Inspection of 21 October 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (4) One staff member did not hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister
Provider's corrective action:
- The staff member has eight modules completed at Level 5. This situation has been recognised. The service has had this issue for years and this is why the staff member’s position was not to be caring in the room. The staff member’s position is administration and cleaning. The third team member in that room was on unplanned leave and another staff member was on site to act as relief instead. The registered provider spoke to staff and it has been agreed that if this happens again there is adequate staff to cover without calling in administration or cleaning staff. Staff roles and responsibilities have been communicated to everyone
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for all staff members. However, one staff member’s vetting disclosure was not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. Three tall, heavy lockers used for staff storage in the Rainbow room were not secured to the wall, posing a risk of tipping and injury to a child. 3. A rodent snap trap was situated next to the toilet in the cabin used by the children when they were playing outdoors, posing a risk of injury if they were to handle it. Infection Control: 4. A pedal operated bin was not available to allow for hands – free disposal of nappies in the sanitary facility used for nappy-changing when the children were playing outdoors. The inspector observed staff pushing a nappy into the bin by hand, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. 5. The sanitary facility used by the children for nappy-changing when the children were playing outdoors was also used to store play equipment and soft furnishings posing a risk of cross contamination. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. Updated vetting has been received. The registered provider will ensure all Garda vetting is renewed and will check these before the service commences yearly. 2. The lockers have been removed and will only be reinstalled when they can be secured to the wall. 3. The trap was placed in this area by error and is not required as part of pest control. It was removed on the day of inspection. This has been added to the risk control checklist. Infection Control: 4. The bin has been replaced with a non-contact pedal operated bin. This will be monitored for use. 5. All items have been removed, washed, sanitised and stored in an alternative room. Daily risk assessments will be undertaken to ensure only required items are in the sanitary area
Regulation 29 — Premises
- 1. The cabin used by the children for toileting and nappy changing when outdoors was not adequately cleaned, maintained or repaired as outlined below: (a) The wooden door to the cabin was extensively worn and warped and could not be easily closed. (b) The wallpaper was peeling in areas and there were visible patches of black spots indicative of damp. (c) There was a build-up of dust, debris, cobwebs and dead insects on the floor and windowsill. 2. The sanitary area used by children in the Little Clouds room had not been adequately cleaned. Inspectors observed a build-up of dust and debris on the floor of the toilet area on the morning of the inspection. 3. There was no warm water available for adequate handwashing in the Little Clouds sanitary facility or the cabin used by children for toileting and nappy changing when outdoors
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) The door has been repaired and now operates easily. (b) The wallpaper has been replenished. The roof has been repaired. (c) The room was cleaned and sanitised immediately after the inspection. 2. The room was cleaned and sanitised immediately after the inspection. The cleaning schedule has been revised and has been agreed with staff. 3. The hot water was not turned on the morning of the inspection. This has been added to the checklist for morning duties
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 19, 25, 26, 27.