tusla inspection report - pobal · governance health welfare and development of child safety. ......

Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 Date Issued: 08 July 2016 Revision Number: 0

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TUSLA INSPECTION REPORT

TUSLA Identifier: T U 2 0 1 5 T Y 1 3 9

Name of Service: Play and Learn Creche

Address of Service: Gort Na Manach, Cahir Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Email Address: p l a y a n d l e a r n @ e i r c o m

. n e t

Name of Registered Service Provider: Ms Tracey O’Keefe

Name of Designated Person in Charge: Ms Tracey O’Keefe

Type of Service Registered: Sessional Part-Time Drop-In

Full Day Care Childminding Temp Drop-In

Day Month Year

Date(s) of Inspection: 1 9 0 8 2 0 1 6

2 2 0 8 2 0 1 6

No. of Pre-School children present on day of Inspection: AM 33 PM 29

AM 48 PM 31

Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Address: Early Years Inspectorate, Early Years Services, Tusla, Child & Family Agency, 34 Queen Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

TUSLA Early Years Inspector (s):

Areas which were the subject of this Inspection

Governance Health Welfare and Development of Child Safety


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Description of

Service

This purpose built privately owned family run premises was opened in 2009 on the outskirts of

Clonmel. The service hours are 07.30 to 18.30hrs, Monday to Friday. The age range of children

is 4 months to 11 years with a maximum number of 120 children at any one time. The

Montessori Crèche catered for full day, part time and sessional classes. Montessori classes

were held from 9.00hrs to 12.30hrs and from 13.30hrs to 17.00hrs from September to June.

Additionally, the service held an Afterschool club from 13.00hrs to 18.30hrs during the school

term. Easter, Summer and Hallowen Arts and Crafts Camps were offered to primary school

children. The aim of the service was “to provide high quality Childcare and Early Years

Education, in an environment that enriched children’s lives”. The service had children

attending from 21 different countries, using 16 different languages.

Premises

The service had 9 playrooms for children. Only 6 of the 9 playrooms in the service were in use

on the days of the inspection. On the ground floor there was a Baby room, Toddler room,

Wobbler room and Playroom 1 for the younger children. On the first floor Playroom 2,

Montessori Green, Montessori Yellow and Montessori Red playrooms were available for the

older children. The service had 3 sleep rooms, 2 nappy changing areas, 14 toilets for children, a

staff room, a kitchen and laundry/utility rooms and designated storage areas. The indoor walls

of the premises had been recently painted and decorated with wall stickers/collages and

children’s art.

Staffing

A total of 28 staff and worked in the premises including 2 joint owners, 1 manager, Montessori

teachers, childcare workers, relief staff and a staff member who works in the

kitchen/housekeeping. Additionally, 1 student under the age of 18 years was on the premises

on the first day of the inspection.

25 staff had at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or more.

7 staff had a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5.

11 staff had at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 6.

Authority to Inspect

The Tulsa Early Years Inspectorate carries out inspections of Early Years Services under Section 58(J) of the Child Care Act 1991 (as inserted by section 92 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013).


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1 staff member had a Diploma in Montessori Teaching.

2 staff had a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 8.

1 staff member had a Level 9 in Montessori Pedagogy.

3 staff had a BA in Childhood Studies.

1 staff member had a BA in Social Studies.

20 staff had current up-to-date First Aid training with specific paediatric modules.

3 staff had up to date and current training in Child Protection and there were 4 designated

child protection officers.

Staff were affiliated with and members of National Child Care Organisations and also had

regular contact with the Child Care Committee for direction, support and advice.

The staff member working in the kitchen/housekeeping had relevant Food Safety Training.

1 student under the aged 18 years was on work placement on the first day of the inspection

and was supervised at all times when working with the children.

Staff meetings were held every month or more frequently if required.

Methodology

This unannounced inspection took place on 19th August 2016 over a two day period and this

report is based on a range of inspection techniques including:

An examination of the services website link pages/directories.

An examination of the last inspection reports from the Early Years Inspectorate on the

31.07.2013 and 01.08.2013.

A two day inspection of the premises and grounds using the Early Years Inspection Tool

(1- 46).

An examination of the centre’s files and recording process.

Interviews and discussion with relevant persons that were deemed by the Early Years

Inspector as to having a bona fide interest in the operation of the centre including but

not exclusively to:

The centre owner /manager and assistant manager.

