(d) 1. There was evidence of wood rot on the wooden fascia on the gable end (above the entrance door to Playroom 1) and the surrounding building, this required maintenance and repair. It was acknowledged by the registered provider that it was brought to the attention of the board of management of the national school previously. This non-compliance remains outstanding since the previous report on 11/11/2024
Provider's corrective action:
On 5/1/2026 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action Some maintenance and repair work was carried out on the wooden fascia above the entrance door to Playroom 1 only on the 5/1/2026. It was acknowledged that further repair works, sanding and painting was expected to be carried out in the spring of 2026. The preschool service will keep a closer eye on the exterior building and will liaise with the primary school board of management for the future works to be carried out
Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances
(1) The registered provider failed to notify the agency of a change in her registration status as it was noted on the records that a child under the age of 2years of age was being cared for in the preschool service for a period of time during 2024. The service is registered to care for children between the ages of 2- 6 years of age on a part time basis
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action The child under 2 years of age is and will be no longer on the premises during the hours of operation. No children under the age of 2 years of age will be on the premises going forward
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)(b) Two references with evidence of validation were not available for two adults on the premises
Provider's corrective action:
On the 12/11/2024 and 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following Corrective and Preventive Action All validated references have been sourced and placed on file. A sticker will be placed on each staff file highlighting the contents of the file and the expiration dates
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
1. In variance with the service accident and incident policy there was no documented evidence of daily risk assessments being carried out. There was no evidence provided of staff training following review of accidents and incidents in the pre-school service. 2. Following a review of the infection control policy the nappy changing procedure was inadequate and needed updating in line with best practice. 3. The service did not have a policy/ procedure on the preparation or storage of infant formula
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. The service provided a copy of daily risk assessments dated the week beginning 9/12/2024. 2. The service renewed and updated the nappy changing procedure. 3. The service states they do not allow bottled infant formula in the service, and they have no means of sterilisation
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1) (a)-(i) Thirty-five children were registered in the service. There was no record available on file for 1 child aged eighteen months of age who was identified on the child attendance record book. The registered provider and staff advised that this child is no longer attending the service
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action This 18month old child is no longer attending the preschool service. No child under 2 years of age will attend the preschool service. All children in the service will have their details recorded on a child record form
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(i) A staff roster was not available which demonstrated how breaks, holidays, sick leave, kitchen duties and a named first aid responder were recorded. (k) All details were not completed in full in four of five samples of accident and incident records recorded in 2024. It is acknowledged that all forms were signed by the parents. This was at variance with the accident and incident policy
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action A staff roster will be used in the preschool service with details of the staff breaks, holidays, sick leave, kitchen duties and a first aid responder. All forms will be completed in full before any signature is written
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
Basic Needs 1. It was observed that the children attending the service on a part time basis were not afforded the opportunity to have a rest or sleep in the indoor environment. It is acknowledged by the registered provider that the service has stackable beds and bed linen in storage but were not in use. 2. The dignity of the child having a nappy changed was not respected, children were changed on a nappy changing unit in the sanitary area adjacent to the sinks and toilets used by the preschool children. 3. The dignity of the children using the toilets in the sanitary areas were not respected, the doors were left open, and children were not supervised adequately during toileting. Physical and Material Environment 4. Play materials in playroom 2 were limited for the number of children attending the service. For example, there were limited crockery and utensils for the home corner, five jigsaws were available while the service is registered for forty-four children and the interest areas were not clearly defined and required further development. 5. There were storage boxes with toys and play materials with no visual displays to support the children’s development. 6. A number of reading books on the shelf were tattered and torn in need of replacement
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. Stackable beds were available but were stored in Scoil Róis this practice is being reviewed at present. In the meantime, foldable gym mats are used for any child who wishes to have a sleep during the part time session and a relaxation period has been incorporated into the daily schedule after 12.10 hrs. Couches are provided indoors and outdoors for rest and relaxation purposes. New storage areas for the facilities for sleep provision are being discussed at present. 2. The main sanitary door will be closed while a child is having a nappy changed to maintain their dignity and privacy. The 2 toilets will not be used while the nappy changing area is in use. A new designated nappy changing area is being discussed and planned at present. 3. The children are encouraged to close the doors while toileting and staff assistance and supervision will be provided, and the children will be prompted to wash their hands after toileting. A wash your hands themed week will be planned for January to reinforce the importance of washing hands. Physical and Material Environment 4. The interest areas will be further developed, and new play materials have been purchased. The preschool will use daily checklists for monitoring toys and equipment and the up grading of interest areas will provide a good learning environment for the preschool children. 5. Storage boxes with toys and play materials have new visual displays allowing the children to identify what is in each box/ basket. 6. The tattered and torn books have been removed and replaced with a new selection of books that were in storage. The daily check lists will monitor the books and learning materials
