Inspection of 29 April 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
- 1. The above policies were viewed by the inspectors, and it was noted that the policies were not signed off by the person approving the policies, and the last review date was March 2021. This was at variance with the policies for the service which stated that all policies will be reviewed annually and signed off by management. 2. A daily documented risk assessment of playrooms, sanitary areas, sleep areas and outdoors were not available, and annual/quarterly/monthly risk assessment of the entire building and operations were not available. This is at variance with the services Risk Management policy which stated that: • Daily risk assessments of playrooms, sanitary areas, sleep areas and outdoors will be carried out and will be documented. • Annual/quarterly and or monthly risk assessments will be carried out as appropriate of the entire building and operations and will be recorded by the service
Provider's corrective action:
- : The manager has stated that: 1. All policies have been reviewed, updated and signed by the manager. 2. A daily risk assessment of the building was carried out by the manager. Daily risk assessments of playrooms, sanitary areas, sleep areas and outdoors will be carried out and will be documented. Annual/quarterly and or monthly risk assessments will be carried out as appropriate of the entire building and operations and will be recorded by the service
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1.Garda vetting was available for the 18 adults working in the service. However, the Garda vetting disclosures for two adults was not dated within the last three years as per the regulatory notice, EYI-RN12.3 renewal of garda vetting, published by the Inspectorate in September 2023 and effective from 1 January 2024. Infection Control: 2.There were four mattresses in use that did not have a mattress protection cover in place. This posed a risk of cross infection and made the cleaning process of the mattresses difficult. 3. The paper towel and toilet roll were not stored appropriately in a dispenser and at the appropriate level for the children’s use in the sanitary accommodation for the Acorn playroom. This posed a risk of cross infection. Fire Safety: 4.The emergency fire exit doors in the nappy changing room and the Babys and Toddlers sleep rooms were blocked with equipment and materials. This posed a safety risk to children and staff in the event of having to evacuate the building in an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- : The manager has stated that: General Safety: 1.Garda vetting was applied for the two staff members and submitted to the Early years’ inspectorate following the inspection. Management have now put in place a system to ensure that all staff members Garda vetting will be renewed within the three-year timeframe. Infection Control: 2. Four waterproof mattresses were purchased to replace the non-waterproof mattresses. These are wipe-able and are now in place in the cot room. 3. Hand paper towels and toilet paper were fitted to dispenser in the toilet facilities throughout the service. Staff were advised of the importance of ensuring these items are in the dispensers for the children to access independently. Fire Safety: 4.The items blocking the fire exits doors were immediately removed. A sign was added to the fire doors to discourage items from being placed in front of them in the future. This check is included in the managers morning risk assessment
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) 1.The radiator in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the Montessori playroom was in a poor state of repair. The paint work was chipped and flaking off. 2.The toilet bowls were heavily stained in the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the Montessori playroom. 3. Repair work was incomplete on the ceiling of the sanitary accommodation adjacent to the Montessori playroom
Provider's corrective action:
- : The manager has stated that: (d) 1.The radiator was cleaned, and a painter has been booked to paint the radiator by the end of the summer. 2.The toilets continue to be cleaned with non -abrasive cleaning chemicals and new toilet bowls have been ordered. 3.The repair work on the ceiling tile will be completed by the end of the summer
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 19, 25, 26.