Inspection of 24 March 2026 — Inspection Report
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- While it is acknowledged that the children were provided with freedom of choice in their play and there was a wide variety of activities and areas of interest available to the children the following observations require a review of the practices around management of transitions, routines and children’s behaviours. 1. The management of transitions in the service require to be reviewed as they were too long. It was observed that the children were sitting at tables waiting for food to be served and became bored. Some children were observed getting up and moving around the care room with their drinks, a child did not want to eat and then engaged in a noisy activity which distracted some children eating. 2. Boundaries around snack time were not managed as one child sat at the teacher’s desk to eat snack rather than at the table with the other children, another child declined snack and played noisily in the care room with other children leaving their snack to join in. 3. While children were getting ready to go outdoors, some children were observed running in the care room and diving on to the floor. Other children were observed climbing on the furniture, another child was observed pushing over chairs on the floor. It is acknowledged that the staff members attempted to manage the behaviours however the children did not respond to the requests to stop their running. 4. The noise level in the room was very loud and did not create an environment conducive to suit every child’s opportunity and experience for learning
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Within the preschool going forward, we will continue to implement the smaller groups routine. Lunches are prepared early to ease the transitions around lunch time and with a smaller group at each lunch time. 2. Children are now sitting in smaller groups for lunch time at the same table . We will continue to have smaller groups eating lunch together at the same table. This will help with children focusing on the task at hand and ease their transitions from one activity to the next 3. Dividing the group into smaller groups makes it an easier and quieter transition from inside to outside and vice versa. We will continue this routine as it is working well. It is easier for the children to focus and listen to instructions when in a smaller group. 4. By dividing the groups into smaller groups, the noise levels have reduced. We will continue with this routine as it is working well. It is easier for the children to focus and listen to instructions when in a smaller group
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The main entrance door to the prefabricated building was not secured and allowed unauthorised entry to the hall/ cloakroom outside the care room . It is acknowledged that the door to the care room was secured to prevent unsupervised exit of a child. 2. There was no documentary evidence available that written daily indoors and outdoors risk assessments were completed to ensure a safe play and work environment for the children and staff. 3. The three unguarded supporting wooden beams in covered outdoor area posed an injury risk to a child if they failed to see them when playing and ran into them. Infection Control: 4. Hanging shower curtains were used to provided privacy in the t wo toilet areas. This was not suitable for infection control purposes. 5. The doors to the sanitary accommodation were removed and the sanitary area was not closed off from the care room. The kitchen/food preparation area was located beside the sanitary a ccommodation which was not suitable for infection control. 6. An open bin was observed in the care room beside the dishwasher, and the contents were accessible to the children Fire Safety: 7. There was no fire assembly signage in place in the outdoor area although it is acknowledged that the staff members demonstrated knowledge where the assembly point was. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Since the inspection, we have acted very quickly by getting a company to install a camera system on 22 April 2026 in place on the outside of the prefab. The camera points to the main front door. There is a screen installed inside in the main preschool room which allows us to see who is at the door. A new doorbell was installed outside to alert us when someone is calling. This allows us to have the main entrance door locked at all times. Staff now meet the children at the main front door at the beginning of each session rather than at the inside secured door. All parents were notified of the new system. 2. Staff arrive to work 15 minutes before the session and ensure that the indoor and outdoor risk assessments are done to ensure the service is safe before the children enter. A written logbook is used to record the daily risk assessments. Each one signed and dated by the staff member. 3. The three wooden beams in the outside area were covered and secured with padded material halfway up each beam to ensure that no injury would occur if a child ran into them. This padding will be checked daily to ensure it is still secure and safe. If needed in the future it will be replaced immediately. Infection Control: 4. We have contacted a company about measuring and fitting full length doors. We will keep in contact with the company to get a date to measure and fit the doors for the two toilet areas as soon as possible. 5. We have contacted a company about measuring and fitting full length doors. We will keep in contact with the company to get a date to measure and fit the doors for the two toilet areas as soon as possible. 6. Since the inspection, a new bin was purchased with a foot pedal for the lid to open and closed . We will check the bins during our daily safety checks to ensure all lids are open and closing using the foot pedal. Fire Safety: 7. The recommended signage was purchased and installed inside and outside for the assembly point. Ensure signage is intact and readable. They will be replaced immediately if needed
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
- (3) (a), (b) There was no visitor book available to record the inspector’s entry to the premises
Provider's corrective action:
- (3)(a)(b) There is a visitor book with date, name, company, telephone, time in and out, reason for visit and who person authorising entry. We will ensure this book is used correctly and kept safe
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- (4) A notice of the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire was not conspicuously displayed in the service
Provider's corrective action:
- (4) The recommended signage was purchased and installed inside. Ensure signage is intact and readable. They will be replaced immediately if needed
Regulation 27 — Supervision
- The supervision of the children was compromised at 11:45am as evidenced by the following observation: 1. The Inspector was in the hall/ cloakroom area when 2 children came into the cloakroom from the outdoor area at the rear of the premises to get their coats and bags as they were going home. There was no adult with them
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. The two staff members were in the outdoor area with the children. The children were handed over to the care off their childminder from the gated outdoor area . Parents and childminders have been reminded to take the children’s bags first from the hallway before collecting the children if the children are in the outside area. This will ensure a safer transition at home time, and it will ensure that the incident will not reoccur
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 25, 28.