Inspection of 25 February 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (3) A review of documentation showed that the registered provider did not verify a reference belonging to one staff member prior to their employment commencing. This posed a potential risk to safeguarding children
Provider's corrective action:
- (3) Management have reviewed the Recruitment Policy to ensure correct procedures are followed in relation to obtaining validation of references for all employees prior to commencing employment. All relevant documentation will be obtained and verified in a timely manner before new staff commence working in the service
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
- 1. Children in the Wobbler room did not have access to table and chairs throughout the day except at mealtimes. This restricted the children’s opportunities to sit down and take part in tabletop activities if they so wished. 2. Resources in the Wobbler room were inaccessible to the children, limiting their choice and opportunities for play. Evidenced by the following: o A selection of foam blocks was stored out of reach on top of a shelving unit. o Dolls and soft plush toys were blocked by a plastic room divider. o A low-level table was blocking access to cars and trucks. o Sensory play materials were stored in a bowl on a high shelf
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The children’s chairs were brought back into the Wobbler room and remain there all day. Management spoke with the staff in the Wobbler room about the importance of giving the children the choice to sit down or stand during activities. 2. Materials and equipment have been moved to lower shelving, ensuring they are accessible to the children and used daily. The table has been moved to allow children to move freely around it. A review of the timetable will ensure daily use of the toys
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for one staff member. However, this vetting disclosure was 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. A trailing flex in the cot room was observed to be within reach of a sleeping child. This posed a potential risk to the safety of the child. 3. Two chalkboards in the outdoor play area were observed to have chipped surfaces and damaged edges, posing a potential risk of injury. Infection Control: 4. Hand washing was not observed after a staff member in the Wobbler room wiped a child’s nose, posing a risk of cross contamination. 5. A shelving unit in the Wobbler room was observed to have a chipped surface. This posed an infection control risk as effective cleaning practices cannot be carried out. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Updated Garda vetting has been obtained for one staff member. Management will complete regular checks for Garda vetting expiry dates. 2. The trailing flex in the sleep room has been removed and stored higher up on the wall out of reach of any child. The monitor has been moved to a spot above the door and the flex tidied into the door frame. The devices and wires have been stored in a secure way. 3. The chalkboards have been removed from the wall in the outdoor play area. Management and staff reviewed the Risk Assessment Policies to ensure a safe environment for children and staff. Infection Control: 4. Management reviewed the protocol for infection control and the importance of hand washing throughout the day, especially after wiping a child’s nose, with all staff. Management discussed infection control and reviewed the policy with all staff. 5. The damaged shelf was removed from the Wobbler room and replaced. Management reviewed the risk assessment policies and the protocol around identifying damaged equipment and furniture with staff
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 28.