1. One reference was not on file for one of the adults. 2. Six of the references on file were not validated. 3. One of the references on file was from a previous employment not listed on the employment record in respect of one adult
It could not be determined if police vetting was required for one adult due to the absence of an employment record. (2)(a)(b) and (2)(d) were non-compliant on the last inspection dated 19 November 2024. Preventative actions submitted by the registered provider in respect of the previous noncompliance failed to prevent a reoccurrence
Provider's corrective action:
1. Reference obtained. 2. References validated. 3. CV updated to include reference
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (a) Physical and Material environment On the day of the inspection, the rang of equipment available in the caterpillar room was inadequate for the provision of challenging, diverse, creative and enriching experiences for children. For example, a play kitchen and doll house were both empty of any materials required for children’s play. There was a lack of clearly defined interest areas and lack of play materials. Due to the room layout, it was observed that activities were mainly adult led with minimal opportunity for child-initiated play. Although some play equipment was present in the room, items were mixed up and not grouped together to afford a young child the experience of accessing a complete play set. For example, train pieces, puzzles pieces and construction blocks were together in one box
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded: The caterpillar room was not properly set up on the day of inspection. The staff have since been retrained on the importance of setting up the room each day so that the environment is inviting for the children to play in. They have also been retrained on the importance of ensuring that after sleep/meal times/outdoor play, that it is important for the rooms to be reset each time with toys in their correct boxes so that the children can easily find what toys they wish to play with. The manager and room leader will ensure that the room is properly set up each morning and that the toys are being reset after breaks in play so that the environment is always inviting for the children and easy to navigate
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: • A green playmat in the caterpillar room was torn in places and holes in the material were visible. Infection Control: • In the sleep room, bed sheets in the wooden cots were stained and soiled, posing an infection control risk. • In the caterpillar room nappy changing area, there were no hand towels available for hand drying. • In the butterfly room nappy changing area, paper handtowels were stored loosely, not in an enclosed posing a risk of cross contamination and reducing the effectiveness of correct handwashing. • On one occasion, after nappy changing staff did not wash their hands or the child’s hands. • Soothers were not stored hygienically and were left lying in cots overnight. • There were visible stains on the blue stackable beds. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
1. The green mat has been replaced in the caterpillar room. 2. The sheets have been replaced in the sleep room. 3. The hand towels have been provided. 4. The soothers are kept in labelled boxes and not left on the beds overnight, 5. The blue beds are deep cleaned on a weekly basis to remove any stains/marks. All staff have been retrained on all the above and on the importance of procedure for proper handwashing
Regulation 27 — Supervision
On the day between 12:20 and 13:00, children over the age of two years of age in the sleep room did not have any adult supervision. Adults on site completed ten-minute sleep checks, however the required supervision for sleeping children in this age group is that an adult has to be present and required adult child ratios maintained
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded: The children over 2 years old who sleep are now supervised by an adult who stays in the room with them, rather than just with the cameras and microphones. 10-minute checks will continue on all sleeping children
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The walls and doors throughout the service were in need of re painting, with heavy wear and tear evident in the following areas: • The caterpillar nappy changing room. • The caterpillar room It is acknowledged that the person in charge informed the inspector that a painter has been booked and a date secured for the work to be carried out
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider responded: The painters have been booked and are work is due to take place over the Christmas break. The manager will continue to arrange repainting of the room every year or as needed
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 22, 25, 26, 28.
