The following documentation was unavailable for inspection: (2) (a) There was no evidence of the validation of a reference for a staff member. A second written validated reference from a past employer was required for one staff member as the reference on file did not meet the regulatory requirements
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider submitted a written response to state evidence of validation of a reference was obtained for one staff member and a second reference with evidence of validation was obtained for one staff member
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The staff inflated a small bouncy castle in the outdoor area during the inspection, and 3 to 4 children were observed to play on it. When the registered provider was informed of potential safety concerns the staff immediately removed the small bouncy castle from the area. 2. A window restrictor was absent on one of the windows in the early start room and could pose a potential safety concern. 3. The was no press lock under the sink in the early start room which could pose a potential access/safety risk as there were room sprays stored in these presses. 4. An electric cable from a stereo was within child reach in the sleep room and the early start room which could pose a potential safety concern. Infection Control: 5. The foot operated pedal bin was broken in the first friends’ room and required replacement, and a flip top bin was provided in the early start room which could pose infection control risk. 6. The nappy changing mat in the dedicated nappy changing area was ripped in places which could prove difficult to effectively clean. The nappy changing unit was not maintained in a clean condition. 7. There were numerous baskets of children’s play equipment to include plastic blocks, playdough accessories and wooden equipment stored on a high shelf in the children’s sanitary accommodation posing a risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: The registered provider submitted a written response to state 1. The small bouncy castle was removed. Immediately and the service will not use bouncy castles in future. 2. A lock has been fitted to the window in the early start room, and this will be checked regularly. 3. New press locks have been purchased and fitted on the presses, and these will be checked regularly. 4. No plugs are used in these sockets any more we are now using wireless speaker for the relaxing music for the children to fall asleep to. Infection Control: 5. New bins purchased and these will be checked regularly to ensure they are in proper working order. 6. There was an extra changing mat in the changing area on the day, and it was replaced immediately. The changing mat will be checked regularly. 7.The storage baskets have been removed from the sanitary area and are now stored in the attic space
(1) (a) There was no identifiable deputy person in charge in the service on inspection. (c) There was no identifiable deputy person in charge and no clear management structure in the service identifying lines of authority and accountability in the absence of the designated person in charge
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (a) The registered provider now has a named identifiable deputy person in charge in place in the service. In future a request for change of circumstance will be submitted for a new deputy person in charge and all documents and policies will be revised to reflect the service new management structure. (c) There is now a clear management structure in place in the service. In future if any changes happen in the service regarding the management structure, all documents and policies will be revised immediately
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (k) The service had two methods of recording accidents and incidents. This included an incident logbook in each room and an accident and incident form. On a sample review of the logbook inconsistencies arose, where on separate dates within a two-week period children had been recorded as falling and requiring first aid in the logbook, however no accident and incident form was completed. There was also no record of parents being informed of these incidents contrary to the service policy where it states ‘that parents will be contacted and informed of any injury’
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (k) Corrective and Preventive Action The service now has one method of recording accidents and incidents in a record book. The registered provider has spoken with staff and going forward parents must be informed of all accidents and incidents and the child’s parent must sign the service record. All accidents and Incidents are to be recorded in one record book from the day of the last inspection
Regulation 22 — Food and drink
Records showed that there was no hot meal provided to children by the service for the months of July and August 2025. This was confirmed by staff members and the registered provider
Provider's corrective action:
A plan has been dev ised to ensure that a hot meal will be provided for children in the service for the months of July and August. This will involve either meals prepared on site by a cook or the sourcing of meals from a caterer
Regulation 32 — Complaints
(1) (a) The complaints policy required updating in relation to the information regarding a deputy person in charge in the service as this person was no longer in position, and access to complaints
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective and Preventive Action The information regarding the deputy person in charge in the service and access to complaints contained in the complaints policy is now up to date and correct. Going forward, policies will be updated immediately if there is any change in management structure or operational structure of the service
(2) (a) There was no evidence of the validation of two reference for two adults made available for inspection
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) The registered provider advised in writing that: Corrective and Preventive Action The references for the two adults have been validated. In future all refences will be validated before adults start in the service. This has been added to the checklist of documents required to be completed before adults start in the service
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (i) There was no daily staff roster available in the service
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (i) The registered provider advised in writing that: Corrective and Preventive Action Staff members work the same hours every week. A roster has been completed and displayed in the hall. When any changes occur, the roster will be updated by the registered provider
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Four cans of shaving foam were stored on a shelf in First Friends room. Shaving foam is not to be used in preschool service due to safety risk to children. Infection Control: 2. The waste bin in Bright Sparks room was not foot operated posing an infection control risk to the preschool child. 3. The nappy bin provided in the nappy changing area used by the Early Start playroom was hand operated and not the required foot pedal operated nappy bin. Safe Sleep: 4. There was no evidence of a safety standard mark on one of the cot mattresses in use in the service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider advised in writing that:
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Shaving foam has not been in use for a year. All old shaving foam cans have been removed. Infection Control: 2. The pedal bin has been replaced in the Bright Sparks care-room. Staff have been informed to check it every day. 3. A pedal bin has been put in the changing area and the other bin has been removed. A foot pedal bin will be used going forward. Safe Sleep: 4. The mattress was replaced with a mattress with a safety standard mark. All mattresses are now on a check list to be checked every Friday
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
(1) (a) The last fire drill was recorded as undertaken on the 20 January 2025. This is not in line with the required monthly fire drills. (b) The certificate available for inspection regarding the testing/maintenance of the smoke alarms showed that the system was last maintained on the 02 April 2022. Smoke alarms are required to be maintained on an annual basis
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider advised in writing that: Corrective and Preventive Action (1)(a) The service is going to carry out a fire drill during the first week of every month and all records will be completed immediately. (1)(b) The maintenance of the fire alarm/smoke alarm system has been carried out by a tradesperson. The service has planned with the tradesperson for the next maintenance of the smoke/fire alarm system with a reminder system in place for the service