(a)(b) The required validated references for six adults were not available to the inspector. (d) Documents reviewed demonstrated that the required police vetting was not available for two staff members
On inspection of the staff files, vetting procedures, including the acquisition of Police vetting and the assessment of references were not thoroughly conducted prior to some staff being appointed, assigned, or allowed access to children in the service
On review of a previous non-compliance in March 2025, the qualification records of seven staff members were reviewed, five staff had successfully achieved the required award. However, while it is recognised that two staff members were studying for a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 6 on the National Qualifications Framework, they did not hold the required qualification on the day of the inspection
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated that the required validated references are now on file. International Police vetting has been received and documentation submitted demonstrated the second adult did not require police vetting. The personnel file checklist has been updated to include a prompt to check new staff’s C.V.’s for the possible requirement of police vetting. The registered provider will ensure this check list will be used to ensure all documentation is in place prior to new staff joining the team. Documents submitted demonstrated that staff members were continuing their training and were not included it the adult child ratio until they had reached at least a Level 5 major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 6 on the National Qualifications Framework
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: • On day 1, in the senior baby sleep room, a blind cord had become detached from its safety attachment and was dangling loosely. It is acknowledged that the cot was placed at a distance to the cord so a child in the cot was unable to reach it. Infection Control: • The inspector observed the following non-compliances in the junior toddler’s toilet facilities on day 1 of the inspection: • The rubbish bin for disposal of used paper hand towels did not have a lid /cover and was not pedal operated, to align with best practices for infection control in a preschool setting. • The class’s paint brushes were stored in containers hanging off a rail over the hand wash basins in the toilet facilities which posed a risk of spread of any potential infection. • The floor brush, dustpan and brush were also observed to be stored in the toilets which also posed a risk of spread of any potential infection. • In both junior baby room sleep rooms the cots were not adequately spaced at 50 centimetres apart as recommended by infection control guidelines. Measurements recorded by the inspector indicated that only the cots on either side of the entrance doors to each sleep room were spaced at > 50 centimetres apart. All other spaces between the cots ranged from 15 to 30 centimetres which were not in line with the recommended spacing guidelines. Safe Sleep: • The room temperature in one of the sleep rooms in the baby room was not maintained within the recommended range of 16 to 20° C as required by safe sleep guidelines for children aged 1 year and younger. At 12:00, the inspector observed that the temperature in the sleep room was recorded as being 22°C and having been prompted by the inspector, the staff opened the windows to ventilate the room and pulled down the blackout blinds. At 12:47 the temperature was recorded as being 21.1°C and at 15:20 hours the sleep room temperature was recorded by the inspector as being 20°C. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The cord has been replaced by a different mechanism to operate the blind. Staff have been made aware of the risk associated with loose blind cords. Infection Control: 2. The registered provider stated the that children’s art supplies, and cleaning materials have been removed from the sanitary area with new pedal bins installed where required. Staff have been reminded of the risk of cross infection particularly in sanitary areas. 3. Two cots have been ordered with which are smaller and as a result, there will be more space to accommodate the required number of cots in the sleep room. Staff will have room to reconfigure the cots and ensure the require space is between them. Safe Sleep: 4. The room temperature in the sleep rooms is now being maintained at the required temperature for sleeping children. Staff have received training on the use of the air conditioning unit in the sleep room
Regulation 24 — Checking in and out and record of attendance
On the inspector’s arrival on both days of the inspection, there was no requirement to sign in and through discussion with the registered provider they confirmed there was a visitors record book
Provider's corrective action:
The registered provider stated there was a visitors log in operation in the service however it was not used on the day. Going forward, all visitors will be required to sign in and out of the building
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued on the 5th of March 2025 regarding a non-compliance identified under Regulation 23, Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child. An adequate response was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 5th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliance. An immediate notice was issued on the 6th of March 2025 regarding a non-compliance identified under Regulation 9(2) Management and Recruitment. An adequate response was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 6th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliance.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
