Following review of the staff files, the following was not available; (2) (a) (b) There were no written, validated references on file for one staff member. One written reference available on file for one staff member was not validated. (4) There was no qualification on file for one staff member who the registered providers advised works with preschool children in a relief capacity
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) Reference’s received, printed and validated. (b) Reference printed and validated. (4) Qualifications are pending from the governing body. This relief staff member will continue to work in afterschool and will not be used as a relief preschool staff member until qualifications have been received
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1) (h) The details of the arrival of children attending the Acorn Room each morning were being recorded by a “tick” instead of actual arrival times being recorded. It is acknowledged that the times of the children’s departure from the service were recorded
Provider's corrective action:
Times children arrive and leave are now recorded on the sheet. Ensure staff are using both arrival and departure times when children are entering and leaving the premises
Regulation 25 — First aid
(2) (a) (b) • The first aid materials available on site between both preschool rooms did not contain an adequate supply of materials for the number of children registered to attend the preschool. • Temperature-reducing medications, suncream and antiseptic creams were stored in the first aid boxes, which are at risk of leaking and contaminating the contents of the first aid box. This is a recurring non-compliance from the last inspection, where the registered provider's response detailed that “medicines and ointments have been removed and are stored in a separate box and to ensure medicines and ointments are always labelled and stored in a separate box to other first aid items”. The corrective and preventive actions taken by the registered providers did not prevent the non-compliance from recurring
Provider's corrective action:
First aid boxes have now been updated and restocked in both preschool rooms. Medication, sun creams and other creams are now stored in a separate box. Ensure all staff are aware of items not being mixed and that these items remain in separate boxes moving forward
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) In the outdoor area, the tarmacked surface around the manhole was uneven and posed a potential trip hazard. This was a non-compliance upon the last inspection, and the registered providers advised the inspector that the surface area around the manhole had been repaired in line with their corrective and preventive actions at the time, and the uneven surface has reappeared
Provider's corrective action:
Area is currently managed by a staff member when outdoors to ensure children are not using the toys near the area. We are awaiting a large tractor tyre to cover this area and will continue to use items like this to cover the area moving forward until a permanent solution is found
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 20, 23, 26, 28.
(2)(a) and (b)The student did not have 2 written and validated references. (d) Two adults who had lived outside the Irish jurisdiction for a period of 6 months or more did not have international police vetting. (4) One staff observed working directly with the preschool children did not have documentary evidence of a major childcare award at a minimum Level 5
Provider's corrective action:
(2)(a)and(b) The student’s documents were submitted on the next day of their placement. The registered provider will ensure all documents for students are received prior to their start date. (d) Both staff members have contacted the relevant embassies regarding correct vetting. The registered provider will ensure relevant international police vetting is sought before commencement of work. (4) This person no longer works in the morning and is employed in the afternoon with the school age children. The registered providers will always ensure anyone working directly with the preschool children will have a
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1)(h) The details of all children attending the Acorn Room were not documented on the attendance records. For example, two children present in the care room were not recorded as being present. In addition, attendance was being recorded by a “tick” instead of the actual arrival and departure times being recorded
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(h) Times of arrival are now written down, rather than being recorded by a “tick”. The tablet is now in the Acorn room for staff to log children in and out through the service electronic application. Summary Comment The registered providers response has been accepted and the non-compliance addressed. This will be for review at the next inspection
Regulation 20 — Facilities for rest and play
1. The steering wheel of 3 of the ride on cars in use had their steering wheels broken off and this was a potential injury hazard. 2. The tarmacked surface around the manhole was raised and uneven, a hole had also developed in it. This was a trip and injury hazard
Provider's corrective action:
1. The bubble cars have now been removed from the service. All staff members made aware to check toys for broken parts and if necessary remove straightaway. 2. Traffic cone is being placed over the hole as a precaution. Tarmac is due to be replaced during October break, postponed earlier in the summer due to poor weather
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
The Inspectorate is not assured that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the pre-school children attending the service based on the following observations made during the inspection: General Safety: 1. While it is acknowledged that Garda vetting was available all staff members 2 of these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. There were unprotected sharp corners on the white shelving unit and wall mounted bookshelf in the Oaks room and the white shelving in the Acorn Room. 3. There was a microwave oven in the home corners in both rooms which were unsecured and accessible to the children. These were a potential impact hazard. 4. One of the door handles in the Acorn Room was broken and sharp. This was an injury hazard. Infection Control: 5. There were 2 cloth towels in the Acorn Room which were used for drying the children’s hands. This was an infection control and cross infection risk
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective & Preventive Action General Safety: 1. Garda vetting has been renewed for all staff members. Ensure Garda vetting is re-applied for before expiry date. 2. Rubber edge protectors have now been added to all exposed edges. The registered provider will keep up to date with any items that may need to be covered or protected. 3. Microwaves have been removed. The registered provider will ensure that any unsecured items are screwed down or on the floor. 4. The door handle has been since replaced. All door and window handles will be checked regularly. Infection Control: 5. The towels have now been removed from the classroom. Staff are reminded that blue roll is available in the rooms for drying children’s hands
Regulation 25 — First aid
(1) The registered providers did not ensure that there was a person trained in First Aid Response for children, on the premises at all times. There was 1 person with FAR training and they were not present at all times during the inspection. (2)(a) and (b) 1. The first aid boxes were not suitably equipped. There were no antiseptic wipes in either box. 2. Temperature reducing medications and an anti -allergy medication was stored in the first aid box as were opened tubes of antiseptic creams, antibiotic ointment and mouth gel which are at risk of leaking and contaminating the contents of the box
Provider's corrective action:
(1) The registered provider will ensure that one FAR registered staff member is on the premises at all times. When the service re-opens in September, 1 new staff member will have FAR training and 2 other staff members will be enrolled in FAR training. (2)(a) and (b) 1. First Aid boxes have now been replenished. First Aid boxes will be checked more frequently. 2. Medicines and ointments have been removed and are stored in a separate box/ Ensure medicines and ointments are always labelled and stored in a separate box to other first aid items. Summary Comment The Inspectorate have reviewed the registered providers response and further information given on 21/8/24 which confirmed there will be 2 staff in total with FAR training when the service re-opens in September 2024. The registered provider will ensure 1 staff member with FAR training is on the premises at all times. The non- compliance has been addressed and will be for review at the next inspection
Regulation 29 — Premises
(c) There was a strong lingering odour coming from 1 of the toilets on the ground floor. It is acknowledged that the toilet was only being used as a storage area
Provider's corrective action:
(c) Items have been removed from the bathroom and the room cleaned thoroughly. Toilet may be removed if the smell persists after continuous cleaning. Summary Comment The registered providers response has been accepted and the non-compliance addressed