Ginny's Kidcare Child Minding

Transcription

1 Ginny's Kidcare Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 15 June 2017 Service provided by: Smyth, Virginia Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS

2 The service Introduction This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 21 December Virginia Smyth (Ginny) operating as Ginny's Kidcare is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 6 children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than 1 is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of children of the childminder's family. Minded children cannot be cared for by persons other than those named on the certificate. Overnight service will not be provided. The childminder operates the service from her family home in the Seafar area of Cumbernauld. It is well situated to local amenities and schools. The accommodation is split level. The children have the use of a living room and playroom on the upper floor and the kitchen and bathroom on the lower floor. There is a small enclosed back garden. At the time of our inspection, there was one child attending the service. The childminder has a set of aims which includes the following: 'To provide a warm, loving and safe home environment, while also allowing opportunities for outdoor experiences. Work with parents/guardians to help their children develop emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially.' What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection visit to the service on Thursday 15 June 2017 between 3pm and 7pm. At this time, there was one child attending the service. The inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate early years inspector. During the inspection, we spoke with the childminder, the child present and three parents who used the childminding service. One when they arrived to collect their child and two parents as they waited to collect their children from school. We observed the care given to the child by the childminder. We also looked at a number of documents and procedures. These included health and safety records, infection prevention and control procedures, training information, registration and insurance certificates. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting it right for every child (also known as GIRFEC). This is Scotland's national approach to improving outcomes and wellbeing for children by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work with the services that can help them. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of Getting it right for every child: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Views of people using the service The child present clearly enjoyed being with the childminder, who had formed a very good relationship with him. We watched the child as they had fun playing with some toys, colouring, drawing pictures and using the tablet to play games. They showed us the dance and song they would be taking part in at the school show that night. for Ginny's Kidcare page 2 of 9

3 The child told us they were very happy and really enjoyed coming to the childminder's. They were secure and confident in the environment. The child's comments included: 'Go on ipad and tablet... Like the soft play and visiting the museum. I like going to the park... go climbing... playing with frisbees, zipwire, trampoline.' Three parents returned questionnaires to us and we spoke to three parents. Their responses told us that they were very happy with the quality of the care their children received. Parents' comments from the questionnaires included: 'My childminder Ginny knows exactly what my kids like and plays with them. I.e. both my kids love football so during holidays she takes them to the pitches and plays football with them. My children love going to Ginny's house as her toys and computers are there for them to play with.' 'I am beyond happy with the service I receive... Although she [daughter] only goes around one morning a week, not a day goes by that she doesn't ask to go to Ginny's. Very friendly, firm and fair with the kids, and very accommodating.' 'Always takes him [son] out if weather is dry and does a range of different activities or plays with different toys if in the house. [Places the childminder takes the children] Bookbug at the library. Football pitches, park, toddler groups, soft play.' Self assessment We received a completed self assessment from the childminder. The childminder identified what she thought the service did well and gave some examples of improvements. The childminder used feedback from the children and their parents to plan activities, meet the needs of the children and improve the service. What the service did well The childminder had created a warm, friendly and homely environment for the children to play and relax in. She had built very good relationships with the children and parents. And, offered a flexible service to meet the needs of the children and families using her service. What the service could do better The childminder intends to continue to access relevant training such as child protection and first aid. She has agreed to read then implement the updated Health Protection Scotland document: Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings (Daycare and Childminding Settings). From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good not assessed 4 - Good for Ginny's Kidcare page 3 of 9

