Immediate action notice. 08/04/2024: An Immediate Action notice was issued to the registered provider as there was a staff member on site in the service who did not have the required garda vetting. 10/04/2024: Garda vetting documentation has been obtained and verified by the person in charge for the staff member for whom it was required. 12/06/2024: An inspection of the service took place to review the actions as stated by the manager in her response to the inspection of 08/04/2024 as evidence to support these actions had not been submitted to the inspectorate.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a) Two written and validated references from the person’s past employers and in particular the most recent employer were not available for one staff member present on the day. Two written and validated references from the person’s past employers and in particular the most recent employer were not available for two students who attend the service. (c) Vetting disclosures were not received from the National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Síochána in accordance with the Act of 2012 in respect of one staff member present on the day of the inspection. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the registered provider on 08/04/2024 for this staff member who was on site in the service and who did not have the required garda vetting. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not completed prior to staff or students being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with children attending the pre-school service. (4) One staff member did not have a childcare qualification. It is acknowledged that this staff member is currently completing a childcare course. (7)(a) Documentary evidence was not available to demonstrate that a staff member present on the day of the inspection had received induction training on the policies, procedures and statements specific to the service. The staff member had commenced working in the service on the day of the inspection and when questioned was not familiar with any of the policies and procedures relevant to the service
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) Two written validated references for the staff member have been obtained and are on file. Two written validated references for the two students in the service are on file. (c) Garda vetting documentation was obtained and verified by the person in charge for the staff member for whom it was required on 10/04/2024. (3) In future all references will be obtained and validated before commencement of employment or placement and before being allowed access to or contact with children in the service and will be available for inspection in employees files. (4) No response received (7)(a) The policies and procedures manual is being updated and the new information required to complete and update the policies has been forwarded to a company to draft. When the updated policies are available staff will read and familiarise themselves with the policies, procedures and statements specific to the service. Garda vetting disclosures for staff will be obtained before commencement of employment. Policies and procedures will be updated regularly and available to all staff and parents. Staff members will be familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the service
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The policy and procedure manual for the service which was drafted in May 2018 had not been updated. This may have resulted in staff not following correct procedures if they were unsure of the steps to follow in each policy e.g., accident and incident policy, notification of incident policy, policy on infection control, policy on managing behaviour. Staff names documented on the policies and procedures manual were no longer working in the service. At a regulatory compliance meeting held on 08/12/2023 the person in charge advised the inspection and registration manager that the service was currently working with the local county childcare committee to review and update all the policies and procedures for the service. The person in charge informed the inspection and registration manager that this process would be completed by 1st March 2024
Provider's corrective action:
The person in charge will ensure that all staff members are familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the service and that all policies are updated regularly and available to staff and parents
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1) Registration forms were not available for three children documented on the attendance records for the service. The information required from (a) – (i) was not available for these children and posed a safety risk to them in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
Registrations forms for all children are now available
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A chlorine-based cleaning product was accessible to the children in a cupboard underneath the sink. This posed a potential poisoning hazard to the children. 2. Snacks and perishable foods supplied by children’s parents were not refrigerated. This posed a potential risk in relation to food safety. 3. Temperature reducing medication was not available in the service in the event of a child having a raised temperature. This posed a potential safety risk to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
1. The chlorine-based cleaning product was removed and placed out of reach of children. In future cleaning products that pose a potential poisoning hazard will be kept out of reach of the children. 2. Childrens lunch boxes will be checked in the mornings after they arrive, and lunches will be refrigerated if necessary to prevent any risk in relation to food safety. 3. A temperature reducing medicine is now available in the service and the expiry date will be checked regularly
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1)There was no staff member present who held current certification in First Aid Responder for children (FAR)
Provider's corrective action:
Both Staff members are currently doing FAR Training which will be completed by June 2024
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. The floor covering adjacent to the kitchen area and in the centre of the room was worn and torn and posed a tripping hazard for both the children and the staff. Flooring in the sanitary accommodation was not flush with the wall and flooring between the lobby and the sanitary accommodation was worn. Routine thorough cleaning of the floors could take place when the floor surface was not smooth and durable. 2. Paintwork on the ceiling near the florescent light and the wall where a fridge was located had not been repainted therefore the areas were not smooth to facilitate cleaning. 3. Sections of the wooden countertop were worn which prevented thorough cleaning of the area
Provider's corrective action:
1. Quotes to replace the flooring in the sanitary area and the kitchen area have been sought. 2. A painter to paint the ceiling and walls in kitchen area and to repaint the bathroom has been sought. 3. The counter and kitchen will be replaced within the next 4-6 weeks