Questioning and seeking clarity of information from staff members.

Discussion with children using the service.


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Observations of care practice routines and the staff/children’s interactions.

The inspector was introduced by staff to parents and guardians of children at collection

time should they wish to highlight any issues.

This report is derived from collated evidence and data triangulation.

For further information the 2016 regulations can be viewed on

http://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-inspectorate-update

or

http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/20160510ChildCareActEarlyYrsRegs2016SI221of2016.pdf

Acknowledgements

The inspector would like to acknowledge the full co-operation of all those concerned with this

centre and thank the children, staff and management for their assistance throughout the

inspection process.

GOVERNANCE Part III - Management and Staff

Regulation 9 - Management and Recruitment 9. (1) A registered provider shall ensure that—

(a) the service has a designated person in charge and a named person who is able to deputise as required, (b) at all times during the period when the pre-school service is being carried on, the designated person in

charge or the named person referred to in subparagraph (a) is on the premises, and (2) A registered provider shall ensure that each employee, unpaid worker and contractor is suitable and competent

taking into consideration the nature of the needs of children, including by— (a) consideration of references from the person’s past employers, if any, and in particular the most recent

employer, if any, (b) consideration of references from reputable sources in the case of a person who has no past employers, (c) consideration of the vetting disclosure received from the National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Síochána in

accordance with the Act of 2012 in respect of the person, and (d) ensuring, insofar as is practicable, that where a person has lived in a state other than the State for a

period of longer than 6 consecutive months, he or she provides police vetting from the police authorities in that state.

(3) The procedures specified in paragraph (2) shall be carried out prior to any person being appointed, assigned or allowed access to or contact with a child attending the pre-school service.

(4) A registered provider shall ensure that, without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2) and subject to

http://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-inspectorate-update

http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/20160510ChildCareActEarlyYrsRegs2016SI221of2016.pdf


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Regulation 9 - Management and Recruitment paragraphs (5) and (6), each employee working directly with children attending the service holds 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.

(5) Paragraph (4) shall apply— (a) on or after 31 December 2016 in respect of pre-school services registered on or before 30 June 2016, and (b) on or after the date of registration in respect of all other pre-school services.

(6) Paragraph (4) shall not apply before 1 September 2021 to a person who— (a) has signed a declaration on or before 30 June 2016 to the effect that he or she intends to retire from

employment in a pre-school service before 1 September 2021, and (b) is in possession of a letter from the Minister confirming that paragraph (4) shall not apply to him or her

before that date.

Compliance Information:

(1)

(a) The service had a designated person in charge and a named person able to

deputise.

(b) At all times during the period when the pre-school was being carried on, the

designated person in charge or the named person able to deputise were on the

premises during the inspection period.

(2) The 28 staff and 1 student under the age of 18 years had 2 written validated

references on file from a reputable source or a past employer.

(a) 31 of the 58 references and required validations available on file in respect of

28 adults were from past employers.

(b) 25 of the 58 references and required validations available on file in respect of

28 adults were from reputable sources.

The student under the age of 18 years had 2 references from reputable

sources.

(c) Vetting disclosure were available in respect of all adults working in the

premises.

(d) 5 adults working in the service had lived outside the jurisdiction for 6 months


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Regulation 9 - Management and Recruitment

or more while over the age of 18 years had relevant police vetting.

Curriculum Vitae were available and on file for all adults.

Proof of Identification in the form of passport or drivers licence was available for

all adults.

Copies of Child Care Qualifications were available and on file for all adults working

with children.

Non-Compliance Information:

(2)

(d) Police vetting procedure was not available and on file in respect of 2 adults over the

age of 18 years who had lived outside the jurisdiction for 6 months or more. It was

acknowledged that the police vetting had been applied for and was being processed.

Response from Registered Provider Corrective Action & Preventative Action:

Corrective & Preventive Action

(2)(d) Police vetting disclosures for 2 adults have been received by the Registered Provider and submitted to the Office of the Early Years Inspector.

Summary Comment: The required documentation was submitted and reviewed by the Early Years Inspectorate on the 04/10/2016 and was deemed satisfactory.


