(3) The procedures as set out in (2) (c) above were not completed prior to a staff member commencing in the service and having access to children. This is not in keeping with the services recruitment policy and may allow for adults that may not be suitable have access to children
Provider's corrective action:
(3) The registered provider has committed to ensuring all vetting processes will be completed prior to staff commencing in the service. With a commitment to regular reviews of policies and procedures in the service to ensure best practice
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The electric flexes/charging cables observed were loosely stored on the top of the fridge which was accessed by the children when storing or getting their snack from the fridge. Loose cables could potentially be played with and cause an injury to the child. 2. A child who had brought popcorn to the service did not have this removed from their snack until the staff were requested to do so. Popcorn is a potential choking hazard and as per the services policy was not allowed in the service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The electric cables and flexes have been relocated to the office or encased in tubing. The fridge has been cleared of all items. 2. The healthy eating policy has been updated and resent to parents along with a message requesting that popcorn is not to be provided in children’s snacks
(2) (a) /(b) Four of the eight references required were not available from either a past employer or a reputable source. Not having staff adequately reference checked prior to commencing in the service may allow for adults that are not suitable have access to the children
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) Four validated references have been received from past employers. (b) Not applicable as all references were from past employers. A staff file checklist has been implemented to review all staff files
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1) (a) The enrolment forms or other records available did not have a record of the date on which each of the 12 children commenced in the service. This is not in keeping with best practice for records management
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (a) The children’s records have been updated and all commencement dates have been added to the records
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The double fire exit door to the church side of the building was openable by a push bar, and on the day of the inspection the children were noted to play and run at this door which could open easily should they fall against it. Opening this door would allow children have unrestricted access to the church yard and to the main road, this may lead to a child being injured. 2. There was a vermin bait box accessible to the children in the outdoor area. The children being able to potentially have access to the contents may be dangerous to them if ingested. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. A new door and window have been ordered for the double doors to the Church side of the building these are to be installed within weeks. The purchase of the new door will remove the risk of the children being able to open the door. 2. The bait box has been removed and is no longer an area identified as a requiring vermin control boxes following consultation with the relevant company
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1) (a) Although fire drills had taken place with the last drill taking place on 14.11.2024, the frequency of the fire drills was not sufficient to ensure that young children would be able to evacuate the building in the event of a fire as the fire drills had not been practiced monthly. (4) The instructions on what to do in the event of an emergency were not displayed for the staff in the service. Not having the evacuation plan available to the staff may hinder the fast evacuation of the children and staff in the event of a fire
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (a) Fire drills have been completed for January and February. Monthly fire drills will be completed and the dates have been identified and placed on a notice. (4) The fire evacuation procedures have been placed on a notice board within the service