Kent, Sheila Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 5 July 2017 Service provided by: Kent, Mrs Sheila Service provider number: SP2003906431 Care service number: CS2003012712
The service Introduction Sheila Kent and her daughter Cassie Kent are referred to as the childminders throughout this report The childminder's are registered to provide a care service to a maximum of eight children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom a maximum of eight will be under 12, of whom no more than four are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of children of the childminder's' family. Cassie Kent may act as an assistant. The childminders provide their service from extended end terrace house in an established part of Warriston, Edinburgh. The parts of the family home used by minded children include the living room, kitchen dinning room, downstairs toilet, two playrooms and the outdoor play area which is accessible directly from one of the playrooms and the living room. Mrs Kent's Aims and Objectives include the following: "To provide a safe and stimulating environment where children can feel happy, safe and secure and where they have the opportunity to play. To encourage emotional, physical creative and intellectual development of the children in our care. To place great emphasis on the importance of equal opportunities for all children." The Care Inspectorate are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service. We want to ensure that they have the best start in life, are getting ready to succeed and live longer healthier lives. We check that services are meeting the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (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, strategy and legislation that effects children, young people and their families. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of GIRFEC. They are safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, 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. What we did during our inspection We inspected this service on Thursday 22 June 2017. During the inspection we walked around all the parts of the childminders home used by minded children. We looked at the quality of toys and resources and the use of space in the home and garden. We observed the quality of interaction between the childminder and the minded children and looked at a sample of relevant paperwork. Views of people using the service Throughout the inspection children played happily, they related confidently to the childminders who were responsive and attentive. It was apparent that close affection bonds had been developed between them. Before the inspection took place we sent three Care Standards Questionnaires to the childminder's for distribution to families using the service. All three were returned to us before the inspection took place. page 2 of 10
All of the respondents told us they strongly agreed with the statement "Overall I am happy with the quality of the service my child receives in this service." The following representative comments were made: "My husband and I spent a long time looking for suitable childcare. It is important to us that our child is cared for in a safe, happy and stimulating environment and has lots of good experiences. The service provided by Sheila and Cassie is second to none. From the minute you walk in you are greeted warmly and you walk into a home where the children are happy and responsive to Sheila and Cassie. It's obvious that they care for the children very much." "My child settled immediately and I feel very confident in the quality of care they receive. The environment and the care provided enable the children who attend to thrive like one big happy family." "I can't praise Sheila and Cassie enough. They go above and beyond with the level of care they provide. At the end of the day I know I'm going to have dramas because my little one never wants to leave. For me that speaks volumes." Self assessment We did not receive a self assessment. What the service did well The service provides children with a high quality play experience which meets their individual needs. Children experience a high level of independence in the activities they choose to take part in. Toys and resources are plentiful and of a high quality. Outdoor play is available throughout the day. The contribution of parents and children is valued as part of the continuous improvement of the service. What the service could do better The childminders should continue to look for ways to develop their existing high quality service. 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 6 - Excellent 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of care and support page 3 of 10
Findings from the inspection Spending time with parents in discussing their child needs, getting to know them before they took up a place and having a flexible settling in period helped ensure that the transition from home to childminding was focused on the child as an individual. Parents confirmed that the information held on their children was reviewed formally with them at least once every six months which helped ensure it remained relevant. Parents also received daily updates, their comments included "We speak daily when I drop off and pick up my children" and "She uses any information we give her to consistently provide excellent care for our child." In conversation with the childminders we found they had developed strong positive attachments to the minded children. They were focused on giving them a positive and fun experience which supported their independence and overall wellbeing. Children's ideas and interests led the pace of the day and were the focus of activities. Recent requests had included making pizzas, water balloons and going to the park. These had all been included in the children's daily routine. Improvements to the service highlighted in the report under, were all done because the childminders observed children's interests or because they had been specifically requested by children. This highly responsive model of care valued children and nurtured children for their individual contributions to the service. Children's general health needs were met in a number of ways. Children were given a wide range of opportunities to take part in active play. The snack foods and cooking and baking opportunities were based on healthy eating guidance. Children were encouraged to follow good hygiene routines and older children were able to explain how this supported their general wellbeing. Accidents and incidents were dealt with appropriately. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection During the inspection we walked around all the parts of the home and garden used by minded children. They included two play rooms one of which led directly to the outdoor space, living room which also led directly outdoors, kitchen, and toilet. All areas of the home were clean and well maintained and children were encouraged to follow good hygiene routines. This was an exceptional environment which had all the comforts of a family home while offering an exiting range of child led play opportunities in an setting which took place as much outdoors and it did indoors. page 4 of 10
