Inspection of 22 May 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) While it is acknowledged that the registered provider demonstrated that they had considered two references for employees, as there was evidence of 22 validated references from past employers and 15 validated references from sources other than past employers, 5 validated references were outstanding
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted evidence of the required validated references. The registered provider stated that, in future, a member of the management team will check all references and complete written verbal reference check form
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
- The was a limited amount of play equipment for the children in the Wobbler room, Toddler room and the Junior Preschool room to offer children different play experiences. For example: • There was a limited number of books available in the Wobbler and Toddlers rooms. The books were stored in a pile on a high shelf in the Wobbler room, with 15 books available to the 15 toddlers their room. • The play kitchen in the Wobbler room had no accessories to allow for imaginative play. • The sorting toys in the Wobbler room had no shapes to sort as part of the activity. • There was a limited number of toys for the toddlers for open-ended play. There was one plastic container in the Wobbler room with a mixture of an assortment of toys, for example, a few blocks, a few plastic animals, and small plastic balls. • The shelving units in the Junior Pre-school were sparsely equipped with play materials for the children. • The Toddler room had no low shelving for toys or play equipment. There were three baskets with a mixture of plastic toys with no theme or common play outcomes, for example, plastic blocks, plastic figures, plastic animals, and dolls
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider stated that they have added equipment and toys to the children’s care rooms. They stated that there would be an ongoing review of the books and play equipment available to the children. This is to be discussed at the next staff meeting in August 2025. Staff will be advised to use the Aistear/ Siolta Practice guides to support the play equipment and environments. Staff will participate in ongoing training
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. All the children move between both buildings to access the outdoor areas. In discussion with staff, there was no assessment of risk or written safety procedures in place to minimise the probability of children accessing the car park or road. 2. The doors of the cupboards under the fridge in the Wobbler room and under the sink in the Senior pre- school room were not flush and created a risk of pinching. 3. There was a damaged socket in the Toddler room, creating a risk of electrical faults. Infection Control: 4. The children’s snacks in the Wobbler rooms were prepared on the changing mat, creating a risk of cross- infection. 5. Some of the furniture and windowsills were worn and were not wipeable, which created a risk of cross- infection. 6. The Wobbler nappy changing unit was in the care room, creating a risk of cross-infection. Nappy-changing areas are required to be separate from occupied rooms. 7. The nappy changing procedure was not followed, creating a risk of cross-infection. The inspector observed three nappy changes where a staff member did not remove gloves used when changing the child’s nappy and before cleaning the child’s face with a wipe. This contravened the services' nappy changing policy. 8. The purple couch in the Wobbler room was torn and had foam protruding, which prevented effective cleaning practices and posed a risk to infection control. Safe Sleep: 9. Sleep mats in the Toddler room were not 50cm apart and created a risk of cross-infection. This was not in line with the service’s sleep policy. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that they have now implemented the actions from the risk assessment. All staff have been requested to highlight any areas where they have concerns and going forward, the risk assessment be updated and maintained. 2. The registered provider stated that the lock will be replaced in the Wobbler room and a new door fitted in the Senior pre-school room. These will be monitored as part of the ongoing health and safety review. 3. The registered provider stated that a cover will be placed on the damaged socket, which will be monitored as part of the ongoing health and safety review. Infection Control: 4. The registered provider stated that the changing unit will be moved to a different location in the building and a shelf area beside the fridge has been made available for food preparation. 5. The registered provider stated that the tables and chairs will be replaced and the area which need a touch-up of paint are scheduled for when other remedial work is completed. This will enable the registered provider to ensure cleaning is more effective. 6. The registered provider submitted the plan to move the nappy changing unit from the Wobbler room to the main sanitary area. This work will be completed by September 2025. The registered provider outlined the short-term plan while the works are being carried out. 7. The registered provider stated that all staff have been trained in the nappy changing procedure. 8. The registered provider has stated the torn couch has been removed and a temporary rest area of cushions has been set up until the review of the classrooms is complete. Safe Sleep: 9. The registered provider stated that the sleep mats will be placed 50cm apart, and if necessary, they will use the Toddler room for additional space
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 16, 17, 25.