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Part III - Management and Staff

Regulation 11 -Staffing Levels

(1) Subject to this Regulation, a registered provider shall ensure that there is at all times an adequate number of adults working directly with the children attending the pre-school service.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), a registered provider of a full day care service or a part-time day care service shall ensure that at all times the minimum ratio of adults to children specified in column (3) of Part 1 of Schedule 6 opposite a particular reference number specified in column (1) of that Part in respect of the age range of the children specified in column (2) thereof at that reference number is satisfied.

(3) Subject to paragraph (5), a registered provider of a sessional pre-school service shall ensure that at all times the minimum ratio of adults to children specified in column (3) of Part 2 of Schedule 6 opposite a particular reference number specified in column (1) of that Part in respect of the age range of the children specified in column (2) thereof at that reference number is satisfied.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), where a registered provider contemporaneously provides— (a) a sessional pre-school service, and (b) a full day care service or a part-time day care service, or both,

the minimum ratio of adults to children applicable for the duration of the sessional pre-school service in respect of the children attending that service shall be the ratio specified in paragraph (3).

(6) A registered provider of a pre-school service in a drop-in centre or a temporary pre-school service shall ensure that at all times the minimum ratio of adults to children specified in column (3) of Part 3 of Schedule 6 opposite a particular reference number in column (1) of that Part in respect of the age range of the children specified in column (2) thereof at that reference number is satisfied.

(8) Without prejudice to paragraphs (2) to (7)— (a) a registered provider of a pre-school service other than a child-minding service or a sessional pre-school

service shall ensure that there are at least 2 adults on the premises at all times, (b) a childminder shall ensure that a second person familiar with the operation of the service and in a position to

provide assistance to the childminder in operating the service is, at all times, within close distance of the service and available to attend the service to assist the childminder in the event of an emergency, and

(c) a registered provider of a sessional pre-school service shall ensure that, where the person in charge operates the service single-handedly, a second person familiar with the operation of the service and in a position to provide assistance to the person in charge in operating the service is, at all times, within close distance of the service and available to attend the service to assist the person in charge in the event of an emergency.

(9) In assessing compliance with the adult: child ratios specified in Schedule 6, unpaid workers and, where applicable, the person referred to in Regulation 24(2), shall not be taken into account.


(1) The adult child ratio was correct.

On the first day of the inspection there were 35 children on the premises - 33

pre-school children and 2 after school children were present - with 11 adults

directly supervising them. The owner/manager and service manager were

supernumerary and provided relief cover for breaks while an additional 1 adult

was working in the kitchen/housekeeping and 1 adult was joint owner and also

organised ongoing maintenance of the premises. Additionally, 1 student under

the age of 18 years was on work placement.


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Part III - Management and Staff

Regulation 11 -Staffing Levels

1 baby was aged less than 1 year,

2 children were aged between 1 and 2 years,

15 children were aged between 2 and 3 years and

17 children were aged over 3 years.

On the second day of the inspection there were 48 pre-school children present

and an additional 2 after school children, 13 adults were directly supervising

them while an additional 4 adults were on the premises, 1 was working in the

kitchen/housekeeping, 1 as the manager and 2 joint owners were

supernumerary. The manager covered staff breaks.

1 baby was aged less than 1 year,

9 children were aged between 1 and 2 years,

9 children were aged between 2 and 3 years and

31 children were aged over 3 years.

(8)

(a) The register indicated that at least 2 adults were on the premises at all times

(9) 1 student under the age of 18 years was on work placement and not part of the

adult child ratio and was supervised at all times when working directly with the

children.


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Part IV – Information and Records

Regulation 16 - Record in relation to Pre-school Service

(1) A registered provider shall ensure that a record in writing is kept of the following information in relation to the service

(g) the policies, procedures and statements the service is required to maintain in accordance with Regulation 10;

(h) details of attendance by each pre-school child on a daily basis; (i) details of staff rosters on a daily basis; (j) details of any medication administered to a pre-school child attending the service with signed parental

consent; (k) details of any accident, injury or incident involving a pre-school child attending the service.

(3) A record referred to in paragraph (1) shall be open to inspection on the premises, and the documents and records referred to in paragraph (2)(a) shall be open to inspection whether on the premises or elsewhere, by an authorised person.