Immediate action notice. 08/04/2024: An Immediate Action notice was issued to the registered provider as there was a staff member on site in the service who did not have the required garda vetting. 10/04/2024: Garda vetting documentation has been obtained and verified by the person in charge for the staff member for whom it was required. 12/06/2024: An inspection of the service took place to review the actions as stated by the manager in her response to the inspection of 08/04/2024 as evidence to support these actions had not been submitted to the inspectorate.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a) Two written and validated references from the person’s past employers and in particular the most recent employer were not available for one staff member present on the day. Two written and validated references from the person’s past employers and in particular the most recent employer were not available for two students who attend the service. (c) Vetting disclosures were not received from the National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Síochána in accordance with the Act of 2012 in respect of one staff member present on the day of the inspection. An Immediate Action notice was issued to the registered provider on 08/04/2024 for this staff member who was on site in the service and who did not have the required garda vetting. (3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) were not completed prior to staff or students being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with children attending the pre-school service. (4) One staff member did not have a childcare qualification. It is acknowledged that this staff member is currently completing a childcare course. (7)(a) Documentary evidence was not available to demonstrate that a staff member present on the day of the inspection had received induction training on the policies, procedures and statements specific to the service. The staff member had commenced working in the service on the day of the inspection and when questioned was not familiar with any of the policies and procedures relevant to the service
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a) Two written validated references for the staff member have been obtained and are on file. Two written validated references for the two students in the service are on file. (c) Garda vetting documentation was obtained and verified by the person in charge for the staff member for whom it was required on 10/04/2024. (3) In future all references will be obtained and validated before commencement of employment or placement and before being allowed access to or contact with children in the service and will be available for inspection in employees files. (4) No response received (7)(a) The policies and procedures manual is being updated and the new information required to complete and update the policies has been forwarded to a company to draft. When the updated policies are available staff will read and familiarise themselves with the policies, procedures and statements specific to the service. Garda vetting disclosures for staff will be obtained before commencement of employment. Policies and procedures will be updated regularly and available to all staff and parents. Staff members will be familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the service
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The policy and procedure manual for the service which was drafted in May 2018 had not been updated. This may have resulted in staff not following correct procedures if they were unsure of the steps to follow in each policy e.g., accident and incident policy, notification of incident policy, policy on infection control, policy on managing behaviour. Staff names documented on the policies and procedures manual were no longer working in the service. At a regulatory compliance meeting held on 08/12/2023 the person in charge advised the inspection and registration manager that the service was currently working with the local county childcare committee to review and update all the policies and procedures for the service. The person in charge informed the inspection and registration manager that this process would be completed by 1st March 2024
Provider's corrective action:
The person in charge will ensure that all staff members are familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the service and that all policies are updated regularly and available to staff and parents
Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child
(1) Registration forms were not available for three children documented on the attendance records for the service. The information required from (a) – (i) was not available for these children and posed a safety risk to them in the event of an emergency
Provider's corrective action:
Registrations forms for all children are now available
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A chlorine-based cleaning product was accessible to the children in a cupboard underneath the sink. This posed a potential poisoning hazard to the children. 2. Snacks and perishable foods supplied by children’s parents were not refrigerated. This posed a potential risk in relation to food safety. 3. Temperature reducing medication was not available in the service in the event of a child having a raised temperature. This posed a potential safety risk to the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
1. The chlorine-based cleaning product was removed and placed out of reach of children. In future cleaning products that pose a potential poisoning hazard will be kept out of reach of the children. 2. Childrens lunch boxes will be checked in the mornings after they arrive, and lunches will be refrigerated if necessary to prevent any risk in relation to food safety. 3. A temperature reducing medicine is now available in the service and the expiry date will be checked regularly
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1)There was no staff member present who held current certification in First Aid Responder for children (FAR)
Provider's corrective action:
Both Staff members are currently doing FAR Training which will be completed by June 2024
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) 1. The floor covering adjacent to the kitchen area and in the centre of the room was worn and torn and posed a tripping hazard for both the children and the staff. Flooring in the sanitary accommodation was not flush with the wall and flooring between the lobby and the sanitary accommodation was worn. Routine thorough cleaning of the floors could take place when the floor surface was not smooth and durable. 2. Paintwork on the ceiling near the florescent light and the wall where a fridge was located had not been repainted therefore the areas were not smooth to facilitate cleaning. 3. Sections of the wooden countertop were worn which prevented thorough cleaning of the area
Provider's corrective action:
1. Quotes to replace the flooring in the sanitary area and the kitchen area have been sought. 2. A painter to paint the ceiling and walls in kitchen area and to repaint the bathroom has been sought. 3. The counter and kitchen will be replaced within the next 4-6 weeks
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 26, 28.
Inspection of 29 November 2023 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. 19/10/2023 A referral was made to the Fire Safety Department to review the location of the boiler within the service. The person in charge was informed of the referral on the day of the inspection. 08/12/2023 A regulatory compliance meeting took place, attended by the Inspection and Registration Manager and the person in charge of Teach Mhuire Montessori. To discuss the actions taken to address the non-compliances identified in the inspection report as a corrective and preventive response had not been received to the inspectorate. The outcome of this meeting is outlined within the body of the report.
Immediate action notice. The Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) will be used to inform decisions about compliance with regulatory requirements. Where the registered provider fails to meet the statutory requirements an escalation process may be commenced.
