Inspection of 6 September 2023 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was issued to the registered provider on the 6 September 2023 due to the requirements of
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (2)(d) International police vetting was not available for two staff members who had resided outside of the jurisdiction for more than 6 months as an adult. (4) Two staff members employed within the service and working directly with the children did not had evidence to confirm they held a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications. • One staff member had a transcript of their completed studies but did not have their final award certificate or further evidence to demonstrate the qualification was deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs (DCEDIY). • One staff member had a certificate of their award but did not have evidence to demonstrate the qualification was deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs (DCEDIY)
Provider's corrective action:
- In response to the non-compliance the registered provider has stated that International Police Vetting applications for two staff are in progress. The service will ensure their Recruitment Policy process is followed and all documentation as per the policy requirement list is signed off by the designated person in advance of any offer of employment
- The service has stated that one staff member has a transcript that is on the DCEDIY List under major award. A request for a full certificate from the University is in process and will be issued by the University. The second staff member is in the process of doing a follow up of additional documentation requested from the DCEDIY and submitting an application to obtain Letter of Eligibility to Practice in the Early Years Sector. The service will ensure that the Recruitment Policy process is followed and all documentation as per the policy requirement list is signed off by the designated person in advance of any offer of employment
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (j) Details of medication administered to children was not available for inspection. (k) While it is acknowledged that one accident / incident form dated 23rd August 2023 was available for review, no further record of incidents that occurred within the service were available
- (b) The registered provider did not retain the required records relating to children and the medications administered and any accidents or incidents that occurred within the previous two years as per the regulations. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- (j) In response to the non-compliances the service has stated that all Medicine Consent and Administration Records will be signed and available when/if medication is administered. All Medicine Consent and Administration Record files will be held on location for the period of two years as per regulations. (k) All accident/ incident report form records will be signed and available when/if an accident/incident is reported. All accident/ incident report form records will be held on location for the period of two years as per regulations
- The service will retain all records relating to the medications administered or any accidents/incidents recorded for the period of 2 years as per regulations. The service have updated all staff on the requirements of regulation 16 that Medicine Consent and Administration Records or accident/ incident records must be held for the period of 2 years. Summary Comment The service has addressed the non-compliances through the corrective and preventive actions taken
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic Needs: 1. Three children that attended both the morning and afternoon session were provided with the same main meal of potatoes, broccoli, chicken, and gravy during both sessions. An alternative meal or choice was not provided or available. This reduces the children’s enjoyment and interest in meals and could potentially increase a child’s reluctance to eat meals while in the service. 2. It was observed that some children were not given the opportunity to enjoy their food at scheduled mealtimes and spend time conversing with their peers. This reduced the children’s overall nutritional intake and their social interactions with their friends. For example. • At 3.09pm, while one child sat and ate their dinner, a staff member interrupted the child to change their nappy. On returning to the care room the child didn’t return to the table but instead sat in the rest area. When offered their leftover meal they declined. The care room routine outlined that nappy changes took place between 3.30-4pm and that children were given from 3-3.30pm to eat their dinner. Supporting Relationships: 3. The transition from outdoor play to dinner time in the Toddler 1 room was observed to be disorganised. Children were not given clear instructions and guidance by staff which resulted in the children becoming upset and distressed. This did not create a calm a relaxed environment for the children to eat their meal in and to ensure an adequate nutritional intake. For example. • Children took turns coming to the staff member to collect their lunch, one child spilled their food as they returned to the table, this was then cleaned by staff which delayed the process and children became upset due to the wait. • A child that had to wait for their lunch began eating another’s child’s meal which caused the other child to become upset and cry. • After dinner staff placed fruit on the table, however, three children that had left the table after their main meal didn’t see the fruit and therefore didn’t eat it. • It was observed that one child did not eat a main meal or fruit at lunch time which was not verbally communicated to their parents on collection
