Inspection of 12 February 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) Although it is acknowledged that 2 references for one adult were available, they had not been verified prior to them commencing employment in the service. Two references for one adult had not been sought or verified prior to them commencing placement in the service. (d) Information was not available to ascertain whether one adult required International Police Vetting
- The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not carried out prior to two adult commencing employment or placement in the service as follows: Two verified references for two adults were not in place prior to them commencing employment or placement in the service. Information was not available to ascertain whether one adult required International Police Vetting
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that two references for two adults have been verified and are now on file, the service has created a checklist to ensure all documentation is in place before a staff member or student commences employment in the service. The person requiring police vetting since has left the service therefore police vetting is no longer required
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- 1) An adequate number of adults were not working directly with the preschool children at all times in the M1 room on the day of inspection as detailed below in point (2). (2) In the M1 room from 12:30pm to 13:15 pm one adult was observed caring for nine children. One child was between 2-3 years and eight children were between 3-5 years. The minimum adult to child ratio for 2-3 years in full day care is one adult to six children and child ratio for 3-5 years in full day care is one adult to eight children
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that the service was short staffed on the day of inspection and relief staff were not available, in future staff members will move children to a different room to ensure no staff member is working over ratio
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. In the M3 sanitary area, an electrical cable from an air purifier machine was observed trailing onto the floor and around the wall into the socket in the main room. The cable was in reach of children during the inspection; this poses a potential risk of injury to a child. 2. In the M5 room, and the sanitary area used by the children in M2 room, cleaning products were stored on a low shelf and accessible to children. It is acknowledged that a staff member moved the products to a high shelf when the inspector brought it to their attention. This poses a potential risk of harm to children if they accessed them. The corrective and preventive actions submitted by the registered provider following the last inspection of the service on 20 March 2025 did not prevent the re-occurrence of the non-compliance under Regulation 23. 3. In the outdoor area used by the children, a section of the fence was observed to be broken, sharp and protruding. This poses a potential risk of injury to a child. 4. In the M1 room the water temperature in the children’s sanitary area was recorded at 56.1 degrees, this poses a risk of scalding to a child. It is acknowledged that the registered provider took steps to reduce the water temperature when the inspector brought it to their attention. Infection Control: 5. The bins in use for disposal of waste in the M2 and M3 rooms, including soiled nasal tissues and waste food, had swing lids. Children and staff were observed to use their hands to open the bins. This poses a potential risk of cross contamination. 6. In M2, M3 and M5 rooms the vinyl covering on the children’s sofas was observed to be worn and torn in the corners with the inner foam is exposed. The sofas cannot be effectively cleaned and pose a potential risk of cross contamination to children. 7. In M2 room the vinyl covering on the mats used in the children’s rest/quiet areas was observed to be worn and torn. The mats cannot be effectively cleaned and pose a potential risk of cross contamination to children. Administration of Medication: 8. Some of the procedures for the administration of medication were at variance with the policy and associated procedures in place in the service and posed a risk of harm to a child as follows; • Documentation reviewed contained evidence to show that staff fill out consent for the administration of medications to children and then subsequently request signature from parent/guardian. Staff members confirmed this practice. • Evidence of administration of an asthma inhaler was reviewed; no pre-consent documentation had been sought to inform staff of the procedures or amount of medication to administer. The medicine policy states that medicine will not be administered to children if consent is not signed in advance. • Documentation was reviewed that showed an asthma inhaler had been administered by a member of staff however no witness signature was recorded. • An auto-injector for a child was observed to be out of date, staff members informed the inspector that the child no longer required the medication, the medicine policy in place states that medication that is out of date or no longer required will be returned to parents for disposal. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The registered provider has stated: 1. The air purifier has been removed from M3 room and staff have been reminded not to plug anything into the area 2. The cleaning products have been removed from the sanitary area used by M2 and the M5 room, staff have been reminded about using extra vigilance when storing cleaning products, the manager and owner will check the storage of cleaning products weekly using a checklist. 3. The fence has been repaired. Staff will carry out regular checks in the garden area. 4. A temperature gauge has now been put on the main tank; staff will carry out regular temperature checks on the water. Infection Control: 5. Foot operated bins are now in place in all classrooms. The registered provider has stated they will replace any bins if they break. 6. The torn sofas have been removed and replaced with cushions. 7. The torn children’s mats have been removed and replaced with new mats. Administration of Medication: 8. All staff have been reminded of the medication policy, and staff have explained the procedure to parents relating to pre-consent for administering medication. The autoinjector has been returned to parents. The manager will check the medicine procedure weekly to ensure all paperwork is completted
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- 1 (a) Documentation was not available to demonstrate that fire drills were practiced regularly. The last fire drill was carried out on 18 November 2025
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that two fire drills have been carried out since the inspection. A member of staff has now been assigned the responsibility for carrying out and documenting fire drills
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (e) In the M4 room, the door leading into the sanitary area had been removed from the frame. The 2 cubicles inside the area did not have doors to provide children with privacy when using the toilet. The sanitary area leads directly into the children’s care room therefore children were not afforded privacy when using the toilet
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that the doors on the two cubicles have been replaced. They will not be removed again
Found compliant: Regulation 15, 19.