Inspection of 3 April 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (1)(b) When the Inspector arrived at the service on the first day of the inspection, the person in charge nor the deputy were on site. It is acknowledged that both the registered provider and the deputy arrived at the premise 20 minutes after the inspection commenced
- (a)(b) One written and validated reference was unavailable in respect of one of the adults. (d) Two Police vetting records were not available for review in respect of one adult that had lived outside the jurisdiction for a period of more than six consecutive months
Provider's corrective action:
- In the written response, the following was stated by the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action (1)(b) Going forward, the duty manager will ensure that all staff will know, when she is out of the building and who the deputy is in charge of the service in her absence. (2)(a)(b) The validated reference forwarded to the Inspectorate was reviewed and deemed satisfactory. (d) The registered provider has submitted evidence that one police vetting record has been obtained but was informed it will take 8 to 10 weeks to receive the second completed police vetting record
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: (1) Garda vetting was available for four staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. (2) Protruding sharp rocks were visible in the sloped grassy area of the outdoor play area that had the potential risk of causing injury to a child when playing outdoors. (3) There were holes from the children digging in the ground/grass outdoor play surface, where the children may not see the irregular surface on time when running around that had the potential to cause injury to a child when playing outdoors. (4) The ground under and around the timber climbing frame especially around the immediate area of the attached walking wall and slide were bare and had the potential risk of causing injury to a child if they fell while playing outdoors. It is acknowledged there was one all-weather mat located at the foot of the slide. Action submitted by the Registered Provider In the written response, the following was stated by the registered provider:
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Each of the four staff have renewed their Garda Vetting record. Going forward the service will adhere to the re-vetting timeframes as outlined in the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years. 2. The protruding sharp rocks visible in the sloped grassy area of the outdoor play area have now been covered. 3. The irregular ground surface areas due to the children digging into the earthy surface have been covered providing a smooth surface area for the children to play. 4. Rubber mats have been purchased and placed on the ground under and around the timber climbing frame and around the immediate area of the walking wall and slide. The registered provider has stated that the ground surface of the outdoor play areas will be included in the risk assessment that staff will complete prior to outdoor play on a daily basis
Regulation 25 — First aid
- None of the staff on duty in the service on the afternoon (2 to 6pm) of the first day of the inspection had a certified up to date first aid responder training certificate (FAR). It is acknowledged that there was staff on duty at this time with a certified paediatric first aid certificate
Provider's corrective action:
- In the written response, the following was stated by the registered provider: Corrective and Preventive Action The registered provider stated that at all times while the service is in operation, one of the staff that have a certified up to date first aid responder training certificate (FAR)will be on duty. Plan on encouraging more staff to do the (FAR) training
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) 1. The refuse bins for the disposal of used paper towels in the two children’s toilets on the first floor were found in poor repair on the first day of the inspection. 2. On the first day of the inspection the toilet seat in the Twiga room toilet facility was not adequately secured and required repair
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. When the Inspector reviewed the refuse bins on the second day of the inspection, the bins in poor repair were removed and replaced with newly purchased lidded pedal operated bins in both the children’s toilets on the first floor. Corrected at time of inspection. 2. When the Inspector reviewed the toilet seat on the child size toilet in the Twiga Room on the second day of the inspection it was fixed in position on the toilet seat and no longer loose. Corrected at time of inspection
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28.