(2) The inspectors reviewed 57 staff files. The manager outlined, in discussion with the inspectors, that the service had undergone a process of transferring their records from hard copy to a computer system. The following non- compliances were identified: (a)(b) Evidence of validated references was not available for 49 staff. (c) Garda vetting was not available for three staff members on the day of the inspection. An immediate action notice was issued on the 6th of March 2025 regarding this non-compliance. An adequate response was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 6th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliance. (d) Police vetting was not available for six staff members who had resided outside the country for six months or longer. It is acknowledged that police vetting was available for eight staff. Documentation was not available for nine staff members to determine if police vetting was required. (4) On a review of the staff files, there was no evidence that seven staff had achieved at least a major award in Early childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the minister to be equivalent. The manager has stated that she has applied for equivalency for three staff from the Department of Children Disability and Equality
Provider's corrective action:
(a)(b) The registered provider stated that the staff listed now have the required references validated. They stated that all personnel files have been refiled in new pocket folders with an updated Index and Checklist to ensure all documents are accounted for. (c) An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 6th of March 2025 for non-compliance identified under this regulation. The registered provider submitted an adequate response to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 6th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliance immediately. They stated that the three staff members were not employed to work directly with the children and are employed in auxiliary roles. The registered provider stated that an updated records checking Excel form/system is now in use to ensure end dates of mandatory forms and training are flagged with enough time for renewal on time. (d)The registered provider stated that one staff member who required police vetting has since resigned from their post (4) The registered provider stated that two staff members are currently completing their QQI Level 5 award, and three staff members who need to upskill to meet the required QQI Award Level 5 and 6 standards will be supported under the centre’s Training Policy to achieve their certification. However, evidence submitted demonstrated that the remaining two staff do not have the required qualification. They stated that they have reviewed all personnel files on record to ensure that all qualifications are listed on the DCEDIY list. The anomaly surrounding a completed course was raised at a recent in-house Risk Workshop and brought to the attention of the Board of Directors. The training policy has been reviewed and new wording added to outline the importance of qualifications meeting the standards listed on the DCEDIY’s Early Years Recognised Qualifications List. The registered provider stated that they have reviewed the induction checklist for personnel and updated the wording for the parts dealing with qualifications, verification, etc
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) Details required on the medication administration forms were not recorded. The inspector reviewed a sample of 15 medication administration records, and of these, 8 did not have the required signatures. (k) Details required on the accident and incident forms were not recorded. The inspector reviewed a sample of 12 accident and incident forms, and of these, 7 did not have the signatures required by the service's accident and incident policy
Provider's corrective action:
(j) The registered provider stated that in-house training was completed with a refresher on how to ensure records are completed accurately when logging an accident or incident on the centre’s digital application. The Administration of Medication Policy was also reviewed and updated, with the updated extract circulated to each playroom’s lead person for explanation to each playroom team. The registered provider stated that a refresher training exercise on the administration of medicine will be carried out bi-annually and/or when the policy is updated, new guidance is received, etc. A member of the office team will monitor the digital application for the acceptance of policies, in particular the Administration of Medication Policy. Where signatures are not added, staff will be contacted with a query as to why the policy isn’t signed off by them, together with an offer of support to guide them through the policy, help them to understand the procedure, Tusla guidance, etc., to ensure what’s required is adhered to. (k) The registered provider stated that in-house training was completed with a refresher on how to ensure records are completed accurately when logging an accident or incident on the centre’s digital application. The Accidents and Incidents Policy was also reviewed and updated, with the updated extract circulated to each playroom’s lead person for explanation to each playroom team. The registered provider stated that a refresher training exercise on the recording of Accidents & Incidents will be carried out bi-annually and/or when the policy is updated, new guidance is received, etc. A member of the office team will monitor the digital application for the acceptance of policies, in particular our Accidents & Incidents Policy. Where signatures are not added, staff will be contacted with a query as to why the policy isn’t signed off by them, together with an offer of support to guide them through the policy, help them to understand the procedure, Tusla guidance, etc., to ensure what’s required is adhered to. The registered provider stated that if further training is needed, the service will avail of external training, use resources available to us from the Tusla website, Waterford Childcare Committee, NCN, Barnardos, ECI, etc. Also, as part of Induction training a member of the office team will take staff through a ‘how to’ guide to access policies, procedures and statements