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Staff’s personal belongings which included handbags and coats were stored on hooks in the corridor between the two-playrooms adjacent to the sanitary area, this may pose as an access risk to the pre- school children. 2. Garda vetting was available for nine staff, however, 4 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’. Infection Control: 3. The bin for the safe disposal of nappies was not a foot pedalled airtight lidded bin. This posed a potential risk of cross contamination. 4. Nappy changing procedures were not carried out to reduce the risk of cross infection. - Two staff members did not wash their hands before or after nappy changing. - A staff member did not remove their apron following changing a nappy before entering the playroom. - This was at variance to the nappy changing policy of the service. 5. There were two broken pedal bins one was located outside playroom 2 in the outdoor play area and the other was located in playroom 1, this posed a risk of cross infection. 6. Cloths were used for the day-to-day cleaning of worktops, tables, surfaces and furnishings, this may pose as a risk of cross infection. In line with best practice disposable paper towels are required. Action submitted by the Registered Provider On the 18/11/2024 and 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The staff s personal belongings are now stored safely out of reach of the preschool children in the lobby between the two playrooms. 2. The garda vetting for 4 staff has been renewed and will be placed on file. A system is in place to monitor the renewal dates on each staff file. Infection Control: 3. A new foot pedalled airtight nappy bin has been purchased and is now in use. 4. A new nappy changing procedure has been updated. The registered provider has spoken with all staff, they have been made aware of the updated procedures and asked to follow the instructions on the wall in the nappy changing area. 5. The 2 broken foot pedal bins have been replaced. The daily checklists will monitor these issues/ risks. 6. Cloths are no longer used for day-to-day cleaning except for the art area
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. The wooden yellow door leading out of playroom 1 to the corridor was damaged and in need of repair. 2. There was evidence of wood rot under the side entrance door and the exposed wooden gable at the side of the service required attention and repair. (e) 3. The service did not have a suitably located designated nappy changing area or a designated wash hand basin for 10 children who were wearing a nappy attending the preschool
Provider's corrective action:
On the 18/12/2024 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action (d) 1. The wooden yellow door is being replaced during the Christmas break. 2. The wood rot has been discussed with the management of the primary school and they are awaiting a timescale for the repair. (e) 3. As a temporary measure the two toilets in the sanitary area where the nappy changing area is located has been closed off for use until work is carried out to build and relocate the nappy changing area. The other two toilets and two sinks in the adjacent sanitary area will be used for toileting the preschool children as there are never more than 22 children using toilets
Immediate action notice. 10/10/2023: An immediate action notice was issued to the service by the Inspection Registration Manager / Early Years Inspector as a person trained in current first aid for children was not at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service. 11/10/2023: A response from the registered provider outlined two people in the service (the registered provider included) will be trained in first aid for children, the 3-day course commencing on 24/10/2023, 25/10/2023 and will be completed by 26/10/2023. 12/10/2023 As the response from the registered provider did not clarify if a person trained in first aid would be available to the children at all times during the operation of the service, further clarification was requested from the registered provider.
Regulation 19 — Health, Welfare and Development of Child
Basic Needs (1) (a) (b) 1. There was no drinking water available for children to self-serve in the playroom. The children did not have access to a water station, that allowed them the opportunity to take a drink if thirsty and to self-serve on a regular basis. 2. In conflict with the service’s own policy, crockery and plates were not offered to the children during their rolling snack time. Children ate from their lunch boxes, from tin foil covering and or directly from the tabletops. It is acknowledged that the registered provider advised the practice of using the services crockery and plates ceased during last term and showed the inspector the crockery and plates in the press
Provider's corrective action:
On the 13/11/2023 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action 1. A designated area has been implemented for a water station with a plastic jug filled with water and paper cups, the children can now self-serve when thirsty in each playroom. 2. The use of plates and cutlery has been implemented for snack and mealtimes and the staff will ensure the practice continues
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child
Infection Control: 1. Perishable items from children’s lunch boxes were stored in their school bags, it is acknowledged by the registered provider that the fridge in Playroom 1 was broken and needs replacement. 2. There was no system for safe storage of individual child soothers or the safe sterilising of soothers in either playroom as this was at variance to best practice. Staff advised that soothers were rinsed under tap water. On the day of inspection, the early years inspector observed a soother exposed on the shelf in Playroom 2. Action submitted by the Registered Provider On the 13/11/2023 the registered provider advised of the following
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: 1. A new service fridge was purchased and installed in the preschool. The children’s lunches with perishable items will be stored in the service fridge from now on. The equipment in the preschool will be checked on a daily basis and faults reported to the person in charge. 2. The use of soothers in the preschool has been discontinued. The service policies have been updated to reflect the change
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) The service provided no evidence that a person trained in current first aid for children, was available at all times, for the children attending the pre-school service. On the 10/10/2023 an Immediate action notice was issued requesting a person trained in first aid be made available on the premises at all times during the hours of operation
Provider's corrective action:
On the 11/10/2023 and 13/11/2023 the registered provider advised of the following. Corrective and Preventive Action Two people in the service will be trained in first aid for children, the 3-day course commencing on 24/10/2023, 25/10/2023 and will be completed by 26/10/2023. An alternative person in the national school will be available to the children in the service at all times until the two-pre-school staff have completed their training for the service