4 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection We found that the childminder provided very good opportunities for parents and children to give feedback to help develop the service. For example: - daily discussions with parents and children - regular informal contact by telephone, text and s - photographs were shared with parents showing their children taking part in activities - questionnaires - daily opportunities for children to contribute to activity planning. This approach meant that the parents and childminder had formed a very good working partnership that ensured continuity of care and support for the children attending the service. Parents and children visited the service before the children started. This approach enabled everyone to get to know each other and helped the children settle. Parents discussed their children's needs and completed forms giving information about their children. The childminder used these to shape the children's day-to-day care and experiences. Good communication between the childminder and parents helped keep the care plan information up to date. A parent commented: 'Very detailed take home sheet daily, text messages and pictures sent regularly.' There was very good interaction between the childminder and the child present. He was relaxed and enjoyed telling us about the cars he liked, playing games on the tablet and drawing. He also showed us the song and dance routine he was going to do for the school show that night. We watched the childminder as she supported and encouraged the child. This approach helped settle and nurture the child and contributed to an ethos of warmth and respect within the childminding service. The childminder told us what she would do if she had a child protection concern. She knew whom to contact to discuss these concerns, and a child protection policy was in place. This approach helped keep the children safe from harm and abuse. The childminder had a medication procedure in place. This enabled her to administer medication safely. As recommended in the previous report dated 26 June The childminder had implemented a snack menu. The childminder provided snacks and drinks in line with parents' wishes and the children's dietary requirements. We would suggest that she also refers to the best practice guidance - Setting the Table, Nutritional guidance and food standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland - to help her when planning snacks and drinks for the children in her care. The childminder was registered with the local authority to provide food. We found that the childminder had continued to provide very good child centred care. She encouraged children and parents to voice their opinions on activities, routines, equipment and outings. Parents told us that the childminder would act upon their suggestions. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 for Ginny's Kidcare page 4 of 9

5 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder operated the service from her family home which was visibly clean, safe, smoke free and child friendly. The childminder made good use of the space available in her home. The child present during the inspection had the use of the lounge and the playroom. The childminder had a good range of toys and equipment that the child was able to choose from. A parent told us: '[Childminder] Always takes him out if weather is dry and does a range of different activities or plays with different toys in the house. Excellent playroom with great toys.' The childminder had procedures in place to help minimise the spread of infection and ensure that the environment was safe, clean, and tidy. For example, she cleaned her home on a regular basis. Children were encouraged to regularly wash their hands. The childminder referred to the Health Protection Scotland document: Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings (Day Care and Childminding Settings). However, she did not have the updated version. She agreed to read and implement the updated guidance. The childminder regularly risk assessed her home, outdoor space and outings to ensure they were safe for the children. The childminder agreed to review and update her health and safety policies to include information about the family pets. The childminder kept a record of accidents and incidents. These were shared with parents. Appropriate insurance and registration certificates were in place and up to date. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good for Ginny's Kidcare page 5 of 9

6 Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder kept up-to-date with childcare best practice through a variety of ways. This included the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) website, training and best practice information, meeting up with other childminders to share practice and reading the Care Inspectorate Care News magazines and internet information. We found that the childminder had continued to develop her skills and knowledge. For example since the last inspection, she had undertaken an online first aid course, attended a Communities Childminding course in March 2014 and the Solihull Approach foundation course in January The childminder told us she intended to take part in a child protection refresher training course in August She also planned to attend a first aid course. The childminder was able to tell us how she had applied what she had learned to support the children in her care and improve her childminding service. The childminder provided a service for parents and children that ensured children were safe, respected and nurtured. She regularly discussed the children's care, support and development needs with the parents. This approach helped the childminder support the children she cared for. The childminder sought and listened to the children's and parents' ideas and feedback, to help improve the service. She had continued to develop strategies to encourage parents and children's feedback. We asked how the childminder involved parents and their children in making improvements or changes to the service. Comments included: 'She always asks me about the kids and if anything has changed.' 'Contacts me to discuss or lets me know.' The childminder had a good range of policies, which she had continued to update. This included a complaints policy. These were shared with the parents. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good for Ginny's Kidcare page 6 of 9

7 What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 The childminder should implement a snack menu in conjunction with children and parents that is in line with current best practice guidance. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 16 September Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had obtained a copy of the Nutritional Guidance for Early Years. She intends to continue to work with the children and parents to provide a range of healthy snacks which they will all enjoy. Further comments regarding menu planning are made under Quality of care and support. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. for Ginny's Kidcare page 7 of 9

8 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 26 Jun 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed for Ginny's Kidcare page 8 of 9

9 To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can 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. You can also read more about our work online at Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com Find us on Facebook Other languages and formats This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas. for Ginny's Kidcare page 9 of 9