Inspection of 6 November 2024 — Inspection Report
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- One of the references obtained in respect of one staff member from a source other than a past employer was not suitable, as the source of the reference could not be considered to be independent or unbiased
- The registered provider did not take appropriate measures to ensure that all employees were suitable to work in an early years service prior to commencing employment. It is acknowledged that a Garda vetting disclosure and two validated references were available for a staff member who had previously been employed in the service and who had returned to work in the service in September 2024. However, the Garda vetting disclosure and validated references available were dated from 2022 and 2021 respectively and had not been renewed before the staff member commenced employment on 20 September 2024
- There was no evidence available to demonstrate that one adult, who had been employed since the last inspection, and who was working directly with the children in the service held a relevant major award in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications
Provider's corrective action:
- Manager sought to validate most recent employer reference submitted by employee. Recruitment policy reviewed and updated to reflect new knowledge gained from recent inspection, ie. Past employees returning to work in our organisation require new references from most recent employers to be sought and validated prior to starting new contract with St Kevin’s
- New Garda vetting application being processed for employee who returned to employment in our service. Recruitment policy update to include a paragraph which states: Employees who have left our organisation for periods over 6 months will need new Garda vetting, regardless if old certificate is still in date, also latest employment reference need to be validated and held on compliance folder in place of past reference checks
- DCEDIY letter for qualification recognition applied for by employee who has successfully gained 180 credits and completed year 1, 2 and 3 in degree course in college and returned to complete level 8. Member of staff not included in ratios until letter of qualification recognition delivered to St Kevin`s
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- Infection Control: Inspectors observed a number of practices which posed a risk of transmission of infection within the service: 1. Some nappy changing practices observed during the inspection in the service were inadequate for infection control purposes and at variance with the service’s nappy changing procedure. Staff were observed to redress children with the same used gloves following nappy changes. 2. Staff were observed lifting the lid of the bin in the nappy changing area to dispose of waste posing a risk of the spread of infection. 3. Toilet paper was not stored on a toilet roll holder in the sanitary area in the Daffodil and Bluebell rooms. Children were required to handle the roll of toilet paper posing a risk of cross contamination. 4. There was no dispenser for paper towel for hand drying in the Daffodil room. The paper towel was stored on a shelf. Staff members were required to tear pieces off the roll for the children and hand it to them posing a risk of cross contamination. Administration of Medication: 5. Procedures and practices in place for children attending the service requiring medication were inadequate and at variance with the service policy, posing a potential risk to the health and safety of children. Medication for one child in the Daffodil room was not stored in its original packaging and was not clearly labelled. This medication was stored loosely in the child’s bag and was not labelled with the child’s name or individual dosage requirements. It is acknowledged that the child’s bag was stored out of reach of the children. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- Infection Control: 1. Spoke with each staff member individually to remind them of correct nappy changing procedures as per our policies. Whole service meeting will be held on January Friday 3rd 2025 prior to children returning to reflect on nappy changing policies and procedures, also reminders at regular support and supervision, spot checks will also be conducted by management. 2. Spoke with each staff member individually to remind them of correct nappy changing procedures as per our policies. Whole service meeting will be held on January Friday 3rd 2025 prior to children returning to reflect on nappy changing policies and procedures, also reminders at regular support and supervision, spot checks will also be conducted by management. 3. Toilet roll holder bought and installed in all cubicles. Added onto cleaning checklist to monitor toilet roll holders/blue paper towel dispensers to ensure ample supply and fittings in good working order. 4. Blue roll paper hand towel dispenser fitted in Daffodil room at children`s level. Added onto cleaning checklist to monitor toilet roll holders/blue paper towel dispensers to ensure ample supply and fittings in good working order. Administration of Medication: 5. Child`s medication now stored safely with clear instructions as provided to us by parent with child`s name and dosage to be administered in event of asthma attack clearly labelled. Revisit our medications administered policy with all staff on January 3rd whole service meeting/training day
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 15, 19.