(9) (2) (c) Service specific garda vetting had not been obtained for one staff member. The garda vetting on file was from the staff members recent college work experience placement which took place within the service
Provider's corrective action:
Garda Vetting had been applied for, but unfortunately the relief staff member has left and will no longer be relief for us. Took note in our new staff folder to always apply for vetting even if vetting has been sourced from the college even when just relief work
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: The food items taken in from home for the children were observed to contain perishable items such as yogurts, meat and cheese. These food items were stored in the children’s bags in the hallway and not in a refrigerator at the recommended storage of 5°C or below. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: We have placed all snacks in our main fridge. We are in the process of purchasing 3 fridges. One for each room
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) The floor covering in the Toddler and Junior Preschool rooms was worn with cracks and holes in places. The areas where the worn flooring was located exposed a concrete underground surface. The exposed areas were not smooth therefore could not be adequately cleaned posing an infection control risk
Provider's corrective action:
The owner is looking at different places to come fit new flooring for us. Keep up to date with the flooring in all areas to prevent from becoming so worn
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28.
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice was issued in relation to excessive water temperatures throughout the service. Additionally, an Immediate Action Notice was issued in relation to a staff member caring for pre-school children who did not have Garda Vetting Clearance. The registered provider submitted a timely response to the Immediate Action Notices which were accepted by the inspectorate. A referral was made to Cavan County Council Fire Officer.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
• Two required references were not available in respect of one staff member. • A second reference was not available in respect of one staff member. • A second reference was not available in respect of a student. Of the 18 staff references available, 10 were not verified by the registered provider. (c) Garda Vetting was not available in respect of one staff member providing direct care to pre-school children. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider requesting a response. (4) There was no evidence to demonstrate that a staff member providing direct care to pre-school children held a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualification Framework. (7) There was evidence that the registered provider did not have an induction procedure in place or a system for staff supervision. Documentation in relation to the induction procedure or training offered was not available. The inspector was told a new staff member commenced on the day of inspection. The induction consisted of the “ we went through policies and procedures and what to do in the rooms when the staff member came in last week in the afternoon”. There was no documentation available. The procedure outlined to the inspector was inadequate to ensure the staff member was provided with appropriate information, and where necessary training as outlined in regulation 9(7). Additionally, there was no evidence of staff meetings or staff supervision to demonstrate adequate support and supervision is provided to staff members
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action 2(a) • Two references have now been placed in staff file. • Second reference has now been verified and place in staff file. • All references have been verified in relation to a student. (c) Garda vetting had been applied for staff member before she started in Sept 2023, it had come through and wasn’t printed for file. Vetting has been printed and placed in staff file. (4) Staff member Transcript of awards was in staff folder with level of qualifications of each subject and level passed. The staff member certificate has now been photocopied and put into file. (7) Manager is working on an Induction policy As stated on day of inspection – there was a staff meeting organised for Friday 22nd March which was on staff roster for the following week. Preventative Action: • Going forward the manager will make sure all files are up to date, garda vetting and references are available and printed off and placed in all staff files. • Manager will make sure all policies are up to date and staff meetings will take place regularly with records maintained for inspection
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
A staff induction policy was not available to demonstrate the induction and staff support / supervision procedures in place
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action: The manager is working on an induction policy for all staff. Preventative Action: Manager will ensure all policies are up to date. Summary Comment The response from the manager has been accepted as this policy is underdevelopment (the manager has recently commenced her new position). Regulation 10 remains outstanding and will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
1. The layout of the play materials in toddler room did not adequately facilitate meaningful play. For example, as there was no storage area for the outdoor play equipment, excess small tactors and small scooters was stored in the toddler room. This equipment took up valuable space required for age group of children who attend the toddler room. Additionally, there was a limited supply of books and other age- appropriate play material such as puzzles. 2. Our family Tree and pictures of the children added a pleasant ambiance for the young children attending but it was situated at high level and not visible to the young children who might benefit from looking at pictures of their parents and siblings
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action 1. The small tractors & scooters weren’t stored in toddler room, these were bought for the children to play indoors to help develop gross motor skills. There is range of books supplied in the toddler room, 3 massive shelves full. The toddlers had thrown all around the room. New puzzles had been bought a few days before the inspection and one staff member had taken a few out to play with. 2. Our family tree in the toddler room has been placed lower in the room. Preventative Action: 1. Manager has placed one or two tractors & scooters outside but will be leaving the rest in the room as children love playing with these indoors. Manager will get more books when needed for toddler room. More new puzzles will be bought. 2. Manager will keep the family tree at a level for the children to see. Summary Comment The response from the manager has been accepted. Regulation 21 has been addressed and will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The water temperature in the building was excessive which posed a safety hazard. The water temperature recording at the children’s hand basin in pre-school room was 68°C , the water temperature at the children’s hand basin in the hallway was 48 °C and at the hand basin the toddler room which read 48°C. The manager took immediate action when requested by the inspector and reduced the temperature at the heating pump. An immediate action notice was issued for the registered provider to take immediate action to reduce the water temperature to a safe temperature of less than 43°C. 2. Garda Vetting clearance in respect of two adults employed in the service were issued in 2019, and not issued within three years as per the Regulatory Notice which posed a safety risk. Infection Control: 3. The soap dispenser was not working in the staff toilet which posed an infection control risk as appropriate hand washing was unable to take place. 4. The bins in both the staff toilet and children’s toilet were placed on a ledge therefore both staff and children lifted the lid to dispose of paper towel which posed an infection control risk
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Manager has all water systems turned down & we are waiting on a plumber to call out. 2. One staff members garda clearance was already applied for before inspection and has been placed in file. Second member of staff has been renewed and placed in file. Preventative Action: 1. Manager checks water temperatures every morning. 2. Manager will keep up to date on garda vetting for all staff. Infection Control: Corrective Action: 1. The soap dispenser was working the day before, as all staff replace soap when it runs off. New batteries have been placed in the soap dispenser. 2. All staff members that open will check that all bins are on floor to allow for the bin to be foot operated. Preventative Action: 1. All staff will check each evening that soap dispensers are working. 2. All staff members that open will check that all bins are on floor to allow for the bin to be foot operated. Supporting Documentation: • Evidence of updated Garda Vetting. • Evidence of daily water temperature recording. Summary Comment The response from the manager has been accepted. Updated Garda vetting documentation was submitted. Documentation in relation to water temperature recordings were reviewed and were within the accepted temperature readings. Regulation 23 has been addressed and will be reviewed at the next inspection
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1) (b) An up-to-date maintenance record was not available in respect of the smoke alarms in the premises, the last service took place on 07/12/22
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action: Someone was out to check alarms and replaced all batteries. I have been in contact with the landlords of the building, the main fire alarm system activates the whole building. Preventative Action: Maintenance on the smoke alarm maintenance will be carried out on a yearly basis going forward