Richardson, Susan Child Minding

Transcription

1 Richardson, Susan Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 13 February 2018 Service provided by: Richardson, Susan Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS

2 The service Introduction This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 1 April Mrs Richardson has been operating a childminding service for a number of years and has been registered with the Care Inspectorate since the Care Inspectorate was formed in Mrs Richardson is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than three, are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. When working with the assistant to provide a care service to a maximum of 12 children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom a maximum of six are not yet attending primary school, of whom no more than three are under three years old and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. Minded children cannot be cared for by persons other than those named on the certificate. Hilary Lees and Thomas Richardson are employed as assistants. The service is provided from the childminder's home in the village of Priestland. The family home is situated, within a small residential housing area and close to the main road into Darvel. The areas used to provide the service were the front lounge, back open plan lounge/dining area and bathroom on the ground floor. Children also had access to the rear garden. The childminder aims to provide quality childcare in the welcoming, stimulating, safe, child-centred environment of her home and to meet the needs of all children in her care, and the needs of their parents/guardians. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an announced short notice inspection that took place between the times of 10:00 and 12:30 on Tuesday 13 February The inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate Early Years Inspector. During the inspection, we spoke with the childminder and briefly to the two minded children attending. We also looked at a number of documents including; children's folders, risk assessments and childminding training. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (also known as GIRFEC). 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 Two school age children were attending the service during the inspection visit. Both children were comfortable and at ease in the care environment. page 2 of 11

3 They had brought their electronic games with them and sat contently throughout the morning playing games on their tablets or watching television. The children told us about the things they liked to do at the childminder's house, including; walking the dogs, colouring in and playing with their friends. We sent out three care standards questionnaires for the childminders to give to parents/carers. All were completed and returned to us before the inspection visit. Returns indicated satisfaction with the quality of service provided. Comments included: "I have regular communication with the childminder, welcomed into the childminding environment at each pick up and drop off which allows any queries, questions and confirmation to take place and be exchanged." "I have to say my childminder is a huge support." Self assessment The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed self-assessment from the childminder. This identified what the childminder thought the service did well, including liaising with parents/carers and asking children what they would like to do. The childminder told us how she used feedback from parents/carers and children to develop and improve the service. What the service did well Mrs Richardson provides a welcoming and homely environment for minded children. Children attending are happy and content in the childminder's care. Mrs Richardson has reviewed and updated her service information for parents/carers. Parents/carers are happy with the care service provided for their children. What the service could do better The childminder should use the guidance provided by us to: - Ensure that she has secured the necessary information on all of the children in her care. - Regularly update children's information. - Continue with her plans to further develop personal planning for older children. - Complete risk assessments with regard to transport, outings and swimming. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing 4 - Good 5 - Very Good 4 - Good page 3 of 11

4 Quality of management and leadership 4 - Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder offered a range of verbal and electronic communication systems to involve families in the service. This enabled parents/carers to share in their children's experiences. Respondents who returned our questionnaire indicated that they were happy with the communication systems in place, including; "Sue regularly contacts me to ask if the kids would enjoy new activities. This would either be a phone call or text" and "During daily discussions any changes or suggestions are talked through or clarified." During the inspection, we observed that children, at a time of their choosing, independently helped themselves to drinks that had been placed out for them on the kitchen worktop. This indicated that children felt at home in the childcare environment. We sampled some children's folders and found that Mrs Richardson had secured the necessary contact, health and developmental information on most of the children in her care. One form was missing and Mrs Richardson agreed to rectify this matter. We discussed how annually updating children's information as their interests and development needs changed would assist the childminder in matching her service to children's individual needs and preferences. (See recommendation 1) Individually focussed personal plans, linked to the GIRFEC well-being indicators, had been completed for younger children. Mrs Richardson had also involved their parents in this process. She had further recently introduced a new personal planning format for older children to complete. This enabled these children to contribute to and influence the direction of their personal goals. However, this was still a developing process and we made some suggestions on further improvements for the childminder to consider. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should ensure that she has secured the necessary information for all children in her care. She should also annually update children's information to reflect their changing needs and interests. National Care Standards for early education and childcare up to age 16 - Standard 7: Engaging with children. Grade: 4 - good page 4 of 11

