Childminder inspection report. Nicole's Childminding Service Inverness

Transcription

1 Nicole's Childminding Service Inverness Inspection completed on 03 May 2016

2 Service provided by: Cook, Nicole Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS Inspection Type: Unannounced Care services in Scotland, including childminders, cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and set out improvements that must be made. We also investigate complaints about care services and take action when things aren't good enough. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service. Contact Us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com page 2 of 13

3 1 Introduction The childminder lives with her partner and young child in a residential area of Inverness two miles from the town centre. The childminder's home is on the ground floor and minded children have access to the small bedroom, sitting room and kitchen. This was the childminders first inspection, she had been childminding for one year caring for one or two children at any given time. The aims of the childminder are : Childminder inspection report - To provide a service that is safe, stimulating and interesting for children in her care. - To provide a number of activities that are suited to the age and development of each child. - To work in partnership with parents to ensure that the children cared for reflects care provided within their own home environment. - To provide a service that reflects best practice and is safe and secure for the children that attend. The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service. We want to ensure they have the best start in life, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting it right for every child (also known as GIRFEC). Set up by Scottish Government, GIRFEC is a national approach to working in a consistent way with all children and young people. It is underpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. The approach helps services focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people - and what they can do to improve. Getting it right for every child is being woven into all policy, practice, strategy and legislation that affect children, young people and their families. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of Getting it right for every child. They are: safe; healthy; achieving; nurtured; active; respected; responsible; page 3 of 13

4 and included. They are often referred to as the SHANARRI indicators. We use these indicators at inspection, to assess how services are making a positive difference for children. The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April Requirements and recommendations Childminder inspection report If we are concerned about some aspect of a service, or think it could do more to improve, we may make a recommendation or requirement. - A recommendation is a statement that sets out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service, but where failure to do so will not directly result in enforcement. Recommendations are based on the National Care Standards, relevant codes of practice and recognised good practice. - A requirement is a statement which sets out what is required of a care service to comply with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and Regulations or Orders made under the Act or a condition of registration. Where there are breaches of Regulations, Orders or Conditions, a requirement must be made. Requirements are legally enforceable at the discretion of the Care Inspectorate. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced visit which took place on Tuesday 3 May Feedback was given to childminder by the Inspector on the day of inspection. The inspector spent one and half and hours at the service observing practice and examining records. The feedback included areas for improvement made as a result of this inspection visit. As requested by us, the service provider sent us an annual return. The provider page 4 of 13

5 issued questionnaires to users of the service and two questionnaires were returned directly to the Care Inspectorate. In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents including: - Observation of how the service was delivered - Physical inspection of the rooms used for childminding - Annual return - Examination of records - Interview with childminder - Examination of policies and procedures - Completed questionnaires from parents to the care Inspectorate - Childs daily diary. Views of people using the service One child who was not able to give an informed opinion of how the service was delivered due to her age was present throughout this inspection. The child was very comfortable in the presence of the childminder who she looked to for physical support (sitting on her knee) during the inspection. There was lots of smiles and giggles from the child who had formed a close relationship with the childminder. During the inspection the child was able to choose toys from the selection that was provided by the childminder. Self assessment Every year all care services complete a 'self assessment' telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this is accurate. A self assessment was returned to the Care Inspectorate when requested. What the service did well The childminder had carefully considered how she could mirror the child's home care by listening carefully to parents and asking pertinent questions. By caring for one or two children only in her first year, the childminder was keen to establish good practices and not overwhelm herself. What the service could do better It is important than annual returns are completed and submitted when requested. Meeting with other childminders and attending playgroups with page 5 of 13

6 young children would allow children to socialise with other toddlers of the same age and help to prepare them for nursery and primary school. Keeping practice up to date by reading childcare magazines, accessing the Care Inspectorate hub and attending training would provide opportunities to develop practice and confidence. 2 The grades we awarded We grade the quality of care and support, the quality of the environment and the quality of management and leadership. If the childminder employs an assistant, we also grade the quality of staffing. In each case, we award a grade on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent. Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection When children were being placed for care, the childminder, in conversation with the child's parents recorded basic details on the child's likes and dislikes which would assist the childminder in getting to know the child. Other information such as medical and dietary needs along with contact details for the child and their General Practitioner were also recorded. These basic documents could be expanded to include additional information such as how does the child react to strangers/animals or groups of children. Children who were staying for the majority of the day were provided with healthy drinks and snacks by the childminder and parents were encouraged to provide healthy meals for the children if required. To ensure that all children are encouraged to eat healthily a printed lunch sheet for parents directing them to provide healthy snacks and meals that do not contain sweet fizzy drinks/sweets would reflect best practice. See 'Setting the Table' a Scottish government page 6 of 13