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. The service did not demonstrate full compliance with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, requiring services to renew Garda vetting every three years as one staff member's vetting was not in date. Infection Control: 2. Handwashing practice was not in line with the service's policy, this posed a risk of cross-infection. For example: • The children in the baby room did not have their hands washed before their snack in the afternoon. • Handwashing after nappy changing in the baby room was observed to be inconsistent. Some staff adhered to the nappy changing policy on display, but others did not wash their hands after the procedure. • The baby's hands were not washed after nappy changing. Safe Sleep: 3. Several practices observed on the first day of inspection concerning the provision of safe sleep were not in line with the service's safe sleep policy. For example: • The room temperatures recorded in the sleep rooms adjacent to the baby room were above the recommended range of 16-20⁰C. The temperatures recorded while the children were sleeping are detailed below. Time Sleep room next to desk Sleep room to the side of the kitchenette. Children Sleeping 12:45 22.7⁰C One child over one year 13:05 23.1⁰C One child over one year 13:30 25.4⁰C One child over one year 13:40 23.5⁰C One child over one year 14:00 22.7⁰C 24.6⁰C One child over one year An immediate action notice was issued on the 5th of March 2025 regarding this non- compliance. An adequate response was submitted to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 5th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliance. • Staff who were recording the safe sleep checks were not aware they were required to also note the temperatures in the sleep room. • Two children did not have sleep checks of their colour, breathing and position carried out every 10 minutes as stated in the service's safe sleep policy. • Some staff were noted not going into the room to observe the sleeping children but were observing through the glass door. • Four cots were situated next to radiators which did not follow the service’s sleep policy, which stated that cots should not be placed beside a radiator. It is acknowledged at 12:45 when the inspector informed staff of the high temperatures recorded in the sleep rooms, they opened the windows, and the maintenance person arrived promptly to adjust the radiators. The temperatures recorded on the second day of the inspection at 10:25 were recorded at 20.7⁰C and 20.8⁰C in both sleep rooms. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. The registered provider stated that the Board of Directors is reviewing systems, other than the current Excel sheets, for tracking documentation, review and renewal dates for certification, etc. In the meantime, a member of the management team has taken over the monitoring of renewal dates. Infection Control: 2. The registered provider stated that in-house refresher training had taken place. The Infection Control Policy Statement, the Nappy Changing Policy and the Handwashing policy were reviewed and updated accordingly, with emphasis on the issues referenced in the corrective action. They stated that, especially where young babies are concerned, the new practice of handwashing before meals will be monitored. Currently, plans are being devised to add a small stainless-steel basin to one of the play kitchen units, which has a child-friendly/safe/sturdy structure. All other playrooms have accessible wash-hand basins, and all have been reminded to wash hands as advised. Safe Sleep: 3. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 5th of March 2025 regarding non-compliances identified under this regulation. The registered provider submitted a response to the office of the Early Years Inspectorate on the 6th of March 2025 to demonstrate the actions taken to correct the non-compliances immediately. The registered provider stated that the radiators have been permanently turned off for the summer months. They have asked a plumber and an electrician to decommission the radiators and install over-door/wall-mounted heating, cooling, and humidifying units in both sleep rooms. All staff have been re-trained in checking and monitoring bedroom and playroom temperatures. The Safe Sleep Policy has also been reviewed and updated to reflect issues raised. They stated that refresher training has been provided, and sleep checks are being monitored for accuracy. In addition, where sleep rooms are adjacent to playrooms, all staff have been asked to go into the room and physically stand by each sleeping child to complete checks. This has been clearly stated in the reviewed policy. The registered provider stated that tall records on the digital application are being monitored and staff are being reminded of the centre’s motto: ‘If you see it, say it’ as a reminder to everyone to support one another with checks, records and best practice
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28.