Inspection of 11 June 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (4) One staff member who was observed working directly with the children did not have documentary evidence of having at least a minimum Level 5 qualification in childcare available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- (4) The relevant staff member obtained a letter verifying completion of Level 8 qualification in childcare. The registered provider will request a letter stating qualifications as soon as job is offered
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- (3)(a) The following non-compliances were identified in the outdoor areas and presented as a health a safety risk to the preschool children. 1. In the play area outside the Little Buds Room and in the area off the Little Seedlings Room there were a number of unprotected wooden support posts in the covered areas which were a potential impact hazard. 2. In the Sensory Garden, there was no safety surface under the “pizza” swing and a second swing set should a child fall off it. This is a safety risk. 3. A number of mini trampolines were observed in use in the large outdoor area to the side and in the outdoor area off the Little Seedlings Room. These are a health and safety risk and prohibited unless prescribed for therapeutic use. 4. The following pieces of equipment in the outdoor areas were broken and had sharp unprotected edges and corners exposed to the children e.g. the green metal shed, the green plastic playhouse, the plastic tunnel, the wooden mud kitchen and the wooden panel on the playhouse. In addition to this the outdoor risk assessment on display was last dated 13/2/23 and did not identify these injury hazards. 5. The adult rocking chair in the Little Buds Room was in a state of disrepair, the arms were cracked and pieces of wooden were missing. This was a potential injury hazard to the children in this room who were observed pulling themselves up onto the chair
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Protective padding is now in place covering the posts. Hard surfaces such as the wooden posts will be included in the risk assessment sheets and the importance of checking all surfaces and equipment has been addressed with staff. 2. The staff have been asked not to use the sensory garden until the registered provider resolves the issues with the safety surface. The registered provider will ensure that all outdoor equipment is used with the recommended safety precautions in place. 3. All the mini trampolines have been removed from the Toddler Room. The registered provider has explained to staff the importance of following age-appropriate guidelines for the toys the children pay with, and they were also informed of the health and safety risks. They have been asked to include this information on their risk assessment sheets in the room. 4. Broken pieces of equipment in the outdoor area have been fixed. The green metal shed has been removed and the importance of filling out the risk assessment has been pointed out to the staff. Any equipment broken will be recorded and fixed as quickly as possible. 5. The registered provider has replaced the rocking chair in the Little Buds room. The staff have been spoken to about the importance of not having broken furniture in the room and identifying this on the risk assessment
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Safe Sleep: 1. A non-cellular blanket was observed in use for 1 child under the age of 1 years in the sleep room off the Little Buds Room. This is a safe sleep risk. In addition, 1 sleeping child aged 1 year was observed to have their blanket up over their head. It is acknowledged that this was promptly removed when brought to the staff members attention. 2. Room temperatures were being inaccurately recorded in the Little Seedlings Room when it was converted into a sleep room. When carrying out sleep checks, the staff member was observed to record the room temperature of the adjoining sleep room on the sleep log rather than the temperature of the converted care/sleep room. This was recorded consistently at 18.8 o C even though there was no thermometer in the room to accurately record the room temperature. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Safe Sleep: 1. New cellular blankets have been purchased and it has been explained to the staff that these cellular blankets have to be used by children under the age of one years of age. The sleep policy has been updated regarding blankets for use on babies under one years. 2. The staff were given the sleep policy to read and sign. They were made aware of where the thermometer is in the sleep room and also the toddler room to record accurate room temperatures. The registered provider will keep the staff updated with the safe sleep policy and compliance checks so that the staff keep inputting the regulations into their work with the children
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (2) The first aid box in the Little Buds Room was inadequately stocked as it did not contain eye pads, small dressings or antiseptic wipes. An opened tube of cream to be administered after a bite or sting was also stored in the first aid box and this was a contamination risk to the dressings and bandages in the box
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) The first aid box was restocked. The registered provider has asked staff for a list of what is needed for the first aid box and also given them guidelines. A staff member has been nominated to take charge of the first aid boxes in order to ensure they are adequately stocked
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) In the Little Buds Room, the corners of the blue floor mat at the climbing frame were torn and in a state of disrepair
Provider's corrective action:
- (d)A new mat has been obtained for the climbing frame. The registered provider will talk to staff about the importance of carrying out the risk assessment in the room and that anything torn or ripped needs to be identified and reported
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 26.