(1) (g) Policies were maintained in relation to:

The Administration of Medication and Suncare

Positive Behaviour Management and Inappropriate Language Behaviour Policy

Safe Sleep Accident and Accident Prevention Infection Control and Illness Exclusion

Healthy Eating

(h) Details of attendance by each pre-school child were kept on a daily basis.

(i) Details of staff rosters include break times and were kept on a daily and weekly

basis.

(j) Details of any medications administered were available.

(k) Details of any accident, incident or injury involving a child were maintained.


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HEALTH WELFARE & DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD

Part V – Care of Child in Pre-school Service Regulation 19 - Health, Welfare and Development of Child (1) A registered provider shall, in providing a pre-school service, ensure that—

(a) each child’s learning, development and well-being is facilitated within the daily life of the pre-school service through the provision of the appropriate activities, interaction, materials and equipment, having regard to the age and stage of development of the child


(1)(a)

Basic Needs of the Infants and Children

There was a Healthy Eating Policy available in the service. The snacks and

meals were provided to the children by their parents and guardians and

the timings of the meals were as recommended by the Food and Nutrition

Guidelines for Pre-School Services/HACCP guidelines. Food provided was

re-heated in 1 of the 8 microwaves in the premises kitchen. The service

offered breakfast to all children attending from 7.30hrs to 9.00hrs and an

additional two meals and two snacks were offered to all children attending

the service as part time or full day care. The food provision was varied and

consisted of two food groups per snack/meal. At least one meal was hot.

Meals and snacks observed on the days of inspection were nutritious and

generous. Appropriate cutlery and plates were provided for the child’s age

and stage of development. Older children from the Montessori rooms and

Play rooms had their meals in an alternative room to their playroom.

Children were offered an alternative meal if they declined the main meal.

Perishable foods were stored in the services fridge. Children with allergies

were catered for. Parents and guardians provided milk powder for

children who were bottle feeding. Drinking water was available and

accessible to allow children to self serve in all the pre-school rooms. The

service had a Nut Policy and a Birthday Cake Policy.

Children’s toileting and hygiene needs were promptly and sensitively

attended to. Self toileting by the older children was encouraged and was


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Part V – Care of Child in Pre-school Service

Regulation 19 - Health, Welfare and Development of Child

supervised by the adults. Children in nappies were attended to regularly

and it was observed that the Nappy Changing Policy was displayed and was

adhered to.

Hand washing by the children was supported and encouraged prior to

eating and post toileting and outdoor play.

Children had sufficient space to move about freely indoors. Children in the

upstairs rooms accessed the outdoor play area via the services back stairs.

All children were provided with an opportunity for play outdoors at varying

times throughout the day.

The children were afforded the opportunity to relax as each play room had

soft bright seating and a quiet rest area.

Children’s behaviour was managed in a competent and positive way and it

was observed that minor problems were handled promptly and positively

by the adults.

The adults supported children to be sociable and respectful towards each

other and spoke and listened to them in a calm and sensitive manner.

Supporting Relationships Around Children

Children sat at low tables and had their meals in an unhurried

environment that promoted social interaction with peers and the adults.

Babies and Wobblers sat in high chairs and were assisted and supported by

the adults at meal times.

A mixture of adult led play and child directed play was facilitated through

having a variety of play and activities available to the children.

Interactions with the children were positive and caring. Children were

praised, encouraged and listened to and it was observed that the adults

interacted regularly with the children at their height by sitting with the

children on the mats and soft seating provided to them.


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A relaxed and calm environment was provided for the children and adults

spoke kindly and offered encouragement to all children.

A key worker system was in operation at the service. This supported the

adults to have more meaningful relationships with the children in their

care.

The service operated in partnership with parents and guardians. The

service provided a link page and social media page and offered letters to

parents and guardians. The babies and younger children’s attendance,

food provision, activity, nappy changing, sleeping routines and other

communications were recorded on a daily routine copy book for parents

and guardians. The service had a Partnership with Parents Policy and

communicated to parents and guardians on a one-to-one basis, a leaflet

about the service, via a web text system, by useful

information/photographs displayed on notice boards in each playroom

and by memos/notes that were sent to the child’s home when required.

Parents and guardians were spoken to informally on a daily basis and

formal meetings with parents and guardians were also arranged.

