Inspection of 13 May 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- One qualification certificate was not on file for a staff member who worked directly with the children. Not ensuring that staff are adequately qualified to work with children may allow for staff who do not hold the requisite skills, to work directly with children
Provider's corrective action:
- The written response stated that the staff member in question has since ceased employment at the service. As a preventive measure, qualifications checks will be carried out by management on all certificates received
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (2) The minimum ratio of adults to children was not met in the afternoon. It was recorded that between 1.05pm and 1.31pm, when ratios were reviewed, a total of 12 adults were available to 89 children, where 13 adults were required. The rooms, which were providing full time day care, were in operation as follows: Room Name and Age Range of Children Number of Children Present Number of Adults Present Wobbler (1 ½ - 2 ½ years) 15 2 Creche (1 – 2 years) 11 1 + 1 available in office Junior Preschool 3 (3 - 4 years) 8 1 Junior Preschool 4 (2 ½ - 4 years ) 15 2 Junior Pre-school 5 (3 - 4 years) 6 1 Toddler (2 – 3 years) 11 1 Pre-school 7 (4 – 5 years) 8 1 Pre-school 8 (4 – 5 years) 15 2
Provider's corrective action:
- In the written reply, it was stated that on the day of inspection, a number of staff were absent due to leave and illness. It further outlined that ratios were not met between 1.05pm and 1.31pm due to staff breaks and that in normal circumstances, ratios are maintained at all times with staff taking staggered breaks. Although the current staffing crisis is challenging, going forward, the service will endeavour to maintain staff ratios at all times and if necessary will temporarily close a care room, or rooms, in order to ensure that ratios are maintained
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
- 1. While rest areas were included within all of the care rooms, in the following rooms, these spaces were under furnished and required development, in order to adequately meet the children’s need for rest and relaxation: − Toddler room: the rest area consisted of a large floor mat. − Wobbler room: a large floor mat was available. − Junior Preschool 5: a book area was provided, however there were no adjacent soft furnishings or seating
Provider's corrective action:
- The response submitted stated that, since the inspection, each of the named rooms have been adjusted and have upgraded their cosy areas. As a preventive measure, all staff have been made aware of the need for rest areas and while there were large mats available, the areas have been developed to make them more appealing to the children
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all adults working in the service, however, the vetting for four of the staff members was obtained more than three years previously and was not in adherence with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. The outdoor area was divided into five areas, four of the five areas were covered by artificial grass. The artificial grass covering was lifting, split or torn in three of the four areas. These irregularities on the surfaces posed a risk of the children and staff tripping or falling. 3. The floor covering on the corridor at the top of the white stairs on the first-floor corridor was torn and posed as a trip hazard to children, parents, guardians and the staff who accessed this area. Infection Control: 4. Cold water temperatures, which may impede effective handwashing, were noted at the wash hand basins in the following areas: - the nappy changing area used by the Wobbler room: water temperatures of 13.50C , 13.40C and 13.50C were recorded at the three wash hand basins. - the wash hand basin in Junior Preschool 3: a water temperature reading of 15.80C was taken - the wash hand basin in Junior Preschool 4: a temperature of 14.60C was taken - the three wash hand basins in the sanitary facility adjacent to Junior Preschool 3 and 4: water temperature readings of 15.70C 15.90C and 160C and were taken. - one of the wash hand basins in the nappy changing area on the first floor: a water temperature of 16.50C was recorded. Administration of Medication: 5. The expiry date had passed on one of the two medications that were held in respect of a child. This posed a risk that expired medication, which may be unsafe to use, could be administered to a child. Safe Sleep: 6. The air temperature in the Toddler room was not maintained between 180C and 220C, as required for safe sleep practice for children aged over 12 months. A temperature reading of 22.90C was recorded, while this room was in use to accommodate a scheduled sleep period. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The written reply stated that updated Garda vetting for said staff members has been applied for. 2. Since the inspection, the artificial grass in said areas has either been removed or fixed. As a preventive measure, daily inspections will be conducted by the deputy each morning, to ensure that the outdoor area is safe to use. 3. A mat runner is currently in place to cover the flooring in the corridor, as replacement flooring is awaited. The new floor covering will prevent any trip hazards. The deputy advised that the new flooring will be installed in July 2024. Infection Control: 4. Staff members in the Wobbler room and in the Junior Preschool rooms advised management that, on the morning of the inspection, the hot water switches had not been turned on. The water tanks in each of said rooms have been checked and the thermometer used to regulate the hot water temperature has been adjusted to the correct temperature of 430C or below. Current temperature readings are noted as between 350C and 420C. Going forward, water temperatures will be monitored daily by room leaders. Staff members have also been advised of the importance of turning on the hot water each morning. Administration of Medication: 5. The expired medication has been returned to the parents and disposed of correctly. Staff members have been advised about the importance of checking the expiry date on each medication and have also been instructed to ensure that any out of date medication is returned to parents immediately. Safe Sleep: 6. Staff members will ensure that both windows are opened first thing each morning, in order to ensure that the room is maintained at the correct temperature, especially in the warm weather. Daily inspections will be conducted by the deputy, to ensure that all room temperatures are within the correct temperature range
Regulation 28 — Insurance
- The insurance policy provided on the day of inspection did not indicate the type of service insured. Not appropriately insuring the service may hinder appropriate management of concerns that require a response from an insurance company. It was acknowledged that details of updated insurance cover were received on 16 May 2024
Provider's corrective action:
- The service’s insurance company was contacted and an updated insurance cert was issued. This includes the required details and states that the service provides full day care. In future, the service will ensure that all correspondence with the insurance company includes the correct information
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) In the Toddler room, there was evidence of mould growth adjacent to both windows. (e) Two of the taps within the sanitary facilities on the first floor were not maintained in proper working order, as follows: − A tap at one of the wash hand basins in the sanitary facility adjacent to Junior Preschool 3, was covered with a disposable glove and was not working. The supervisor later advised that this tap had been leaking. − A mixer tap in the nappy changing facility adjacent to the Toddler room, was wrapped in cello tape and was unavailable for use
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) The response stated that the mould growth adjacent to both windows in the Toddler room has been removed. The area has been painted and will be closely monitored to prevent reoccurrence. (e) The taps within both sanitary facilities have been replaced. Going forward, the service’s safety officer will ensure that all taps are working correctly and will replace any broken taps immediately
Found compliant: Regulation 19, 25, 26.