Inspection of 14 July 2025 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- The registered provider did not ensure the following: (2)(a)(b) The following was not available for two adults who worked with the children: o There were no written validated references available for one adult. o There was no documentary evidence available for one adult that one of their two references on file from previous employers had been checked to establish its validity. Full checks must be completed on all adults to establish they are appropriate to have access to children. (3) A review of start dates showed the following checks had not been considered prior to two adults having access to children: o One adult commenced employment in the service prior to appropriate consideration of references. Reference validation checks had been completed on the day of the inspection for an adult who commence in the service in April 2024. o International police vetting was submitted dated the day of the inspection for an adult who commenced in the service in April 2025. Full checks must be completed on all adults to establish their suitability prior to them having access to children. (4) The registered provider did not provide documentary evidence to establish that four new employees working directly with children attending the service held a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent to at least a major award at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
Provider's corrective action:
- (a)(b) The outstanding references were sourced and verified, and the references for the second staff member were verified. A checklist of documents was developed to include in staff files. (3) A checklist of documents was developed to include in staff files prior to their commencement. (4) Evidence was submitted that the qualifications of the staff members are included on the list of relevant qualifications. The service will consult this list to ensure qualifications are relevant
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The door to the prefabricated building to the rear of the main building was not consistently secured throughout the inspection. The following was observed: o At 10.18am, the door to the prefab was not secured. The handle on the door was accessible to the children, as were the internal door handles. This posed the potential risk that a child could leave the prefabricated building unaccompanied. 2. The storage shed in the rear outdoor play area was not secured when the inspector arrived at the service at 9.25am. The following potential hazards were identified in the shed should a child gain access: o Equipment and furniture was stacked in an unstable manner, posing an injury risk. o Paint, paint thinner and detergent were accessible, posing potential poisoning or skin irritation. It is acknowledged the shed was locked at 11.02am. 3. The anti-slam hinge on the fire door to the sanitary accommodation in the main building was not working effectively, causing the door to slam closed. This posed a finger trap injury risk for children. 4. Garda vetting was available for two staff members. However, these vetting disclosures were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI- RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 5. The temperature of the care rooms exceeded the recommended ambient temperature of 18 to 22oC in a care room as follows: Room Time Temperature in °C Required Temperature °C Butterfly Room 9.52am 23.°C 18-22°C Toddler Room 2 10.38am 23.8°C Wobbler Room 11.14am 23.1°C Toddler Room 1 (5 children over 2years old sleeping) 1.54pm 25.5oC Cot room (4 children over 1 year old sleeping) 1.56pm 23.5oC Children find it harder than adults to control their body temperature and can be at increased risk of heat- related illnesses. It is acknowledged that the day of the inspection was a warm day, with temperatures peaking 25oC. 6. The storeroom off Toddler room 2 was open, and an adult handbag was observed on the floor of the store room potentially accessible to the children. This posed a risk of harm to children should the handbag contain items which may be hazardous to children. 7. The legs of the white table in Toddler room 2 were loose and unstable. This posed a risk of injury should a child lean on the table. 8. The water temperature in the round wash hand basin in the sanitary accommodation in the main building exceeded the recommended temperature of 43oC. A temperature of 45oC was recorded by the inspector at 10.52am. This posed a scald risk to the children. Infection Control: The following increased the potential risk of infection: 9. Effective, hygienic handwashing was hampered because of the following observed in the sanitary area of the main building: o A staff member was observed to use the cold water tap to handwash after a nappy change. o Low water pressure in the hot water taps caused the water flow to stop and start. 10. There was a build-up of dirt on the flooring in the sanitary area of the main building. A review of the cleaning records showed cleaning had not been recorded on a regular consistent basis. 11. The following was damaged and worn, leaving an ineffective surface for cleaning: o The bottom of the radiator in Toddler room 2 was rusted. o The skirting by the radiator in Toddler room 2 was broken. It is acknowledged that a plumber had been scheduled to attend the service prior to the inspection to address this problem. o The seal was broken where the flooring meets the wall in the cubicle in the sanitary area of the main building. 12. There was a build-up of dirt and debris on the extractor fan in the sanitary area of the Butterfly room. Administration of Medication: 13. The administration of sun cream was not in line with safe practice and service practice on administration of suncream. The following was observed: o Two of the four sun creams in the Butterfly room were not individually labelled. Staff reported that these unlabelled creams are used by the service on children who do not bring in sun cream from home. o A review of a sample of ten child record forms showed only three parents signed a consent to use a suncream supplied by the service. This posed a potential risk of skin irritation if used incorrectly. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. The service will ensure the door is kept locked at all times. Staff have been instructed to ensure this happens and there are notices in place to remind staff. 2. The service will ensure the shed door in locked when not accessing equipment. A sign is now in place as a reminder to staff. 3. The anti-slam hinge had been tightened. 4. Renewed garda vetting disclosures were submitted for one staff member. The service report that the other staff member will not have duties involving contact with children until this has been submitted. The service report they will complete monthly file reviews to prevent a recurrence. 5. The service report windows will be opened, and a portable air-cooling machine will be used. Following a request for additional information the service report that they will record temperatures on an ongoing basis. 6. Staff were reminded to keep this door locked and a sign was placed on the door as a reminder. 7. The legs on the table are now secured and the service report they will complete regular checks to prevent a recurrence. 8. The thermostat was adjusted to keep water to the required temperature and the service report they will complete regular checks to prevent a recurrence. Infection Control: 9. Staff were reminded to use warm water when hand washing, and a sign was plated by the sinks as a reminder. The water flow was adjusted. 10. The service reports the floor is mopped regularly and cleaning checklists are maintained. 11. The service has completed the following works: The radiator was treated and repainted, the skirting has been replaced, beading had been fitted to the flooring in the sanitary area. The service report they will complete regular checks to prevent a recurrence. 12. The extractor fan was cleaned and the service report they will complete regular checks to prevent a recurrence. Administration of Medication: 13. Parents signed agreements for the service to apply the service suncream. The service has reviewed creche application forms to ensure parents have signed the relevant sections in relation to the administration of suncream
Regulation 26 — Fire safety measures
- The registered provider did not ensure the following was available, which can impede the safe evacuation of children from the premises in the case of a fire. (1) (b) There was no documentary evidence available to show that the smoke alarms had been recently maintained. (4) There were no detailed procedures to be followed in the event of a fire displayed in either the Butterfly room or Toddler room 2
Provider's corrective action:
- (1) (b) The service submitted evidence that the fire alarm system was maintained on the 24 July 2025. The service will ensure this check is conducted annually. (4) Notices are now displayed in the Butterfly and Toddler room 2 and the service report they will complete regular checks to prevent a recurrence
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 21, 28.