(2) (d) Documentary evidence showed that one adult had lived in two different jurisdictions other than Ireland for more than six consecutive months as an adult. International police vetting was not available for one of the two jurisdictions
Provider's corrective action:
Police vetting has been applied for the second jurisdiction. The registered provider has requested that the current Tusla HR checklist is updated to include a more comprehensive checklist which includes verifying that the staff members CV is double checked by a person in management to determine if international vetting is required
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An empty plastic bag which had a warning label ‘plastic bags can be dangerous’ was accessible to children in one of the care rooms. This posed a potential risk of suffocation. The bag which had contained newly acquired building blocks was removed immediately by the inspector who identified the risk. 2. The inspection team identified two potential tripping hazards in the two outdoor play areas. o There was a square hole in the soft artificial surface of the outdoor play area used by the younger children. This posed a potential risk of a child getting their foot caught in it and tripping over. o The root of a tree was observed to be prodding out above ground level of the outdoor play area used by the older children. This posed a risk of injury. It is acknowledged that the operations manager had this hazard scheduled to be fixed prior to the inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The storage bag was removed from circulation on the day of inspection. The outcome of inspection has been shared with staff, staff are reminded to complete a risk assessment on any item that is introduced into the care rooms including storage equipment. 2. The area the inspector identified in the courtyard as a potential trip hazard has been resurfaced. The willow tree and exposed root have been removed. Outdoor risk assessment remains in place, outcome of inspection reported shared with the staff
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 19, 25, 26, 28.
Inspection of 14 February 2024 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. 14 February 2024 An Immediate Action notice was issued to the service in relation to safety concerns under Regulation 23- Safeguarding Health Safety and Welfare of the Child. A written response was received on 15 February 2024 which addressed the non-compliances under Regulation 23. Please see details in the body of the report.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(d) Police Vetting was not available for a staff member who had resided outside of the jurisdiction for more than six months as an adult. It is acknowledged that Police Vetting was applied for the next day 15/02/24. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not completed prior to a staff member being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action and Preventive Action (2)(d) & (3) An application was submitted for the required document on the 22/02/2024 seeking police clearance for the staff member. The staff member was recruited in 2021 prior to the commencement of the service’s new administrator. International police clearance was in place for another jurisdiction for this staff member. The registered provider has stated that the new administrator is aware of the legislation surrounding police clearance and will continue to fully adhere to this legislation during the recruitment of new staff
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(e) Authorisation to collect was not completed on one of the child’s records reviewed. Staff informed the inspector that the child has been collected on occasion by a family member other than the parents/guardians. The name of this person needs to be documented in the child’s record to ensure the child is collected only by persons who are authorised to do so with the consent of the parent/guardian
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The registered provider has stated that the required record has now been completed by the child’s next of kin. Preventive Action Findings from the Tusla inspection were disseminated with staff. Staff have been notified that all children’s records must be completed prior to the child’s commencement in Magic Years. This includes authorisation for collection
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Supporting equipment for the toy kitchen in the Junior Wobbler Room was observed to be out of reach of the children. This does not support choice or promote independent play experiences for the children in this room. 2. The privacy of the children was not maintained in the sanitary area located just off the playschool room. Two doors between the care room and toilets were observed to be propped open during the inspection making both toilets visible from the care rooms while in use. Privacy while using the toilet is required for children’s comfort and wellbeing. 3. There were no toilet seats present on two of the children’s toilets in the sanitary area upstairs. This does not support the comfort of the children when going to the toilet
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action and Preventive Action 1. Supportive equipment for the toy Kitchen has now been situated on a lower shelf accessible to the children. Staff were reminded that all supportive equipment is left within reach of the child. 2. The door prop has been removed. A notice has also been placed on the door to remind staff to ensure the door leading into the toilet is left closed. The registered provider will arrange that the toilet cubicles are fitted with doors. 3. Toilet seats have been fitted. Findings from the Tusla inspection were disseminated with staff