Immediate action notice. Non-Compliance Information (1) The details in relation to the sessional service on the directory of services were not up to date. The details of the person in charge documented on the directory of services did not correlate with the person in charge identified on the day of the inspection. 29/11/2023 A follow up inspection took place at the service as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. This non-compliance had not been addressed and remained outstanding. Corrective & Preventive Action submitted by the Registered Provider Corrective and Preventive Action At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held 8th December 2023 the person in charge advised that a change in circumstance form was now completed and would be forwarded to the Early Years Inspectorate. Supporting documentation submitted Documentation was submitted to the registration office which detailed the change in person in charge to be updated on the directory of services. Summary Comment The actions as stated by the person in charge meet the regulatory requirements of regulation 8.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2)(a)Two written and validated references from the person’s past employers and in particular the most recent employer were not available for two staff present on the day. (d) Police vetting was not available for one member of staff who had lived outside the jurisdiction for a period of longer that six consecutive months
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a)References which were validated were submitted for both staff. (d)Police vetting was submitted for the staff member who had lived outside the jurisdiction for longer than 6 months
Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service
The policy and procedure manual for the service was not available on site on the day of the inspection. This may have resulted in staff not following correct procedures if they were unsure of the steps to follow in each policy e.g., accident and incident policy, notification of incident policy, policy on infection control, policy on managing behaviour. 29/11/2023 A follow up inspection took place at the service as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. This non-compliance had not been addressed and remained outstanding. The policy and procedure manual for the service was not available
Provider's corrective action:
At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held 8th December 2023 the person in charge advised that the nappy changing policy has been updated and is currently working with the local county childcare committee and reviewing the remaining policies
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL ENVIRONMENT: 1. The walls throughout the playroom were overpopulated with posters, art / craft displays and information leaflets which had the potential to cause sensory overload for the children. 2. Art activities completed by the children were not located on the walls at child height to allow children view their own work and that of the other children in the group
Provider's corrective action:
A follow up inspection took place at the service on 29/11/2023 as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. 1. A limited amount of the materials displayed were removed. 2. Childrens artwork had not been removed to a lower level on the walls
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The oil burner for the heating system was located in the playroom. There was no record available to indicate when it had been serviced and there was no documentation available to demonstrate that the burner was safe to use indoors. 2. Three large waste disposal bins were accessible to the children in the outdoor play area and posed a risk to the childrens safety. 3. A shed at the rear of the garden was unlocked and posed a safety risk to the children as it was used to store work equipment , paint and play equipment. 4. Staffs personal belongings such as handbags and jackets were accessible to the children and posed a safety hazard. 5. A hoover, sweeping brushes and mops were stored in the playroom and posed a tripping hazard for both children and staff. 6. A toaster and a kettle were accessible to the children on the countertop in the playroom and pose a safety hazard. 7. There were two extension leads located beside a sink on the countertop with 3 plugs in each of them which posed a potential electrical safety hazard to both the children and the staff. 8. A water tray in the outdoor play area was overflowing with water and posed a safety hazard to children. Infection Control: 9. The nappy changing policy was not available and was not displayed in the nappy change area. This posed a risk of cross infection as staff were not aware of hygienic nappy changing procedures. 10. Aprons were not available for staff to wear whilst nappy changing to help prevent the spread of infection. 11. A communal cloth hand towel was observed to be in use in the childrens sanitary area. This predisposed a risk of cross infection between children and staff. 29/11/2023 A follow up inspection took place at the service as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. This non-compliance had not been addressed and remained outstanding. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held 8th December 2023 the person in charge advised the following. 1. The oil burner has been assessed by a service engineer and deemed suitable for indoor use. 2. A new storage unit has been purchased for the outdoors bins which is secure and inaccessible to children. 3. A new door to the outside shed will be installed in January 2024 and this will make it inaccessible to the children. At present they are not allowed access that area. 4. Staff belongings will be relocated to upstairs. 5. Cleaning equipment has been relocated upstairs which is inaccessible to children. 6. The toaster and kettle have been removed when not in use. 7. The extension leads have been made secure and low-level electrical sockets have been decommissioned. 8. The outdoor water tray has been removed and new trays are being sourced. 9. Nappy changing policy has been updated and displayed in the sanitary area. 10. Aprons have been provided for nappy changing. 11. The towel has been removed and paper towels provided
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1)(a)There was no record of fire drills practiced on a monthly basis in the service. This posed a risk to the safety of both staff and children in the service. 29/11/2023 A follow up inspection took place at the service as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. This non-compliance had not been addressed and remained outstanding
Provider's corrective action:
At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held 8th December 2023 the person in charge advised th at fire drills ar e now practiced monthly
Regulation not named in the report text
(1) The details in relation to the sessional service on the directory of services were not up to date. The details of the person in charge documented on the directory of services did not correlate with the person in charge identified on the day of the inspection. 29/11/2023 A follow up inspection took place at the service as the Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan (CAPA) had not been returned to the Early Years Inspectorate. This non-compliance had not been addressed and remained outstanding
Provider's corrective action:
At the Regulatory Compliance meeting held 8th December 2023 the person in charge advised that a change in circumstance form was now completed and would be forwarded to the Early Years Inspectorate