Inspectors have ordered immediate action be taken at a Fife nursery after concerns over medication and child protection records were raised.
A Care Inspectorate visit to the Poppyview Family Centre in Methil raised concerns over the management and administration of medication at the facility.
The regulator also raised concerns over “poorly maintained” child protection records which, they say, “increased the risk to children’s safety and wellbeing”.
The report said the “major weaknesses” identified during the visit require immediate action to rectify them.
Staff, care and learning rated ‘weak’
Assessing the nursery, inspectors determined the care, learning and leadership as “unsatisfactory”.
Meanwhile the nursery setting and staff team were rated “weak”.
What did inspectors find?
The inspection at Poppyview Family Centre, which took place in September, found that the health and safety of children was “compromised” due to a lack of consistency and understanding of management and administration of medication.
Inspectors found some medication cards had not been reviewed regularly and information from relevant professionals did not clearly guide staff to manage medicines safely.
Poorly maintained child protection records also meant inspectors were unclear if the relevant people had access to information they needed to keep children safe.
Inspectors did note, however, that staff were “respectful, warm and caring towards the children” which helped them feel “supported and cared for”.
Inspectors also found that “key elements” of the recruitment process were not being followed which had the “potential to compromise the welfare and safety of children”.
Nursery management criticised
Branding the nursery leadership “unsatisfactory” the report reiterated that it must ensure that staff recruitment follows safe practices.
A series of recommendations have now been made.
These include the introduction of a “robust” audit and management system for medication records, as well as ensuring all staff understand their role in protecting children.
Concerns over staff deployment were also highlighted and it was determined children’s emotional wellbeing was being affected by the lack of consistent staff through the day.
However the report did note that staff engaged with the children who were said to be comfortable in their care.
A spokesperson for Poppyview Family Centre said the nursery was now under new management and is working closely with Fife Council and the Care Inspectorate to implement the report’s recommendations and make sure the best care is given to the children.
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