Inspection of 26 January 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- On review of the staff files, while it is acknowledged that evidence was available to demonstrate that nine staff members working with preschool children had achieved at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the minister to be equivalent, one staff member did not have the required qualification
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that while the staff member is waiting to receive their level 5 qualification a relief staff member, who is qualified, is being employed full time to work in their place. Going forward only fully qualified staff will be employed
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (j) On a review of the medication records, there was no written consent from parents for the administration of medication other than an anti-febrile medication in the case of an emergency. The person in charge stated that parents gave verbal permission. However, this is not in line with the service’s administration of medication policy which requires prior written consent to administer any medication
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that they have developed a consent form for antibiotics/cough bottles/ inhalers etc for parents to sign to give consent and there is now a separate medicine book for these for each room. Each teacher is aware of this form and the requirement for any new parent joining the service to complete it. There is now a medication book in each room for this with a separate book for antifebrile medication
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A radiator cover in the Pre Montessori room was broken and posed a pinch risk to children. 2. The flooring in the Montessori room was worn at the seams and had some holes which created a risk of a child tripping. Infection Control: 3. Cots in the baby room were not positioned 50cm apart to reduce the risk of cross infection. Administration of Medication: 4. Medication records were not completed, children’s identifying information had not been completed on some forms – for example, of the 10 forms sampled 8 did not include the child’s surname or date of birth. Two forms did not have all the required signatures, and the inspector could not be assured that the registered provider had ensured that parents had been informed of any medication which had been administered during the day. Safe Sleep: 5. Sleep records were not consistently updated every 10 minutes as required by the service’s sleep policy. For example, at 14:05 two children were sleeping in cots and however the sleep record had been completed up until 13:30. 6. At 13:03, three children were observed to sleep on low beds with four children sleeping in cots. Staff described how they do not stay in the room with the sleeping children but check them every 10 minutes. A staff member is required to be present in a room where children are sleeping on floor beds at all times. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that radiator cover has been replaced with additional ones on storage if required. 2. A tradesman is booked over the mid -term break to address the flooring in the Montessori room. Infection Control: 3. The sleep room has been rearranged creating 50cm space between the cots. This will be reviewed regularly to ensure the space is maintained. Administration of Medication: 4. The registered provider stated that each form was checked and all details required were completed on these forms, Details regarding the time the parents are contacted at either by phone call or text message will be recorded along with the dose of medicine and parents’ signature along with two staff members will be completed going forward. All staff have been informed of this requirement. Safe Sleep: 5. The registered provider stated that sleep records are completed every ten minutes and going forward all staff have been made aware of this requirement. 6. The registered provider stated that a staff member will be designated to stay within the room with sleeping children to supervise
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (1) (b) Fire extinguishers had not been serviced since April 2024 this poses a risk of malfunction during a fire
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that there had been an error with the fire equipment servicing agreement and the company has since serviced the fire extinguishers. An annual reminder has been set to ensure this is completed in a timely manner going forward
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 21, 22, 25, 28.