Inspection of 19 November 2024 — Inspection Report
(2) (a) (b) 1. Four of the references on file for four staff members could not be accepted for the following reasons: • One was from a work colleague and not a past employer. • Two were from a source other than a past employer, however both staff members had numerous past employers listed on their records. • It could not be determined in what capacity a fourth reference was known to the staff member. 2. There were two references on file for one staff member, however neither of the references were from the staff members most recent past employer. (d) The requirement for international police vetting could not be determined from the information provided for three of the staff members. (4) The documentation presented on inspection did not adequately demonstrate that three of the staff members had completed a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) (b) 1. 2. One staff member has resigned her position. We have collected the references from the most recent past employers. Management will ensure that references submitted by staff are from their two most recent employers when they are submitting documents during the hiring process. Management will also review staff files quarterly to ensure all documents are up to date and available for review. (d) Staff members have amended their CV’s to include dates, reflect periods of unemployment or when they were stay at home parents to indicate that they were not living out of the country. One adult has explained that the CV on file for them was incorrect in its details of dates and has amended it to reflect the dates of work more accurately. Management will ensure that all staff CV’s have dates to provide details of where and when they have previous employment to indicate whether vetting from other countries is required. (4) One staff member has resigned their position. We have attached a letter from DCEDIY recognising the qualification of one staff member whose certificate was outstanding. The third staff member lost their certificate and is unable to obtain a new one due to it being obtained pre-2011. The person has requested it from both the ETB and QQI however, it was unable to be reissued. The transcript is available for review along with correspondence from ETB confirming same. In the future the service will ensure copies of staff certs as well as transcripts are available and will ensure that CVs reflect period of unemployment where relevant. We will also ensure that both references are from the most recent employers
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) There was no documented staff roster on file including start and finish times for each staff member and allocated cover for breaks. Staff members were not observed to have a break for the duration of the inspection. When asked by the inspector, some staff stated that they, for the most part, have their lunch break in the room with the children
Provider's corrective action:
(i) The roster for the next few weeks has been submitted to show when/where staff are working on each day. This roster is available on the app the service uses and is also printed and displayed in the office for review. RP will be submitting a change in circumstance to remove herself as PIC from second service. The roster will be printed weekly as well as posted on the app for staff so that it is readily available for review. The roster will detail breaks/cover and what rooms staff are intended to work in each day
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. The individual sleep needs of young children were not met by the service. Children were placed to sleep in the caterpillar room at a scheduled time. There were no opportunities for children to sleep outside of these times or for children to continue to play if they did not sleep at the scheduled time. The following practice was observed. • At approximately 11.25am there were children in the caterpillar room who were notably tired and in need of sleep. Children were observed rubbing their eyes, crying, seeking comfort from staff and at times, falling over. The children were not placed to sleep until the scheduled sleep time which was approximately 12.50pm. • At the scheduled sleep time, the play equipment and materials in the caterpillar room were pushed up against the walls and cleared away to make room for the nine cots to be brought in. The room was then used as a sleep room making it inaccessible as a care room for children who did not sleep. 2. The quantity and range of play equipment and materials in both rooms was inadequate to meet the learning and development needs of the children attending the service. There was an inadequate provision of challenging, diverse, creative and enriching experiences for children which promotes all areas of development. For example; • Sensory materials such as sand, water or paint were not readily available. • There was a lack clearly defined interest aeras in both rooms, and there was little evidence of open ended or natural learning materials being provided. • Dress up items were stored in a low-level drawer restricting children’s ability to see what was available and select items of their choosing. • There was no adult chair for staff to sit comfortably when holding and comforting children
Provider's corrective action:
1. We have opened our sleep room for use which allows us to meet the sleep needs of all the children when they feel tired and need a rest. 2. We have increased the level of toys available to the children in both rooms and amended the room layouts so that interest areas are more clearly defined and sensory materials are available throughout the day. An adult chair has been provided for the baby room. We will ensure that the adult chair is always available for comforting/bottle feeding children. The rooms are currently being rearranged by staff based on the children’s interest in each area to find what works best for the group of children in each room. The service will ensure that sensory activities are provided daily and that any toys that are broken are replaced as soon as possible. We will also be engaging with Better Start regarding the environment and the promotion of an emergent curriculum. We will be auditing the room and materials available using the Aistear toolkits for self-evaluation on a monthly basis as part of ongoing reflection
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
1. The main meal served to the children was not adequate, suitable or nutritious and was at variance with the menu plan that was in place in the service. The meal consisted of small sections of potato waffles and a spoonful of baked beans. There was no consistency with the portion sizes given to children with some children being served one quarter of a potato waffle with a small spoon of baked beans. Children were heard asking for more however there was not enough food to provide additional portions to everyone. 2. There was an overreliance on proceeded foods on the menu plan including, fish fingers, fries, chicken nuggets and sausages. There was little evidence of fresh meat or vegetables included on the menu plan or in storage in the service for staff to cook