The service operated an Open Door Policy. Each child in the service had a

file with their booking form, contact details, nominated contact person in

case of emergency details, immunisation record, consent for medical

treatment/ photographs agreements, consents and contracts signed by

parents and guardians of service’s policies and procedures. Observation

sheets on a child’s basic care needs and observations were kept examining

activities, well being, identity/belonging, communication and

exploring/thinking based on the Aistear programme. This information was

given to parents and guardians on a bi-monthly basis.

The service had regular contact with the County Childcare Committee and

was a member of a number of national childcare organisations for training


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support and networking purposes.

The adults in the service met monthly or more frequently in their

designated care groups and the next staff meeting was scheduled for

30.08.2016.

Physical and Material Environment

The 9 indoor playrooms were bright, warm, pleasant and uncluttered.

Items of interest were on low shelves at a child’s eye level.

The play rooms had various interest areas: portable dress up units, houses,

kitchen, creative play areas, arts/crafts, push and pull toys, construction,

small world activities, manipulative play areas and a reading/library area.

The service had a range of materials and toys that offered stimulation,

exploration and imagination. Materials ranged from wooden/plastic

shapes, cutters, household, connectors, sponging and homemade play

dough, baking and gloop.

The play based activities observed included painting, dress up, arts, crafts,

colouring, sticking, matching games, threading, connectors, trucks, trains,

fire station, garages, different materials building blocks, reels, peg boards,

roller stampers, slap shots, ribbons, stencils, cubes, small animals, dolls,

cots, pretend food items, cards, puzzles, skill building links blocks and

bricks, tubing, singing, colour and number sorting, jigsaws, construction,

manipulative toys, making tea, pretend hairdressing, farm play activities,

musical instruments, dancing, rhymes, counting, sorting, messy play, circle

time and physical play.

There was adult seating in each play room to facilitate a staff member

comforting a child.

A variety of children’s art and craft work was displayed around the play

rooms. Festival days such as Halloween, Pancake Day, St Patrick’s Day,


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Valentine’s Day and a child’s birthday and graduation were celebrated with

costumes and practical and information topic focus.

Visits from the local Librarian, Fire Brigade and Road Safety Authority were

facilitated by the service for children to question and explore these roles in

the community.

Each play room had access to a designated outdoor area. Outdoor

activities such as riding, push toys, running, bouncing, climbing, sand and

water play, drawing, jumping and group games were observed. The

outside surface area was divided into 3 areas: 2 grass areas and 1 area

covered in soft tiles. The area was largely resourced with balls, slides,

shopping trolleys, pull toys, cots, tractors, trucks, push carts, picnic tables,

scooters, bicycles, slides, houses, hula hoops and goal posts. There were 2

garden sheds, one for storage of outdoor equipment and the other was

designated for sand play. A locked large garden shed stored the

equipment overnight. A shelter covered area alongside the building

ensured that children could play in all weather. Water play basin, sand play

pits and tables, a storage unit and a planting area were also available in

the outdoor area.

Programme of Activities and its Implementation

The programme was play based and linked with Aistear, the Early

Childhood Curriculum Framework and Siolta, The National Quality

Framework for Early Childhood Education principles of the pre-school

curriculum. The programme was planned with emphasis on adults meeting

daily having adequate materials and educators being prepared. The theme

of the month was “The Zoo”.

Children’s activities were collated with various samples and photographs

of their work and actions and given to parents and guardians on a monthly


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basis. Adults kept records and written observations linked to the

programme plan. The gathering of information for observational records

considered a child’s needs, wants, interests, perceptions and abilities.

Part V – Care of Child in Pre-school Service Regulation 19 - Health, Welfare and Development of Child

(2) A registered provider shall ensure that no corporal punishment is inflicted on a pre-school child whilst attending the service.

(3) A registered provider shall ensure that no practices that are disrespectful, degrading, exploitive, intimidating, emotionally or physically harmful or neglectful are carried out in respect of a pre-school child whilst attending the service.


(2) It was documented in the policies of the service, that corporal punishment was

not used to correct children’s behaviour and adults praised and encouraged

children during activities.

(3) The adults in the service ensured that no practices that were disrespectful,

degrading, exploitive, intimidating, emotionally or physically harmful or

neglectful were carried out in respect of any child.

There was a Positive Behaviour Management and a Code of Behaviour for Staff in

the service. The policies included strategies on how to assist a child to manage his

or her challenging behaviour as appropriate to the child’s age, stage and

development.

