Inspection of 12 March 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) The following vetting information was not available: (a) (b) Written validated references from past employers for 4 adults, or in the case where past employer references are not available, a written reference from a reputable source. (4) One of the adult files did not contain evidence of a major award at level 5 or above in early childhood care and education on the national qualification framework, or qualifications deemed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to meet the regulatory requirement
Provider's corrective action:
- (2)(a)(b) A copy of written validated references from past employers for 4 adults or in the case where past employer references are not available, a written reference from a reputable source have been sourced and submitted, (4) Evidence of a major award at level 5 or above in early childhood care and education for one adult has been sourced and submitted. All documents required are now on file, going forward we will ensure that we have these all on file and will be double checked by both managers to ensure same
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) Minimum ratios of adults to children were not adhered to in the following rooms. Required ratio of adults per children’s age group are listed below. These instances occurred when staff were required to leave the care rooms for nappy changes. Age Range Required Ratio 0-1 years 1:3 1-2 years 1:5 2-3 years 1:6 3-6 years 1:8 • Baby room at 11:10am One adult cared for eight children. Four aged 0-1 years and four aged 1-2 years. • Wobbler Room from 11:12am Two adults cared for 12 children. Ten aged 1-2 years, and two aged 2-3 years. • Toddler room at 10:17am Two adults cared for 14 children. All aged 2-3 years
Provider's corrective action:
- Management has reminded staff that during nappy changes, or whenever a staff member needs to leave the room, they must request a manager to step in and provide cover. This is standard practice at Shelly’s Childcare; however, due to nerves on the day of inspection, it was not consistently followed. Management has addressed the issue directly with staff in both rooms and emphasized that it must be always adhered to. Management will also be more vigilant during these periods to ensure appropriate cover is in place. A reminder has been issued to all staff
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (1) (i) It is acknowledged that records pertaining to a staff roster was held for adults working within the service, however details of break time and lunch time cover was not available within the roster
Provider's corrective action:
- The details are available on the back of the Rota. Breaks are always detailed on the Rota and on the white board at reception. Staff are always aware of what time their breaks are and who is covering
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The doors of the downstairs care rooms were observed to pose a potential risk of injury to a child. On three occasions, when entering the rooms, children were located behind the doors. As a result, the doors came into contact with the children, resulting in a bump to a head or body. 2. The radiator in the toddler room was observed to have a sharp point and was accessible to the children, posing a risk of injury. 3. Several paint tins and wooden building materials had been left accessible in the outdoor play area, posing a risk of harm. 4. A vent in the outer wall of the building was broken, posing a risk of harm and was easily accessible for vermin. 5. The covering on a large swing had torn, leaving the internal foam exposed and in need of repair. 6. Children in the baby room were seated on inappropriate height chairs for their age and stage of development. Children’s feet were not able to touch the ground and therefore could not stabilize themselves. Infection Control: 7. Swing top bins were present throughout the service, posing a risk of cross-contamination. 8. Handwashing practices were observed to be inconsistent among staff and children on the day of inspection. In the Baby room, baby wipes were used in place of warm water and soap; however, baby wipes are not an acceptable method for proper hand hygiene. 9. A roller cloth towel was observed to be in use in the downstairs sanitary area, disposable paper towels should be used. 10. Nappy changing mats in the changing room needed replacing as they were worn and could not be effectively cleaned. 11. Mattresses in the sleep room did not have a wipeable and waterproof cover and could not be effectively cleaned posing a risk of cross contamination. Safe Sleep: 12. Children under the age of 24 months were observed to sleep on fold up foam mats in the Wobbler room and not the required floor bed for children under 24 months. Children over 24 months were observed to sleep on the same mats. The sleep mats did not measure above 6cm in depth. Floor beds for children under 24 months must have a firm, flat and waterproof mattress. Mats for all aged groups must be a minimum depth of 6cm, so that they offer the same level of support and comfort that they would have when sleeping in a cot or a bed
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action The registered provider has stated that all non-compliances have now been rectified and will not occur in the future. General Safety: 1. The Fire Doors in both the Baby Room & Wobbler Room have now been replaced with fire doors with windows, so that staff can now view through the door to ensure that no child is behind the door when entering. 2. A new cover cap has now been put on the radiator in the toddler room. 3. Paint tins and building materials were removed immediately, works had been ongoing and hence why the materials were there. All is now removed. 4. The vent in the outer walls has now been replaced with a new one. 5. A new large swing is now in place. 6. Chairs will not be used in the Baby room for babies whose feet do not touch the floor. All babies in this room are now kept in Highchairs. Infection Control: 7. New foot pedal bins have now been placed in all rooms. 8. It has been reiterated to all staff that children must be brought to the sink to have hands washed with soap and water. Baby wipes must not be used. 9. The roller cloth towel is now not in use and only disposable paper towels are now used. 10. Both nappy changing mats have now been replaced with new ones. 11. All mattresses in the sleep room now have a waterproof cover and these are cleaned daily. Safe Sleep: 12. New floor mattresses have now been ordered for all children that are 10cm in depth
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) The registered provider did not ensure that a person trained in first aid response (FAR), was immediately available at all times to the children attending the service. There was one staff member who was trained in FAR, however this staff member was rostered to take a lunch break from 12:30 to 13:00 and to finish work at 16:00. During these times there was no staff member available to the children who is trained in FAR. It is acknowledged that evidence was available on the day of inspection indicating that four staff were trained in paediatric first aid
Provider's corrective action:
- It is important to clarify that all staff members in Shelly’s Childcare Ltd. are fully trained in Paediatric First Aid. It mentions four staff were trained but all staff in Shelly’s have this Cert. We have also now had a total of 8 staff members now trained in FAR since the inspection. We are now aware that Paediatric First Aid does not suffice, and you must have 1 FAR trained on the premises at all times as stated by the inspector. We since now have 8 staff members trained in FAR to ensure over 50% of our staff is now trained in FAR as well as their paediatric First Aid Qualification. 1 FAR trained staff member will be on the premises at all times
Found compliant: Regulation 26, 28.