Chrystal, Jacqueline Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 27 April 2018 Service provided by: Jacqueline Chrystal Service provider number: SP2003902180 Care service number: CS2003004002
The service Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com. This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011. Jacqueline Chrystal provides a childminding service from her home in the Newton Mearns area of East Renfrewshire. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of 16, of whom a maximum of six will be under 12, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Children had access to rooms on the ground floor which included a dedicated playroom and there was an accessible garden to the rear of the property. There was a range of toys and resources and we saw that the children were settled and relaxed in the childminder's home and they had very good opportunities to access outdoor play at local outdoor spaces including the park. The childminder's home was welcoming and provided a relaxed environment where children could play and have fun. Aims and objectives included: 'To provide a safe and stimulating environment where children can enjoy a range of activities within the home and community' A full copy of the childminder's aims and objectives can be obtained from the childminder. The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service to ensure that they have the best start in life, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives. The Care Inspectorate has an important role to play in supporting this approach by inspecting care services for children. The 'Getting it Right for Every Child' (GIRFEC) approach is underpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. It is a consistent way for people who work with all children and young people. The approach helps practitioners focus on what makes a difference for children and young people and how they can act to deliver these improvements. GIRFEC is being threaded through all policy, practice, strategy and legislation affecting children, young people and their families. In Scotland, the GIRFEC approach puts wellbeing at the heart of its approach. The eight 'indicators' of wellbeing that form the basis of GIRFEC are: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included, often referred to as SHANARRI. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection. We made one visit to the service and we spoke with the childminder over the phone. We met with the childminder and two minded children. We looked around areas of the childminder's home that children spent time in, we also saw the garden. We observed the childminder at work. page 2 of 9
Views of people using the service Two children were present during our inspection. We saw that children were happy and settled in the childminder's care. One of the children was able to tell us about their experiences, she enjoyed playing with her friends and going to the park. We received three questionnaires from parents using the service, comments included: Two parents 'strongly agreed' and one parent 'agreed' they were overall happy with the quality of care their child received at the service. 'The children are always very happy and engaged in an activity and happy relaxing when they are collected.' 'I could not be happier with my childminding service and would recommend her to other parents seeking childcare in the area.' 'My children are very secure in knowing their childminder is an adult who will care for and love them.' Self assessment The childminder submitted a self-assessment before the inspection. We were satisfied with the way that they completed this and they shared information about particular strengths of the service and how they will continue to develop and improve. What the service did well The childminder provided a welcoming and homely environment for children in her care with a range of exciting and challenging activities. The childminder had developed very positive links with families, this ensured positive open channels of communication to support children to reach their potential. Parents commented on the secure relationships their children had developed with the childminder. What the service could do better The childminder was committed to her own professional development. She had attended a range of training and was continuing to update her skills and develop her childminding 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 6 - Excellent 5 - Very Good not assessed 5 - Very Good page 3 of 9
Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection Outcomes for children were positive, the childminder supported children within her care to reach their full potential. Children were happy and settled within the childminder's care. Children benefited from the range of high quality experiences provided by the childminder for example, regular opportunities to play outdoors provided challenge and promoted health and wellbeing. Parents were given the opportunity to link up with the childminder to ensure children got the right care and support. Parents were fully involved in developing personal plans along with the childminder and children, the childminder demonstrated a wealth of knowledge about children's individual needs. Where children had an additional support need the childminder linked well with families and other professionals to ensure a consistent approach to meeting the needs of children. We saw positive interaction between the childminder and children, children were made to feel safe and secure, the childminder ensured children were given positive praise and encouragement. The childminder supported the children to form positive relationships and be independent. She ensured that activities and experiences suited each child's individual needs. Children were benefiting from the wide range of activities they were experiencing. This was allowing children to develop confidence, build relationships and self-esteem. The childminder worked well with the group of children, she gave clear boundaries and encouraged children to co-operate with each other and be responsible. The childminder was responsive to the children, she ensured that she took account of the routines of the children and was mindful of ensuring that they had time to rest and that they had very good access to outdoor play. The childminder promoted health and wellbeing for children through promoting healthy lifestyles, she encouraged healthy, eating and she ensured children were active and they developed good routines. The childminder demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children. She ensured children were safe and protected; she had attended child protection training and shared policies and procedures with parents. The childminder competently demonstrated her procedures. The childminder spoke with the children about being safe; communication was good between the childminder and the families attending the service. She also had clear systems in place for the safe storage and administration of medication. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 6 - excellent page 4 of 9
Quality of environment Findings from the inspection Children were being cared for in a safe, secure and homely environment. Children had access to rooms on the ground floor including a dedicated playroom with a range of play equipment. They also had access to the enclosed back garden and the childminder made very good use of parks and local outdoor spaces with the group. There was plenty of space for children to play and have fun in an exciting and stimulating environment. The environment was clean and well maintained; there were designated areas for various activities including a designated area for meals and snacks and for sleeping and changing nappies. The childminder promoted good hygiene practice ensuring children regularly washed their hands and she ensured she followed best practice when supporting children with their personal care. Children were encouraged to make safe choices and be responsible. The childminder ensured that children were challenged and were given the chance to be involved in active energetic play and learn about being safe through their play. They had very good access to the local outdoor areas and groups, the childminder encouraged children to form positive relationships through social situations and linking with their peers in a range of settings. We observed the children's play space as safe and secure. The childminder carried out regular visual safety checks throughout the day and adapted her environment and equipment to suit the children and the activities that were going on. We observed children moving around the childminder's home and we saw that children were making safe choices and they considered safety. The childminder encouraged children to tidy up and look after the environment and look after the toys and resources. This gave children responsibility and developed self-help skills. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder had a very good knowledge of current best practice and was committed to developing and improving her skills and knowledge through on-going training and development. page 5 of 9
She had accessed training opportunities, including GIRFEC and Building the Ambition. The childminder was a member of a local childminding group and had very good links with other childminders where she could share ideas and develop her skills and knowledge. She was also a member of the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) which gave her a good forum for gathering information and training opportunities. The childminder also regularly researched changes and developments in early years and evaluated her own practice and where to improve. The childminder was familiar with Care Inspectorate publications 'My World Outdoors' and My Creative Journey' and was using these to develop and improve children's experiences; this showed that she was reflective. The childminder had a professional approach to her service; she had all relevant paperwork to share with parents including involving them in developing the service through asking for regular feedback and views. The childminder had good links with parents for sharing information on children's personal plans and she ensured these were updated regularly. The children had a voice in sharing their ideas and suggestions and this influenced the plans and experiences. Children and parents were consulted on all aspects of the service. The childminder had a clear policy for complaints and suggestions and parents commented that they had developed good links and found the childminder approachable and positive support to their family. The childminder was continually striving to develop and improve the service. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very 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. page 6 of 9
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. page 7 of 9
Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 30 Apr 2014 Unannounced Care and support 6 - Excellent 11 Apr 2012 Re-grade Care and support 4 - Good 11 Apr 2012 Re-grade Care and support 1 - Unsatisfactory 20 Mar 2012 Re-grade Care and support 1 - Unsatisfactory 21 Apr 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support 10 Jun 2008 Announced Care and support 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