Reid, Senga & Richard Dalkeith Inspection completed on 19 November 2015
Service provided by: Reid, Senga and Richard Service provider number: SP2003906457 Care service number: CS2003012738 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 0345 600 9527 www.careinspectorate.com @careinspect page 2 of 13
1 Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com. Mrs Reid is jointly registered with her husband Richard Reid to provide a childminding service from their own home which is located in a residential area with access to local amenities. Mrs Reid is the main carer. Their daughter Claire Reid is also named as an assistant on the registration certificate. Their home provided space on the ground floor for childminding activities. To the rear of the house was an enclosed garden that provided space for children to play under supervision. Mrs Reid referred to as 'the childminder' in this report - is registered to care for a maximum of six children up to the age of 12 years, of whom no more than three children are not yet attending school and of whom no more than one child is under one year. Aims and objectives include: "The aims of my service are to provide a warm, friendly, safe and clean environment. I will see to the needs of each individual as needed to suit each child with their development and social skills etc. I do a wide range of activities within my home and out with the home. This encourages children to mix with other children and adults." The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service to ensure 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 in 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's a consistent way for people to work with all children and young people. The approach helps practitioners focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people - and how they can act to deliver these improvements. Getting it right for every child is being threaded through all existing policy, practice, strategy and legislation affecting children, young people and their families. page 3 of 13
In Scotland, the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach puts wellbeing at the very 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, which took place on the morning of Thursday 19 November 2015. We issued questionnaires to parents of children who used the service and three of these were returned, showing that parents were very happy with the quality of care and support provided. 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 return to us. In this inspection, we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents, including: - observation of the childminder working with the minded child - watching how the child engaged in the activities provided - speaking with the childminder about the service she delivers - reference to records recording children's needs and progress - review of the accommodation in relation to safety and cleanliness Views of people using the service Parents were very happy with the service provided by the childminder. We observed the minded child as he played and we spoke to him during our visit. The childminder had a good relationship with the child present and we could see their interactions were nurturing. 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 childminder submitted a good self assessment. We discussed with the childminder how she should complete future self-assessments taking into page 4 of 13
account the SHANARRI (Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieve, Respected, Responsible and Included) indicators to demonstrate how she improving outcomes for children using this model. What the service did well The childminder provided families with a very relaxed, informal service, where children had opportunities to develop and grow at their own pace. She had developed good relationships with the parents who used her service. What the service could do better The childminder should review the information she has on the children. She should demonstrate how she will support the children's health, wellbeing or safety needs. These should be reviewed at least every six months or before if required. The childminder should familiarise herself with the national best practice document 'Building the Ambition' and use this to develop and inform her practice. 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 Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder provided a very good standard of care and support to children and their families. We assessed this through looking at how the childminder page 5 of 13
provided positive outcomes for children using the SHANARRI (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included) outcomes which were developed by the Scottish Government. Information on SHANARRI can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/people/young-people/ gettingitright The childminder gathered appropriate information relating to each child prior to them starting. This included information relating to each child's health, wellbeing and safety needs and allowed the childminder to plan for their care. This was built on further by using 'All about me' books which were completed by parents and included each child's likes, dislikes and home routines. This helped the childminder to adapt her care to meet the needs of each child and provide for their interests. To promote children's learning further, the childminder should begin to keep a basic record of the progress children are making and demonstrate how she has promoted their development and what their interests are. This information should be discussed with parents and updated regularly. This is to ensure that information is up to date and accurate. We have made a recommendation about this under 'management and leadership'. The childminder also used drop off and pick up times at the beginning and end of the day to communicate with parents. She also sent regular text messages. The childminder described how communication was the key to getting to know the families who used her service. She told us it was really important to build up a trusting relationship with parents so that they felt at ease sharing personal information about their child with her. Parents commented "asks for updates and communicates daily about child's needs" and "we get an update every pickup about daily activities, food and behaviour". Formal questionnaires had been provided for parents to gain their views on the service provided. The childminder informed us that she would take on board any ideas or suggestions that would improve her service. This helped parents feel included in the service. The childminder told us that it was very important to work alongside parents in caring for their child. A parent commented that the childminder "asks for opinions and takes my point of view into account" and "Senga welcomes my views and if I want something done, she does her best to accommodate". page 6 of 13
