Over half of child care facilities in Clare inspected by the HSE were found to be fully compliant, but newly released reports also show 15 facilities failed on a number of regulations.
While some were minor infractions others related to defective and broken gates by which children could gain access to non safe areas, a heater defined as a burning hazard, and no current fire drills.
A total of 33 crèches and other child care facilities in Clare were inspected by the HSE between February last year and March 2013 with 18 of them fully compliant- compared to just 1 of 22 in Mayo.
However 15 failed to meet all the standards required- the most common issues related to a lack of garda vetting and photographic id for staff, no hot water taps, out of date First Aid Certs or a lack of a visible fire drill plan.
In some cases though the breaches were more serious -During a visit to Little Dreamers Pre-School in O’Briens Bridge in March 2012, inspectors found a wooden gate in the play garden was open and the lock broken, while some of the fencing was unsteady and showed signs of deterioration- A heater on the premises was also deemed to be a burning hazard for children,
Maghera Gardens Crèche in Maghera Cross, Clooney also failed to meet three of the required regulations – During a visit last March inspectors found the top of a radiator had been removed leading to sharp edges, the grounds weren’t maintained so as to prevent the harbourage of rats and mice while there was an inadequate amount of play equipment available.
Defective fencing was also found at Paista Beaga Creche in Newline Quin which could result in children gaining access to an unsafe area.
Issues over a stair gate at Seahorses Childcare in Kilkee was highlighted by inspectors during a visit there last October but this matter was resolved by the operators of the crèche in subsequent correspondence with the HSE.
At Glor na nOg in Kilkishen National School inspectors raised concerns over broken heaters and called for toilet lobbies to be installed so that bathrooms aren’t directly next to the snack room while issues over blind cords at Lifford Childcare Centre were immediately resolved by management following an inspection there last October.
