THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has uncovered breaches of management and staffing records at eight Clare pre-school facilities, following inspections earlier this year.

 

Details of the HSE inspections were obtained by The Clare Champion under the Freedom of Information Act.

Non-compliance with basic health and safety standards were found in 17 different childcare facilities in the county, which provide care to vulnerable young children and toddlers.

Issues of non-compliance were not identified in another 45 inspection reports, which were released by the regional health authority.

The lack of garda vetting and written references for staff working in crèches, Montessori and other pre-school facilities has emerged as the most common non-compliance issue identified in inspections, which were carried out during the first few months of this year.

All childcare facilities are required to have a copy of garda vetting forms and police clearance certificates for staff that worked abroad for a period of time.

Operators are also expected to have two validated references and photographic identification for all staff working in the building.Strong odours, sagging floors, dampness on ceilings, safety issues, poor infection control during nappy changing and worn and disused equipment have also been found by a HSE pre-school and environmental health officer.

Operators were advised that disposable plastic aprons have to be available to staff for nappy changes. They were also advised that hand-washing hygiene practices should be adhered to at all times.

The HSE personnel also found problems with the lack of space in toddler rooms, cleaning equipment stored outdoors, which were at serious risk of possible contamination and a lack of play materials and other facilities for children. In some facilities, outdoor play areas were not safely enclosed and were deemed unsafe for pre-school children.

Among the safety issues highlighted was the lack of thermostatically-controlled hot water and an unguarded heater in a prefab.

Childcare facilities are usually inspected by the HSE at least once a year. Providers are assessed under a wide variety of criteria, including management and staffing, health, welfare and development of the child, behaviour management, premises and facilities, heating, ventilation, lighting, sanitary accommodation, drainage and sewage disposal, waste storage and disposal, equipment and materials, facilities for rest and play, first aid, medical assistance, fire safety measures, food and drink and records.

One local childcare provider, who didn’t wish to be named, disagreed with the publication of inspection reports in the media as she felt the day-to-day running is a matter between the manager and parents.

However, she acknowledged that parents with children at any childcare facility are entitled to see a copy of the inspection report on that particular facility.

Most of the childcare providers surveyed welcomed the publication of inspection reports, as they felt they had nothing to hide and agreed it leads to more openness and transparency.

Who minds the childminders?

Connolly Pre-school
Connolly Pre-School provides a sessional service for 15 children at the local national school. Following an inspection last February, the report noted the prefabricated building being used for the pre-school is showing signs of deterioration and was not suitable for providing a pre-school service into the future.
It expressed concern that the floor at the entrance to the pre-school was sagging underfoot as the timber had decayed and highlighted a hole inside the prefab, close to the floor behind the entrance door.
The report also pointed out some of the toys and equipment, both indoors and outdoors, showing signs of wear and tear and required replacement.
Efforts to contact a spokesperson proved unsuccessful.

Stepping Stones, O’Callaghan’s Mills
An inspection of Stepping Stones Montessori School in O’Callaghan’s Mills Community Centre, which caters for 10 children, carried out last February found there was no form of heating in the entrance hall, stair case or landing to guard against the onset of dampness.
It was acknowledged the preschool room and sanitary area were adequately heated. Two newly installed storage heaters were noted in the pre-school room and a wall heater in the sanitary area.
The HSE acknowledged that structural work had taken place in the service since the facility’s previous inspection.
Efforts to contact a spokesperson proved unsuccessful.

Little Ducks, Clarecastle
An odour was detected when the inspector entered Little Ducks Crèche, Clarecastle last January, which caters for 15 children. The operator pointed out that an oil burner was installed outside the premises recently.
An area of dampness was noted on the ceilings in the staff sanitary area and the sanitary area for children.
Indoors, visible gaps were noted on the timber panels surrounding the water closets and outdoors, there was a hole in a down pipe.
The report noted the outdoor area was not safely enclosed and was unsafe for pre-school children to play. The fence at the side of the premises was not secure. Children had free access into the kitchen, where potential hazards may have been present.
The operator subsequently repaired the down pipes, fixed an oil leak in the boiler, dampness on walls, storage of spare clothes and the provision of a safety gate and hand towels.
A commitment was also given that the panels in the sanitary area for children and perimeter fence would be addressed.
Clare County Council came in to inspect the heating system and could find no reason for the odour. Council personnel were happy with the installation of the boiler and had no concerns about harmful gases or fumes.
Katherine Leyden of Little Ducks said the inspection process was fair and stated the inspectors were there to assist, not try and catch out operators. She noted all the issues highlighted in the report had been resolved.

Little Acorns, Tullyglass, Shannon
An inspection of Little Acorns Pre-School Montessori last February, which caters for up to 20 children, found that one staff member did not have a copy of her garda vetting and two references on the premises. The report stated this documentation was available at St Tola’s National School.
Efforts to contact management proved unsuccessful.

