Regulation 11 in Tipperary
Staffing Levels: 2 non-compliance(s) in the latest reports we read.
An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.
29 January 2025
Caterpillars Childcare (Newport), Newport · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) On the morning of the inspection there were 24 children aged 3 – 5 years old and 2 staff between the 2 Junior pre-school rooms. The minimum number of adults required for this age group, while attending an ECCE session, was 1 for every 11 children, therefore, there was an inadequate number of staff working directly with the children in the Junior pre-school rooms at that time. It is acknowledged that staff explained the rationale for working out of ratio on the day was to accommodate the needs of two of the children, however, additional staff were required in the rooms to meet the minimum requirements. The registered provider was present on the afternoon of the inspection to provide relief to staff for their breaks, however, as the only member of staff available to provide relief on the day of inspection this is insufficient to meet the needs of the service. There should be sufficient staff to provide relief for staff breaks and to support activities that required staff to leave their rooms such as nappy changing and settling babies for sleep
Provider's corrective action:
- Corrective & Preventive Action The registered provider provided the following rationale, in total in Newport they have four preschool groups. On the day preschool group one and two were over ratio by one child each and preschool group three and four were under ratio by one child each. In total as per ratio they had 44 children in preschool with 4 preschool teachers. Up to recently the two additional children between group one and two were part of group three and four, which meant every preschool group was within ratio, the y were only moved b ecause they were not settling and after review and at their parent request, the service moved them to group one and two. The service has since spoken to a number of parents to ask if they would be willing to allow them to move their child to group three and group four, which they have agreed . This would mean the service would be operating within ratio requirements . The service explained to parents that from time to time they may need to move children between preschool groups to remain in ratio, but they will try and only do this as a last measure to avoid disruption and discomfort to the children. Summary Comment All evidence submitted meets the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
11 September 2024
Rahealty N.S. Pre-School, Thurles · Regulation 11 — Staffing levels
- (1) There were insufficient staff working directly with the children at times during the day when the ratios changed from sessional to part-time and when the care needs of the younger children required more staff, such as during nappy changing. (2) The adult to child ratio was not maintained when the service reverted to the required ratios for a part-time service, outside of the hours of the sessional service. The regulations require that there be at least 1 adult to 6 children aged between 2 and 3 years old and 1 adult to 8 children aged over 3 years old working directly with the children in a part-time service . Therefore, on the day of inspection a minimum of 3 staff were required in the service before 9.30am and after 12.30pm
Provider's corrective action:
- This service has now employed an employee to correct this non-compliance and will ensure that correct ratios are in place. Summary Comment All evidence submitted meets the requirements Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016