Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. A section of the flooring was absent in the sanitary accommodation off the junior preschool room which could pose a tripping hazard. Infection Control: 2. The soft seating in the baby senior toddler room and two highchairs in the baby junior room was ripped and frayed which could prove difficult to effectively clean. It is acknowledged that the staff advised new highchairs have been ordered and they are awaiting delivery of same. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The registered provider submitted a written response on 11th and 13th of August to advise 1. The section of the flooring has been repaired in the sanitary accommodation off the junior preschool room Infection Control: 2. Two new highchairs have been purchased for the baby junior room and new soft seating has been purchased in the baby senior toddler room
(4) Evidence of the required qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education or equivalent for two staff members working directly with the children was not on file within the service
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted a written response to state one staff member is currently completing the level 5 and will be qualified in May 2025.This staff member is now working in the school age service and an additional staff member has been employed to work with the preschool children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In the outdoor all-weathered sheltered play area, there were five tricycles with chipped paint thereby posing a potential safety risk. Infection Control: 2. There was a metal railing surrounding the nappy changing unit in the baby senior nappy changing area which was rusty and worn and could prove difficult to effectively clean. 3. The MDF layer on the open shelving unit in preschool senior room 1 and the wobbler junior room was peeling off. This could prove difficult to effectively clean. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The registered provider stated in a written response that 1. The five tricycles have been resprayed and the staff have been advised to ensure the tricycles are stored in the shed and these have been included on the outdoor maintenance checklist. Infection Control: 2. The metal railing surrounding the nappy changing unit in the baby senior nappy changing area has been replaced. And the nappy changing areas are included on the indoor maintenance checklist. 3. The surface on the open shelving in the preschool senior room 1 and the wobbler junior room have been repainted and the furniture is included on the indoor maintenance checklist
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 26, 28, 29.
Inspection of 20 November 2023 — Inspection Report
(2)(d) Police vetting was not available for 1 staff member who had resided outside of Ireland for longer than 6 consecutive months. (4) One staff member currently studying for a QQI Level 8 qualification working in the service did not have a letter from the college to state that she held at least a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework. Two staff members had level 8 and 9 qualifications however evidence was not available to demonstrate that these qualifications/awards met the criteria as set out in the National Qualification Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent in childcare
Provider's corrective action:
This staff member has notified her employer that she will no longer work in the service from 22/12/2023.The registered provider will monitor all curriculum vitae to determine if police clearance is required. A letter demonstrating that the staff member is currently studying level 5 has been submitted. Going forward the registered provider will seek a letter from staff who are studying QQI Level 8. The staff members who did not meet the qualification requirements have commenced working with the school aged childcare service. Additional staff have been employed with the correct childcare qualifications
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. In the Baby Senior room activities with the children for the most part were adult directed. Play materials and equipment were not arranged so that they were visible and readily accessible to promote independent access by children. Books, pegboards, playdough, dress up clothes and wooden blocks were all stored in a locked press. 2. In the Baby Senior room, the sensory basket contained no real or natural play materials to promote and extend childrens learning and imaginative play. It contained plastic products only. 3. In the Baby Senior room there was no comfortable adult seating available for staff to sit and comfort a child if they became upset
Provider's corrective action:
Additional play materials are now available on low level shelving and will be rotated daily. Management will check on a weekly basis to ensure that sufficient play materials are available to the children. The contents of the sensory basket have been upgraded and management will check on a monthly basis to ensure sufficient natural real play materials are available. An adult sized couch has been provided in the Baby Senior room
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
Infection Control: 1. Staff in the Baby Senior room did not wash their hands before nappy changing. This increased the potential risk of cross infection between babies and between staff. 2. The nappy changing procedure displayed in the nappy changing area did not state that staff must wash their hands before they commence nappy changing. 3. Staff in the Baby Senior room were observed to wear one glove while changing childrens nappies. This increased the potential risk of cross infection between babies and between staff. It was also at variance to what was documented in the infection control policy standard operating procedure which stated ‘staff must were gloves while nappy changing’. Safe Sleep: 4. The lighting in the Baby sleep room was too low, and the room was too dark making it difficult for staff to conduct direct visual checks on the sleeping children. The glass viewing panels were covered with posters and all light into the room was obscured. This posed a risk to monitoring the safety of children while sleeping. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
Infection Control: The nappy change policy has been reviewed and updated and staff have received training on the updated policy. Two gloves will be worn for all nappy changes. All policies for the service will be updated in January of each year. Safe Sleep: The lighting in the baby sleep room will be upgraded by installing a dimmer switch in January 2024. Summary Comment The actions as stated by the registered provider meet the regulatory requirements of regulation 23 and will be reviewed on the next inspection of the service