The childminder told us that she was registered as a food business and made all the children's meals. Discussion with the childminder confirmed that children were receiving a balance of well planned nutritious meals that took account of children's dietary needs. This included soup, pasta, beans on toast and fruit and vegetables. Parents all strongly agreed that, they were happy with the quality of care their child received. Grade The quality of care and support is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found that the service provided children with a warm, clean and well maintained homely environment. Parents who provided us with feedback confirmed that they were happy with the environment and one parent commented that the childminders home was "very safe-safety gates in kitchen and on stairs". All resources were in good condition and the childminder told us that the toys were regularly cleaned which contributed to infection control measures. Children were encouraged to tidy away their toys after playing with them which helped them to learn about looking after their toys and developing a respect for their environment. A parent commented "All toys are in boxes and tidies away after use". The childminder had a good understanding of keeping children free from germs and bugs. We observed the childminder encouraging the minded child to wash their hands after visiting the toilet. She also told us that the children washed page 7 of 13
their hands before food and after activities. She told us the procedure to minimise the spread of infection within her service. For example the environment and resources were regularly cleaned. There was a very good range of toys and equipment for children to use. Through the course of our visit the childminder interacted in children's play supporting them in their play activities. Parents commented: "Has a variety of age range toys that allow the children to play well together". "Always has a selection of toys and games to suit age, stage and gender. interactive play with other children is encouraged". "Variety of outdoor and indoor toys. Educational rotation of toys and games". The childminder had a front and back enclosed garden. She told us that the children used this on occasions. However, the children regularly went to the park and further afield during the school holidays. The childminder described how fresh air and exercise kept the children fit and healthy. Parents confirmed this "Senga takes the children to feed the swans or the park", "daily walks" and Child is always out and about during school holidays - parks, beaches, museums, soft play and cafes". Grade The quality of environment is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. Findings from the inspection The childminder had two assistants. These were her husband and daughter who sometimes mind the children. page 8 of 13
The childminder had a whistle blowing policy that her assistants was aware of. She told us that she regularly discussed her service with her daughter and they shared advise and ideas between them. We discussed with the childminder that her assistants should have access to regularly training opportunities. The childminder told us that she would regularly monitored her assistant's practice. Grade The quality of staffing is graded Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection Good information was gathered on each child which helped the childminder to meet children's care, support and health needs. She now needed to update the information held on children every six months and create next steps for the children. This will ensure the documenting of children's progression is clear. (See recommendation 1) The childminder was experienced and enthusiastic. Her friendly, reassuring and professional manner meant that she provided a quality service that was supportive and caring to the families she works with. The importance of working in partnership with the children and their families was valued. The childminder demonstrated an awareness of child protection and the action she would take to safeguard children. She stated that she had found it difficult to access child protection training but she had begun to explore various other ways in which to update her knowledge. We discussed using the NSPCC website page 9 of 13
to access an introduction to child protection that could be completed online. http://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-expert-training/childprotection-introduction/ She was also aware that she would have to renew her first aid and food hygiene training in the future. The childminder kept up to date with new legislation and good practice ideas by reading the 'Care news' and 'SCMA magazine'. We suggested that our website especially 'the hub' had a good source of literature and guidance which she may find useful. Speaking with the childminder we found she had some knowledge about 'Getting it Right for Every Child' and the supporting best practice document 'Building the Ambition'. However, she identified that she could further develop her service by implementing some of the ideas highlighted in this document. Doing this would help to make sure she worked with children, families and other professionals in a consistent way to support positive outcomes for children. (See recommendation 2) Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 2 1. We recommend the childminder ensures all information regarding minded children and their care needs are reviewed at least once every six months. She should begin to show how children's development needs are planned for using next steps in their files. This will help to ensure that an appropriate personal plan is in place and remains up to date. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing Standard 6 - Support and Development. 2. We recommended the childminder use the National document 'Building the Ambition' to inform and improve their practice. page 10 of 13
National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare. Standard 5 - Quality of experience, Standard 14 - Well managed service, Standard 12 - Confidence in staff. 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 www.careinspectorate.com. 9 Enforcements No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection page 11 of 13
10 Other issues N/A 11 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 2 Nov 2011 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very Good Environment 5 - Very Good Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed 11 Aug 2010 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Not Assessed Not Assessed 4 Feb 2010 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed 24 Mar 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed page 12 of 13
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 enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 www.careinspectorate.com @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 c?nain eile ma nithear iarrtas. page 13 of 13