Inspection of 28 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (i) The staff roster was not accurately documented. The roster for the week of the 26/01/2026 to 28/01/2026 was reviewed by the inspector. -There was no record maintained to clearly identify staff absences. Two staff were absent on the 28/01/2026 with just blank spaces on the record book. -Relief staff or regular staff breaks were not recorded. (k) The service had a record book with accidents, injury and incidents within the service, however three reports were noted for 2024 and three reports for 2025, while it was acknowledged that the forms were documented and signed by both parents and staff, four white forms remained in the record book and were not given to the parents. This is at variance with the service policy and training guidelines
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 27/02/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action (i) Accurate records will be maintained going forward including staff absences and the staff roster book. The service is actively trying to recruit a new member of staff to join the team. (k) The staff reviewed the service accident and incident policy and agreed to ensure that parents will always receive a copy of the signed accident and incident form regarding their child going forward
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. Kitchen crockery was not observed at snack/mealtime the children were observed to eat from their hands at approximately 10.50 and from lunch boxes and tin foil wrapping or the table at approximately 11.40
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 27/02/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. Plates will be provided for the children to place their snacks and lunches on going forward. The children and staff will make every effort to use the plates during snack and lunch times
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
- At variance with the service healthy eating policy and the operation of a part time service where children attend up to five hours a day. 1. Nine of 17 children who stayed for the part time service were not offered a second meal or an adequate alternative healthy meal with appropriate food groups as recommended by the Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Service (2023). It is recommended that all children attending a sessional service are provided with one meal and one snack while a part time service are provided with two meals and one snack during the 5-hour period. 2. There was no evidence of a 3-week menu plan on display in the part time service
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 27/02/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The parents and guardians of the children have been contacted to provide enough food for two meals- a snack and larger meal. The parents have been advised to label the food accordingly for the children. The preschool will ensure they have food available for any child who requires extra food. 2. A 3-week menu plan has been recorded and the service will ensure each child has an adequate nutritional intake while attending the service
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Various items were inappropriately stored in the lobby area adjacent to the sanitary area and Naionra playroom which were accessible to the preschool children and posed a risk to safety, harm or obstruction. − A nappy changing mat, a whiteboard, folded brown cardboard were stored behind the filing cabinet, plastic bags and blue water dispensing bottles were stored on top of the filing cabinet. − A large black water basin, with grey lid and two school bags, a large open black storage unit with a bag of blocks. − Two balance boards and a grey colour quilted patterned piece of material were stored in the corner under the window opposite the sanitary area. 2. In the designated outdoor play area to the rear of the community building adjacent to the school playground a child was observed playing with a briar full of thorns. The early years inspector and staff member intervened and removed the briar. This posed a risk of safety and harm to the preschool children. 3. The designated outdoor play area was not safely secure so that children could not leave the area unsupervised and unauthorised persons could not enter the area. While it is acknowledged the children were supervised while playing in this area, the inspector could open the green sliding gate latch and enter the play area without any assistance. This posed an access risk and the potential risk of egress of a child. 4. There was a daily risk assessment checklist for the indoor and outdoor play areas, for checking that toys and equipment were not broken, that they were in a clean condition and maintained in a good state of repair, that the area was clean and free of hazards and risk to the children. Three-week records were reviewed by the inspector with generic ticks after each item and no entry documented for the 28/1/2026. This posed a potential risk of safety and harm to the preschool children as the records are not maintained accurately and no follow through was observed or any comments if a risk was identified. Safe Sleep: 5. While it was acknowledged that the service had six stackable beds, there was no evidence of individual bed linen for any children who were tired and wished to have a rest or sleep during the part time service hours. Action submitted by the Registered Provider On the 27/02/2026 the registered provider advised of the following
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. All items that were inappropriately stored in the lobby area adjacent to the sanitary area and preschool classroom were removed and the area was cleaned. Hooks were purchased to place coats and bags off the floor safely. This area will not be used for storage going forward. 2. The designated outdoor play area was cleaned. Painting will occur when the weather improves before the end of the term. 3. A secure safety system will be used on the gate to ensure the safety of the children while playing in the designated outdoor play area. 4. The daily risk assessments for the indoor and outdoor environment will be recorded accurately and maintained up to date with additional notes where necessary. Safe Sleep: 5. New bed linen was purchased for the stackable beds should the children wish to take a rest or sleep during the part time session
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) At variance with the outdoor service policy which states the area should be safe, suitable and clean for the age group of children using the area and a daily risk assessment should be carried out to maintain the safety and security of the children in the area. 1. The ground surface in the designated outdoor play area to the rear of the building across the carpark was covered with debris from overhanging trees and neighbouring hedges, wet leaves and moss. The area needed cleaning and maintenance. 2. The shed wall facing the designated play area had old, faded murals and flaking paint, this wall needed power washing, cleaning, painting and maintenance. 3. The wooden floor and steps on the tree house/activity centre in the designated play area was weather beaten and paint was peeling off it. This unit needed cleaning, painting and maintenance. 4. The coloured plastic blocks under the tree house were dirty and in need of cleaning and maintenance. 5. There was evidence of a dirty wet towel and blue dish cloth on the ground beside the fencing to the designated play area on the 28/01/2026. These items needed to be adequately cleaned and maintained. (e) 6. Visibility strips were required on the glass window and glass on main entrance door to the lobby area adjacent to the sanitary area and naionra playroom to prevent passerby’s viewing the children when coming out of the toilets
Provider's corrective action:
- On the 27/03/2026 and 17/04/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action (d) 1. The designated outdoor play area has been cleaned and maintained. The area will be maintained regularly going forward. 2. The shed wall has been cleaned maintained and painted. 3. The wooden tree house/activity centre has been cleaned, maintained and painted. 4. The plastic blocks in the designated play area were removed for a thorough cleaning. 5. The dirty dish cloth and wet towel were removed from the area. (e) 6. A laminated sheet was placed on the window and glass on the entrance door to the lobby area
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 26, 28.