Cathy's Childcare Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 8 November 2016 Service provided by: Brockie, Catherine Service provider number: SP2011983154 Care service number: CS2011305417
The service Introduction The Care Inspectorate (CI) regulates care services in Scotland. Information in relation to all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com. This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 30 August 2012. Cathy's Childcare is owned and managed by Mrs Brockie (refered to as the childminder in this report). She runs her childminding service from her home in a quiet residential area in Lasswade, Midlothian. The areas used for her service were a living room, family bathroom and kitchen. The current conditions of the childminder's registration are: 1. To provide a care service to a maximum of five 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 children of the childminder's family. 2. Minded children cannot be cared for by persons other than those named on the certificate. 3. Overnight care will not be provided. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an inspection which took place on Tuesday 8 November 2016. We fed back to the childminder on the day of the inspection. Two of the three questionnaires we sent to the childminder to distribute to families using the service were returned to us. During the inspection we gathered information from sources including the following: - Discussion with the childminder and the minded child present. - Observation of the interaction between the childminder and the minded child. - A walk around the parts of the childminder's home and garden used by minded children. - A sample of children's records. - A sample of some of the policies and procedures relevant to the inspection. Views of people using the service The minded child was very relaxed and happy with the childminder. With confidence they told us about the things they did while with the childminder, the fun they had and the activities they enjoyed most. Parents were complimentary of the service the childminder provided to them and their children. It was clear they were particularly pleased with the relationship their child had with the childminder, the activities on offer, the childminder's professional and caring manner and the information they received about their child. page 2 of 9
Self assessment We received a fully completed self assessment from the childminder before the inspection took place. What the service did well The childminder is committed to working closely with families and showed an understanding of the needs and interests of the minded children. She offers a nurturing, caring and flexible service for children in a homely environment. What the service could do better The childminder should source training to enhance her knowledge and to support her to meet current best practice in relation to first aid and child protection. 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 4 - Good not assessed 4 - Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The child we met was very content in the childminder's home where they had established warm relationships with the childminder. So much so, the child referred to the childminder as 'Nana'. Such secure attachments with the childminder helped support children's emotional wellbeing. We were satisfied that the childminder understood the importance of effective communication with families. Ways for them to express their views included daily conversations, regular meetings, phone calls and texts. A range of information was gathered by the childminder to enable them to meet each child's care and support needs. Contracts and registration details, which were part of this information, were updated regularly. The childminder knew children in her care well helped children feel secure. A six monthly review system was in operation which identified children's individual stage of development. These demonstrated a clear understanding of each child's needs. This informed future planning and helped to identify the next steps in children's learning. We explored different ways in which the childminder could write these reviews. Key policies and procedures including those on child protection and nutrition were shared with families. From discussion we were confident that the childminder understood her responsibility for children's safety and wellbeing. Children were given water, milk or fruit juice to drink which they could access throughout the day. This helped page 3 of 9
ensure they were hydrated throughout the day. The childminder told us that since the last inspection she had discouraged parents from providing sugary snacks and sweets for their child. She had not yet got a copy of nutritional guidance 'setting the table'. We have recommended she does this to ensure her knowledge in nutrition is up to date. See recommendation one. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should source of copy of the nutritional guidance 'setting the table'. This would help to up date her knowledge in promoting children's health and wellbeing through a balanced and nutritional diet. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection Children were cared for in a safe and welcoming environment where risks have been identified and minimised which enabled children to move safely and independently within the home. Cleaning routines and regular reinforcement of good hygiene procedures helped to minimise the spread of infection and supported children general health. Accidents and incidents were recorded and countersigned by parents. The childminder had created a supportive and fun environment. She had a range of toys for children of all ages. Toys were stored so that children could reach them which respected children's ability to make independent decisions about their play. The minded child took great delight in showing us where the toys were and what they liked to play with. Space within the childminder's home was used well. The living room was used for general play. The garden was directly off the living room which meant that activities could easily take place outdoors. Recent improvements to the garden had meant that children were able to enjoy outdoor play at the childminder's home. We were encouraged by the childminder's plans to purchase additional toys and equipment for the garden. The childminder used outdoor play in the local area to encourage children to be active, to develop their physical coordination and be part of the local community. This helped to promote children's social skills, general health, well-being, confidence and risk taking. Parents told us their child participated in walks and outings to the library, soft play and local playgroup. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 4 of 9
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection There was a clear commitment from the childminder to continually assess her service and consider how she could make it even better. She tried hard to involve children and parents in the development of her service. She made very good use of emails, questionnaires, meetings and daily chats to encourage parents and children to give their feedback. Following our last inspection, the childminder shared her action plan with parents. This was an effective way to ensure parents were up to date with developments in the service. The parents who completed our questionnaire, confirmed that the childminder had involved them and their child in developing the service, for example asking for ideas and feedback when she was making improvements to her garden. In her policies and through regular discussions, the childminder made it clear to parents that she was very keen to hear their ideas and feedback so she could improve her service. In our questionnaire, parents confirmed they had confidence that the childminder would deal effectively with any concern or complaint they may have. She gave parents the Care Inspectorate contact details and made it clear to them that they could contact us without her knowledge should they wish to do so. In our questionnaire, both also told us they were appreciative of the good relationship they had with the childminder. They told us that as a result of this they would feel confident in approaching the childminder should they have a concern. The childminder showed a commitment to and an understanding of the benefits of research and training. As a result she had completed on-line training on a variety of subjects including play and healthy eating. She had applied to attend training on Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC). The childminder told us she regularly visited the Care Inspectorate HUB to read about examples of excellent and innovative practice as well as links to legislation, best practice documents and research. However, the childminder had not managed to complete training in child protection and first aid as we advised she should do at the last inspection. See recommendation one. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 5 of 9
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should source appropriate training opportunities in child protection and first aid to keep up to date with current best practice and legislation. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. Standard 14 - Well-managed service. 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 refer to nutritional guidance 'setting the table' and use this to encourage parents to provide healthy options for snacks for their child. This would continue to promote children's health and wellbeing. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 5 November 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder told us parent were no longer providing a large amount of sugary drinks and snacks for their child. She had not managed to get a copy of the nutritional guidance so we have recommended she does this. See recommendation one in care and support. page 6 of 9
Recommendation 2 The childminder should refer to the Care Inspectorate medication guidance to ensure she keeps accurate records in the event of children being given medication. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 5 November 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder has updated the records she keeps for medication. Therefore this recommendation had been met. Recommendation 3 The childminder should ensure that she includes the most up to date contact information of whom she would contact should she have a concern about a child's welfare. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 5 November 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had made the necessary changes. Therefore this recommendation had been met. Recommendation 4 The childminder should source appropriate training opportunities in child protection and first aid to keep up to date with current best practice and legislation. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. Standard 14 - Well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 5 November 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had not managed to arrange this training. We have made this recommendation again. See recommendation one in management and leadership. 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. page 7 of 9
Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 5 Nov 2015 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment 4 - Good Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 22 May 2014 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment 4 - Good Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate page 8 of 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 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 9 of 9