Inspection of 12 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The following documents were not available and were not in place prior to the staff member commencing in the service; (2)(a)(b) One staff member did not have 2 written and validated references available. One staff member did not have a 2nd written and validated reference available. Seven written references available were not validated. (3) From the documentary evidence available for inspection 4 staff members had commenced working in the service prior to Garda Vetting being obtained. (4) Sufficient documentary evidence was not available to demonstrate that 3 members of staff, who work directly with the pre-school children held at least the minimum required level 5 Childcare Qualification or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister
Provider's corrective action:
- (2)(a)(b) All staff files have been updated and currently have evidence of validated references. The registered provider has purchased the references check sheet and will utilise this document, going forward for any new staff members. (3) All staff to have Garda vetting on file which will be obtained and complete before staff commence. Staff are not permitted to commence employment until their Garda clearance has been obtained. (4) The staff members qualification was sent before close of business on the date of inspection, the registered provider has also attached another employee’s qualification which demonstrate a minimum level 5. The third staff members qualification has been sent to the governing body for additional assessment. All staff files to be complete before staff member commences employment
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1)(a) Three staff members did not have a Curriculum Vitae available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(a) All staff files have a curriculum vitae attached to their folders. A checklist will be utilised to ensure that all documents are present in files at all times
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (1)(b) One child aged under 2 years was observed sleeping on a floor mat. This is not considered suitable for a child under 2 years to use for sleep. (2)(a) The children attending the service did not have access to a suitable outdoor space on the day of the inspection as one area was out of use due to recent storm damage and the second area was also in poor condition. The artificial surface was ‘bumpy’ and a potential trip hazard and the sides of the area were slopped and muddy and a potential slip hazard. It is acknowledged that the children attending Room 1 did have a change of environment to the ‘Teddy bear club’ in the activities hall of the primary school
Provider's corrective action:
- (1)(b) In order to provide better support to the children's sleep and rest routine the registered provider has purchased an additional floor bed that is suitable for under 2-year-olds. This additional bed has been purchased, should the need for it arise. (2)(a) Outdoor area has since been cleared of fallen tree and branches. Outdoors has been cleared and is checked daily, this is documented on the outdoor checklist. Resources belonging to the preschool next door have been sent back and the area with has been furnished with a Mud kitchen furniture , slide and play house from the Service. The registered provider has works scheduled to include an outdoor matted area that is fully sheltered, this has been designed to support the children to have access to outdoor play all year round. This is due to be completed in the coming weeks
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- The registered provider did not ensure that all reasonable measures were taken to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of a preschool child in relation to the following: Infection Control: The following cross infection risks were observed during the inspection: 1. Not all of the children’s hands were washed on return to the care room from the ‘Teddy bear Club’ in the activities hall of the primary school. On return, some of the children were observed to engage in play with playdough and connector toys without having washed their hands. 2. The sleep mats with sheets attached were stored on top of each other which is a cross-infection risk. 3. Mouthed toys were not removed for washing after use. General Safety: 4. A number of sharp corners on low-level storage units were exposed in both care rooms. This is a potential injury risk
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25.