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that staff will observe children at mealtimes attending for second service to ensure they are enjoying their food and/if or when they see the child not enjoying meals, they will confer with kitchen staff to provide alternative options if needed or if this is the issue. We have added an alternative meal option to be available for children coming to two sessions in one day if required. 2. The service stated that a revision of training was provided to staff to review the importance of giving children the opportunity to enjoy and eat their meals as per our Health and Nutrition Policy. Supervision of staff and revision of staffs and practices around mealtimes and routines in each room to ensure children can enjoy the experience of food and mealtimes as guided under our Health and Nutrition Policy. 3. The registered provider has responded that training was provided to staff to review Health and Nutrition Policy. Encourage an organised and relaxing transition from outdoor play to dinner time and to ensure staff do communicate clearly with the children to create a good environment around mealtime and good direction to the children and clear communication with parents at collection time about the children and their meals. Supervision of daily practices under our Health and Nutrition Policy and room routines and transition from one activity into mealtimes ensuring this is routed into our curriculum with all staffs in each room and good practice around mealtimes and communication with parents
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General Safety: 1. The temperature of the care rooms was not maintained within the recommended 18 to 22oC. This increased the children’s discomfort. It is acknowledged that it was a warm day and staff had ensured that the care room windows were open, but temperatures were recorded as follows: Room Time Air Temperature Time Air Temperature Time Air Temperature Toddler 1 room 11.27am 27.2 0C 12.04pm 27.7 0C 3.29pm 29.8oC Toddler 2 room 3.03pm 28.80C An immediate action notice was issued. It is acknowledged that the service took immediate action to address the non-compliance when it was highlighted to the registered provider by the inspectors. 2. The safe and effective evacuation of all the children in the event of an emergency was not ensured as staff did not maintain and retain the information regarding each child’s arrival and departure from the service. For example. • At 3.30pm, it was observed that there were seven children present in the Toddler 1 room, however only six children were recorded as being in attendance since 1.25pm. • At 3.33pm, it was observed that there were six children present in the Toddler 2 room, however seven children were recorded as being in attendance. A child that left the service at 3.05pm was still recorded as attending at 3.33pm. Infection Control: 3. The nappy changing procedure was not carried out according to the service policy and best practice guidelines. This increased the potential risk of cross infection. For example. • A total of eight nappy changes were observed, and the staff member used the same gloves and apron when changing three children. • No apron was worn when changing one child’s nappy and handwashing after the procedure was not completed by four adults and two children. Administration of Medication: 4. A clearly written care plan to enable staff to identify and accurately administer treatment when required was not available for one child. 5. Medication for the treatment of one specific child in an emergency was not labelled with the child’s full name and date of birth to ensure the correct administration. 6. Written parental pre consent for the administration of prescribed emergency medication was not available for two children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General Safety: 1. On the 7 September the registered provider responded to the immediate action notice with the actions implemented within the service. The service has installed air cooling units in all rooms and completed training with staff on proactive approaches in times when weather is hotter than normal. Cooling units were placed in each of the room 24 hours following inspection day to reduce temperatures and maintain rooms temperature within 18 to 22 degrees. Staff will review the thermometers at all times, mainly during the summer months to keep temperatures within 18 to 22 degrees and provide cooling units when needed and respond with good ventilation and hydration available. 2. The service has stated that staff undertook training on Fire and Safety Policy to revise the importance of accurate recording of roll books entry in and out of the room session for the event of fire evacuation and fire drills. Supervision of attendance records in each room including daily checking during session times to ensure recording is up to date and accurate particularly in the event of evacuation. Infection Control: 3. To address the non-compliance staff training on Nappy Changing Procedure and review of policy including step- by-step guide on procedure of nappy changing was carried out. Follow up supervision and revision on best practice Nappy Changing Policy and how it is being implemented. Administration of Medication: 4. The service has reviewed and updated the Medical Care Plan to enable staff to identify clearly and accurately symptoms, how to react, how to administer and what medication and place where each medication is located. Labels have been placed on each medication with the full name of child to ensure correct administration and signing off all documentation. Training of all staffs on updated Medical Care Plans, Medicine Request and Indemnity Form, Medicine Consent and Administration Records. 5. The service has reviewed medication storage and labelling of medication where a care plan and medication is required to be on site in the event of emergency Training on Medication Administration Policy and ensure medication forms are filled out and signed off accordingly and medication is stored and labelled correctly. 6. The service has reviewed with staff of each room Medicine Request and Indemnity Forms and requirements. Training on Medicine Request and Indemnity Form for all staff ensuring procedures for parental consent for any administering of medication
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (c) Adequate ventilation was not available in the Toddler 1 room to ensure that the temperature of the room was maintained between the recommended 18-22 oC and to reduce the risk of cross infection. It was observed that a window in the care room was damaged and therefore could not be opened
Provider's corrective action:
- (c) The service has stated that windows will remain open for adequate ventilation and ensure cooling in all rooms throughout the session period. Damaged window to be repaired in Toddler room 1 to enable better ventilation (4 weeks)
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26.