Inspection of 22 January 2024 — Inspection Report
Full report: search this service ID on the Tusla inspection reports search. The direct file name contains the provider's personal name, which this site does not publish.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (4) There was no documentary evidence available that the qualification of one of the staff members who worked directly with the children was equivalent to at least a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action The service contacted the Quality and Qualifications Ireland and provided a record of staff’s relevant qualification. Preventive action The service will ensure all staff qualifications are in line with the National Qualifications Framework in early years education
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- (1)(b) The following were observed not to be appropriate or suitable care practices: Supportive strategies such a reading the child’s cue, following the child’s interest, careful timing of activities, the provision of age-appropriate and alternative activities was not observed, limiting the child’s choice and movement through their care environment. This could potentially hamper the child’s independent decision-making skills. The following care practices were observed: o Children in the Toddler room ranging in age from 1 year and 11 months to 2 years and 10 months were seated at the table for two activities: pegs and peg boards and chalkboards. Children were required to remain seated for these activities for a 30-minute period, from 10.20am to 10.50pm, with staff observed to repeatedly remind children to sit down and do their work. Staff were observed to continually direct the play during the peg-board activity by repeatedly telling the children not to mess with the pegs, to keep the pegs on the peg boards, and not to drop pegs on the floor. The children did not have access to free play, which was not reflective of the daily routine which was displayed in the room. o Children in the Montessori were not provided with an alternative activity to circle time and were not supported in their social interaction with their peers. Staff were observed to tell children who were not interested in the circle time conversation and were engaged in their own conversation to be quiet. A child who was engaged in a meaningful conversation with their friend was physically lifted away from their friend and placed on another chair in order to limit the interaction. These care practices were not in line with the service policy on behaviour management and curriculum which stated there would be developmentally appropriate expectations, and that freedom of movement and choice is supported
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action Staff were updated on management of behaviours and free movement of children in the rooms. Different activity stations and free play introduced. Children activities to last no more than 10 mins in duration. Routines to be based on a daily observation. Staff updated on policies and procedures regarding Managing Behaviour. Preventive Action The service commits that training for staff will be carried out annually (for new staff on induction week) or more often if needed, on dealing with behaviour management and interacting with children. Manager/Assistant manager will carry out daily, weekly checks in the rooms to ensure staff are following companies Behaviour management policy, Interaction policy, implementing best practice
Regulation 21 — Equipment and materials
- The registered provider did not ensure the following: 1. The was not an adequate and suitable range of books in good condition accessible to the children in the Toddler and Montessori rooms. This could potentially impact engagement of children in early language and literacy experiences. For example o In the Montessori room, there were only ten books observed to be available to the 14 children on the day of the inspection, and of these two were observed to be maintained in poor condition, for example torn or missing pages. o There were 16 books observed to be available to the 10 children on the day of the inspection, and of these six were observed to be maintained in poor condition, for example torn or missing pages and seven were not suitable to the age and stage of the children in the room. 2. There was not a suitable cosy area in the Montessori room for the children to take a break from activities and rest. The small bean bag available was not adequate. 3. There was no adult seating in the Montessori room, as a result a staff member was observed sitting on a table comforting a child in need of support. 4. The outdoor kitchen did not have props or accessories available which limited the play experiences of the children. 5. There was no nappy changing mat available in the nappy changing room used by the Baby room resulting in the children having to lie on a hard surface for nappy changes. This did not support a comfortable experience during nappy changes
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Corrective action: the damaged books were replaced additional books were added to the books available. Books suitable to the age and stage of the children in the room were provided for the Toddler room. Preventive action: the service ensure books will always be available for children and will substitute them if they are in poor condition. The service commits to replace all books on a monthly based. 2. Corrective action: A new sofa was purchased. 3. Corrective action: chairs have been added in the room. Preventive action: no action submitted. 4. Corrective action: the service have added the accessories for the outdoor kitchen. Preventive action: Manager and assistant manager will ensure all the materials will be available in the outdoor area all the time. 5. Corrective action: New Changing mat was added in the changing units in the baby room
