Inspection of 14 May 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. A written immediate action notice under
Regulation 8 — Notification of change in circumstances
- (2) (a) (b) One of the refences on file for seven staff members was from a source other than one of their listed past employments. Two references on file for one staff member and the second reference for an additional staff member were records of telephone conversations and not written references as required. There was no second reference on file for three staff members. One of the references was not validated. (d) It could not be determined from the information provided if three staff member required international police vetting. (4) It could not be determined from the information provided that two staff members had obtained a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister
Provider's corrective action:
- (2) (a) (b) All references are being worked through and updated. Letters from original employers are reflective of staff CVs. (d) The staff member has requested the required international police clearance. (4) Staff whom it could not be determined if they held a major award file were in another person file. To ensure that this does not occur and all staff files are reflective of current CV, and they are updated. We are processing a new system to try and keep these updated
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Sleep in the Shooting Stars room was scheduled and not child led. When children required sleep, other children who did not require any, or woke early from their nap had to wait in their beds for an extended period of time. Between 12.12pm and 12.57pm children were observed to stay on the beds until it was time for the scheduled sleep time to be over. It is acknowledged a book was given to the children on the day, however the children during this time were not afforded the opportunity of choice to choose their own activities or have meaningful play or interactions during this period
Provider's corrective action:
- We are working towards non-scheduled sleep for children under 3yrs. Some children were transitioning out of sleep and reducing sleep. We have planned for children who are transitioning out of sleep and don’t want to sleep at that time, that they are taken outside in our all-weather area or to our sensory areas. To ensure that all staff are understanding the importance of meeting the children’s needs and working around their sleep patterns and what they need for their age and stage
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for eight staff members. However, 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. The main entrance door to the service was found unsecured on the inspector’s arrival to the service and three rear doors were unsecured at various times throughout the day. This posed a risk that unauthorised persons may gain entry to the service, or a child may exit the service unsupervised. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the day of inspection. 3. There was a trampoline in the sensory room off the Bright Stars room. Staff were not aware of the use of a trampoline being prescribed for an individual child. Trampolines are prohibited from being used on site by pre-school children unless prescribed as a therapeutic intervention, in which case they should only be used for that purpose. 4. There was a kettle on a worktop in the Bright Stars room posing a safety risk to children. 5. A sharp edge was visible on a radiator cover in the Twinkle Stars room. 6. The fridge in the Twinkle Star room was not secure. The lock needed to be replaced. Infection Control: 7. The nappy change mat in the Bright Stars room was in need of cleaning to prevent cross infection. 8. Children from the Twinkle Star room hands were not immediately washed after their nappy was changed. Children were observed to play on the floor of the sanitary area with toys until all children were changed. A staff member was observed not to wash their hands in between each change. A staff member was observed to open a foot pedalled bin with their hand during the nappy changing procedure. These instances could result in the risk of cross contamination. It is acknowledged that hands of staff and children were washed prior to returning to their group. 9. The door seal on the fridge in the Bright Stars room was visibly dirty and required a deep clean. 10. The foot pedal bin in the Twinkle Stars room was broken and needed to be replaced to prevent cross infection. 11. A small sofa in the Twinkle Star room required attention, the material was torn leaving the internal foam exposed. The area could not be effectively cleaned. Safe Sleep: 12. The sleep rooms in the Twinkle Stars and the Shooting Stars room did not have ambient lighting, making it difficult to carry out adequate sleep checks. The lack of ambient light did not align with supporting the child’s circadian rhythm. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider has stated staff are to be extra cautious when it comes to doors into the building. Staff are to be mindful of all areas in room and to risk assess the room through these eyes every day, to help reduce any new risks that may come up with the introduction of new equipment. General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been re-sent and these new vetting’s are now coming in and being filled. 2. Our doors into main building are secured and are to always remain locked within the building during all times of the day. Also, staff have been instructed that this is to remain the case even during hot weather. 3. Trampoline was in place for one of our AIM children. A risk assessment was in place however we did not have an OT letter. Trampoline was removed. 4. Kettle was removed from room. 5. The radiator cover was repaired, and the corner was safe. 6. Fridge lock was replaced. Infection Control: 7. Nappy changing mat was replaced. 8. Staff in the younger rooms revisited the nappy changing policy and were given a physical demonstration on the correct procedure. 9. The fridge door was cleaned. 10. The pedal bin was replaced. 11. The small sofa was taken out of the room. Safe Sleep: 12. Both rooms were informed of allowing natural light into the rooms while children sleep, and not to have the rooms darkened during sleep
Regulation 25 — First aid
- (1) A review of the staff roster demonstrated that between the hours of 5.00pm and 5.45pm on a Friday afternoon there were no staff members with training in first aid for children rostered to be on the premises
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) Our rota has been updated to ensure the staff with FAR training is all on early shift or on their days off. To be more mindful of ensuring the FAR staff so not cross over shifts/days off
Regulation not named in the report text
- (1) The service failed to notify the Agency of the change to the person in charge. It was noted on inspection that the person in charge as notified to the Agency was the registered provider who was also the person in charge in another service. The registered provider was rostered to be present in this service two days per week
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) The change in circumstances was submitted the next day. The service is waiting for this to be updated and the new Person in Charge, (PIC), to be put in place. To ensure that the PIC is updated when required
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 26, 28.