Inspection of 6 March 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General safety: 1. The Garda vetting disclosure available for one of the adults was not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The water temperatures at four of the children’s wash hand basins exceeded 430C, which posed a risk of scalding. In the sanitary facility shared by the Bright Butterflies and the Busy Bees care rooms, temperature readings of 46.30C, 45.90C, 460C and 470C were taken. It was acknowledged that once alerted to this, the registered provider reduced the thermostat. However, the water temperatures of 13.40C, 140C, 14.90C and 13.70C subsequently recorded were too low to ensure effective handwashing. Warm running water was also unavailable at the wash hand basin in the second staff sanitary when initially checked. A water temperature of 14.80C was recorded. 3. The risk of unauthorised access was not prevented at the rear of the original building. It was possible to open the side gate from the exterior and this gate provided access to the door of the Talented Turtles room, which was observed to be unsecured at various times during the inspection. Infection control: 4. Cloth towels were observed in towel holders or next to wash hand basins, in most of the sanitary facilities: - There were two towels in the staff sanitary facility adjoining the Talented Turtles room - One towel was observed in the second staff sanitary facility - A towel was noted in the accessible toilet facility - A towel and a tea towel were stored beside the wash hand basins in the Bright Butterflies/Busy Bees sanitary area. A child was subsequently observed to dry their hands on one of these towels. The shared use of cloth towels increased the risk of cross infection. Administration of medication: 5. The registered provider confirmed that training in administering specific medication had not been provided for staff. This posed a risk that medication may be administered incorrectly to a child. This was also at variance with the service’s medication management policy, which stated that key staff will be trained in relation to the administration of medications that relate to specific medical conditions. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General safety: 1. In her written reply, the registered provider stated that the staff member has been on leave and will not be returning to the service. It will be ensured that renewal dates are checked every September. 2. The thermostat was checked by a plumber, while servicing the boiler. The temperature is now 390C in the shared sanitary facility and 400C in the staff toilet. As a preventive measure, the plumber will check the thermostat annually and the manager and staff will check the water daily, to prevent any increase in temperatures. 3. The response advised that the side gate cannot be locked, as it is a fire exit. The door of the Talented Turtles classroom, which is also a fire exit door, is now locked from the outside and it is fitted with a portable bell. Staff members will have a key to access this door from the exterior. This entry and exit process will be in place going forward. Infection control: 4. Hand dryers are used in the new building. Staff advised that they had used tea towels in the classroom and towels for cleaning up spills. Paper towels are always available and staff have provided assurances that they will only use these in future. Staff toilet facilities also have paper towels. The manager will do regular checks to ensure that towels are not used in future. Only hand dryers or paper towels will be used. Administration of medication: 5. The written reply outlined that all staff have been shown how to administer the medication. Step by step instructions regarding the administration of the medication have also been displayed on the staff notice board in the relevant classroom. Going forward, when a child receives a diagnosis that requires medication, all staff on the premises will be shown how to administer same
Regulation 30 — Minimum space requirements
- (4) While it was acknowledged that there was sufficient space in the Busy Bees rooms to accommodate the 16 children, aged 2 ½ to 4 years present on the morning of the inspection, a staff member stated that the maximum number of children that attended this room at any one time was 21. This exceeded the 19 children approved to attend the care room, as per the available space requirements. The person in charge subsequently outlined that 21 referred to the number of children enrolled to attend the room. However, a sample review of 4 weeks attendance records demonstrated that 20 children had attended the Busy Bees room on 4th and 5th February 2025. This issue was also found at the previous inspection on 7 June 2023, in relation to the Bright Butterflies room. The CAPA response at the time outlined that some of the children present were not due to attend, but had been facilitated because of the bank holiday. It also stated that a staff meeting was held, to ensure that this did not reoccur and that a reminder letter was sent to parents. However, this remained an issue
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply from the registered provider stated that this has been discussed with the classroom teachers. Letters have been sent to the parents of the children who attend part time, advising that if they miss a day it cannot be made up. There are 21 children enrolled in the classroom and this number is balanced out between part time and full time care. The manager will monitor this, to ensure the requirement is adhered to
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 20, 25, 28.