Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action notice was issued under
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) (a) Evidence was not available to show that one adult had a second written validated reference on file. (3) The registered provider did not ensure the following checks were carried out prior to one adult working in the service: o Documentary evidence available indicated that one staff member had commenced employment within the service prior to receipt of Garda Vetting. o One staff member did not have the second reference validated before they commenced employment
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action (2) (a) Management was unable to get validation of this reference and therefore reverted to another employer where the employee had been recently employed. The manager verified the reference on the phone and the employer issued a written reference in July 2024. (3) The employee commenced induction in the service on the 08/07/24 to meet the management and the team and was present in the office completing paperwork. The employee was given a walk around of the premises and was supervised at all times in the presence of the manager or senior staff member. The Garda Vetting disclosure came in the following day. Preventive Action (2) (a) Management seeks references during our interview process and have them validated upon the new staff members starting. Management will ensure to fill the validation form correctly and accurately and to seek alternatives when the referees provided are not available. (3) Garda Vetting is obtained prior to a new employees start date and submitted following a successful interview
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The hot water in the wash hand basin of the baby nappy changing doom did not have thermostatically controlled water; the temperature was recorded as 56.6℃ at 10.23 pm, exceeding the allowable maximum temperature of 43℃. It is acknowledged that the person in charge stated that children of this age group were not left alone to wash hands and were always held by staff to do so. However, water of this temperature posed a risk of scalding, and an Immediate Action Notice was issued on the day of the inspection. The person in charge addressed the non-compliance on 16 January 2025. 2. Garda vetting was available for eighteen adults. However, one of these vetting disclosures was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. Infection Control: 3. Two foam cushions were observed to be torn with exposed foam in the Tweenie room leaving an ineffective surface for cleaning. This posed a risk of cross infection. 4. There was an art trolley observed to be stored in the sanitary accommodation off the Tweenie room. This posed a risk of cross infection. Action submitted by the Registered Provider General Safety: Corrective Action 1. This issue was reported and raised with Technical Services Department (TSD) of Beaumont Hospital on 15/01/25 at 15:05pm. All staff were notified that there is an issue with water being too hot in the baby room, so everyone is aware to be careful when washing babies’ hands. The rooms were provided with water thermometers for staff to check the water temperature as part of their daily risk assessment and record it on their daily checklist form. TSD team called out 16/01/25 at 14:00pm, to inspect the taps and advised that the tap needed to be changed. TSD will schedule a time to complete the work once the parts arrive. 2. Garda vetting was reapplied for on the day of the inspection and has been received. Preventive Action 1. Management is implementing daily checklists and providing water thermometers for staff members to check the water temperature in all rooms to prevent this happening again . Hospital TSD will be notified as soon as possible of the faulty thermostats. Management will reinforce with staff to follow correct policies and procedures by going through each of them during our monthly staff meeting. 2. Management have created a Garda Vetting Check List to always stay up to date with all employees Garda Vetting. Infection Control: Corrective Action 3. All torn cushions were removed straight away and replaced with new soft furniture. Staff were reminded about daily risk assessments at the staff meeting and importance of checking all toys, materials and equipment. 4. The materials were removed straight away. Preventive Action 3. Staff were reminded that they are obliged to report any hazards to management and that those forms available and were given to them during induction training. 4. Management provided clear guidelines and instructions to staff members on proper storage practices and infection control policies during a recent staff meeting. Supporting documentation submitted General Safety: 1. Documentary evidence of issue raised with Technical Services Department of Beaumont Hospital and staff notification. Photographic evidence of water temperatures and new tap with correct water temperature. 2. Photographic evidence of Garda Vetting application, up to date Garda Vetting and Garda Vetting Check list. Infection Control: 3. Photographic evidence of new soft furniture. 4. Photographic evidence of the open-ended materials removed. Summary Comment The corrective and preventive actions taken by the registered provider are sufficient to address the non- compliances identified under Regulation 23
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 16, 19, 28.