Clonlara Community Childcare Centre
Concern about safety measures were highlighted in an inspection report carried out on Clonlara Community Childcare Centre last March, which can look after up to 100 children.
It recommended that disposable plastic aprons be worn where there is a risk of contact with body fluids at nappy changes.
In a response to the HSE, the centre stated last April that the baby walker in the Baby Room One “has now been removed”.
“Disposable plastic aprons are now available to staff for nappy changes. Hand washing and nappy changing has again been informed to all staff.
“Blue washable mops are available in the linen room downstairs and upstairs in the cleaner’s storeroom. All staff have been instructed to remove the mop head after it has been used and re-fit with a clean head,” the centre stated.
Concern was also expressed about the preparation and serving of powdered infant formula within a childcare facility.
However, a number of parents stated in writing they were happy with existing feeding practices for a variety of reasons and wanted this to be continued.
Efforts to contact the operator proved unsuccessful.

Obair, Newmarket-on-Fergus
A “strong odour” was found by an inspector in the boys and girls sanitary accommodation adjacent to the pre-school room, which has mechanical ventilation only when Obair Community Crèche was inspected on April 25 this year.
Concern was also expressed about the temperature in the baby sleep room at the facility, which can look after up to 52 children.
The inspection report revealed four staff had only one written reference each on file, while no written references were available for four staff members. Police clearance was required for three staff working in the service.
It claimed the sluice room was “unclean and in an untidy condition”. A used mop head was in the centre of the floor, while it was noted that turtles were being kept in the pre-school room.
In a response to the HSE last June, the centre noted management and HR personnel were in the process of updating and validating staff references and files. UK police clearance forms were being filled out and were due to be sent off shortly.
The centre pledged a ventilation expert would carry out the necessary repairs to the ventilation system when it was closed for two weeks during the summer break.
“The sluice room is kept in a clean and hygienic condition to reduce and prevent the spread of cross-contamination and infection. A cleaning schedule has now been put in place, which is to be signed off twice daily.
“All adults are very aware that turtles are known carriers of salmonella. Under no circumstances are the children allowed to have physical contact with the turtles. A cleaning policy for the cleaning of the turtle tank is also in place,” the centre stated.
Efforts to contact the operator or manager proved unsuccessful.

Happy Hippos, Cratloe
An inspection report of Happy Hippos Crèche, Cratloe noted two staff didn’t have any garda vetting, while six staff didn’t have two references on file.
These requirements were highlighted in previous correspondence and remained outstanding at the time of the annual inspection last March.
Concern was also expressed about the space in the pre-Montessori room.
Elaine Counihan of Happy Hippos welcomed the inspection reports, as she had nothing to hide and noted all issues raised in the report have been addressed.

Ladybird Lane, Clarecastle
An inspection undertaken on the Ladybird Lane Crèche, Clarecastle last March noted that a heater in a prefab was unguarded and hot to touch. A response from the Garda Vetting Unit was awaited for two staff.
All actions required in the report have been addressed.
The operator declined to comment on the report.

Inagh Ark Crèche
Concerns about management and staffing were raised following an inspection of the Inagh Ark Crèche last February. One staff member did not have any reference on file. Four staff had only one reference available. Documentary evidence to confirm that references for all staff members were validated and checked prior to employment was not available.
Police clearance for two staff, who had lived abroad for a period of time, wasn’t available. Garda vetting for one adult who had access to pre-school children was not available at the time.
The HSE acknowledged in March the operator was in the process of validating references for all staff, provided police clearance and photo identification for relevant staff and was awaiting garda vetting for one person.
A child protection policy was put in place, the mechanical ventilation was in working order, soap was provided at all wash hand basins and water pressure was also improved.
A commitment was given to clean and varnish outdoor play equipment and a lock was provided in the toilet press.
Pat Kiernan of Inagh Ark stressed the service provided was very safe for children and noted a number of items, including the ventilation, were on a list for repair, which hadn’t been completed before the inspection took place.
She noted the report didn’t capture the fact there is a great interaction between staff and children and staff and parents about what was being provided.
While acknowledging the inspectors were fair and supportive, she said the checklist was very “black and white” and, in reality, very little was black and white in any service.
She claimed  some inspectors didn’t have any childcare qualifications and had never worked in a childcare setting, so they hadn’t the experience of what it was like to provide a service for children.

West Clare Early Years
West Clare Early Years Care and Education Services Limited is the umbrella company for a number of childcare facilities in West Clare where concerns were raised relating to staff and management issues.
Responding to issues raised at Rí Ra, Kilrush, the centre pointed out in a letter to the HSE last April the group pursued garda vetting for all staff working in its service.
“The written references that were not available on the day were those that had been sent to the referee for validation. We always ring the referee and complete the form over the phone.
“There has been some difficulty getting police clearances certificates from the UK, as the system changed recently for obtaining international clearance certificates.
“Photo ID has been requested and will be on file next week,” management stated.
Management hadn’t responded to efforts to contact them at the time of going to press.

