Childminder inspection report. Burns, Michelle Irvine

Transcription

1 Burns, Michelle Irvine Inspection completed on 17 June 2016

2 Service provided by: Burns, Michelle 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 14

3 1 Introduction 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 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; 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 childminder provides her service from her home in the town of Irvine, North Ayrshire. She can care for up to six children at any one time under the age of sixteen years, of whom a maximum of three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under twelve months. From 16 September 2015 until 31 August 2016 the childminder may care for 4 children not yet attending primary school. The childminder principally aims to provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children feel happy and secure. What we did during our inspection page 3 of 14

4 We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection which took place between 9.35am and 12.05pm on 17 June The childminder completed and submitted an annual return and self assessment form as requested. We sent the childminder questionnaires to give to parents/carers using her service. Two were completed and returned to us. During the inspection process we gathered evidence from various sources including: - The completed self assessment - Methods of information sharing - Children's personal plan folders - Road safety resources - House rules - Menu planner - Allergen information - Photographs - Sticker rewards - Food hygiene pass certificate - Gas safety record - 'Who's here today' board - Activity cards - Risk assessments - Accident/incident records - Weekly organiser folder - Infection control procedures - Policies/procedures - Good practice guidance - Parent evaluation questionnaires - Consultation with children - Newsletters - Training records - Evidence folder - Insurance certificate We spoke with the childminder and observed interaction and the relationship page 4 of 14

5 between her and the children present. We also looked at the childminding environment and some resources. Views of people using the service Three children aged three years and under were being cared for on the day of our visit. They were happy, settled and familiar in their surroundings. Activities they enjoyed included arts/crafts, making their own creations for Father's Day. The childminder knew the children well and readily met their needs and preferences. One child told us what she liked to do which included 'boogy books' and going to the park. Both parents who completed and returned our Care Standards questionnaires indicated they were happy overall with the quality of care their children received. Comments made included "I am overall extremely happy with the service Michelle provides. My daughter always enjoys going here and is always happy when I collect her. I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone looking for childcare". Further comments are included within this report. 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. We received a competently completed self assessment document from the childminder which accurately reflected the service strengths we found during this inspection. The childminder had identified what she thought she did well under each of the headings and how her daily practice resulted in providing positive outcomes for the children and their families. She also told us how the people who use her care service had taken part in evaluation processes and involvement opportunities. What the service did well The childminder had continued to maintain and develop her excellent service. She was committed to improving outcomes for the families using her service and kept up to date with legislation and best practice, using her learning to further develop her own practice. The children were provided with choices and their views listened to. They were encouraged to form positive friendships and help one another. The garden area had been further developed to provide the children with additional play resources. page 5 of 14

6 The childminder fully involved parents in their children's care and gathered a wide range of relevant information to help cater for their individual needs which was reviewed and updated on a regular basis. What the service could do better The childminder should continue to maintain her excellent practice. 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 6 - Excellent 6 - Excellent not assessed 6 - Excellent 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder had maintained her excellent practice. She provided opportunities for children and their families to be actively included by listening to and acting on their views and providing them with choices and information. They exchanged information on a daily basis and diaries were provided for parents of younger children. A parent told us "I always know what my daughter has done that day as I get a detailed description in her diary that I also enjoy reading as it lets me know what sort of day she has had". Parents and children were encouraged to play an active role in decision making. Regarding meals/snacks they told us "The kids are involved in making decisions/choices and there is always a second choice of meal". This told us that they were respected and included. Children were provided with choices on a daily basis and their views and suggestions respected. Activities and outings page 6 of 14

7 were organised around their interests and preferences. The childminder had recently issued questionnaires to provide parents with opportunities to suggest activities their children would enjoy taking part in during the summer holidays. Seasonal newsletters kept parents informed of, for example, activities their children had taken part in, places they had visited, new children starting or leaving, paperwork updates and training she had attended. Throughout our time in the service, we observed the children to be happy, settled and comfortable and to enjoy positive, relaxed relationships with the childminder. The childminder knew the children and their families well and was able to discuss how she catered for their individual needs and preferences and to support them in their daily routines. She gathered a wide range of relevant personal information and the children's personal plans, based on the 'Getting it Right for Every Child' SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, were regularly reviewed. Along with observations made by the childminder on individual children, parental input was valued and respected. Children's progress was celebrated and next steps in their development identified. The childminder provided a nurturing environment and promoted healthy lifestyles. Medication policy/procedures and the childminder's practice reflected the most recent good practice guidance. She encouraged healthy eating and provided the children with choices, gathering information on their likes/dislikes and any allergies in order to help meet their individual needs. Meals were freshly prepared and a parent told us that the childminder "provides an excellent meal and snack plan. A wide range of healthy homemade meals that my daughter enjoys. Plenty of fruit on offer and always a choice of snack/ meals". Regular active play opportunities helped the children to develop their physical skills and enjoy being in the fresh air. Ideas for outings/activities were sought from the children and their parents and arranged taking into account their suggestions/ preferences and abilities. Photographs showed us the varied range of activities the children took part in indoors, outside and in the wider community which promoted their health and well-being. Parents told us about the range of activities their children took part in commenting "I am very happy that my daughter is getting taken out and about" and "The kids are always doing something fun. Michelle follows the same routine I have at home". The childminder took steps to ensure the children in her care were kept safe page 7 of 14

