The registered provider did not ensure the following: (2) (d) There was no documentary evidence available to establish whether international police vetting was required for two adults; there was no way of identifying if they had lived in a state other than Ireland for longer than a period of six months. (4) One of the adults who worked directly with the children did not have documentary evidence that they held a relevant qualification or a qualification that was deemed eligible by the relevant authority
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (d) Curriculum vitae were submitted for the adults in question that established the adults did not require police vetting. The service updated their recruitment Policy and will ensure to fully comply with this regulation whenever applicable. (4) Documentary evidence was submitted that the staff members qualification is a recognised qualification. The service updated their recruitment policy and will ensure to fully comply with this regulation whenever applicable
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) The registered provider did not ensure the following: (g) The following policies required under Regulation 10, detailed in Schedule 5 were not available: o Policy on staff absences. o Staff training policy
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (g) The service has developed and submitted the relevant policies and will ensure that necessary policies are available
(2)(d) A review of documentary evidence showed that International Police vetting was not available for one staff member who had resided outside of the jurisdiction for more than six months as an adult
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The service arranged for the adult to not have contact with children until the police check was available. Preventive action All adults working with the children that are on the premises will have police check before starting work/placement, this was applied with immediate effect
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
The registered provider did not ensure the following: (1) There was not an adequate number of adults working directly with the children all times. During the period when the staff were on their lunch break there was not enough adults to tend to the care needs of children. At 1.40pm there were only 5 adults available to the 36 children present. As a result, a child was left unsupervised in the Baby room. This is detailed under the non-compliance section of Regulation 27. (4) The registered provider did not ensure that the minimum ratio of adults to children was maintained in the service. An insufficient number of adults were available to the children in the Senior Montessori room during the inspection. After the sessional service had finished at 12.30pm, when the inspector was in the room at 1.40pm there were 17 children with 2 adults. The ratio for this age group is 1 adult to 8 children. A minimum of 3 adults was required with the 17 children
Provider's corrective action:
(1) Corrective action: The service roster was updated to provide cover for lunch hours, ratios were correct for the rest of the morning and afternoon. Preventive action: the service commits to update the roster at the end of every week for the following week and all lunch hours will be covered. (4) Corrective action: The Following day the roster was changed and the ratio was rectified working with the Junior Montessori room to fit in with Ratios. Preventive action: The registered provider and supervisors ensures that this will not happen again. By ensuring roster is done in advance, in order to cover all breaks and situations in which a staff member may not be present. This will ensure correct ratios are always maintained
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
The table in the Toddler room was not at a suitable height to meet the needs of the children in the room. The table was observed to be at chest height to the seven children seated at the table for dinner. Furniture provided must be appropriate for children to use to encourage them to participate comfortably in the mealtime experience and tabletop activities
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The table was removed, and the legs made shorter. Preventive action The registered provider and staff will ensure that all tables are at the right level going forward
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The finger protector behind the door to the Wobbler room was cracked and loose, which posed a finger pinch risk to the children. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 2. A staff member was observed to use the same gloves to apply cream which had been used to remove the nappy and clean the child with, increasing the risk of cross contamination. 3. The waste disposal unit in the nappy changing area used by the Baby and Wobbler room required repeated hand contact with the disposal unit. This does not support effective infection control. 4. The flooring in the hall by the door of the Senior Montessori room was damaged, leaving a surface that did not allow for effective cleaning. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Corrective action: Finger protectors were ordered that evening and replaced once received. Preventive action: Registered provider and supervisor will check these weekly and this has been added to the daily risk assessment check list. Infection Control: 2. Corrective action: The service spoke with all staff individually and went through nappy changing routine step by step. Preventive action: Registered provider /supervisor will check nappy changing routines weekly. Discuss at staff meetings and communicate to staff to always refer to guidelines on the wall. 3. Corrective action: The waste disposal unit in Wobbler Nappy Room was removed Immediately and new peddle bin provided. Preventive action: All waste disposal bins will be kept as foot peddle bins going forward. 4. Corrective action: The flooring in hallway outside Senior Montessori has been replaced to a smooth finish. Preventive action: Registered provider will check flooring on a daily basis
Regulation 27 — Supervision
The registered provider did not ensure the children were supervised at all times. The following was observed: o At 1.35pm when the inspector entered the Baby room, a child was in the room with no staff member present. The staff member had left to go to the cot room which was not directly adjacent to the Baby room but was situated off the Wobbler room. It is acknowledged the child was seated in an activity centre. o At 1.40pm the inspector was left in the room briefly with 3 children, while a staff member went to get another child from the cot room which was situated off the Wobbler room. These children were not under the supervision of staff member. Children must be under the direct supervision of a qualified staff member at all times in order to ensure their safety
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The service will now use the Wobbler Care room while children are sleeping going forward, which is adjacent to the cot room. A review of the staff roster had provided for cover during the lunch breaks. Preventive Action Using the wobbler room for children who have woken, which is adjacent to the cot room will rectify this issue. Roster will be reviewed daily to ensure adequate supervision of children. The service ensures if there are staff shortages following a review of the roster, they will close rooms before lunch breaks