Provider's corrective action:
1. and 2. We have amended the menu. A copy of the rolling menu is attached. As some of the children in the creche are vegetarian, Quorn meat or a meat free option is made available to them during mealtimes (substitutes listed on menu). The rolling menu will be reviewed quarterly and input from staff, children and parents on what the children are enjoying and what they are not which will be taken into account. There will be details of alternative options to accommodate the dietary requirements of the children in the service available for review as well as the main menu. An unannounced HSA inspection was also carried out which found that safe food and hygiene practices are being adhered to. Staff have been retrained on portion sizes through the use of the HSE guidelines. HACCP training is being undertaken by staff. The service will ensure that the staff that are preparing food are provided with HACCP training regularly and that they are trained on the appropriate portion sizes for meals in line with HSE guidelines. Weekly food orders will be overseen and reviewed by management to ensure that a sufficient quantity of food is available each week for the number of children attending and that the food includes appropriate healthy options that do not rely heavily on processed options
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. Children’s soothers were not managed in a clean, hygienic condition to prevent the risk of cross infection and ensure effective infection control practices. A child was observed to have a soother in their mouth when brought to the sanitary area to have their nappy changed. When removed from the child, staff were observed to place the soothers in the children’s bag and not in sterile container. 2. A staff member was observed in the kitchen preparing and serving food with no protective apron, hair net or gloves to prevent the risk of contamination. 3. The wall of the nappy changing area in the caterpillar room was constructed with wood that did not have a protective coating or varnish applied therefore could not be adequately cleaned. 4. Waste was not disposed of appropriately in the nappy changing areas. Soiled nappies were placed in bins that were not self-sealing, leak proof foot pedal bins. 5. The door to the nappy changing area in the caterpillar room was left open while children’s nappies were being changed. As a result, other children were walking in and out of the area. The doors to the sanitary accommodation in the butterfly room were also propped open throughout the day. This poses a risk of cross infection. 6. There was inadequate storage of cleaning equipment in the caterpillar room posing an infection control risk to children. Cleaning equipment including a floor brush and paddle was stored in the lobby area between the playroom and the nappy changing aera. Safe Sleep: 7. An appropriate sleep log was not maintained recording all of the required details of physical observations made every 10 minutes for each child who slept in the service. When recording the physical check carried out, staff record the colour breathing and position of the child at the end of the child’s sleep time. Only the time of the check was recorded on each occasion before that. 8. One child was placed to in a cot sleep with a bottle of milk. As a safety precaution, children are required to be held while bottle-feeding. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. Every child that has a soother now has two on site stored in a labelled box. Staff have also been retrained on the need for sterilising sooters after each use or if the child drops it etc. Management will regularly review the practice of correct storage and sterilisation of soothers with staff. Any parent who wishes their child to use a soother will be asked for one to be kept in the creche which can be stored appropriately. 2. Staff have been retrained on the need for hairnets and aprons while working in kitchen areas. Hair nets and aprons are readily available at all times. Management will ensure all staff are trained and aware of the need for hairnets and aprons in the kitchen area at all times and spot check this on a daily basis. 3. The wall in the nappy room has been painted ensuring it can be cleaned. Management will inspect that walls are kept clean in line with the weekly cleaning schedule and walls will be painted when required. 4. The bins have since been replaced. 5. Staff have been retrained to assist children in making sure that doors to sanitary areas are kept closed at all times whether in use or not. Management will spot check that doors are closed. and floor brushes are stored in the utility area on a daily basis. Staff work with the children to teach them to keep these doors closed as part of their learning about self-care and hygiene when using the toilet. 6. Staff have been instructed not to store floor brushes in nappy room lobby area and management spot checks this daily. Management will spot check that floor brushes are stored in the utility area daily. Staff work with the children to teach them to keep these doors closed as part of their learning about self-care and hygiene when using the toilet. Safe Sleep: 7. The sleep log has been amended to include room temp, child’s breathing, colour and position and staff have been retrained on how to complete the form correctly. Management will spot check during sleep time to ensure staff are recording sleeps correctly and at regular 10min intervals. 8. Staff have been retrained on safe sleep practices including what can/can’t be in a cot with a child such as bottles. Management will review the safe sleep policy annually and conduct training on safe sleep practice with staff on a bi-monthly basis. Management will also be conducting spot checks during sleep times to ensure safe sleep practices are being adhered to. The service will ensure all staff are aware of the need to inform management of any maintenance issues immediately and having regular training sessions for all staff of health and safety and infection control policies in place
Regulation 27 — Supervision
The registered provider did not ensure that children were adequately supervised at all times while attending the service. There were two staff members assigned to work in the caterpillar room with eight children aged 1-2 years. For a period of approximately 45 minutes from 11.25am to 12.10pm, one staff member was engaged in nappy changing with individual children. As a result, the other staff member was caring for seven children. During this time, there were a number of children seeking comfort and attention from the staff member. An additional staff member was required in this room during that period to care for the children
Provider's corrective action:
Additional staff have been hired to ensure there is support for staff during nappy changing and sleep times, as well as lunch cover etc. We now have enough staff to ensure cover throughout the day in all rooms as well as annual leave/sick days