Inspection of 18 July 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- 1. There was evidence in the service that oral anti-biotics had been administered to pre-school children in attendance without the service having obtained written parental consent to authorise staff members to administer this medication to the children. Examples of this practice included antibiotics administered to children in the service on 29/08/2023, 30/08/2023, 31/08/2023, 01/09/2023, 05/03/2024 and 06/03/2024. 2. Not all medication administration forms maintained in the service were complete as the parent’s signature was not always obtained when they were collecting their child to document that they were fully aware of which and how much medication had been given to their child and the specific time it had been administered in the service, to allow appropriate time to elapse before a further dose was administered at home. Examples of this practice included medication administered to children in the service on 05/03/2024 and 06/03/2024. Similar non-compliances in relation to incomplete medication administration records were found at the time of the last inspection on 21/08/2023
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action
- 1. & 2. Staff were immediately advised of the importance of administration of medication procedure. This was further discussed with all staff at the staff meeting on 24/07/2024. Preventive Action
- 1. & 2. Management will regularly cross check that the administration of medication is carried out correctly at all times. Summary Comment The assurances provided by the registered provider that these corrective actions will be sustained on an on-going basis is accepted by the Inspectorate and this will be reviewed on the next inspection
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- 1. There was a lack of natural, sensory and open-ended materials in Amy’s Room and in the Toddler Room to facilitate sensory play experiences or encourage the children’s creativity and imagination at times of their own choosing. For example, sensorial materials such as sand, water, compost, dried rice, crushed cereal or dried pasta were not provided for play in these rooms. The inspector was informed that sensorial play was facilitated in both these rooms on a regular basis and photographs in the service confirmed this, but the lack of accessible sensorial play materials in the rooms denied the opportunity for the children in these two rooms to exercise choice in relation to their engagement in sensory activities throughout the day
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action 1. A new range of sensorial play equipment was purchased for the rooms. Tray tables are available in both rooms and supplied with various sensory materials that are accessible to children throughout the day. Sensory toys, sensory floor mats and foam seating a re added to the rooms and accessible to children throughout the day. A 3-drawer storage unit is now in the Baby Room for storage and accessibility to additional sensory equipment and toys. Preventive Action 1. Manager will continue to add to the range of accessible sensorial equipment and materials in these rooms
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures were available for the registered provider and all 11 staff members. However, 5 of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. It is acknowledged that there was evidence available in the service that the registered provider had recently applied to renew Garda vetting for these 5 staff members through a national registered organisation but the up-dated vetting documents had not yet been issued. Infection Control: 2. In Amy’s Room the children’s hands were not washed before they ate their morning snack. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been obtained for 4 of the 5 outstanding renewal vetting disclosures. The 5th renewal will be forwarded when received as it is still in progress with the vetting bureau. Infection Control: 2. All staff reminded to wash children’s hands before mealtimes and at all times necessary throughout the day. Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Garda vetting will be renewed for all other staff members in January 2025 to ensure all vetting disclosures are in date in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate. Infection Control: 2. The importance of hand washing was discussed with staff at the staff meeting on 24/07/2024. Supporting documentation submitted Copies of updated Garda vetting disclosures, issued by the Garda vetting bureau on dates from 23/07/2024 to 20/08/2024 in respect of the 5 relevant staff members were submitted to the Inspectorate. Summary Comment The corrective action and evidence submitted by the registered provider has been reviewed and accepted. The non-compliance observed in relation to Regulation 23 has been adequately addressed
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1)(b) The available records for the maintenance of the fire detection system indicated that the last maintenance check was carried out on 28/02/2023 which is outside the recommended annual best practice guidelines
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated the following corrective actions and preventive actions have been undertaken: Corrective Action (1)(b) Fire safety company to carry out a service on the smoke detection system in August 2024. Preventive Action (1)(b) All fire services to be scheduled to be carried out annually and certified
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 24, 25, 28.