Childminder inspection report. Happy Feet Gorebridge

Transcription

1 Happy Feet Gorebridge Inspection completed on 15 March 2016

2 Service provided by: Harrop, Theresa 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 15

3 1 Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information in relation to all care services is available on our website at The service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 17 February 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 the 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. GIRFEC 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 GIRFEC. 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. Ms Theresa Harrop, trading as Happy Feet and referred to as the childminder throughout this report, provides her childminding service from her home in the village of Gorebridge in Midlothian. Her home is close to public transport routes and local amenities. The areas of her home used for childminding purposes are the lounge, playroom, bathroom and supervised access to the kitchen. Children do not have access to the garden at the rear of the property. The childminder is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of sixteen, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under twelve months. These numbers are inclusive of children of the childminder's family. The aims and objectives of the service include the following: Childminder inspection report page 3 of 15

4 'First and foremost, I offer a child a warm, secure and happy environment where they can feel safe to enjoy play and develop well in our little household. I have an array of toys suitable for little minds and fingers. I would also encourage children to bring along a favourite toy which help settle them into their new environment.' What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection which took place on Tuesday 15 March 2016 between the hours of 9.50am and 11.35am. We gave feedback to the childminder on the day of the inspection. As part of the inspection, we took account of the completed annual return and self assessment forms that we asked the childminder to complete and submit to us. We sent three Care Inspectorate care standards questionnaires to the childminder to distribute to parents. Parents returned two completed questionnaires before the inspection. During this inspection process, we gathered evidence from various sources, including the following: We looked at: - a sample of children's files - the childminder's annual return - the childminder's policies and procedures - medication system - accidents/incidents recording - information for parents - evidence from the childminder's self assessment - resources, toys and the environment. We spoke with the childminder and observed her interactions with the minded children present during the inspection. page 4 of 15

5 Views of people using the service One minded child was present during the inspection, aged three years old. When we arrived he was playing a board game with the childminder and chatted happily with us telling us about the game. He appeared happy and content in the care of the childminder who met his requests and needs in a caring, nurturing and kind manner. The minded child played happily with the activities on offer and was appropriately supported 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. The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed self assessment from the childminder. We were satisfied with the way she completed this and with the relevant information included for each heading we grade services under. What the service did well The childminder offers a caring and flexible service for children and their families in a homely environment. The childminder works closely with families and demonstrated an understanding of the needs and interests of the children in her care. Children are offered a variety of activities both indoors and in the wider community. What the service could do better The childminder should continue to provide her service which focuses on providing positive outcomes for the children in her care. She should carry out the recommendations made within this report to help ensure the continual development of her service. 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 5 - Very Good page 5 of 15

6 Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good not assessed 4 - Good 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder met with new parents to discuss their care needs and to gather relevant information about their child such as routines, medical information, allergies and dietary requirements. She also told them about her service, the settling in process and shared her policies and procedure with them. Information about the minded children were kept in individual folders along with development information, SHANARRI examples with photographs and comments, care routines and examples of artwork. This helped to ensure there was a link between home and her service. The childminder told us that she tried to make her service an extension to the child's home and followed home routines as much as possible. Drop off and pick up time were used as an opportunity to speak with parents and to share information about their child's time in her care such as behaviour, activities and meals. This helped to ensure she was made aware of any changes within the family or to the child's care routines. The childminder provided daily diaries for younger children which contained information about their day, sleeps, nappy changes and meals. She also communicated with parents by text messaging and phone calls. The childminder provided snacks and a light lunch for the children. She offered a healthy range of options such as bagels, cheese, wholemeal sandwiches, chicken and fresh fruit and vegetables. Water and diluted apple juice were available for them to drink throughout the day. The childminder had a copy of the National Health Scotland (NHS) nutritional guidance 'Setting the table'. The childminder had taken part in online child protection training. She discussed what she would do if she had a welfare concern about a child. A child protection statement was in place which was shared with parents. This helped to ensure page 6 of 15

7 children were protected and kept safe from abuse. The childminder had behaviour policy which she shared with parents. She spoke with parents about how they dealt with challenging behaviour at home and promoted positive behaviour within the service. This helped to ensure there was consistency between home and the service for the minded children. Part of the childminder's health policy referred to the administration of medication. However, the medication policy needed to be clearer for parent and it did not inform them that they must give the first dose of any new prescribed medicine in the event the child had an allergic reaction to the medication. Also, there was no formal consent form for parents to complete with information about the medicine and the dosage or a recording form to show when medicine was given to the child and for parents to sign to confirm they had been informed of the time the medicine was last administered. We discussed with the childminder that this did not meet with latest guidance and referred her to the document 'Management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services' which can be found on our website We have made a recommendation about this. See Recommendation one. Toys, resources and activities were age and stage appropriate for the minded children attending each day. They were stored in units in the playroom and children could easily access them. Children were encouraged to be independent and could choose what toys they would like to play with. They were reminded by the childminder to tidy the toys away once they had finished their play. The toys and resources were cleaned regularly by the childminder. In the two completed Care Inspectorate care standard questionnaire the parents indicated either 'strongly agree' or 'agree' to the following statements: - The childminder asks for your views about how you want your child to be cared for. - The childminder regularly reviews the information they have about my child. - The childminder provides a healthy and well-balanced diet which meets my child's dietary and cultural needs. Parents' written comments included: Childminder inspection report 'Theresa always listens to my views about how to care for my child. For page 7 of 15