The childminders were committed to ensuring that the environment met the childrens needs. This was evident in the range and quality of toys and resources that children were able to access for themselves and in the opportunities for active and imaginative play. Children were confident in using the space, asking for support when this was needed, for example we saw a child ask for a story and another for help to take some toys into the garden. Since the last inspection took place the childminders have added an additional small playroom for older children. This was in response to these children's request for their own private space. This action acknowledged the different needs of the older children and allowed them to have more privacy and control over their environment. The original play room had been continually developed and redecorated to meet children's needs and reflect their interests. It now included a white board and an interactive activity wall with a soft surface area for younger children. Because the living room and one of the playrooms opened directly to the garden children were able to move freely between the two areas. Outside opportunities for active play had been further developed. They included a trampoline sunk at ground level and surrounded by soft top, and a planting and growing area. At the request of the children and with their input into the design, the childminders had commissioned a new mud kitchen. This will be installed during the summer break. The childminders have continued to introduce more natural materials into children's play in recognition of the value they add to children's imaginative play. Parents told us "There is a wonderful selection of toys for all ages. The outdoor area is well equipped and well maintained with lots of different toys and equipment. It is quite apparent that the childminders invest a lot in keeping it fun and engaging for all the children." In addition to the excellent range of opportunities provided by the family home children also visit local parks, walks and attend clubs relevant to their age and stage of development. A daily risk assessment was carried out before children arrive at the service in the morning and was rechecked throughout the day. Accidents and incidents were recorded and signed by parents as confirmation that information had been shared. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 6 - excellent Quality of staffing page 5 of 10
Findings from the inspection The childminder's daughter acted as her assistant working in the service on a full time basis. The Care Inspectorate carried out safer recruitment checks on the assistant before she was added to the certificate of registration. In discussion with the assistant it was apparent that she was aware of and had been involved in developing the policies and procedures supporting the service. She and the childminder met together regularly to discuss and plan child led experiences for the children. We observed the assistant interactions with children. We found she was skilled in picking up young children's non verbal cues and in following their lead in relation to what they wanted to play with. It was apparent that the childminder and her assistant worked well together sharing the same values and being aspirational for the children in their care. Since the last inspection took place the assistant had taken part in training Child Protection and had a place on a First Aid course in August this year. The service had also been given a Pass certificate from the Food Hygiene Standards Authority. The assistant had read widely in early years matters and had been responsible for introducing some new elements of play into the service, for example commissioning a mud kitchen designed with the input of children and many arts and crafts projects. We reminded the assistant of the HUB, this is part of our website which highlights best practice and new legislation across the care sector because we felt it would support the further development of the service. The assistant agreed to do this. Parents commenting on the role of the assistant told us "Cassie plays as much of a role in the service as Sheila. They work as a team and are always coming up with new ideas and planning exciting things for the kids to get involved in." "My child loves baking with Cassie" and "Cassie and Sheila work well as a team and really compliment each other." Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of management and leadership page 6 of 10
Findings from the inspection The childminders were committed to listening to and acting upon the views of parents and children. They recognise the value of these comments in pushing forward a continuous improvement agenda. All of the families who returned our questionnaires told us they strongly agreed with the comments "The childminder asks for your views on how you want your child to be cared for" and "The childminder involves me and my child when making improvements or changes to the service." Additional comments included "Whenever they make improvements it's clear it's with the children's thoughts and feelings in mind"and "They always involve the children and ask them what they would like to improve. The children enjoy this very much and are never dissatisfied." Recent examples of improvements were the development of a second small playroom for older children. This came about as a result of some of the older children wanting a quiet space after school away from the younger children. An improved and extended mud kitchen was installed because the childminders saw how much creative and imaginative play children had in this area at nursery. A complaints policy told parents how to take forward any concerns they might have about the service including their right to contact the Care Inspectorate at any time. All of the parents who contacted us told us the childminders policy explained their right to contact the care inspectorate, they also said they would not hesitate to speak directly to the childminders and praised them for her approachable nature. Since the last inspection took place the childminders had taken part in training in Child Protection and Food Hygiene and were booked into a course on First Aid in August. Their understanding of GIRFEC and the SHANARRI principles of safe, healthy, active, nurtured, respected, responsible and independent, were apparent in all of the actions they took to support and develop their service to the benefit of the families using it. Positive relationships with the local nursery and playgroup were used well to remain abreast of current best practice. We reminded the childminders of the importance of regularly checking the HUB for ideas and for up to date information on changes to legislation and the introduction of new documents relating to early years. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good page 7 of 10
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 There are no outstanding recommendations. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 6 May 2015 3 Care and support 5 - Very good 6 - Excellent 4 - Good Management and leadership 5 - Very good page 8 of 10
Date Type Gradings 26 Jun 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good 5 - Very good 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 27 Mar 2012 Re-grade Care and support Not assessed Not assessed 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed 28 Feb 2012 Re-grade Care and support Not assessed Not assessed 1 - Unsatisfactory Management and leadership Not assessed 26 Aug 2009 Announced Care and support 5 - Very good 5 - Very good 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 9 Mar 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good 5 - Very good 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed page 9 of 10
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 www.careinspectorate.com Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 Find us on Facebook Twitter: @careinspect 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 10 of 10