Inspection of 25 May 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Emergency medication for a child attending was stored in the medicine box in the pre-school room. The labelled medication had an expiry date of 02/2026, posing a risk of illness as the medication may be ineffective in treating the child’s medical needs, in the event it was required. 2. There was an unlabelled inhaler stored in the medicine box in the pre-school room, posing a risk of injury to a child should the incorrect mediation be administered to a child. 3. There was an unlabelled inhaler with an expiry date of 04/2025 stored in the medicine box in the creche, posing a risk of illness to a child should the medication be required. 4. The equipped first aid box in the pre-school room was stored on the low-level worktop unit, posing a risk of injury to children. 5. The viny covering on the soft couch in the junior pre-school room was torn; the foam underlay was exposed posing a risk of injury to children. 6. There was a piece of the timber that was detached from the wall, it enclosed the low-level pipes under one sink in the sanitary accommodation in the pre-school room posing a risk of injury to children. 7. The following items were stored within the reach of the children in the sleep room in the creche posing a risk of injury to children: -open plastic bags with children’s spare clothes -children’s coats handing on low level hooks -child sized chairs -a push bike - the panel of one drawer on a storage unit was falling off 8. Garda vetting disclosures had been obtained for fifteen adults that required it attached to the service. However, two vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EY-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 9. In the playrooms, in the nappy changing room serving the creche and in the 2 identified adult sanitary areas, a number of the pedal opening devices on the bins were broken. When used, the lids were manually opened posing a risk of cross infection. 10. The nappy changing practices observed on inspection were inconsistent and at variance with the nappy changing procedure displayed on the wall, posing a risk of cross contamination as follows; • The staff member returned children with the children through the door to the playroom while wearing the used gloves and plastic apron. • The plastic aprons were not changed for each individual nappy change. • The nappy changing mat and its surrounds was not sanitized down after each nappy change. 11. The fabric on the large couch in the rest area located in the pre-school room was unclean posing a risk of the cross of infection. 12. The 2 mechanical ceiling vents in the children’s sanitary accommodation in the junior pre-school room were unclean increasing the risk of poor ventilation and posing a risk of the spread of infection. 13. In the junior pre-school, the vinyl covering on the outer arms of the 2 single chairs were torn. This impacted on the ability to clean the surfaces adequately to reduce the risk of cross infection. 14. There was no supply of warm water at the sink in the adult sanitary accommodation located in the building with the laundry room, posing a risk of the spread of infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1.& 2. All the medicines have been re-checked, and any out-of-date medicines have been removed. All the educators have been advised to check the medicine expiry dates as part of checking the first aid boxes routine. The parents have also been asked to put a reminder in their devices as to when medicines are due to expire so as they can replace them. 3. The inhaler was removed; it was the property of a staff member. 4. The couch was removed. The service has applied for funding to purchase a new couch. All educators have been advised to discard anything that is torn or broken and bring it to the attention of management if resources are required to be replaced. 5. The educators were advised to replace the first box on the medicine cabinet shelf after use. 6. The piece of timber has been re-attached. All the educators and the cleaners have been advised to bring any such items to the attention of the maintenance as needed. 7. The room has been cleared. The educators have been advised to keep it clear. A storage area for the coats and chairs will be provided and any donations received in plastic bags will be stored kept in the office. 8. The Garda vetting in respect of the two staff members that required it was received. The service will organise a calendar as a reminder when vetting is out of date. Infection Control: 9. All the bins have been replaced. Management will check the resources weekly. All educators were advised to inform management when resources are broken or damaged. 10. The nappy changing procedures have been updated and placed beside each of the nappy changing areas. The educators were advised on the nappy changing procedure, and this will be included for staff meetings and informally as a reminder to all educators. 11. The couch was cleaned with a new cleaning device purchased. Washable covers are on order for the couch. 12. All the vents in the service were cleaned, the cleaners were advised to clean them frequently and the vents will be added to the cleaning list. 13. The vinyl covered armchairs have been discarded. The educators were advised to remove any torn or broken items and to inform management of same. 14. A new adult toilet has been allocated in the main reception area in the service. The adult sanitary accommodation that had no warm water was closed off until warm water is provided
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 25, 26.