Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(h) Staff in the Panda 2 room did not maintain a record of the children present in their room on the day of inspection up to 12pm or the previous day. It is acknowledged that attendance was completed after the inspector requested the attendance record. (j) On review of 14 administration of medication records for children in the service, the following information was not recorded. • Three records did not include the child’s date of birth, and one record did not have the child’s surname documented. (k) On review of 17 accident and incident records the following information was not recorded. • One form did not include the child’s date of birth. • Two records did not include the parent’s signature while four forms did not include the date the parent signed the form. • The manager’s signature and date were not recorded on one form. Full records, including signatures and dates must be maintained
Provider's corrective action:
In response to the non-compliances the registered provider has stated that findings of the inspection were discussed with all staff. The importance of record keeping was emphasised. This was followed by an email to outline non-compliances on receipt of report. Management will not sign accident/incident forms until they are correctly completed. Medicine forms to be checked weekly
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. An electric cable was positioned beside a cot in the cot room. This increased the potential risk of harm to a child. It is acknowledged that no child slept in the cot during the inspection. Infection Control: 2. The infection control practices observed in the service were at variance with the service policy and best practice guidelines. For example. • The children in the Panda 1 room did not have their hands washed before lunch. • Warm water, paper towels and a pedal bin were not available in the upstairs sanitary facilities used by the Tiger room. • Toilet roll and paper towels were not stored in a dispenser in the downstairs sanitary facilities used by the Panda 2 and Monkey rooms. Fire Safety: 3. Documentation available demonstrated that fire drills are not completed in the service monthly. This reduces the effective evacuation of staff and children in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that the radio was removed from the room on the day of inspection and that staff were all reminded about the importance of care and attention needed with electrical wires/cords. Infection Control: 2. In response to the non-compliances the service has stated that • The sink in the panda room was made more available to children and hands are washed regularly. A plumber was called out to inspect the system, and work was carried out to ensure warm water is always available. • New bins have been ordered and placed in bathroom with no bin and bins not working replaced. • Staff again were spoken to about monitoring the availability of paper towels/ toilet roll in bathrooms. A dedicated staff member will check all bathrooms for supplies. Fire Safety: 3. In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that a fire drill was completed the evening of the inspection. They have changed the structure of who is responsible for the fire drills
Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 19, 26, 28, 29.
(4) One staff member who worked directly with the children attending the service did not have written documentation to confirm that the qualifications they held was at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs
Provider's corrective action:
(4) In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that the staff member has completed their level 5 and was issued with a letter to confirm the course is complete. We will ensure that a letter from the college clearly states that the course has been completed
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(j) On review of 20 administration of medication records for children in the service, the following information was not recorded. • Six records did not include the child’s date of birth. • One record did not include the details of the medication administered and the length of time the medication was required for. • Two forms did not include the signature of the parent consenting for the administration of the medication. • Seven forms did not have all the required information recorded regarding the staff member who gave the medication and the staff member who witnessed the administration. • Eight forms did not have the signature of the parent on collection to ensure that the parent was aware of the administration to their child. (k) On review of 19 accident and incident records the following information was not recorded. • One form did not include the child’s date of birth. • Two forms did not include the date of the incident, and two forms did not include the date the form was completed. • One record did not include the parent’s signature while six forms did not include the date the parent signed the form. • The manager’s signature was not recorded on two forms. Full records, including signatures and dates must be maintained
Provider's corrective action:
(1) (j) (k) In response to the non-compliances the service has stated that staff have been reminded both verbally and via a memo about the importance of completing forms correctly and ensuring they are signed. (see memo attached) Management will review forms and will not sign any incomplete forms. We will note all/any forms due to be signed and review to ensure signed
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Toys and equipment in the Penguin room did not encourage or invite the children to engage with them. For example, cause and effect toys were without batteries, supporting equipment for the doll’s house, and a toy boat and shape sorter were missing and equipment for the play kitchen were not accessible to the children
Provider's corrective action:
1. In response to the non-compliances the service has stated that in conjunction with the staff in the room a quality framework for care of children was reviewed. Electronic toys are being kept to a minimum and the children’s needs are reflected in the room. The room will regularly be reviewed to ensure that the environment reflects the needs of the children. Staff will engage in online professional development through a quality practice organisation to assist in their understanding of the needs of the children. The service is also engaging with the quality practice organisation
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures that were available for two staff members were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. Infection Control: 2. The infection control practices observed in the Penguin room were at variance with the service policy and best practice guidelines. For example. • The children did not have their hands washed before eating their lunch. • Staff did not intervene when they observed a child playing with the waste disposal bin. Safe Sleep: 3. In the Penguin room staff maintained a log of the temperature of the rooms and the colour, breathing and position of sleeping children. However, discrepancies were observed in the information recorded. For example. • The times documented by staff were at variance with the observed time of sleep checks completed. • The temperature display in the cot room was observed as 19.7oC, however, staff recorded 17 oC and 18 oC. Accurate sleep checks are required to ensure the safety of children while they sleep. 4. The service did not adhere to the child sleep guidelines for children under the age of two years that slept on low contour beds. For example. • Three children under the age of 2 years who slept on low contour beds were left unattended and not always supervised by a staff member. • Five children under the age of two years slept on low contour beds, however, completed sleep plans were incomplete for two children as required by Tusla Safe Sleep Guidelines. Fire Safety: 5. Documentation available demonstrated that fire drills are not completed in the service monthly. This reduces the effective evacuation of staff and children in the event of an emergency. