(a)(b) 1. A second reference was not available for one staff member. 2. Two references which were available for one staff member were not validated
3.There was no evidence that one new staff member held held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
(a)(b) 1.A second reference has been obtained for the staff member in question. 2.The two references available but not validated have since been validated. All staff files shall be maintained and kept up to date and to make sure that references are all up to date and validated. 3.A transcript from the college from this staff member has been requested in the meantime until she receives her Level 5 QQI certificate in Early Years Care and Education. It was in an emergency situation due to low staff availability and also a member of staff who called in sick at the last minute. We will avoid this happening again
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
Between 08:00 and 08:30 on the day of inspection there was one adult in the premises. It is acknowledged and was evident from the staff roster that there were two adults due to be present during this time. However, due to late notice of sickness the second adult was not present
Provider's corrective action:
In future this situation will not happen again as the next member of staff that is due to arrive will be asked to come in at the earlier time to give cover making sure that there are 2 staff members on the premises. Summary Comment The registered provider has addressed the non-compliance as identified on inspection in relation to Regulation 11
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The side door leading to the rear of the premises was secured with a latch located at a height which was accessible from outside the premises. This posed a danger of unauthorised access into the outdoor area. 2. In the outdoor area used by the children from the playschool room the door from a playhouse was missing exposing sharp plastic sides which could pose a risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 3. In the outdoor area used by the children attending the Montessori room there was no cover on a sand/ clay digging area. This posed a risk as it could be contaminated by animal excreta. Safe Sleep: 4. In the Bobblers room one child aged 22 months slept on a mattress in their room. Sleep beds must be provided for all children who are less than two years of age. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. There is a bolt also on the side gate, this will be bolted along with the high latch. Staff members have been notified that the bolt on the side gate to the rear of the garden must be bolted in conjunction with the latch to avoid unauthorised access to the rear garden. 2. The playhouse has been removed from the garden. Infection Control: 3. A lid has been made for the sand/clay digging area and placed on top. Safe Sleep: 4. All children aged 1-2 years will sleep on the new sleep beds which have been purchased with immediate effect
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25, 26, 28.
Inspection of 26 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. There were three separate outdoor areas for use by the three age groups of pre-school children attending. The following safety issues were noted which posed a risk to the safety of children in their respective areas: Bobblers area: 2. One part of the wooden fencing in the area adjacent to the premises was loose exposing nails. Playschool area: 3. There were briars behind a slide posing which were accessible to a child. 4. A wooden picnic tabletop was uneven and chipped due to wood rot. Montessori area 5. The wooden supports for the large slide and swing set were rotten at the base and therefore posing a risk of injury to a child if they were to break while in use. It was also noted that a metal brace support on this piece of equipment was loose and could fall on a child. 6. A Tippee available for use had a screw exposed. 7. There were five sheets of timber fencing stored behind the playhouse and accessible to children. 8. The wood in the small platform in front of the playhouse and the wooden step into the playhouse were rotten with gaps on the surface posing a risk of injury. Infection Control: 9. The inspector observed a staff member changing three children’s nappies. It is acknowledged that gloves, and aprons were used correctly, and the child’s hands were washed. However, the staff member did not wash her own hands following nappy changing. This posed a risk of cross infection. 10. The paint on the wall area behind the sink in the nappy changing area downstairs was flaking. This area required tiling so that it could be cleaned effectively. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1.A new Garda vetting has been applied for through Tusla. This is still in progress. In future Garda vetting will be kept up to date within the 3-year period. 2. The fence has been repaired. It has been checked for any nails exposed and repaired as of immediate effect. Fences will be maintained and checked for exposed or rusted nails at all times. 3. The briars have been cut back immediately and are no longer a risk to the children when playing. All briars will be maintained and cut back so that they do not pose a risk to the children when out playing in the garden. 4. This picnic table was removed and discarded from the playschool garden immediately. All wooden furniture will be maintained by myself on a regular basis. 5. The slide and swing set have been taken down and removed from the garden altogether. When replaced the new swing and slide set will be checked and maintained on a regular basis. 6. The screw has been removed from the tippee. Wooden equipment will be checked and maintained on a regular basis. 7. All fences which were in storage behind the playhouse have been removed. Going forward any fences which are damaged will not be stored in the garden area but will be disposed of immediately. 8. The step has been repaired, and a new piece of wood has been put in place. The platform has been removed altogether. The step will be maintained and repaired immediately if needed. Infection Control:
10.This area will be tiled or a splash back put in place over the Easter holiday period, by the 25th April, as soon as a tiler is available
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
Each afternoon during school term the Montessori room is used by school age children following school collections at 1pm and 2pm. Following discussion with the registered provider, it was evident that each Wednesday a total of nine pre-school children are accommodated in the Playschool room. This room measures 18 square metres and therefore has space for a maximum of eight pre-school children aged 2--3 years. Therefore between 2.30pm and 6pm each Wednesday overcrowding of this room occurs
Provider's corrective action:
Changes in the attendance of children in the Montessori room will occur on April 1st.and as a result the number of children in the preschool will reduce to eight. Our numbers shall be maintained going forward accordingly. Summary Comment The future action by the registered provider will address the non-compliance in relation to Regulation 30
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 26, 27, 28.
Inspection of 12 February 2024 — Inspection Report
There was no evidence available to confirm that one staff member had at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework, or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent
Provider's corrective action:
Evidence to confirm that the staff member has the minimum qualification of Level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education is attached
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
The rest areas in all rooms required further development. The thin matting did not provide adequate comfort for the children due to its small size and lack of cushioning
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive: Adequate seating will be chosen from the catalogue when preferred items are back in stock. The children will be encouraged to avail of the soft seating area as deemed necessary. Summary Comment It is acknowledged that the Registered Provider has a plan in place to address this non-compliance, however, this non-compliance remains outstanding. It will be reviewed on next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The mattress in cot number 4 in the sleep room for the babies was too small causing a gap of 10cms at one end of the cot. This posed a safety issue as a child’s leg/arm could get caught by falling through the wooden laths which were exposed. Infection Control: 2. The pedal bin in the Playschool sanitary area for the disposal of nappies was broken posing a risk of cross infection. 3. The plastic covered cushion in use in the Montessori room was torn and therefore could not be effectively cleaned
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: Corrective & Preventive Action 1. A cot mattress for cot number 4 has been replaced with a new fitted mattress. This will be maintained by all staff members from the Bobbler room