8 example, if I ask the childminder to not let (name of child) sleep much during the day or have more fruit and veg then she will adhere to this.' 'Theresa has a very good understanding on how I would like (name of child) to be looked after and I have no worries at all.' 'Theresa provides healthy snacks for my child and caters well for her fussy needs!' 'Theresa provides a daily diary to advise exactly what my child has eaten.' Grade The quality of care and support is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 1 Childminder inspection report 1. The childminder should review and develop her health policy to make it clearer for parents and to inform them that they must give the first dose of any new prescribed medicine. She should also develop a consent form for parents to complete with information about the medicine, dosage, times to be given and the ailment being treated and a recording form to inform parents when their child received their medicine. Both these forms should be signed by parents. National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 3: Health and well-being page 8 of 15

9 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We observed that the childminder's home was appropriately heated, lit and ventilated and there was a homely environment where the minded child appeared comfortable and content. The areas used for childminding purposes were clean, tidy and free of any hazards. The childminder carried out daily visual risk assessments before minded children arrived and this continued throughout the day to ensure the safety of the children. She had also completed a recorded risk assessment of all areas which she reviewed annually or amended if any changes were made to her home. This helped the childminder to ensure the children were cared for in a safe environment which was well maintained. Regular evacuation drills were carried out to help ensure children were aware of what to do in an emergency and how to evacuate the building safely. The childminder did not use her garden with the minded children. She told us that she had planned to develop the outside area to allow the minded children to play there. She ensured they were active and out in the fresh air by taking them to local parks and soft play centres which allowed the children to engage in physical play. She also took them on outings to places out with the local area such as the Zoo and the National Museum. The children were included in the planning of outings and could suggest where they would like to go. Infection control measures were in place to help minimise the spread of infection. The childminder had a hygiene and health policy which informed parents about exclusion periods should their child be ill. She reminded children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals and had disposable gloves and aprons which she used when attending to the needs of children including nappy changes. The childminder had forms in place to record any accidents or incidents. She informed parents about what had happened to their child and the actions she had taken. Parents were asked to countersign the forms to confirm they had page 9 of 15

10 been told about the accident. In the two completed Care Inspectorate care standard questionnaire the parents indicated 'strongly agree' to the following statements: - The childminder's home is a safe, secure, hygienic, smoke free, pleasant and stimulating environment. - There is enough space for the children to play and get involved in a range of activities. - The childminder provides a suitable range of equipment, toys and materials for the children. - The childminder makes good use of resources in the community, for example the library and parks. Parents' written comments included: 'Theresa offers an excellent varied routine for my child but always ensures a balance between outdoor activities, indoor time and rest/nap time.' 'I love the fact that Theresa doesn't just sit in the house with (name of child). She will take him to soft play, Mining Museum, Butterfly World, Vogrie Park. I am very happy with (name of child) daily routine as he loves to be out and playing with other kids.' Grade The quality of environment is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 page 10 of 15

11 5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. Childminder inspection report 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder told us about the ways she kept herself up to date with latest best practice and legislation. She was a member of the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) and received their magazine which had interesting and relevant articles. The SCMA also sent updates regarding new guidance and legislation which were relevant to childminding services. The childminder received the Care Inspectorate's Care News which kept her aware of any changes and new initiatives. The childminder was aware of the need to regularly update her training. She had taken part in online training which included child protection, first aid, characteristics of effective leadership and child exploitation and online safety. This showed her commitment to increase her knowledge in the care of children. Parents and children were not given formal opportunities to be involved in evaluation of the service and to give their views. The childminder told us that she was confident that parents would request changes to her service if they felt it was needed. We discussed this with the childminder and that she should explore ways of formalising opportunities for parents to be involved in the assessment and improvement of her service. We have made a recommendation about this. See Recommendation one. A complaints policy was in place which informed parents what to do if they had a concern they wished to raise. However, the policy did not inform parents that they could contact the Care Inspectorate at any point with their concern. We discussed this with the childminder and she agreed to make this change. We will follow this up at the next inspection. In the two completed Care Inspectorate care standards questionnaire the parents indicated 'strongly agree' with the following statements: page 11 of 15

12 - The childminder has involved me and my child in developing the service, for example asking for ideas and feedback. - Overall, I am happy with the quality of care my child receives in this service. Parent's written comments included: 'Theresa is always willing to listen to feedback and opinions.' 'I am very happy with the service provided, I feel that Theresa goes above and beyond to provide a good homely environment for my child.' 'As far as I am concerned there is no improvements needed but if there was any changes I know Theresa would listen to my views.' 'Theresa will go out of her way to help us at any given time. Couldn't find a better childminder if we tried.' Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 4 - Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 1 Childminder inspection report 1. The childminder should explore different methods to allow parents have the opportunity to give feedback and help to assess and improve the service. National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 13: Improving the service. page 12 of 15

13 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 This was the service's first inspection. page 13 of 15

14 11 Inspection and grading history Childminder inspection report This service does not have any prior inspection history or grades. page 14 of 15

15 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 15 of 15