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In response the service has stated that vetting is regularly checked and updated. All staff have now been advised that they must provide proof of completing the application within 24 hrs. The vetting has been applied for, and we are awaiting receipt of same. As with all staff who do not have vetting, the provider is not attending the creche. Infection Control: 2. To address the non-compliances the service has stated that staff have all been reminded about the importance of implementing hygiene practices and will ensure that hand washing is part of their daily routine. Also noted with staff was to be vigilant with children crawling near bins. Engagement with a quality development agency will support staff to be observant in these areas. Safe Sleep: 3. To address the non-compliances observed a meeting was held with staff to read through our safe sleep policy and ensure that everyone is aware of accurate recording. Management will check in with staff to ensure all sleep times/temperature are correctly recorded. 4. In response a meeting was held with staff who were reminded that children need to be supervised while sleeping. Management will complete regular checks in rooms to ensure guidelines are being followed. Fire Safety: 5. Following the inspection a member of staff is the nominated fire officer. We will now have a second fire officer who is a management member, thus ensuring fire drills are monthly. Fire officers will refresh their knowledge in this area, and we will have a check list on the wall to be filled in by one of the fire officers at every fire drill, thus giving a visual for all management to ensure they are completed monthly
Regulation 29 — Premises
(d) Areas within the Monkey room to include the soft seating and wooden flooring were damaged and therefore not washable or wipeable, increasing the potential risk of cross infection
Provider's corrective action:
(d) In response the service has stated that the floor was fixed to prevent gaps, and the couch was removed until a new one arrives. A large mat for a cosy corner is in place. Checks of equipment will take place
(4) One staff member who worked directly with the children attending the service did not have written documentation to confirm that the qualifications they held was at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed eligible by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs
Provider's corrective action:
(4) In response to the non-compliance the service has stated that, an application was made to obtain confirmation of qualification, it will be sent to Early Years Inspectorate on receipt. Until then the staff member is working in the afterschool until confirmation of their qualification is obtained. To prevent the non-compliance, the staff file check list to include the question if we need to obtain confirmation of qualification has been updated. Summary Comment The corrective and preventive action taken have addressed the non-compliance identified on inspection
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(1)(k) The registered provider did not ensure a full record in writing was consistently maintained for accident and incidents. Following a review of 20 records, the following was observed: • Fourteen records did not include the child’s date of birth while one form did not document the child’s surname. • Two forms did not include the date of the incident and when the form was completed. • Two records did not include the parent’s signature where they acknowledge they had been informed of the accident or incident and six forms did not include the date the parent signed the form. • Full records, including signatures and dates must be maintained
Provider's corrective action:
(1)(k) In response the service has stated that all staff have been spoken to and advised about the non-compliance and how to correctly fill in accident forms. A form was placed in all the rooms near the accident forms to remind staff what needs to be filled in. Summary Comment The corrective and preventive action taken have addressed the non-compliance identified on inspection
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
1. Children in the Panda 1 room were observed using their soothers for prolonged periods throughout the day. This does not support the children’s oral motor skills, speech development and pronunciation. 2. Toys and equipment in the Panda 1 room did not encourage or invite the children to engage with them. For example, cause and effect toys were without batteries, supporting equipment for the doll’s house, and a toy aeroplane were not accessible and dolls with cloth bodies were soiled and visually dirty. The children’s family wall was not visually available to the children as it was positioned too high
Provider's corrective action:
1. In response the service has stated that this was addressed with staff in a meeting, and we discussed with staff how we could work with them to support children without soothers. Also discussed how we can work with the parents to work together on less soother use. We created a poster for the room as a reminder of soother use. This will be reviewed by management regularly. 2. To address this non-compliance a meeting was held with staff to discuss the importance of the learning environment for the children. Using the Aistear/Siolta practice guide we reflected on the room and addressed the concerns raised, creating a more stimulation and engaging environment for the children. We will engage with a Quality Development service from September to look at the whole building and work together to improve all areas of our service. This will also be reviewed in the September staff meeting
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Garda vetting disclosures that were available for two staff members were not dated within the previous three years in adherence to with the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting. 2. A child under the age of 2 years was observed being left unattended on a low floor bed while they drank from a bottle. This increased the potential risk of choking. Infection Control: 3. Nappy changing was not carried out in line with appropriate infection control practice. For example. • An open nappy bag with a soiled nappy and soiled wipes was placed directly beside a child’s head on the nappy mat following its removal. • Children with soothers did not have them removed while having their nappies changed. Administration of Medication: 4. Ten administration of medication records were reviewed, six had no parental pre consent for the administration of the medication and two did not have the second staff members name who observed the medication administration process recorded. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
General Safety: 1. In response the service has stated that Garda vetting was submitted for staff members and a new staff file check list includes area to update garda vetting. 2. This non-compliance was addressed with staff at a meeting. Attention was drawn to the risks involved with child drinking bottle in bed. Safe sleep policy was resent to staff and placed in an optimal place in the room. Infection Control: 3. To address this non-compliance, it was discussed at a meeting with staff. Staff were also reminded that children should not have soothers going into the changing room. Staff attention was brought to the policy in the changing room and a visual poster was placed alongside the policy to reinforce the procedure. Administration of Medication: 4. This was addressed with staff at a meeting to include what details/ information had been missed when staff are filling in the medicine forms. The medicine form/accident form checklist is on the wall in every room to remind staff to fill form in correctly