Inspection of 2 May 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2) (a) There was no second reference on file from a past employer where there was previous employment for two adults
Provider's corrective action:
- A second reference from a past employer was sought and validated for two adults on 16 May 24 and 29 May 24. Two references from past employers will be sought prior to commencing employment
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (a) Sheets of paper towel were placed on the table by staff for children to eat their snacks off in one of the care- rooms at mid-morning snack time even though plastic plates were readily available in this care-room for the children’s use
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) It was discussed at a staff meeting as a reminder to use plates, cutlery and utilise provided instead of using single paper towels for snack time. A notice will be displayed in the care-room as a reminder to use plates, cutlery and utilise provided for all snack and mealtimes
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Room temperature in the wobbler room was recorded at 24.3°c at 12:14, when brought to the attention of staff, windows and doors were open in an attempt to reduce the room temperature. 2. The sanitary area in the wobbler room was equipped with a ladder to assist the child to climb up to the nappy changing area. On observation the ladder provided was unsuitable for the age range of the children as they could not manage to independently climb up or down the ladder. 3. The door of the storeroom containing cleaning products next to the stairs used by the children from the Little learners care-room was found to be inadequately secured at on the day of the inspection. This was also a non-compliance on the most recent inspection of the 27 June 2022. 4. There was a large unsecured wooden branch with small metal hooks fixed into it positioned at a low level in the mud kitchen area. Several other small metal hooks were also positioned at low levels in the space and posed risks of injury to children. 5. Pieces of bark had come away from a wooden piece of equipment in one of the outdoor play areas leaving splinters exposed posing a risk of injury to children. Infection Control: 6. Infant formula for children was provided from home in powder form resulting in a risk of cross contamination. 7. Nappy changing procedure were observed not to be in line with infection control guidance or the service policy. Gloves were not routinely removed after changing a soiled nappy and used to dress the child posing an infection control risk. Staff did not routinely use the foot pedal of the waste bin, using their hands to open and close the bin posing a risk of cross contamination. 8. Spacing between cots in the wobbler sleep room did not meet the required 50cm spacing between four cots, measuring at 34cm and 36cm. This poses an infection control risk. Fire Safety: 9. Portable toilets had been positioned outside in front of the emergency exit doors to the rear of the building located at the bottom of one flight of stairs leading from the first floor. These portable toilets posed a potential hazard for people in the event of an emergency evacuation using this emergency exit. 10. The sleep room had a quantity of equipment including boxes of toys, spare waste bins and cardboard stored at the bottom of the sleep room which could potentially pose a fire risk. Action submitted by the Registered Provider In a written response the registered provider stated:
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Staff will open windows and doors regularly. The fan extractor above the door has been turned to the cool air and another fan was also provided. Staff will check the room temperature in the morning and open windows and doors regularly. 2. New steps were provided to assist the children to climb up to the changing area safely. The steps will be maintained. Staff will also support and assist the children using the steps. 3. The overhead close shutter on the door in the storeroom has been tightened, with the door now closing securely. The door of the storeroom will be checked and maintained regularly. 4. The unsecure wooden branch and small metal hooks have been removed. All toys, equipment and natural material will be secured safely and appropriately. 5. The wooden piece of equipment has been sanded down to remove loose pieces of bark. Natural material and equipment will be checked and maintained regularly and will be removed and replaced when necessary. Infection Control: 6. Parents/guardians have been asked not to bring in baby formula from home. If for any medical reasons bottles need to be made regularly parents will be asked to state it in writing. This will be made up in line with best practice. Registration forms and parent packs will be updated to include information on baby formula. 7. The correct procedure for nappy changing were discussed at a staff meeting and staff were provided with a copy of the policy and procedures. Staff will read and familiarise themselves with the nappy changing policy and procedure. 8. The cots have been measured allowing 50cm spacing in between each cot. The 50cm spacing in between each cot are marked to ensure the cots remain the correct width apart. Fire Safety: 9. The portable toilets outside an emergency exit to the rear of the building has been removed. The service will ensure fire exits are always kept clear of obstruction. 10. Equipment including toys, spare waste bin and cardboard stored in the sleep room has been removed. Extra equipment including toys, spare waste bin and cardboard will be stored correctly and removed if it is not required
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) The mechanical ventilation system in the sanitary unit located beside the Little Leaders care-room did not appear to be operational with no audible sound from the system or air movement visible near the ventilation system vents in the ceilings. There was no documentary evidence available the inspectors to support that the system was operational at the time of the inspection. (d) The outdoor area of the preschool service required maintenance in the following areas: • A wooden fence separating the outdoor play areas had flaking paint and this required to be maintained. • Picnic benches in the outdoor had areas of flaking paint. • The outdoor area had sections of unused and broken toys gathered and required to be removed. Indoors: • The cistern lid on one of the toilets in the Little Leaders sanitary unit had been replaced with a smaller lid that did not correctly fit the toilet and posed a safety risk. • The ceiling in the Little Leaders care-room had areas of heavy brown staining and required maintenance/painting. (e) 1. The water temperature in the sanitary units used by the children from the Little Learners care-rom was recorded at 46.1°C and 45.8°C which is above the required maximum level of 43°C. 2. Staff advised the inspector that a nappy mat was placed on a floor in one of the Little Learners sanitary areas to change nappies, where a waist high nappy changing unit was required to be used
Provider's corrective action:
- (c) • The mechanical ventilation system has been replaced and are in good working order. The ventilation systems will be checked and maintained regularly and replaced when needed. (d) • The wooden fence separating the outdoor play areas has been removed and replaced with an additional mud kitchen, sandbox and flower planter. The new mud kitchen, sandbox and flower planter outdoors will be maintained regularly. • The picnic benches in the outdoor area have been sanded down and repainted. The picnic benches will be maintained and painted when needed. • A section outdoors that had broken and used toys has been removed. Any broken and unused toys will be removed from the play areas. • The cistern lid in one of the toilets has been replaced with a new toilet. The toilets will be maintained and replaced when necessary. • The ceiling in the care-room has been painted. The care rooms will be painted and maintained on a regular basis. (e) 1. The water temperature in the sanitary units has been adjusted to 43°C. The water temperature in the sanitary units will be checked regularly to ensure it is the correct temperature. 1. It was discussed at a staff meeting that any child that requires a nappy change will be changed in the Wobbler care-room on a high waist changing unit A notice will be displayed in the care-room as a reminder that children must be changed in the wobbler room on a waist high changing unit
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26, 28.