Part V - Care of Child in Pre-school Service Regulation 20 - Facilities for Rest and Play

(1) Subject to this regulation, a registered provider shall ensure that- (b)There are adequate and suitable facilities for a pre-school child to rest during the day.

(2) A registered provider of- (a) a full day care , a part time service, a sessional preschool service, or a childminding service that is registered for the First time on or after 30th June 2016 or (b)of a full day care service, a part-time day care service, a sessional preschool service or a childminding service

that moves premises on or after the 30th June 2016 shall ensure that a suitable, safe and secure outdoor space to which the preschool children attending the service


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Part V - Care of Child in Pre-school Service

Regulation 20 - Facilities for Rest and Play have access on a daily basis is provided on the premises.

(3) A registered provider of a full day care service, a part-time day care service or a childminding service, other than such a service to which paragraph (2) applies, shall ensure that—

(a) a suitable, safe and secure outdoor space to which the pre-school children attending the service have access on a daily basis is provided on the premises or

(b) where no such space is provided, the preschool children attending the service have access on a daily basis to an outdoor service.

(4) Where outdoor space to which the pre-school children attending the service have access is provided on the premises of a sessional pre-school service other than such a service to which paragraph (2) applies, a temporary pre-school service or a pre-school service in a drop-in centre, the registered provider shall ensure that such outdoor space is suitable, safe and secure. (5) Where pre-school children attending a sessional pre-school service other than such a service to which paragraph (2) applies, a temporary pre-school service or a pre-school service in a drop-in centre have access to an outdoor space other then such a space specified in paragraph (4), the registered provider shall ensure that such outdoor space is suitable.


(1)

(b) There were 3 designated sleep rooms

1 designated sleep room was adjacent to the Baby room with 6 cots.

1 designated sleep room was adjacent to the Wobbler room and had 6

cots.

1 designated sleep room was adjacent to the Toddler room and had 6

cots.

Additional stackable beds were available in the service for older pre-

school children if required.

Staff were able to manoeuvre around the cots/stackable beds to be able to

safely care and lift a child using one of the sleep rooms if required.

Rest quiet areas were provided in each of the pre-school rooms to facilitate a

child to rest or opt out of an activity if he/she chose to.

(3)


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Regulation 20 - Facilities for Rest and Play

(a) The service manager advised that all children had daily access to the outdoor

play area. The outdoor play area was secured so children could not leave the

area unsupervised and unauthorised persons could not enter the area. No

ponds or pits were apparent in the outdoor play area.

Non-Compliance Information:

(1)

(b) In conflict with the services policy the temperatures of the sleep rooms were

not maintained between 16°C to 20°C at all times. It was acknowledged that

on the days of the inspection outside temperatures were between 20°C and

24°C however when recorded the temperatures in the sleep rooms indicated

a temperature above 20°C degrees. This is above the required safe sleep

requirement of 16°C to 20°C.

On the first day of the inspection at

10.30hrs a temperature of 22.4°C was recorded while 1 child was

sleeping in the designated Wobbler sleep room.

10.35hrs a temperature of 22.1 °C was recorded while 1 child

was sleeping in the designated Toddler sleep room.

On the second day of the inspection at

10.30hrs, 11.10hrs and 11.40hrs temperature between 21.3°C

and 22.3°C were recorded while a child was sleeping in the Baby

sleep room.

13.10hrs a temperature of 21.9°C was recorded while 3 children

were sleeping in the designated Wobbler sleep room.

Response from Registered Provider Corrective Action & Preventative Action:

Corrective & Preventive Action (1)(b) 3 fans have been purchased to be put into each of the individual sleep rooms.

Summary Comment: The actions taken by the Registered Provider have addressed the non-


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Regulation 20 - Facilities for Rest and Play compliance.

SAFETY

Part VI - Safety Regulation 23 - Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child A registered provider shall ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of a pre-school child attending the service and that the environment of the service is safe. Compliance Information:

Infection Control

Hand washing was observed prior to eating snacks and meal, after toileting

and after messy play and outdoor play. There were paper towels provided

at all sinks to facilitate hand drying by the children and the adults.

Dispensers for liquid soap were provided at all sinks.

Running cold and thermostatically controlled hot water was available to

the children for hygienic hand washing.

