Inspection of 18 March 2026 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 18 March 2026 during the inspection in respect of Regulation 23, general safety. A response was received from the service on the 18 March 2026 which sufficiently mitigated the risk identified.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) Although it is acknowledged that two references for one adult were available, they had not been verified prior to them commencing employment in the service
- The procedures specified in paragraph (2) (a)(b) were not carried out prior to one adult commencing employment in the service as follows: Two verified references for one adult were not in place prior to them commencing employment in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated that two written and validated references have been obtained for the staff member and are on file. The registered provider will ensure all staff files are kept up to date in future
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. In the Montessori 3 room, cleaning products to include dishwasher tablets were stored in a low unlocked press which was accessible to children. A child was observed to open the press independently to get some paper towel which was stored next to the cleaning products. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 18 March 2026 during the inspection. A response was received from the service on the 18 March 2026 which sufficiently mitigated the risk identified. 2. In the Montessori 3 room a television was stored on a low shelf in reach of the children. The television was unsecured posing a risk of injury to a child if it fell over. 3. In the Montessori 2 room an electrical cable was hanging from a television which was in reach of the children. This posed a potential risk of injury to a child if they accessed it. 4. In the upper playground, three broken plastic children’s spades were observed on the ground. The spades were cracked and sharp with pieces missing. This poses a risk to children who could injure themselves with them. Infection Control: 5. In the Montessori 1 room the toilet tissue used by the children was not stored in a dispenser or on a holder, the toilet tissue was observed to be left on top of the water heater and on the sink, this poses a risk of cross contamination to children. Administration of Medication: 6. Procedures to safeguard children when administering some medications were not available for review, the following was observed on inspection • Care plans were not available for two children who required regular medication. • An asthma inhaler had been administered to a child however a written pre-consent form had not been sought, in addition an administration of medication record had not been filled out and shared with a parent or guardian following administration of the inhaler. This was at variance with the administration of medicine policy in the service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: The registered provider has stated: 1. The dishwasher tablets have been removed from the press and will be stored on a high shelf in the future. This press only contains arts and crafts materials now. 2. The television has been removed from Montessori 3 room as it is seldom used. 3. The television has been removed from Montessori 2 room as it is seldom used. 4. The spades for use by the children have been replaced by new spades. Infection Control: 5. A new toilet roll holder in Montessori 1 has been installed. Administration of Medication: 6. The administration of medication procedure has been reviewed by all staff and any child who requires an inhaler will have a form filled in by the parent in advance. Asthma care plans have been developed for each child requiring an inhaler and plans are now displayed on the classroom wall. Training on the administration of medication policy has been delivered to all staff during the last meeting to explain the importance of all medicine administered being recorded. Staff are aware that a medicine administration form must be always filled out for a child receiving an inhaler
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) Throughout the premises, areas of the building were found not to be maintained and repaired as required posing a potential risk of injury to a child. 1. In the sanitary area in the Montessori 1 room, pipes and electrical cables were exposed and accessible to children. The pipes and cables were connected to a water heater. A laminated page was taped to the top of the heater to restrict children’s access to the controls; however, the controls were still accessible to children. In addition, there was no hot water available in this sanitary area on the day of inspection. 2. In the Montessori 1 room, the toilet seat was loose and falling off, staff confirmed it is tightened regularly but continuously becomes loose. 3. In the Montessori 3 room a safety protective cover was missing from a ceiling light
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated: 1. The water heater in Montessori 1 has been removed and relocated to the press under the sink in the kitchen area where it is better located to heat the water for Montessori 1, 2 and the kitchen area. The area of the wall where wires were visible through a gap has been repaired by the carpenter with a wooden panel. 2. The toilet washers were used to tighten the toilet seat to avoid future loosing. 3. New protective cover has been fitted to the light in the Montessori 3 room
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 19.