5 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the family home to be a warm, homely and comfortable environment. The main indoor play areas, the front lounge and back lounge/dining room, provided ample space for minded children. They could relax on the comfortable furnishings, watch television or play their electronic games. A sturdy dining table provided additional space for meals, table top and art and craft activities. A downstairs bedroom could also be used, when needed, to provide a quiet sleep area for younger children. Questionnaire respondents indicated satisfaction with the home environment. A recorded comment included; "The size, warmth, relaxed, safe and pleasant environment is a huge plus, although separated by a baby-gate into the kitchen it is the heart of the home so my (child) feels very much part of the home environment." From the back lounge children had direct access to an enclosed rear garden that provided children with good opportunities to play and explore. Photographs in the service's private "Facebook" page indicated that the outdoor area was well used. Comments in returned questionnaires confirmed this, including; "(Child) can play freely in the garden and also loves when they all go out a walk with the dog." Risk assessments had been completed for the home and garden areas and for the family pets. Measures had been put in place to keep children safe, including; a gate to prevent access to the kitchen and a fireguard at the wood burning stove. This indicated that the childminder was conscientious regarding home safety. While policies were in place with regard to transport, outings and swimming, we have advised the childminder that she should also complete a risk assessment for these situations. We also reminded the childminder of the fire guidelines regarding fire precautions in childminding environments. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing Findings from the inspection There had been no staffing changes since last inspection. The childminder continues to have two assistants named on her certificate of registration; Hilary Lees and Thomas Richardson, who may assist the childminder in the delivery of the care service. page 5 of 11

6 An assistant would be required when children's numbers exceeded six at any one time or when there were more than three children under primary school age. Mrs Richardson told us that she had not worked with an assistant for some time as numbers of minded children had not warranted this. Mrs Richardson had a range of documents and processes in place to support assistants in their work, this included; an induction checklist, assistant duties and responsibilities, policies and procedures and a Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) booklet "Working with an assistant." Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) background check had been completed on all persons listed on a childminding certificate of registration. Neither assistant had attended any training courses, specific to their roles and responsibilities within the service, since last inspection. However, the childminder told us that one assistant was planning to attend the Ayrshire Childminding Network day and first aid training. Two of the three respondents who returned our questionnaire were aware that the childminder sometimes worked with an assistant. A respondent comment included, "Tom sometimes picks (child) up from school." Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection Mrs Richardson used business contracts to detail business and care agreements. This meant that all parties were clear on service agreements. Review timescales had been noted on contracts. The childminder told us that she held parent meetings twice a year to involve parents/carers in their children's childcare and to discuss future plans. She also told us that these evenings had been well attended. A questionnaire respondent commented; "Sue has evenings where all the parents can get together and find out what's been happening and any new ideas that might be put in place." All three questionnaire respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the childminder asked them for their views on how they wanted their children cared for. Children attending told us that they could choose what they wanted to do at the childminder's home. Two of the older girls had begun to compile a scrap book of their favourite activities and had also drawn up some house rules. Since last inspection the childminder had attended some training to update her existing skills and knowledge. She told us that she used the Care Inspectorate web-site and liaised with the local authority daycare project team to keep up-to-date with good practice. page 6 of 11

7 Following guidance at the last inspection, Mrs Richardson had reviewed and updated her service policies and information leaflet for parents. We sampled a few policies and found these to be in the main satisfactory. The childminder had returned an action plan from the previous inspection detailing her plans to meet the recommendations made at that time. We could see that good progress had been made on these matters. This tells us that the childminder is receptive to and acts upon advice given. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good 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 ensure that she updates children's personal plans every six months or sooner if needed. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 8 May Action taken on previous recommendation Personal plans were now being reviewed in line with legislative timescales. page 7 of 11

8 Recommendation 2 The childminder should review and update the service's medication policy, procedures and record keeping and ensure that they reflect the guidance contained in the good practice document, "Management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services." National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 8 May Action taken on previous recommendation East Ayrshire Council had supplied the childminder with medication recording forms that complied with latest guidance. Recommendation 3 The childminder should ensure that the children follow the hand hygiene procedures outlined in the good practice document "Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings." National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 2: A safe environment. This recommendation was made on 8 May Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had sourced a copy of the good practice document, "Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings". She had provided paper towels for hand drying. We provided guidance on replacing the antibacterial soap. Recommendation 4 The childminder should update the written information issued to parents. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 8 May Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had reviewed and updated her written information for parents/carers. She agreed to amend the Care Inspectorate contact details.. Recommendation 5 The childminder should update her pet policy to include information about vaccinations and a statement that she will not leave children alone with the dogs. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing and Standard 14 - Well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 8 May page 8 of 11

9 Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had updated her pet policy to include the information recommended at the previous inspection. This also stated that "Every parent is given a permission form, allowing the children to handle the pets". She had further completed a pet risk assessment and provided evidence of pet vaccinations. 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. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 1 Mar 2017 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment Staffing Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 17 Dec 2015 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment Staffing Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 18 Sep 2014 Unannounced Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership 21 Oct 2010 Announced Care and support Environment Not assessed Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed page 9 of 11

10 Date Type Gradings 1 Oct 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership page 10 of 11

11 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. page 11 of 11