Inspection of 21 May 2025 — Inspection Report
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Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Two children were observed to have popcorn for their lunch in the blue and red rooms presenting a potential choking hazard to a child. This is at variance with the service’s healthy eating policy that stated ‘’Lunches will be healthy containing no junk food, fizzy drinks, no nuts or popcorn.’’ 2. A hanging cable from a television unit was noted in the red room which posed a potential risk of injury to a child. Infection Control: 1. Thermostatically controlled warm water was not provided to encourage handwashing. Children were observed to wash their hands in cold water in the sanitary accommodation of the red and blue room. It is acknowledged that the upon request of the inspector the registered provider took a corrective action and put on the immersion to heat the water. 2. The child height hand towel dispenser in the sanitary accommodation was not in use. Staff assistance was required for some children to reach the paper towels after hand washing which were hanging on a roller on the back of the door in the sanitary accommodation. Staff were observed taking paper towels from the dispenser and handing them to the children. This posed a potential risk of cross contamination. 3. The corner of a nappy changing mat in the sanitary accommodation in the red room was torn and therefore could not be effectively cleaned which increases the risk of cross contamination. 4. Craft felt materials and children’s high vis jackets were stored in the sanitary accommodation in the red room which posed a risk of potential cross contamination. 5. Persishible items such as yoghurts and ham sandwiches contained within the children’s lunchboxes were not refrigerated. Outing: 1. Documented risk assessments relating to outings from the service that had previously occurred were not in place to support practice and ensure the safety of the children. The inspectors were informed that the children are brought on outings weekly to the local pitch which is located at the end of the Cul de sac where the service is located. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The healthy eating policy and risk management policies were reviewed and updated. All staff were trained in the new policies. 2. The cable was removed. A weekly risk assessment checklist has been implemented. Hazard checks will be conducted regularly using the new checklists. All staff received training. Infection Control: 1. A sign was put in place at the immersion to remind staff to turn the immersion on daily. 2. Paper hand towels were ordered. 3. A new nappy changing mat was ordered. 4. The items stored above the toilet were removed. 5. A fridge was purchased for use in the preschool and perishable lunches are now stored in the fridge. Outing: 1. The outing policy was reviewed and updated. Weekly outdoor risk assessments are being conducted, and a checklist is in place. All staff were trained in the new policies
Regulation 25 — First aid
- The first aid boxes were not stocked in line with TUSLA requirements as outlined in the Quality Regulatory Framework document. Checklists were not in place. The following was noted in the first aid box in the red room. • The burns dressing had an expiry date of December 2014. • The normal saline had an expiry date of August 2020. • The bandages had an expiry date of September 2013. • There were no paramedic shears in the first aid box
Provider's corrective action:
- Two new first aid boxes were purchased for the Blue room and Red room. The registered provider will check all first aid boxes monthly
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- There was no maintenance record of firefighting equipment and smoke alarms for the service
Provider's corrective action:
- Maintenance record obtained for fire extinguishers and fire blankets dated 31/03/2025. Smoke alarms were tested on 06/06/25
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (d) 1. A toilet in the sanitary accommodation in the blue room had a large hole on the right-hand side of the cistern. 2. A light fitting was not in place and an exposed bulb was noted in the sanitary accommodation of the blue room which posed potential risk of harm if a bulb shattered. 3. The carpet on two steps of the stairs of the play unit in the red room was ripped and required repair. 4. The surface layer of the children’s couch in the red room was worn and required replacement. 5. The large table in the red room had worn edges and required repair and painting. 6. The play units in the red room had missing surface strips and required replacement and painting. 7. The wooden ‘’buddy bench’’ in the outdoor play area required painting
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The cistern was repaired. 2. The bulb was covered with a light fitting in the sanitary accommodation of the blue room. 3. The carpet on the stairs has been replaced. 4. A new cover for the couch in the rest area in the red room was purchased. 5. A new table for the red room was purchased. 6. Surface strips were replaced on shelving on the red room play units. 7. The ‘buddy bench’ in the outdoor area was repainted
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 19, 20, 28.