Inspection of 4 March 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a) A second validated reference from a past employer was required for one adult. (d) International police vetting was required for one adult who had lived outside of the state for longer than six months as an adult. (4) There was insufficient evidence available to show that the qualification for one adult met the requirements of the regulation
Provider's corrective action:
- The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (2)(a) The second reference for the staff member has been received. Regular checks will be carried out on vetting documents and followed up as needed. (2)(d) The international police vetting has been applied for. Regular checks will be carried out. The person in charge will always make sure that an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is obtained where required. (4) The staff member has received their qualification certificate now and has applied to relevant body for confirmation that it is a recognised qualification. The service will ensure that the relevant authorities are consulted with when needed before employment in future
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- • A group activity in the Blooms playroom was organised using boards and coloured strings. This play equipment was stored at a height and two children were observed to climb on chairs to try to access the equipment which was not easily accessible to them
Provider's corrective action:
- The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action • Play equipment is always stored in a low shelving unit, however that day a staff member had left them there for a short time. A picture has been submitted showing where the items are normally stored
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for the nine adults. However, one of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years and were not in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. A child had whole grapes which posed a potential choking hazard in their lunch food provided from home in one of the playrooms. When this was highlighted to the staff by the inspector, the grapes were removed, chopped and returned to the child. 3. Several pieces of equipment for the children were damaged with potential pinch points that could cause an injury to a child. These included a water table and a wooden play table in the outdoor area used by the Blooms playroom and a storage unit with a broken drawer runner in the Little Buds playroom. It is acknowledged that the service removed the tables on the day of the inspection. 4. The door to the emersion heater storage area with electrical controls and wiring was unsecured during the inspection with the potential for a child to access the area. Infection Control: 5. The waste bins provided in the large children’s sanitary area and staff sanitary area were push top lid operated and not the required foot pedal operated bins. 6. A small couch in the Blooms playroom had tears in the covering exposing foam posing difficulties with effective cleaning. Administration of Medication: 7. Medication in the Little Buds playroom was stored in a child’s bag at a low level with the potential for a child to access the medication. It is acknowledged that the medication was removed and stored at a high level by staff during the inspection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The service advised in writing that:
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. An application has been made for the garda vetting. There will be regular checks undertaken by staff to ensure vetting is up to date. 2. Messages have been sent by the service to parents requesting that grapes for children’s lunches are cut. The staff are checking lunch boxes to ensure grapes are being cut/prepared. 3. All the equipment highlighted by the inspector has been removed. There will be regular checks on equipment by staff. 4. The lock on the door to the emersion heater has been fixed and door is now secured. There will be regular checks on securing devices to ensure they are in working order. Infection Control: 5. The bin has been replaced and only pedal operated bins will be used. 6. The couch has now been replaced and there will be regular checks on the seating. Administration of Medication: 7. Medication is now stored in the kitchen in a cupboard for medicine storage
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) Taps at the wash hand basins in the large children’s sanitary unit were very corroded and posed difficulties for cleaning
Provider's corrective action:
- The service advised in a written response that: Corrective and Preventive Action (d) The taps have been replaced and will be checked regularly
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 27.