Inspection of 4 November 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The following vetting information was not available on the day of inspection: (a) Written validated references from past employers, or from a reputable source in the case of no previous employer for two adults. (d) It was not possible to ascertain if police vetting from the police authorities in another state was required for three adults
- It could not be determined if the procedures specified above in paragraph (2) were carried out prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service as a start date for employees was not available on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: (2) (a) Written validated references have been sourced for the two adults and added to the person’s file. Staff folders Have been updated which includes a checklist so all vetting requirements are in place. (2) (d) Employment records have been updated. A checklist is now in place
- Recruitment and Garda Vetting policy has been updated which states that a person will not be appointed or allowed access to children prior to vetting being completed. A person has been recruited who’s responsibility it will be is to ensure vetting is all completed
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for six staff members. However, four of these vetting disclosures were 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. On the day of inspection indoor and outdoor risk assessments were not available. The absence of documented risk assessments prevented verification that any risk or hazards that present are identified and managed within a suitable time frame, limiting risk of harm to a child. 3. A door on a cabinet within one of the care rooms was very loose and at risk of falling off the unit. This could lead to harm or injury of child. Infection Control: 4. On the day of inspection, children’s lunch boxes containing perishable food items were observed not to be stored in a fridge but remained in the outdoor area. The outdoor temperature was noted on the day as 14°C. This poses risk of bacterial growth on food items which could lead to infection and illness in children. 5. Items such as paint brushes and children’s wellington boots were observed to be stored in the staff sanitary facilities. Sanitary facilities are considered high-risk zones for cross-contamination due to aerosolization during toilet flushing and should not be used for storage. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: In a written response the registered provider stated: 1. Garda vetting has been reapplied for and is now received and on file. Garda Vetting and Recruitment officer has been appointed to ensure this is kept up to date. 2. A daily safety and risk assessment has been drawn up and a designated staff member completes this checklist daily. The service safety statement lists all potential hazards and risks and is in the policy folder 3. The door on the cabinet has been repaired. Infection Control: 4. Perishable items will be placed in a separate container or bag, labelled with the child’s name and be placed in the two fridges indoors until snack time. 5. Paint brushes and children’s wellingtons which were not in use have been removed from the staff toilet
Regulation 25 — First aid
- The registered provider did not ensure that a person trained in first aid response (FAR) for children, was immediately available at all times to the children attending the service. On the day of inspection there was one staff member present who held an in-date certificate in FAR. This staff member was rostered to begin work at 9:00am, whilst children arrived in the service from 8:45am onwards. The same staff member was rostered to take a lunch break from 11:45am to 12:00pm. During both these times there was no staff member available to the children who held in date training in FAR. It is acknowledged that the registered provider completed paediatric training immediately after the inspection and has registered to attend a first aid responder (FAR) for children course, to update their training
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: (1) The person trained in first aid responder has changed hours from 9am to 14.00 to 8.45 – 13.45 to ensure that a FAR trained person is always available. The FAR trained person takes a 15-minute break on the premises during the session and is available if needed. The Far Training is scheduled for February and a staff member has agreed to attend the training. All staff members have completed paediatric first aid. The recruitment officer will have the responsibility for ensuring all mandatory training is up to date
Regulation not named in the report text
- The service was found to be operating outside of its registered status. The service is registered to operate from 9:00am to 2:00pm each day however on the day of inspection it was observed from the children’s attendance records that the service routinely operates from 8:45am to 2:00pm each day
Provider's corrective action:
- In a written response the registered provider stated: A change in circumstances application was submitted to change registered operating hours from 9.00am to 14.00 to 8.45am to 1.45pm and this was accepted. Change of circumstances will be completed prior to any further changes
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19.