Inspection of 7 August 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. A photocopying unit was located at a height on top of a shelf in the Toddler room. The shelving unit was not secured to the wall and was in reach of the children posing a risk of injury should the unit fall from a height. 2. A low-level press in the Montessori room contained multiple cleaning products. The press was unlocked and in reach of the children posing a risk of harm to a child. Infection Control: 3. The nappy changing policy and associated practices in place in the service were inadequate to prevent cross contamination and the spread of infection as evidenced by the following; - A staff member did not consistently wash their hands between nappy changes and did not wear a protective apron whilst changing soiled nappies. The staff member was observed following nappy changing to be involved in food preparation. This was at variance with the nappy changing policy in place in the service which stated staff involved in nappy changing would not be involved in food preparation. - Children’s hands were not washed following nappy changing. - The nappy changing mat was not consistently cleaned in between nappy changes. - The staff members observed did not removed soiled gloves which had been worn during nappy changing before re-dressing children. The nappy changing policy in place in the service did not detail all the required steps to prevent cross contamination and prevent the spread of infection. 4. Some of the bins in use for disposal of waste in the Toddler, Montessori, and Pre-Montessori rooms were not pedal operated and were unlidded and in reach of the children posing a risk of cross contamination. 5. There were no paper towels available in the Montessori room for children to dry their hands following handwashing. Children were observed using facial and toilet tissues to dry hands which frayed and became stuck to their hands when drying. 6. The Montessori children’s hands were not washed following outdoor play. This was at variance with the infection control policies in place in the service. 7. Children’s soothers were not appropriately sterilised after use. Staff members reported they were rinsed with water after use which is ineffective for infection control purposes. 8. The handwash sinks in the children’s bathrooms in the Montessori room were stained and soiled and required a deep clean. Action submitted by the Registered Provider The registered provider submitted the following response:
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. After the Tusla inspection the photocopier was moved to a smaller/lower sturdier unit. The service will ensure only secured units are used moving forward. 2. The low-level press in Montessori room containing cleaning products have all been removed and stored out of reach of children. Infection Control: 3. The service had a staff meeting about the inspection outcome and have discussed the nappy changing policy and hygiene, going forward all staff will wear the aprons provided. Gloves will be changed before re-dressing a child, this has been updated in the nappy changing policy. A different member of staff will now prepare dinner to prevent cross contamination. Hand hygiene has also been corrected and the policy updated. 4. New pedal bins have been bought for all rooms and will be in place moving forward. 5. Paper towels have been filled in all dispensers in every room. 6. Hand washing and the importance of hygiene was discussed at the staff meeting after inspection. The policy has been updated, and children and staff are now washing hands at appropriate intervals. 7. Children now have their own soother box, and soothers are sterilised throughout the day as needed. 8. The handwash sinks in Montessori room got a deep clean and are no longer stained
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- The procedures to be followed during a fire drill and in the event of a fire were not displayed in the service on the day of inspection
Provider's corrective action:
- The registered provider submitted the following response: Corrective and Preventive Action The fire drill procedures are now displayed on the back of every classroom door. These procedures will be practiced each month
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19.