Deeresha: Tao, could you take over the b...

Audio by Paper2Audio

Deeresha: Tao, could you take over the block area and quiet corner for a moment? I need to do the scheduled nappy changes with the two toddlers.

Deeresha: Tao, thanks for holding the floor. Let's start getting the tamariki ready for mat time before lunch.

Deeresha: Hey, Matiu? Come here. How are you feeling? Aue, you're really hot.

Deeresha: Let me check the medical log. (Checks the book.) There's no entry for Matiu today.

Deeresha: Tao, can you come here for a moment, please?

Deeresha: Raman, why don't we have a chat in my office? I understand that you're angry, and you have every right to be. You trusted us with Matiu's health and wellbeing, and today we failed to keep him safe. I'm really sorry.

Deeresha: And I understand why you thought telling us was enough. You're new to the kindergarten, aren't you?

Deeresha: You're right. We should have explained our medication procedures and what needed to be recorded. I'm sorry that we didn't.

Deeresha: I understand. This is something we need to take responsibility for as a centre. We should have given you a proper familiarisation when you and Matiu started, including our medication procedures and documentation.

Deeresha: I believe you. You gave us the information you thought we needed. It was our responsibility to make sure the process was clear.

Deeresha: Absolutely. Thank you for telling us how this has affected you. We need to take responsibility for what happened and for the trust that was affected today.

Deeresha: Matiu should have had someone noticing how he was feeling throughout the day. I'm sorry that didn't happen.

Deeresha: We'll document what happened, follow our incident and medication procedures, review how the information was handed over, and reflect on our practice.

Deeresha: Of course. Kia pai to ra.

Deeresha: Tao, I understand you're upset, but I don't want us to see this as just you forgetting. We need to look at what caused the communication breakdown.

Deeresha: Yes, and that's the learning here. Professional responsibility isn't about knowing everything. It's about recognising when you don't know something and asking for help.

Deeresha: When a parent gives us information about their child's wellbeing, it needs to reach the right person and be handled according to our procedures. Today, that communication broke down. But I also take responsibility. I knew you were new, and I should have made sure you understood our medication and communication procedures.

Deeresha: That's something we need to improve in our induction. New relievers and student teachers need to be properly familiarised with our procedures, and new whanau need to understand them too.

Deeresha: We had 30 children and 3 teachers, so on paper we met the 1:10 minimum ratio under Regulation 44. But because I was doing one-on-one nappy changes, the actual supervision on the floor was much more stretched.

Deeresha: Exactly. A minimum ratio tells us how many adults need to be present, but it doesn't guarantee that every child gets the attention they need. That's the difference between minimum compliance and quality practice.

Deeresha: Yes. But instead of asking, “Who made the mistake?”, we should ask, “What can we change so this doesn't happen again?”

Deeresha: Exactly. Quality practice is about teamwork, clear communication, appropriate staffing, and strong systems—not blaming one person.