Little Einsteins, Ennis
An inspection of Little Einsteins, Ennis last January found that the pre-school room was not deemed appropriate for the full daycare of any child.
One pre-school child was present for both sessions in the service, the morning and afternoon period, for a total of six hours.
Concern was expressed that the two sessions operated without a break for the operator. In addition to hiring another qualified staff member to give the manager a break, changes were made to push the second class back to 12.20pm. A decision was also taken not to take any child for both sessions from September.
Maura Coughlan of Little Einsteins said issues identified in the report had been addressed.

Sunflowers, Kildysart
Issues concerning management and staffing of the Sunflowers Full Day Care Service, Kildysart were highlighted after an inspection last March.
Evidence of validation of references was not available on file at the service but the process was being undertaken by the human resources department at Glebe House, Kilrush. Photographic evidence was not available for all staff members.
Garda vetting was awaited for two staff members and police clearance was required for three staff members.
Management of Sunflowers had not responded at the time of going to press.

Little Deers, Ennistymon
Two validated references were not available for staff members working in Little Deers Crèche, Ennistymon Resource Centre last March. It can provide care for up to 50 children.
Management of Little Deers had not responded at the time of going to press.

Wonder Years, Ballynacally
Wonder Years Crèche, Ballynacally, can cater for up to 22 children. An inspection last March found cleaning equipment mops and bucket were stored in an external yard exposed to the elements and possible external sources of contamination. Concern was expressed that some of the outdoor equipment were showing signs of weathering.
This has been addressed by the provision of an external shed.
Kathleen O’Connor of Wonder Years welcomed the inspection reports, as she felt it kept operators on their toes in terms of best practice.

Nuture Childcare, Ennis
Concern was expressed about the lack of thermostatically-controlled hot water at wash hand basins and sinks for staff and children at Nuture Childcare, following an inspection carried out last March.
Pre-school children also had difficulty operating the taps at the wash hand basins.
A response was awaited from the Garda Vetting unit for one staff member, while photographic identification for all staff members had to be acquired. The circular seating equipment in the outdoor play area was hazardous for pre-school children, as it had broken pieces with sharp edges.
A follow-up visit on June 7 found that issues concerning sanitary accommodation, equipment and materials and facilities for rest and play were all addressed at this stage.
Eadaoin Glynn of Nuture stressed all their staff work very hard to maintain the best possible HSE standards. She pointed out any facility can’t request a garda vetting form until a staff member actually starts in the service and, in this instance, vetting arrived two days after the inspection, which she argued showed this was a minor breach.
She noted any improvements in facilities had to be approved by the OPW, which were the owners of the building, which meant that this process took longer compared to operators who owned their own premises.

Tír na nÓg, Lissycasey
Validation of references was also cited as an issue in Tir na nÓg Crèche, Lissycasey, which can cater for up to 50 children, following an inspection last March.
The inspection found garda vetting forms were not available for all staff members, police clearance was not available for two staff members, who had lived abroad for periods of time, while two validated references and photographic identification were not available for all staff.
It was acknowledged that four staff members working in Lissycasey are awaiting garda vetting and two validated references were available in Glebe House Kilrush for all staff.
The report recommended that changes were needed in the toddler area as toddlers need more space, interest areas and soft furnishings to allow them to move around freely and explore their environment.
The operator outlined plans to move the toddlers to the after-school room after Easter.
There was a bad smell in the sanitary/nappy change area in the service and one in the corridor.
There was a lack of atmospheric thermometer in the sleep room while inadequate sleeping/rest facilities were provided for older pre-school children.
Management of Tir na nÓg had not responded at the time of going to press.

Woodhaven Montessori, Ennis
Concern about the amount of play materials in the toddler and wobbler rooms was expressed by inspectors following an inspection of Woodhaven Montessori and Childcare Academy, Kilrush Road, Ennis last February. It can cater for up to 60 children.
The radiator in the sleep room was found to be excessively hot to touch, while the room temperature was above the recommended limit.
A spokesperson for Woodhaven noted all issues highlighted in the latest inspection report were rectified and recalled no non-compliance issues were found in the previous inspection.

Maghera Gardens, Clooney
Concerns about the variety of toys, activities and equipment for pre-school children was highlighted in the Maghera Gardens in Clooney following an inspection last February.
The report noted the grid on the top of the radiator in the sunshine room was removed displaying sharp edges, while there was no hand washing facilities available at a sink in the starlight room.
The operator provided a very comprehensive response to the HSE addressing all items of concern including confirmation of the provision of new equipment, toys and play areas.
Support and advice from the Clare Childcare Committee was also obtained to further develop a balanced programme for all children using the service.
The operator declined to comment on the findings of the inspection.