Hand sanitisers were available and wall mounted for visitors and parents.

Table tops were sanitised before and after meal times. There was a daily

and a weekly cleaning schedule.

Safe Sleep Practices

A supply of clean linen was available for each child.

There was a Sleep Policy displayed in each sleep room and sleeping

children were checked every 10 minutes which was recorded. The

Sleep Policy detailed correct temperatures, lighting, ventilation,

adequate space between cots and child safety requirements.

Records for sleeping children were individual and included a record of

the room temperature and the position, colour and breathing of the

child as per the Safe Sleep for under 2’s Best Practice Guidelines for

Childcare Services Policy.

Cellular blankets that allowed air to circulate were used for all children


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Part VI - Safety

Regulation 23 - Safeguarding Health, Safety and Welfare of Child

under 2 years of age.

Administration of Medication

Medicines were individually labelled and anti febrile medication was

stored in the services fridges. Adults regularly checked expiry dates of

medicines. Medicines were stored separately to the First Aid Boxes and as

per manufacturer’s instructions and were out of reach of the children.

Outings

The service did not do outings and the service bus was only for

transporting after-school children.

General Safety

The external play areas were secured so that children could not leave the

area unsupervised and unauthorised persons could not enter the area.

The outdoor area was divided into 3 areas, 2 grass areas and 1 soft tiling

area, with sheltered sections and a large storage shed for equipment.

The external door had a key pad coding system for entry.

All cleaning agents were stored inaccessible to the children.

All toys and play equipment were safe and in good condition.

Under floor heating system ensured that heat emitted was

thermostatically controlled.

Records indicated that the service had regular pest control monitoring

which was last professionally examined on 14.06.2016.

The temperatures in the pre-school rooms were maintained between 18°C

and 22°C. Many of the play rooms had in built air extractors to keep rooms

cool.


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Part VI – Safety Regulation 25 - First Aid

(1) A registered provider shall ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service. (2) A registered provider shall ensure that a suitably equipped first aid box for children—

(a) is safely stored in an easily accessible and conspicuous position on the premises, and (b) is available to the children attending the pre-school service at all times.


(1) Adults with current First Aid Certification were on the premises at all times and

it was acknowledged that 20 adults had current updated paediatric first aid

training.

(2)

(a) The 4 First Aid cabinets were wall mounted and safely stored in conspicuous

positions on the premises.

Part VI – Safety

Regulation 26 - Fire Safety Measures (1) A registered provider shall ensure that a record in writing is kept of—

(a) any fire drill that takes place in the premises, and (b) the number, type and maintenance record of fire fighting equipment and smoke alarms in the premises.

(4) A notice of the procedures to be followed in the event of fire shall be displayed in a conspicuous position in the premises Compliance Information:

(1)

(a) A record in writing of fire drills indicated that the last fire drills for playrooms in

use in the service were conducted on the 15.07.2016 for Montessori Blue, on

the 13.07.2016 for Montessori Red, on the 08.07.2016 for Playroom 1, on the

13.072016 for the Toddler room, on the 27.07.2016 for the Wobbler room and

on the 28.07.2016 for the Baby room.

(b) A record of the number, type and maintenance record of fire fighting

equipment was maintained. It was recorded that fire equipment was checked

annually. Records confirmed that the fire fighting equipment was serviced on


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Part VI – Safety

Regulation 26 - Fire Safety Measures

the 17.05.2016 and the date of last maintenance check for smoke alarms was

the 10.07.2016.

(4) The fire evacuation procedure for the service which contained details in

relation to the procedure to be conducted in the event of a fire was available

on file and was displayed on the notice boards in each of the services pre-

school rooms.

Part VI – Safety Regulation 28 – Insurance A registered provider shall ensure that the pre-school service is adequately insured. Compliance Information:

Evidence of insurance cover was available for the number of pre-school children

attending the service at any one time.

The number of children covered at any one time was 120 and the categories of

insurance covered for pre-school were public liability, fire and theft, building,

contents, consequential loss, legal and indemnity.

A current certificate of insurance was available with an expiry date of 31.12.2016.

Registration Status: Registered

Conditions if Applicable: Not applicable

Date of Registration: 14.12.2016

tusla inspection report - pobal · governance health welfare and development of child safety. ......

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