this, each day. 12. Individual Sleep Plan has been done for all children under 2. Staff in the Unit were misinformed about the one child missing a form because he was not in a floor bed at the time (it was dispatched for delivery and we were waiting a long time for its arrival). Staff thought that they did not fill the form until the floor bed had arrived. The form is now complete and all children have sleep plans filed in their units. Staff in the Units where children are turning 2 are all informed that these children all need individualised sleep plans if they are moving from a cot to a floor bed. In addition, a new Unit Head in the Transition Unit (this is the Unit where children are moving from a cot to a floor bed) has been appointed and training is underway to ensure all policies and procedures are clear
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) 1. A malodour was present in the nappy changing area adjacent to the Tiny Tots unit indicating that the mechanical ventilation in place was inadequate. (d) The cleaning schedule for the service was documented as being carried out; however, areas of the service were observed to have an accumulation of dust and debris, were soiled and required a deep clean as follows; 2. A build-up of dirt and dust was observed on areas of the flooring and skirting boards throughout the service. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 3. A build-up of grime was observed on the tiled wall in the sanitary area in the Junior Montessori unit. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance. 4. An accumulation of dust was observed in the mechanical vent in the nappy changing area adjacent to the Tiny Tots unit. Areas of the service were observed to require maintenance and repair as follows; 5. A section of skirting board was missing next to the door in the Senior Montessori 1 unit work room. This non-compliance was observed on the last inspection on 16 April 2024. The corrective and preventive actions as stated by the registered provider did not prevent recurrence of this non-compliance
Provider's corrective action:
(c) 1. As the Nappy Changing room is small – the fan is working fine but more fresh air needs to be circulating. The door to the area will be wedged open when the room is not in use. Keeping the door open intermittently should prevent this issue in the future. All staff are aware of the importance of clean and pleasant sanitary conditions in the premises. (d) 2. – 4 A new cleaner has been employed and a clear cleaning schedule is in place to ensure that deep cleaning is carried out in all areas of the service periodically. Cleaning Schedule in place should prevent build-up of dirt and dust as specifications on what needs to be cleaned is in the plan. Supervision of cleaning and jobs being completed. 5. Skirting Board has been replaced again. This was done after the last inspection but it was not secured well enough. A different carpenter has re-done this skirting board and it is now secure and clean. The previous contractor has been impossible to contact and so a new building/carpentry contractor has been sourced that has generally better and more efficient with better availability for future maintenance and repair work needed around the school. This contractor is responsible for the recent repairs included in this report