Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued onsite to the service during the inspection in relation to the absence of the required garda vetting documentation for one adult. Please see body of report for more detail. Acknowledgments The inspectors wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the person in charge, staff and children who were present on the day of the inspection.
Immediate action notice. Non-Compliance Information The following vetting information was unavailable for inspection: (2) (a) A second reference from a past employer was required for one adult. There was no evidence of the validation of references for one adult. Evidence of the validation of a reference from their most recent employer was unavailable for another adult. (c) Garda vetting documents were unavailable for one adult. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the service in relation to this. It is acknowledged on 30th of March the manager advised that this staff member is placed on study leave and will have no access to children until the garda vetting is processed. (d) The information in relation to employment histories for four staff members was incomplete. (4) The information available on file regarding the qualifications for two staff members did not clearly demonstrate that the qualification met the regulatory requirements. Corrective & Preventive Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective and Preventive Action (2)(a) The person in charge submitted a written response to the office of the early years inspectorate to state A second reference was obtained for one adult and evidence of validation of references was submitted for two adults and the manager and administrator will check that two references are obtained and validated for all future employments. (c) Garda vetting has been obtained for the adult. The manager and administrator will ensure the garda vetting is complete before an employee starts in the service. (d)the employment histories have been updated for four staff members, and the manager and administrator will check the employment histories before an employee starts. (4) Qualifications for all staff will be checked on dcediy early years recognised qualifications. Supporting documentation submitted The person in charge submitted a copy of the second reference obtained for one staff member and evidence of validation of references for two staff members. A copy of the garda vetting for one staff member. Updated employment histories for four staff members. Evidence that the qualifications met the regulatory requirements. Employee records checklist form template. Summary Comment The early years inspectorate have assessed the actions taken and evidence submitted and deems it to meet Regulation 9.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
The following vetting information was unavailable for inspection: (2) (a) A second reference from a past employer was required for one adult. There was no evidence of the validation of references for one adult. Evidence of the validation of a reference from their most recent employer was unavailable for another adult. (c) Garda vetting documents were unavailable for one adult. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the service in relation to this. It is acknowledged on 30th of March the manager advised that this staff member is placed on study leave and will have no access to children until the garda vetting is processed. (d) The information in relation to employment histories for four staff members was incomplete. (4) The information available on file regarding the qualifications for two staff members did not clearly demonstrate that the qualification met the regulatory requirements
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) The person in charge submitted a written response to the office of the early years inspectorate to state A second reference was obtained for one adult and evidence of validation of references was submitted for two adults and the manager and administrator will check that two references are obtained and validated for all future employments. (c) Garda vetting has been obtained for the adult. The manager and administrator will ensure the garda vetting is complete before an employee starts in the service. (d)the employment histories have been updated for four staff members, and the manager and administrator will check the employment histories before an employee starts. (4) Qualifications for all staff will be checked on dcediy early years recognised qualifications
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: • Numerous sharp metal radiator valves in the upstairs hall, Butterflies room, Bumblebee room and Starling rooms did not have covers and posed a potential risk of injury to children. • A wall mounted sign in the outdoor area was broken and posed a potential risk of injury to children. Infection Control: • In the nappy changing area and the sleep area adjoining the baby room, there was evidence of dust and debris on the ceiling mechanical ventilation covers. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The person in charge submitted a written response to state • The radiator valves that did not have covers in upstairs hall, Butterflies room, Bumblebee room and Starling rooms have been replaced. The wall mounted sign in the outdoor area that was broken has now been removed. Infection Control • In the nappy changing area and sleep area adjoining the baby room, the dust & debris on the ceiling mechanical ventilation covers has been cleaned
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) The air temperature in the Bumblebees room was measured at 14.5°C and 16.5°C at times during the inspection and not between the required 18-22°C. (d) 1. A section of the linoleum floor covering in the Butterflies room sanitary area was lifting upwards and not appropriately secured to the floor. 2. The divider/partition between the toilet cubicles in the Butterflies room sanitary area was damaged and required repair. 3. The door handle on the internal door to the first-floor stairway was damaged and required repair. 4. A large awning positioned over the main entrance to the premises was not maintained in a clean condition. 5.There were sections of the wooden surround on the windows at the front of the premises which were cracked, worn and missing and required replacement/repair
Provider's corrective action:
The person in charge submitted a written response to state (c) The Air temperature in the Bumblebees Room dropped due to our ventilation process this returned to required temperature once all windows and doors were closed and staff have been briefed on checking room temperature whilst ventilating the room to ensure the temperature does not drop below the requirements. Regular maintenance spot checks by the Manager will now commence. (d) 1. The linoleum in Butterfly room has been taped/secured to prevent trip hazards until a full repair is carried out due for completion on 15/05/2026. The maintenance log has been updated to show the action needed. 2. The divider/partition between cubicles in the Butterfly room sanitary area will be repaired, due for completion on 04/08/2026. The maintenance log has been updated to show the action needed. 3. The door handle on the internal door to the first floor has been replaced. The maintenance log has been updated to reflect the repair. 4. The large awning over the front door has been removed and taken away. The maintenance log has been updated to reflect the completion. 5. Sections of wooden surround on the windows at the front of the premises have been removed and a new façade exterior replacement, is due for completion by 29/05/2026. The maintenance log has been updated to show the action needed
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare, and development of child
1. The privacy and dignity of a child having their nappy changed could not be maintained. The location of the nappy changing area for the children in nappies from the Toddler room was unsuitable. The nappy changing mounted unit was in the sanitary lobby at the main sanitary entrance door. The main sanitary door opened inward potentially hitting a staff member changing a child having their nappy changed. Also, there was no door or screen around the nappy changing area and therefore when an older child was using the sanitary facilities (wash hand basin or toilet) a child having their nappy changed could be visibly viewed by other children and or a staff member
Provider's corrective action:
On the 27th of May 2024 the person in charge advised of the following; Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The Toddler nappy changing unit is fitted to the wall in the sanitary area with a door opening outwards to the lobby area. The location cannot be changed with immediate effect. This alteration has been assigned to maintenance to plan the alteration required. The corrective action short term will be that staff will be asked to ensure that where possible a child having their nappy changed will not be at the same time as children using the toilets or washing their hands. The manager will spot check that staff are only changing children’s nappies when the toilet area does not have children using the toilet (where possible). In the longer term the person in charge and the registered provider will discuss options for the nappy changing area with appropriate personnel
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety, and welfare of child
General Safety 1. The step-up ladder used for children to access the nappy changing unit in the Toddler nappy changing area was unsuitable. The children had to access the nappy unit by using a general maintenance 2-step fold up ladder, that had a large gap between the second step and the nappy mat, thereby posing a safety risk to a child. 2. In the outdoor area, one of the wooden tree trucks had a rusty metal nail exposed which could pose potential risk of injury to a child. There were four wooden tree trucks with evidence of wood rot. 3. The visibility stickers required replacement on the doors to the outdoor area from the Toddler room which could pose a potential safety concern. 4. Securing mechanisms were not in place on the refrigerator in the Wobbler room, a storage press which had sweeping brushes and highchairs in the Baby room and a storage press under the sinks in the Toddler sanitary area which contained a pest bait box and could thereby pose a potential safety concern. Infection Control 5. On both days of the inspection, the children from the Bumble bee, Butterfly and Starling rooms attending the Early Childhood Care and Education programme played in the outdoor area prior to going directly home. The children did not have the opportunity to wash their hands after outdoor play and prior to going home. It is acknowledged there was an outdoor hand washing basin. However, on both days of the inspection, the water for this tap was turned off. 6. In the Baby and Wobbler nappy changing areas the surfaces under the nappy changing mats were worn and proving difficult to effectively clean. There was also evidence of dust and debris on the nappy changing unit in the Baby nappy changing area. Additionally, the wall mounted nappy changing unit in the Toddler sanitary area was not maintained in a clean condition with evidence of a buildup of dust and debris. 7. In all sanitary areas, there was evidence of dust and debris on the ceiling mechanical ventilation covers. It is acknowledged that the person in charge showed evidence of purchasing new mechanical ceiling covers but was awaiting a professional fitter. 8. In conflict with best practice, the bins provided for the disposal of nappies in the Baby, Wobbler and Toddler nappy changing areas were not airtight, thereby potentially posing a risk of malodour and cross infection. 9. In conflict with best practice, suitable sterilisation practices for younger children’s soothers were not evident. On the days of inspection, staff gave varying accounts of the method of cleaning, frequency of cleaning and the quantity of solution product used. 10. There was evidence of dust and debris buildup on the radiator in the Toddler sanitary area. 11. On both days of inspection, in the children’s sanitary areas the disposable hand towels and disposable aprons were stored on open shelving which may pose a risk of cross contamination
Provider's corrective action:
On the 27th of May 2024, the person in charge advised of the following; Corrective and Preventive Action General Safety: 1. The step-up used for children to access the nappy changing area will be replaced with a higher step- up. A four tier step up will now be used. 2. The four wooden tree trunks, one with a rusty nail, have been removed. 3. Visibility stickers have now been placed on all doors out onto the outside areas. The visibility stickers will now be added, and the manager/deputy manager will spot check to ensure they remain in place. The manager will keep a check list. 4. Security mechanisms have now been placed on the refrigerator in Wobbler room, the storage press in the Baby room and the storage press under the sinks in the Toddler sanitary area. Security mechanisms will be spot checked by the manager/ deputy manager. Infection Control: 5. Children now wash their hands before leaving the outdoor area. Staff will be reminded about the importance of infection control highlighting the importance of washing hands after outdoor play and prior to going home. The infection control hand washing policy has been revised. 6. The Wobbler changing surface under the mat, has been cleaned and restored. A new changing unit has been placed in the Baby changing room. The Toddler changing unit has now been deep cleaned. Staff have been asked to highlight and log all maintenance issues to the manager. The staff will ensure the Toddler changing unit is cleaned to the required standard. 7. All ceiling mechanical ventilation covers have now been replaced by a professional fitter. The manager will request staff to highlight maintenance issues in the maintenance logbook. 8. Three bins for the disposal of nappies have been ordered and will be placed in each nappy changing room. 9. Soother sterilisation units have been purchased and placed into each of the three playrooms. 10. The dust and debris build-up on the radiator has now been cleaned in the Toddler sanitary area. 11. The disposable hand towels dispensers are now in use and apron holders have been ordered and will be placed in the three nappy changing areas. The manager/deputy manager will now carry out spot checks to always ensure correct storage of handtowels and aprons
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) 1. The covers of the light fittings in the Starlings room, the Bumble bee room, and in the corridor on the first floor, consisted of a light paper shade that were unsuitable and required replacement. (d) 2. In the Toddler room, there were two shelving units with a worn surface. In the Baby room and Bumble bee room the table surfaces were worn and chipped. In the Bumble bee room, the medium-density fibreboard (MDF) was absent on the arch way into the home area. Throughout the building, the wall surfaces in each of the playrooms had chipped/peeled paint. The wooden doors and shelving units had evidence of tape build up for example, in the reception area there was a notice board, with a build-up of old tape. 3. In the outdoor area, the wall mounted chalk boards were worn. There was a missing piece of wood at the base of the tyre structure near the tunnel. On one wall of the all-weathered sheltered area there was a protective board panel on the lower part of the wall, with evidence of fraying and a hole with protruding panelling product. (e) 4. In conflict with best practice, one of the two wash hand basins in the sanitary area off the Toddler sanitary area was not designated or dedicated for hand washing after nappy changing. 5. There was evidence of cracked and or absent tiles in the sanitary areas used by the children for the Toddler room, the Butterfly room, and the Starlings room. A section of skirting board was absent from the wall of the Butterfly room and behind the sink in the sanitary area used by the children from the Starlings room. There was evidence of a build-up of black tape at the pipework under the radiators in the sanitary areas used by the children from the Butterfly, Bumble bee and the Toddler room that required investigation. 6. In the sanitary accommodation used by the children from the Butterfly room, a toilet roll holder was broken in one of the two cubicles. In the Toddler sanitary area, the flush handle on one of the toilets was broken and required repair. In the sanitary area for the children from the Starlings room, a lock on the cubicle door was broken and required replacement. 7. In the corridor off the Starlings room, a section of the storage unit was absent, requiring repair
Provider's corrective action:
On the 28th of May 2024, the person in charge advised of the following; Corrective and Preventive Action 1. New covers for the light fittings in the Starlings and Bumble Bees Rooms and on the first-floor corridor will be sourced, ordered, and fitted during maintenance week in the first week of August 2024. Light paper shades will no longer be used in the building. 2. worn shelving units in the Toddler room, the worn table surfaces in Baby room and Bumble Bee room, the missing MDF archway into the home corner in the Bumble Bee room, the wall surfaces in each playroom that were chipped and had peeled paint, the doors and shelving units and reception notice board with build-up of tape, will be restored during maintenance week in the first week of August 2024. The manager/deputy manager will now carry out more spot checks to ensure maintenance issues are listed by staff in the maintenance logbook to ensure completion. 3. In the outdoor area the worn wall mounted chalk boards have been re-painted with chalk paint, the missing wood at the base of the tyre (fort) will be replaced. the protective board panel in the all-weather sheltered area has been replaced. The manager / deputy manager will request that staff ensure all maintenance issues in the first week of August 2024, are logged in the maintenance logbook and highlighted to the manager. 4. A wash hand basin in the Toddler sanitary area had been designated for staff and children, after nappy changing. New signage for handwashing has been placed over the wash hand basins, the staff will alert the manager if the sign needs replacing. 5. The cracked/absent tiles in the Toddler, Butterfly and Starlings Rooms will be fixed back into place. The manager/deputy manager will request staff to ensure all maintenance issues are logged in the maintenance logbook and highlighted to the manager. 6. Skirting board missing from the wall of the Butterfly room and behind the sink in the sanitary area will be replaced. Black tape at the pipework will be investigated and remedial work will be carried out. The manager/deputy manager will request staff to ensure all maintenance issues are logged in the maintenance logbook and highlighted to the manager. 7. The toilet roll holder in the Butterfly room has been replaced. The lock for the cubicle door has been fixed. The flush handle in the Toddler sanitary area has been ordered to be fitted by a professional as soon as possible. The manager/deputy manager will request staff to ensure all maintenance issues are logged in the maintenance logbook and highlighted to the manager. 8. The storage unit outside the Starlings room will be repaired
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 22, 25, 26, 28.