Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. In conflict with the services policy on healthy eating which states ‘we do not allow fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolate, crisps, popcorn, nuts or nut spreads’, one child was observed having popcorn for their snack. Popcorn is a choking hazard and is not permitted in a preschool service. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
1. We spoke to parents regarding healthy eating policy which states no fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolate spread, crisps, popcorn, nuts, or nut spreads. We talked to the children about the importance of healthy eating, children telling us what food they have for lunch. Talking about the food pyramid, and Healthy and unhealthy foods. We encourage children the importance of healthy eating on a daily basis. We will continue to remind parents the importance of healthy eating through daily basis, policy and monthly newsletter
(2) (a) (b) There was no evidence of consideration of references from a past employer, or in the case where there were no past employers, a source other than a past employer, on file for one staff member
Provider's corrective action:
(2) (a) (b) References on file. Always check that new staff have up to date references upon commencing work
Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
(1) The registered provider did not ensure that there were an adequate number of adults working directly with the children. There were 17 children enrolled to attend the service with one adult rostered to be on the premises. The registered provider informed the inspector that not all children routinely attend, therefore if more than 11 arrive on a given day, a second adult would be called to work in the service. (3) On the morning of inspection, there was one adult caring for 13 children aged 2-4 years. The required ratio of adults to children for this age group of children attending a sessional service is one adult to every 11 children. Therefore, an additional adult was required to care for the group of children attending
Provider's corrective action:
Ensure that we have a second staff member on standby in case of emergency
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
(a) There was no record in writing of the qualifications and experience of two staff members recruited to the service since the last inspection. As a result, it could not be determined if international police vetting was required for either of the staff members
Provider's corrective action:
(a) Up to date records of qualifications and experience available in staff file. The service will ensure that each new member of staff has all requested documents upon commencement of work
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
(1) (a) 1. With the exception of circle time, the adult to child interactions were observed to be focused on functional instruction and correction. The staff member missed valuable opportunities to engage in sustained, purposeful interactions with the children during their play. This was evidenced by one child spending considerable time walking aimlessly around the room and the staff member repeatedly using the phrase ‘ah ah’ to correct behaviour or calling the child’s name without further instruction or guidance. Children were also repeatedly instructed not to touch the ‘space’ in front of other children during snack time. This was further reinforced during a discussion about ‘rules’ at circle time. 2. It was observed that the activities in the room were mainly adult led with children given limited opportunities for self-directed, child led play. All activities on the day were decided by the staff member and there were no alternative options for children who wished to disengage from an activity. 3. The range of play materials, resources and equipment available to children did not provide a challenging, diverse and enriching learning environment that promotes all areas of development. There were no clearly defined interest areas and a shelving unit in the room was empty. During free play, children had access to a small kitchen, a limited range of books and one box of plastic blocks which was then removed from the room. After snack time, the staff member selected one jigsaw for all children to build. 4. It could not be evidenced on the day of inspection that children had freedom to move around the room and select play items. Once children was repeatedly returned to their chair to play despite numerous attempts to move from the area. The larger group of children were also required to remain in a seated position either at the table or on the floor for circle time from 11.00am until they left the service at 12.30pm. 5. The chairs available to children to sit on were too high for a number of children to be able to rest their feet comfortably on the floor and as a result, children appeared restless and struggled to remain seated for mealtime and to engage in tabletop play activities
Provider's corrective action:
1. Staff and management have reviewed the behaviour management policy under procedures and practices and in daily interactions. An application for Better Start has been submitted. 2. Staff and management have reviewed the behaviour management policy under procedures and practices and in daily interactions. We have a daily routine and child led activities available during play indoors and outdoors. 3. An application for Better Start has been submitted. 4. An application for Better Start has been submitted. 5. We can use our old chairs and are still in good condition. The next chairs we buy we will ensure that the children's feet rest comfortably
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
General Safety: 1. Records detailing the attendance of each preschool child were not maintained accurately in relation to children’s arrival time to the service. The staff member was observed signing children in on the roll book following the inspector’s arrival and on review by the inspector, it was noted that one child had not been signed in as attending. The lack of an accurate, real-time record of children attending the service poses a risk that a child may go unaccounted for in the event of an emergency evacuation. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
1. We will ensure that each child is signed in as they enter the preschool premises. We will ensure all staff are aware of the importance of the signing in children upon arrival and signing out at time of departure
Regulation 27 — Supervision
Children were not adequately supervised at all times while attending the service. Following routine handwashing, one child remained in the toilet area and was only discovered when the inspector entered the room. The child stated that she had been ‘locked out’ thus evidencing that the child had attempted to return to the room but was unable to do so. The staff member was unaware that there was a child in the area and proceeded to ask the child on return if she was ‘ok’
Provider's corrective action:
We have two members of staff on the premises at all times. One to supervise toileting as required