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The temperature of a radiator which was accessible to children in the Junior Wobbler Room was not maintained below 50℃. This posed a risk of injury to children. An immediate action notice was issued. It is acknowledged the service took immediate action and got a plumber to fit thermostatic radiator valves on the same day. 2. Three glass doors in the Senior Wobbler room were observed not to have visibility strips. This posed a risk of injury to children. Infection Control: 3. In both the Junior and Senior Wobbler rooms, children were observed to wash their hand before mealtimes using a communal basin which does not support adequate hygiene. Children should be facilitated to wash their hands under thermostatically controlled running water, with liquid soap and paper hand towels provided in line with HSPC guidance in relation to infection control protection measures. 4. An unlidded Sensory box was observed to be stored under the counter in the Junior Wobbler sanitary area. This presented an infection control risk. 5. Blankets and toys were stored in the adjacent area to the Junior Wobbler sanitary area, which was not sealed off from the toilet area, although a door was present to separate these areas this was observed to be wedged open on the day of inspection. This presented an infection control risk. 6. Nappy changing was not observed to be in line with best practice. A sample of six nappy changes were reviewed and the following was observed: • Five of the six children did not have their hands washed following nappy changing and the staff member was not observed to wash their hands following the nappy changing of three children. • Gloves were not removed in a timely manner, for example a staff member was observed to change four soiled nappies. The staff member was then observed to disinfect the nappy changing mat while still wearing the same gloves. Appropriate use of gloves and adequate hand washing are required to prevent the spread of infection. 7. The bin in the Playgroup sanitary area was not pedal operated. This does not support infection control. Administration of Medication: 8. A clearly written medical care plan to enable staff to identify and accurately administer treatment when required was not available for one child with a medical condition. The absence of a care plan posed a risk of staff not being aware of symptoms to look out for and the correct procedure to follow in the event the child required the medication to be administered. Safe Sleep: 9. The registered provider did not follow Tusla’s “Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep provision for children under 24 months”. In the Senior Wobbler Room a child under 2 years of age was not provided with a mattress with a minimum depth of 6cms to sleep on but was observed to sleep on a low level stackable bed at nap time. An individual sleep plan was not available for this child. Sleep plans should include an assessment of the individual child’s sleep routines and sleep requirements, to be determined and agreed in collaboration with parents/guardians and consideration of the child’s developmental readiness to move from a cot to a floor bed. Fire Safety: 10. During sleep time in the Senior Wobbler Room the four doors leading out of the room were not observed to be clear. Low beds and cots were observed to be placed in such a way which restricted movement in the room and posed a potential tripping hazard. An immediate action notice was issued. The following was observed: • One labelled emergency exit was observed to be obstructed by a wooden table. • Two labelled emergency exits were observed to be partially obstructed one by a cot, one by a bin. One additional exit which leads into the hallway of the service was observed to be partially obstructed by a dolls bunk bed toy equipment. • Sleep beds were positioned less than 50cm apart which impeded a clear walkway through the care room. Fire exists need to be unobstructed and walkways to be kept clear to ensure the safe evacuation of children and staff in the event of an emergency. It is acknowledged that the service took immediate action to address the non-compliance when the issue was highlighted by the inspector
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Actions General Safety: 1. Thermostatic radiator valve was fitted on the day of inspection. 2. Visibility strips are now in place on all glass doors. Infection Control: 3. This practice has since ceased. 4. The sensory box was disposed of. 5. Toys and play equipment are no longer stored in the lobby area of the changing rooms. 6. All children hands are washed and dried after each nappy change. Gloves will be removed prior to cleaning the changing area. 7. A fire-retardant pedal bin has been purchased. Administration of Medication: 8. A Care plan for the use of prescribed medication has been developed for the child and signed by the next of kin and person in charge. A Copy of this care plan can be found alongside the child’s medication. In addition, the care plan has been uploaded onto the child’s electronic information records. Safe Sleep: 9. This practice has since ceased. The registered provider has consulted with the person in charge and directed that all children under 2 years must sleep in a cot. Fire Safety: 10. This practice has ceased. Images of the new layout of the cots and stackable beds was submitted as part of the immediate action notice the following day 15/02/2024. Preventive Actions The registered provider has stated that the findings and outcomes of the Tusla inspection were disseminated to staff. In addition, the following preventive actions have been implemented for the following points; General Safety: 1 & 2. Staff were notified that the any maintenance issue or safety concerns should be communicated with the operations manager so corrective measures can be taken. Infection Control: 6. A memo was sent to all staff on the 05/03/2023 informing them of the correct procedures relating to nappy changing, the procedure stipulates that gloves should be removed prior to cleaning the changing area. Administration of Medication: 8. Staff have been notified that children must have a care plan in place for any medication the next of kin has authorised staff to prescribe. Safe Sleep: 9. Staff have been notified that they must adhere to the ‘Guidance for Early Learning and care sector on sleep provisions’ for children under 24 months. Fire Safety: 10. Management have rearranged the cots/ stackable beds in the senior wobbler room so that they no longer pose a risk to the evacuation of the children. Images of how the cots and stackable beds must be arranged can be found in the senior wobbler to help guide practitioners