Inspection of 10 December 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) Two written and validated references were unavailable in respect of one of the adults. (d) The required police vetting was unavailable for one of the staff members, who had resided in another jurisdiction as an adult. (4) Evidence was unavailable to demonstrate that one of the adults, who worked directly with the children, had attained a minimum level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply from the registered provider stated that two references have since been validated by phone and recorded. As a preventive measure, the registered provider will ensure that two validated references are on file, prior to any future employee starting employment at the setting. It was also stated that the employee has since ceased employment at the service. (d) The police vetting was applied for and can take up to 20 working days. However, is it noted that the adult in question has ceased employment at the service. As a preventive measure, checklists will be in place for new staff members
- As the qualification held by the employee was not listed on the recognised qualifications, the adult in question has ceased employment. In future, the registered provider will check the DCEDIY website and will liaise with the County Childcare Committee, to ensure that all future staff members have a minimum level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) As one of the adults did not hold a minimum level 5 award in Early Childhood Care and Education, there was only one qualified staff member available to 16 children, until a second qualified staff member arrived shortly after 10.00am
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply outlined that the registered provider has adjusted the staff roster with current and qualified staff, to ensure that two qualified staff members are working at all times. To prevent this from reoccurring in the future, the registered provider will ensure that the appropriate number of qualified adults are available to the children at all times
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: 1. Warm running water, required for effective handwashing, was unavailable at both wash hand basins in the children’s sanitary facility and at the wash hand basin in the staff sanitary facility. This was also found at the previous inspection on 8 September 2022. The subsequent CAPA response outlined that hot water would be available throughout the day, however, this was not found in practice. Fire Safety: 2. One of the two signposted fire exit routes from the care room was obstructed. It was noted that the inner of two fire exit doors was key locked, with the key stored on an adjacent wall hook. While it was acknowledged that the door had been secured to prevent the unsupervised exit of a child, this may delay a timely exit in the event of a fire. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: 1. The written reply outlined that the availability of warm water was affected on the day in question due to a water outage in the area the week before. A plumber has since called to the service and has fixed this issue and the warm water is now working. If the event of future water outages, the registered provider will ensure that the water is checked by a plumber before the service reopens. Fire Safety: 2. The key lock is no longer in operation on the door. A bolt lock is now in place. This can be easily opened by adults in a quick manner and is out of the children’s reach. A door sensor alarm has also been installed. Locks that require keys will not be used going forward. Infection Control: 1. Photographic evidence. Fire Safety: 2. A photograph of the door sensor alarm. Summary Comment Based on the statements and evidence submitted by the registered provider, regulatory compliance is determined to have been met
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) The ceiling light in the staff sanitary facility was not functioning. It was noted that the globe lampshade had been removed from the ceiling and was stored on top of the toilet. The absence of functioning lighting in this area was also found at the previous inspection on 8 September 2022. The CAPA response that followed stated that the light had been repaired and would be checked daily. However, this remained an issue. (d) 1. In the staff sanitary facility, there were two wall tiles missing from the wall behind the wash hand basin. This issue was found at the previous inspection on 22 September 2022. In the subsequent CAPA reply, the registered provider outlined that the tiles would be checked daily for damage, however this failed to prevent the recurrence of the non-compliance. 2. In the outdoor play area, one of the concrete slabs was broken and posed as a potential trip hazard
Provider's corrective action:
- (c) The electrician has called to the service and has fixed the light. The electrician was also asked to check this issue thoroughly, to prevent it from reoccurring. The registered provider will do a daily check on all lights, to prevent this from happening in the future. (d) 1. The wall tiles have been fixed to the wall securely. Checks will be conducted to ensure that the wall tiles are secure. 2. The gap in the concrete has been covered safely. The registered provider will ensure that checks for gaps in concrete are carried out regularly
Found compliant: Regulation 16, 19, 25, 28.