Inspection of 26 August 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a) (b) There were no written references on file for one adult
Provider's corrective action:
- Manager and registered provider has reviewed all staff files. Reference have been received and verified for staff member who was missing references. Manager and deputy manager reviewed induction process. Templates are used for induction and reference validation. Review of all staff files and templates used for all future inductions
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (h) Records reviewed did not adequately reflect the attendance of each child on the day of the inspection. One child in the Back Preschool room had not been signed in upon their arrival. It is acknowledged that when the inspector brought this to the attention of staff at 10.30am, the record was updated
Provider's corrective action:
- Registered provider and person in charge reviewed the signing in process with the team. It was acknowledged that internet issues can at times cause issues with signing in. Internet booster ordered to ensure team can use the tablets for sign in more efficiently. Deputy manager assigned to reviewing attendance records every half hour in the morning to ensure all children are checked in on time. Deputy manager has taken on responsibility for additional checks on attendance as part of morning operational procedures. Internet booster in progress for installation to mitigate any technical issues. Internal review of digital application to see if this is fit for purpose moving forward
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for 13 staff members including the registered provider. However, 2 of these vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The gate that leads into the outdoor area at the rear of the premises, where staff advised that parents drop and collect their children from, had a high-level turn handle. Although the turn handle was out of the reach of children, it did not prevent or restrict unauthorised persons from gaining access to the premises. The care rooms located directly off the outdoor areas were not secured to prevent unauthorised access. 3. Three electrical leads from plug sockets of a temperature device, a fan and a cooling unit were accessible to children in the cot room, the leads were located next to 2 cots, which poses a risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 4. The children in the Toddler room were observed to come directly in from outside to have their lunch. No handwashing was observed before children were served their food, which poses an infection control risk. Safe Sleep: 5. Sleep checks reviewed did not adequately record sleep checks every 10 minutes as per the services safe sleep policy. On dates reviewed (19th, 22nd and 25th August 2025) the sleep checks were recorded on occasion at 13, 14, 15 and 20 minute intervals. 6. Sleep equipment provided for children under 2 was not suitable. Two children aged 1 year 9 months and 1 year 11 months were observed to sleep on floor mats. Children aged 15 months upwards can sleep on a floor bed, once a care plan has been completed and the bed is fitted with a mattress of at least 6cm in thickness. There were no care plans available for these two children to demonstrate consultation with parents/guardians for the transition of their children from a cot to a floor bed
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: (1) Staff members were re-vetted immediately. All staff files reviewed and excel document created to monitor garda vetting expiry. (2) Registered provider reviewed security, and all doors are locked, and parents/guardians will knock on windows/ doorbell for entry. This is an interim plan as we upgrade the external security. A construction company have been contacted to replace all external fencing in order to provide additional security. (3) Educators in the Wobbler room moved plugs and cords attached to wall. Review of cords is added to daily checks for the team. Infection Control: (4) Person in charge addressed handwashing with the team immediately and importance of infection control was discussed. Health and Safety officer will continuously monitor infection control procedures. Safe Sleep: (5) Registered provider shared sleep safe guidance with team members immediately. Review of daily process accessed. Team members will move to paper-based log to ensure this is more accurate. (6) Parents had been updated in a verbal manner for all children transitioning to a sleep mat. This was updated with a written Individual Sleep Plan for children who were under two on a mat. Thicker mattresses were ordered for children under two. Team reviewed Guidance for ELC on sleep provision for children under 24mths to ensure they are up to date and confident on requirements. Forward planning will be in place for all new children starting and transition from cot to mat will be implemented moving forward
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) The registered provider had not ensured that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service. The one staff member who holds in date FAR training was rostered to work until 4.30pm on three days of the week of the inspection and was rostered to be off on leave for two days. It is acknowledged that a person with in date Paediatric First Aid training is present from 8.15 to 5.15pm daily on the weekly roster reviewed
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) The roster was reviewed immediately, and qualified staff member was willing to reschedule leave. New staff member with FAR hired into the service. Registered provider booked FAR training immediately for x 8 staff members and this has commenced. Total of 10 staff members will be FAR trained by end of month to ensure no gaps on the roster
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26, 27, 28.