Inspection of 1 April 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued to the registered provider in relation to Garda Vetting for two staff members. The registered provider responded by return confirming that the staff member would not be in the service until their Garda Vetting is completed.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a) (b) 1. There were no references on file for one staff member and a second reference was required for another staff member. 2. Two references on file for two staff members were not validated. (c) Evidence of Garda vetting disclosure was not available for two staff members employed in the service as part of an employment activation programme. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 02 April 2025 in response to the breach of Regulation. (d) 1. Confirmation of appropriate international police vetting was not available in respect of one staff member. It is acknowledged that documentation in respect of police vetting was available on the day of inspection, however this could not be accepted as an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) was required for this employee who was recruited after 2012 when the ICPC was introduced. 2. There was no record of employment on file for one staff member and significant gaps in the employment record of another staff member, therefore the requirement for international police vetting could not be determined
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) (a) (b) 1. The missing references have now been obtained and added to the staff members personnel file A full review of all current staff files was conducted to ensure references are on file for every employee. A recruitment check list has been introduced which includes mandatory verification of two written references. Staff involved in recruitment will complete a refresher training on Tusla recruitment requirements and documentation standards. 2. The staff members references has now been retrospectively validated by directly contacting the referee All staff files have been reviewed to ensure references are properly validated and documented. Internal audits of staff files will be conducted quarterly to ensure ongoing compliance. A new step has been added to the recruitment process requiring all references to be validated via direct phone call and recorded using a standard reference validation form. (c) Both staff members were immediately removed from duties involving children until Garda vetting was completed and clearance received. A new system for Garda vetting is in place to speed up the process and reduce delays. Garda vetting has now been complete for both staff. All recruitment files must now be signed off by the service manager. A file audit will be completed every quarter. The service will follow the policies stating no staff member may start work until garda vetting is confirmed. (d) 1. International police vetting has been obtained. 2. The missing employment record has now been obtained and filed appropriately in the staff members file. All existing staff files have been reviewed to ensure employment records are on file. A personnel file checklist is now in place
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for five staff members. However, these 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: 2. The nappy change procedure in operation in the service did not adhere to appropriate infection control practices. Staff members confirmed that children are placed on a changing mat on the floor to have their nappies changed posing a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been updated. All Garda vetting will be completed within the three year time frame. A full review of all staff Garda vetting dates was conducted. A Garda vetting renewal register has been created. All Garda vetting reviews are the responsibility of the management who will have a designated compliance officer to manage the regular vetting. The Vetting renewal register will be shared with management. Infection Control: 2. The practice of changing nappies on the floor has ceased immediately. A designated changing area with a built in changing table that meets infection control standards is now in place. The changing area is cleaned and disinfected after each use following best practice guidelines. All staff were verbally informed of the change and instructed to use only the designated area and table for nappy changing. Staff will ensure there are disposable pads to prevent cross contamination, on going spot checks will be carried out to ensure adherence to updated procedure
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (a)(d) On the day of the inspection, the inspector noted that there were visible signs of deterioration to the outer envelope of the pre-school building that was in need of repair. Perceptible cracks had formed on the external wall on three sides of the building. This is a recurring non-compliance from the previous inspection on 22 November 2021. It is acknowledged that work has been carried out on the rear of the building since the last inspection, however, there has been no remedial work carried out on the other three sides
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) (d) The landlord has been informed of the ongoing issue. The management of the CDP will conduct a review of the premises. The landlord has verbally committed to carry out repairs of the building whilst closed during the summer. CDP management will meet to discuss a long term strategy for the preschool
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 20, 28.