The registered provider did not ensure the following: (2) (a)(b) Two staff had only one validated reference available for review. (3) Documentary evidence available indicated that two staff members had commenced employment within the service prior to receipt of Garda vetting. Checks on adults must be completed prior to them having access to the children in order to establish they are appropriate to have access to children
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a)(b) A second validated reference was sourced for each staff member. The service commit to using a staff file checklist to ensure all documentation is in place prior to an employee commencing work. (3) The service will ensure that no staff member will have contact with children prior to receipt of garda vetting. The service roster has been updated to include those staff with no contact time
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting was available for a staff member. However, this 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’. It is acknowledged an application for renewal was submitted on the day of the inspection. Infection Control: 2. Children’s nappy creams which were stored in a box in the nappy changing room off Room 4 were not individually labelled, increasing the potential risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 3. The administration of medication was not sufficient to support effective safe practice. There was no written care plan available for a child who required a specific type of medication. This was not in line with safe practice and the service policy on the administration of medication. This was identified as a non- compliance on the last inspection held on the 13 May 2024 and actions put in place failed to prevent a recurrence. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Management applied for renewal of Garda Vetting immediately. Monthly checks will be completed on staff files, and this is detailed on the managers checklist. Infection Control: 2. The creams were discarded immediately, and staff were informed that only creams that are brought in by parents are to be used. These must be clearly labelled. Administration of Medication: 3. The written care plan had been misplaced and is now available. Staff were reminded to ensure all care plan are available and visible in the care rooms
The registered provider did not ensure the following: (2)(a)(b) One staff member had only one validated written reference available. (4) The registered provider did not ensure that two employees working directly with children attending the service held at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action
The service contacted the previous employer immediately and received a second written reference which was validated. Management is to attend a HR masterclass course on contracts, employment and policies with an external support agency on June 6th and June 10th to ensure they are compliant
Both staff members have had their qualifications recognised by the DCEDIY. One of the staff had a letter from her college, however the service are aware of the new letter of temporary qualification recognition from DCEDIY. The other staff member had her qualifications on the QQI framework, the service has since sent off and received the letter of qualification recognition. Preventive Action
The service has instructed all management to ensure 2 references are provided and checked before any new staff member commences employment. They reiterated the importance of following policies and procedures. Two references are required as per the staff recruitment policy. (4) The service will ensure that all qualifications are recognised on the DCEDIY list before a new staff member commences employment. They will ensure all qualifications not on the DCEDIY list are recognised with a letter of qualification recognition. The service has updated their recruitment policy to include this action
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) The registered provider did not ensure a full record in writing was consistently maintained for the administration of medication. The following was observed: • The record keeping system available did not allow for the signature of the parent acknowledging the child had received the medication. • There was no second staff witness recorded for multiple administrations of medication for a child who received ongoing medication
Provider's corrective action:
Corrective Action The service has updated their administration of medicine form to ensure that parents sign every day and Parents must review the need for the medicine each week should it be on a continuous basis. They have also spoken to staff to ensure they understand the importance of following procedure and always ensuring that a second staff member will witness the administration of medicine. Preventive Action Service administration of medicine forms have been adapted to include daily parental signature lines and also a weekly review where parents sign to say that their child will continue to receive the medicine the following week. They also reiterated to staff at their staff meeting on the 13th of May, the importance of correct administration of medicine practices to ensure safety. Supporting Documentation Submitted Updated medication administration forms. Memo to staff on administration of medication Summary Comment The inspector has reviewed the actions taken and evidence submitted. The non-compliance identified under Regulation 16(j) has been adequately addressed
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. There was no documented information available in a care room detailing important information on the supervision required regarding a child who had additional care needs to ensure that the child’s safety and welfare was maintained. It is acknowledged that the staff were aware of safe care practice with regards to this child; however, this information was not readily available to new staff or students who may require access to this information when in the care room. Administration of Medication: 2. The administration of medication was not sufficient to support effective safe practice. The following was observed: • There were no documented detailed care plans available for two children who required a specific type of medication. • A staff member was observed to administer medication without checking the name of the child and details of the medication with a second staff member. • Medication was observed to be stored in a bag with no label identifying who owned the medication. • A child’s medication which was out of date was observed to be stored in a medication box. This was not in line with the service policy on the administration of medication. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. Corrective action: The care rooms in the service have created ‘all about me’ walls which includes specific traits and care needs of all children to inform all staff working with the children to be vigilant and understand any specific care requirements of the children. By providing the information any staff member who may be required to cover the room will understand the children’s needs. Preventive action: The service will incorporate ‘all about me’ into every room when the children transition. They have updated their supporting Transitions policy to include all about me and explained the importance of ensuring all staff are aware of specific care requirements and encouraged all rooms to follow the ‘all about me’ template immediately. They have explained the importance of ensuring all staff are aware of specific care requirements and encouraged all rooms to follow the all about me template immediately. Administration of Medication: 2. Corrective action: Care plans were created immediately in collaboration with parents for all children availing of medicine regardless of diagnosis of illness which are on display in the care room of the children to ensure safe administration of medicine. The importance of correct procedures and administration of medicine was highlighted at a staff meeting. The service have adapted their administration of medicine form to ensure that the date, time, dosage amount, staff full name, checked by second staff member and parents signature are on every line to ensure procedures are adhered to at all times. Regular management checks will be carried out in the folder to ensure compliance. All medicine will kept in a box with a lid, securely out of reach of children. Children’s names are clearly written on the medicine and all expired medicine have been returned to the parents to dispose of. Staff members assure they are fully aware of and will follow medication administration procedures in the future. Regular checks by room leaders and management will ensure compliance. Preventive action: Management will undertake regular checks to ensure compliance. All staff have been reminded of policy and procedures in safe administration and storage of medicines