Inspection of 21 February 2024 — Inspection Report
(2)(d) An international child protection certificate (ICPC) was not available in relation to one staff member who previously lived outside the jurisdiction for a period of more than 6 months as an adult. It is acknowledged however that standard police check record was held on file
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The employee in question, who requires an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC), has completed the application form, and applied for the document. The processing of the application can take up to 30 working days before the certificate is sent to the applicant. Preventive Action The registered provider has stated that future, potential candidates who have previously worked in the identified jurisdiction, will be required to apply for an International Child Protection Certificate before commencing their job
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
In the Toddler Room children’s play experience was observed to be limited. Evidenced by the following: 1. There were four battery operated toys not working. Cause and effect toys help promote joint attention, play skills and exploration for children of this age group. 2. There was a shape sorting car play equipment with a wheel broken. 3. There was no mark making equipment directly accessible for the children. For example, the white board had no markers that were observed to be accessible for the children
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Actions 1. Four battery-operated toys have been immediately replaced with new batteries. 2. The car with the broken wheel was removed and recycled appropriately. 3. The staff members responsible for Toddler room have created a box with mark making materials available to children at all times. Markers and magnets are now available for children’s use at all times at their level. Preventive Action Staff were reminded about daily risk assessments at the staff meeting and the importance of checking all the toys are in working condition. Staff were reminded about daily risk assessments at the staff meeting and importance to check all of the toys for any damage
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Three clearly detailed up to date care plans for children who required specific medication were not available. Medical Care Plans enable staff to identify and accurately administer medication and treatment when required and the absence of such a care plan puts the safety of children at risk. This was evidenced for three children as follows. • In one of the care rooms staff were not aware that there was a child in the room with a specific allergy to a food. No individual care plan was available should an allergic reaction occur. • From discussion with staff in another room, they were not familiar where the medication for a child with a medical diagnosis was stored or how this medication is administered. • A care plan for a child who required a specific medication was not in place. Infection Control: On the day of the inspection the following was observed which poses a risk of cross infection. 2. A child’s soother was stored on an open shelf. 3. Bed linen was stored on the individual beds which were stacked one on top of the other. There were fifteen low beds stored with bed linen in place at 10.05am. 4. One of the ten cots in the cot sleep room did not have a wipeable mattress. Administration of Medication: 5. There was no written record of the administration of a prescribed medication, for a child who been receiving medication on a regular basis since 9/01/2024. It is acknowledged that the service has an emergency medication form which included the name of the medication, dosage and parental consent. However, this form had not been completed providing details of the date, time, dosage of medication administered and parental signature on collection. This is at variance to the service policy which states that staff members who administer prescribed medication will complete the above record. Failure to provide parents with this information on collection could result in a child receiving an overdose. Fire Safety: 6. The emergency door in the sleep cot room was obstructed by two-fold up cots, leading to a risk of safety for children and staff in the event of an emergency evacuation. General Safety: Corrective Actions 1. Parents of the three children have been asked to fill out the medical care plans. They have now been provided in the care rooms. Management gave a very broad explanation to the staff during the staff meeting held on February 28th, 2024, regarding the administering of medication for these children. • Management explained to each employee working in the crèche about the medical care plans and allergies. Everyone was asked to sign to indicate their understanding of the updated allergy list in the crèche. • It was explained to everyone during the staff meeting where the medication is stored. Each room (where necessary) were provided with an updated emergency medication form directly taken from Tots & Co Policy and Procedures. • A care plan for a specific child has been placed in the room. The employees working in this room have been informed about the child's care plan. Preventive Actions • Management introduced medical care plans forms for parents. Medical care plans will be filled by parents/guardians during enrolment process, they will be emailed if a child has allergies or requires medication. All medical plans will be shared with the staff and placed in the child’s room. • Management is implementing weekly checklists/reminders for staff members to review medication care plans at the beginning of each shift. This helps reinforce the importance of staying updated on each child's needs. • Management will schedule regular reviews of medication care plans to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. • Management and staff are going to encourage open communication with parents or guardians regarding their child's medication needs. Keep parents informed about any changes in medication policy and seek their input when necessary. Supporting documentation submitted • A copy of the staff meeting agenda. • A copy of the memo. • Updated allergy list. • Care plan template. Infection Control: Corrective Actions 2. The soother that was attached to a toy was placed in zip lock bag with child’s name clearly marked. 3. New storage of the toddler bed sheets has been put in place. All sheets and blankets are now to be taken of the bed and placed in Ziplock bags clearly marked with the child’s name and stored in the designated drawers in the cot room. 4. The wipeable mattress cover was placed on the cot bed immediately, as it was in the wash previous day. Preventive Actions 2. All Staff ha ve been retrained to return soothers to their designated storage space when not in use. Management will implement a system for regular checks and reminders to ensure that staff consistently follow proper soother storage procedures. This could include periodic inspections of storage areas and gentle reminders during staff meetings or training sessions. Signs have been placed as visual reminders in the Toddler and Cot room to remind staff to return soothers to their designated storage space after use. This can help reinforce the importance of proper storage practices and serve as a visual cue for staff members. 3. Management provided clear guidelines and instructions to staff members on proper linen storage practices. It emphasised the importance of not stacking beds with linen and blankets still on them and reinforced the need to store them in zip lock bags when not in use. 4. Management will ensure that all cots in the creche are equipped with wipeable mattress covers to facilitate easy cleaning and disinfection between uses. Staff will conduct a daily cot room checklist to ensure that all cots have a wipeable cover on them before putting new sheets on the bed. Supporting documentation submitted • A copy of the staff meeting agenda. • Picture of soother in zip lock bag with child’s name clearly marked. • Picture of sheets and blankets placed in zip lock bags marked with children’s names. • Picture of the mattress cover. Administration of Medication: Corrective Actions 5. The parents of the child have been promptly informed about the updated emergency medication form and the dosage for their child. The emergency medication form has been acknowledged by the child's parents. Preventive Actions 5. Management will ensure that all staff members are familiar with the Tots & Co medication policy and procedure and will follow them diligently. The Manager or designated person will only be allowed to administer medication and fill in the medication form. Supporting documentation submitted • A copy of the updated emergency medication form for a child. Fire Safety: Corrective Actions 6. Items stored obstructing fire exit doors in the cot room have been removed. Preventive Actions 6. Management will ensure a daily risk assessment is in place to prevent an obstacle obstructing the fire exit doors in the creche. Supporting documentation submitted • Photographic evidence of the fire exit door clear of obstruction. Summary Comment The corrective and preventive action taken by the registered provider has addressed the non-compliances identified on inspection under Regulation 23