7 booklet on healthy eating for children. The childminder accompanied children on daily walks, they enjoyed feeding the ducks, playing in the park and walking around the estate. When caring for children who do not have siblings of a similar age, contact with other children by attending local playgroups would be beneficial when it comes to socialisation and preparation for nursery. A daily diary was retained for the younger children and parents of the children could access this online to view children's sleep/nap times, dietary intake, activities and other information that was relevant. The childminder was willing to speak to parents at any time if they had any concerns about their child's care and was quite happy to speak to parents on the phone or meet with them without children being present. The childminder was in the process of putting together a developmental file on each child which included milestones achieved. After a discussion on the subject the childminder now has a clear view on what basics are to be recorded and how artwork can reflect children's development. Policies and procedures were in place and they clearly informed parents how medication would be administered and recorded, aims and objectives of the service and child protection procedures. It has been six months since the childminder was registered with the Care Inspectorate and it was agreed that this was an appropriate time to review and update policies and procedures. We found that when interacting with children, the childminder had a good understanding of children's needs and development as she spoke to them with age appropriate language, used lots of facial gestures and praise. This approach resulted in the cared for child being relaxed and comfortable within the childminders home, confident to explore their surroundings and comfortable in the arms of the childminder when their security was challenged. Once the child had got used to the Inspector there was lots of laughter and smiles. When caring for children from a different culture it is worth considering providing some doll figures and books that reflect this culture this would help the child relate to family figures and so on. page 7 of 13

8 We discussed child protection policies and procedures and though the childminder had completed an online course, attending a workshop would be advantageous. The childminder had an insight into how a child may present if neglected or at risk and was aware of who to contact if concerned. Rewriting her child protection policy informing parents of her responsibility to children would give additional clarity. Grade The quality of care and support is graded 4 - Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 Childminder inspection report 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder's home was clean, tidy, well maintained and in a good state of repair. Furniture and fittings were appropriate and the toys that were available to children on the day of inspection were age appropriate, attractive and again in a good state of repair. Risk assessments had been carried out for the childminder's home and again these were reviewed on a regular basis. Fire detection systems were in place and drills for older children would be carried out. The childminder was aware of new legislation relating to car seats and suggested that she would be purchasing models with back support so that children would be safely transported. Policies and procedures were in place for the safety of children and parents were informed of exclusion periods for children who were unwell. Infection control procedures were in place and as the childminder had previously worked as a chef she was well aware of the need to keep work surfaces clean and that frequent hand washing was best practice. page 8 of 13

9 During the inspection we discussed the changing of nappies and the childminder agreed to update practice by taking off protective gloves at the appropriate time. Accident and incident records were examined at the inspection and they were found to be recorded appropriately with parents signing to say they had sight of them. Appropriate car insurance was in place along with an up to date MOT certificate. Contact details of children were recorded on the childminders phone which allowed her to contact parents in an emergency when out and about. Public insurance was in place and this would be renewed on an annual basis. We discussed outside play as the childminders garden was not registered due to the large gravel chips and lack of fencing between houses. This may change in the near future. Grade The quality of environment is graded 4 - Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. page 9 of 13

10 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder was a member of the Scottish Child Minding Association (SCMA) and administered her business by using their pre-printed documents which met with legislation and best practice. Reading childcare magazines (SCMA) and speaking to other childminders about childcare practices are two of the ways in which the childminder kept her practice up to date. Joining a childminding group and attending training are other ways in which practice issues can be discussed and clarified. The childminder completed a daily diary on line for each child informing parents of what activities the child was taking part in during the day along with sleep patterns, food intake and general demeanour. A verbal handover was also offered when dropping off the children at their home address. Completing a self-assessment and annual return was an opportunity to evaluate service provision. Circulating questionnaires to parents on a regular basis is another way that can be helpful when evaluating service delivery as feedback can help in identifying areas that need refinement. A complaints/comments policy procedure was in place and these encouraged parents to any issues directly with the childminder if they were unhappy with any aspect of service delivery. When discussing practice during this inspection, the childminder was aware that she was still in the learning stages of childminding and was open to suggestions and advice. This inspection confirmed that practice and administration were satisfactory and safe and that the child present was very comfortable in the presence of the childminder. By fine tuning systems and administrative procedures along with attending training on an on-going basis the childminder will gain experience and knowledge. Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 4 - Good page 10 of 13

11 Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations What the service has done to meet any recommendations or requirements we made at our last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. Previous recommendations There are no outstanding recommendations. 8 Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at 9 Enforcements No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection page 11 of 13

12 10 Other issues n/a Childminder inspection report 11 Inspection and grading history This service does not have any prior inspection history or grades. page 12 of 13

13 To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. You can also read more about our work online. Contact Us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY Other languages and formats Childminder inspection report This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is c?nain eile ma nithear iarrtas. page 13 of 13