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. An adult’s bike was observed to be stored in the entrance hall to the service, which was accessible to children. This posed a potential risk of falling and injuring a child. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 2. The nappy changing procedure was not carried out according to the service nappy changing policy and poses a risk of cross-contamination. The following practices were observed: o Staff member did not remove and dispose of their gloves immediately after the nappy change and was observed to re-dress children wearing the gloves. o A child’s hands were not washed after nappy change. 3. The disposal systems in use in the Baby room nappy changing area, and the Montessori room sanitary accommodation were not suitable and increased the risk of cross contamination: o The bin in the Baby room nappy changing facility, which also operates as the staff toilet did not have a pedal operated lidded bin for the disposal of waste material. It is acknowledged that nappies were not disposed of in this bin. o The pedal on the lidded bin in the Montessori room sanitary accommodation was broke and required hand touch to operate. 4. The sink in the Baby room nappy changing facility, which also operates as the staff toilet was observed to be dirty, with debris visible on the edge of the sink. This increased the risk of cross contamination. 5. Hand washing was not observed to be consistent throughout the service, the children in the Toddler room did not have their hands washed before snack time. Points 2 and 5 were identified as non-compliance on the last inspection held on the 26 January 2023 and actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Corrective action: the service have provided an outdoor area for parking bikes for staff. Preventive action: no action submitted. Infection Control: 2. Corrective action: the service has informed staff about nappy changing practice and ensure staff have read the policies and procedures regarding changing nappies/ infection control. Preventive action: Manager/Assistant manager will carry out daily, weekly checks in the rooms and premises to ensure staff are following the company Infection control policy and nappy changing best practice. 3. Corrective action: the bins have been replaced with a new one in baby room (changing unit) and Montessori room. Preventive action: Manager/Assistant manager will carry out daily, weekly checks in the rooms and premises to ensure all equipment is in good condition. 4. Corrective action: the service will ensure to clean the sink area immediately after use to avoid cross contamination. Preventive action: A staff meeting was held in December where there was a discussion on infection control and nappies changes procedures. Another staff meeting will be held in February 2024. 5. Corrective action: the service will ensure all the rooms follow the infection control policy on hand washing. Preventive action: Manager/Assistant manager will carry out daily, weekly checks in the rooms and premises: to ensure staff are following company Infection control policy
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) The registered provider did not ensure the premises were cleaned, repaired and maintained as required: 1. In the Montessori room, the fridge and the microwave were visibly dirty. 2. In the sanitary accommodation of the Toddler and Montessori rooms the following was observed: o The surface of the step used by the children in the Toddler room to use the toilet was worn and did not have a wipeable surface. o The surface of the chair in Montessori sanitary accommodation was worn and did not have a wipeable surface. 3. The flooring was not flush to the wall in the Toddler room, with the gaps visible. This limited effective cleaning. 4. The walls in the Toddler room were in poor condition with chipped flaking paint, they were visibly dirty with stains and debris
Provider's corrective action:
- (d) Corrective Action 1. The fridge has been removed from the Montessori room as it is not in use. The microwave was cleaned. 2. The steps in the Toddler room were washed and a new chair was provided for the Montessori toilet. 3. The floor has been repaired. 4. The walls in the room have been cleaned and will be maintained. Preventive Action 1-4 Manager/Assistant manager will carry out daily checks in the rooms and premises, to ensure the rooms and equipment are in good condition and cleaning procedures are correctly followed
Regulation 32 — Complaints
- The registered provider did not ensure the following: (2)(b) Although it is acknowledged that there was a record maintained of a complaint that was made, there was no final review with a response given from the registered provider. Following discussion with staff and a review of documentation the inspectors found that a complaint was not dealt with in accordance with the service complaints policy. (3)(a) Although it is acknowledged that all records were made available to the inspectors, a complete record in writing was not maintained of the way the complaint was dealt with. The record reviewed did not demonstrate that complaint made had been closed out
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective Action (2)(a)(3)(a) The registered provider will ensure the complaint policies are followed and each of the customer cases is dealt with in line with the policy. Preventive Action The service is responsible for ensuring that all complaints are handled in accordance with policy and procedures. To ensure that everything followed the service policies, the service will monitor complaints on a regular basis and conduct follow-ups. Additionally, customers will be responded within a timely manner in accordance with service protocols. The service will ascertain that the complaints have been closed and that a final examination and maintenance of records will occur
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 26.