8 and was well aware of child protection issues, keeping up to date through training, relevant websites and publications. Road safety resources were used to raise the children's awareness and practiced on a daily basis when outdoors along with promoting their understanding of stranger danger. She promoted positive behaviour through role play, house rules and being a positive role model, working with parents to include positive strategies to help children achieve and be responsible citizens. Grade The quality of care and support is graded 6 - Excellent Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder had maintained her excellent practice. She provided the children with a very safe, clean, warm and inclusive environment. The children had access to ample free space for them to play and rest when required. Areas within the childminder's home used by the children included a lounge, kitchen/ dining area, downstairs toilet and garden. The children had access to a range of good quality age appropriate toys and activities. Quiet times were provided for the children to read books and listen to stories. They could take favourite books home to read along with their parents. Messy play activities took place in the kitchen/dining area and the children present during our visit were seen to enjoy creating cards for 'Father's Day' using a variety of materials. All children were supported to be active participants in this activity, ensuring they felt included. Parents were very happy with the range of equipment, toys and other materials being provided for their children, telling us that "all toys are suitable for the kids". Premises checks were carried out daily prior to the children arriving, to ensure the areas used by the children were safe and clean. The childminder had page 8 of 14

9 achieved a pass certificate from the Food Standards Agency, enabling her to safely provide meals/snacks for the children in an appropriate environment. Risk assessments had been carried out covering a range of potential hazards to the children and the steps taken to reduce any possible harm. These took account of the children's environment both indoors and out, for fire safety and for extended outings to facilities in the community. The childminder had updated her First Aid training since her previous inspection, ensuring she was aware of any changes to current good practice when dealing with any incidents. The garden area was fully enclosed and the gate secured to ensure the children's safety. The children were encouraged to be active and make use of the resources available for them to choose from which included a trampoline, sand pit and newly introduced mud kitchen which had been used for water play in the better weather. The childminder provided the children with a home-from-home environment and included them in learning life skills such as cleaning the table, baking and shopping for healthy foods/snacks. They posted their own names on the 'who's here today' board and were keen to help one another in day to day routines. Good practice in relation to infection control was evident in the childminder's daily routines. Parents were provided with information on exclusion periods for infectious illnesses to help safeguard the childminder, her family and other children in her care. She ensured hand washing was carried out at appropriate times and provided the children with liquid soap and paper towels to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons were readily available and used to help keep the children safe and healthy. Grade The quality of environment is graded 6 - Excellent Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 page 9 of 14

10 5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder had maintained her excellent practice. She was well aware of the importance of keeping up to date with best practice and any changes to legislation to inform her daily practice. She sourced a range of reference materials and good practice guidance. She continually reviewed and updated her policies and procedures to reflect any changes. Newsletters, s and magazines sent to her by her insurer helped keep her updated on any changes. Websites, including the Care Inspectorate's HUB, were used as a further method of research, good practice sharing and information gathering. She was aware of and had registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) with regards to data protection. In addition to research, reading etc to update her professional knowledge and understanding the childminder received information on training sessions taking place in the area. She had attended a variety of courses relevant to developing her practice and supporting children in her care to have positive experiences and outcomes. These included, for example, child development, GIRFEC, the Solihull Approach, Pre-birth to 3, promoting alternative thinking strategies (PAThS) and outdoor play. She was now using her knowledge to document the positive outcomes experienced by the children under the SHANARRI well-being indicators. The childminder encouraged parents to put forward their views of the service she provided and make suggestions for any changes/developments they thought would benefit them and their children. She did this by holding daily discussions, providing notice board information and issuing evaluation questionnaires. Parent's comments/instructions were taken into consideration and acted on where relevant to ensure they met individual needs, provide continuity and respect their wishes. Parents felt included and involved. They told us "Michelle will always ask my view/opinion before making any changes". page 10 of 14

11 Through observations and talking with the children she could assess what they enjoyed taking part in and make any changes as required. The children's views were sought daily and they were provided with choices. The childminder consulted with them, finding out their individual likes/dislikes which assisted her in catering for their interests. This showed us that the childminder provided a nurturing, respectful and inclusive environment. Parents were encouraged to approach the childminder with any concerns they may have and were provided with a copy of the service's formal complaints procedure. Parents we consulted with were aware that they could contact us with any concerns/complaint they may have about the service, however, they told us that they would "raise any concerns with the childminder first". This told us that positive, confident relationships had been built up between the childminder and the families using her service. Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 6 - Excellent Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 page 11 of 14

12 7 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 10 Other issues N/A. page 12 of 14

13 11 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 17 Apr 2012 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 6 - Excellent 6 - Excellent 6 - Excellent Not Assessed 5 May 2011 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Not Assessed page 13 of 14

14 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 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. page 14 of 14