Jane's Jelly Tots Dumfries Inspection completed on 16 February 2016
Service provided by: Jane Marsh trading as Jane's Jelly Tots Service provider number: SP2009974336 Care service number: CS2009228436 Inspection Type: Announced (Short Notice) 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 14
1 Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com. Requirements and recommendations If we are concerned about some aspect of a service, or think it needs to do more to improve, we may make a recommendation or requirement. - A recommendation is a statement that sets out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service but where failure to do so will not directly result in enforcement. Recommendations are based on the National Care Standards, relevant codes of practice and recognise good practice. - A requirement is a statement, which sets out what is required of a care service to comply with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and Regulations or Orders made under the Act or a condition of registration. Where there are breaches of the regulations, Orders or conditions, a requirement must be made. Requirements are legally enforceable at the discretion of the Care Inspectorate. 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. 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 page 3 of 14
the basis of GIRFEC are - safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included - often referred to as 'SHANARRI'. Jane March is registered under the name "Jane's Jelly tots" and will be referred to as the childminder throughout this report. The service is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children aged less than 16 years, to include a maximum of six under the age of 12, with no more than 3 who are not yet attending primary school, and of whom no more than one will be under 12 months. This includes children of the childminders family. The service is provided from the family home in a residential area of Dumfries close to leisure facilities and schools. The areas used for childminding are the playroom, lounge and supervised access to the kitchen and bathroom. Among Mrs Marsh's stated Aims and Objectives are: To encourage imagination, creativity and self-expression through a range of activities and games. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection, which took place on the morning of Tuesday 16 February 2016. We issued questionnaires to parents of children who used the service and four 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 children - watching how the children engaged in the activities provided - speaking with the childminder about the service she delivers - reference to records recording children's needs and progress - records of children's learning and development - review of the accommodation in relation to safety and cleanliness page 4 of 14
Views of people using the service There were three minded children present during the inspection who told us they were happy in the childminders care. We could see that the childminder had developed a positive and caring relationship the children and that they were comfortable, relaxed and enjoying their time in her care. Parents returned questionnaires to the Care Inspectorate and these all reflected very positively on the childminder's service. They all 'strongly agreed' with the statement "Overall I am happy with the quality of care my child receives in this service". Comments have been added throughout this report. 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. We received a comprehensive self assessment from the service before the inspection. It contained relevant information about the service the childminder provides. We discussed with the childminder how she should complete future selfassessments taking into 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 was enthusiastic and provided a high level of care to families who used her service. She was very responsive to the needs of the children in her care and was able to adapt the support she gave to them to reflect their needs. We saw evidence that the children were involved in planning activities, outings and topics/themes. What the service could do better The childminder should document how she supports the children in her care through the detailed care plans she keeps. page 5 of 14
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 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 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 had gathered appropriate information relating to each child to form their care plan. This included information relating to each child's health, wellbeing and safety needs, as well as likes and dislikes. This helped the childminder to plan for their care and meet their needs. The childminder reviewed this information with parents regularly which she told us allowed her to adjust her care to meet the changing needs of the child and to follow home routines. This helped children to feel settled and provided continuity of care. Regular observations made by the childminder allowed her to monitor the developmental progress of the children in her care. There was clear evidence that observations were a routine part of her service. We saw that she identified the next steps for children's learning and encouraged parental feedback about how she could further promote each child's development. We have asked the page 6 of 14
childminder to document how she will support the children's next stage of development. Evidence within the parental and older children's questionnaires confirmed that there were opportunities for regular feedback about all aspects of her service. The childminder told us that she would implement any reasonable suggestions. Parents confirmed that they were asked for their views through "annual questionnaires, comment section on daily sheet, verbal feedback and she uses this information to plan trips and event, incorporates into themes of learning, review communication formats and change snack options". We observed that interactions between the childminder and the children were kind and responsive. She offered praise and encouragement to children and comforted a child who became upset. This helped children to feel nurtured and respected. We saw that children were treated as individuals and their achievements were celebrated. Children came together for snack and lunch and enjoyed this as a social time. The childminder and children chatted to each other as they enjoyed their meal which helped to develop social skills. The childminder was clear about her role in protecting children and confirmed that she would feel confident to seek support in the event of a concern. This was supported by the service's child protection policy which was shared with parents. All parents who returned our care standards questionnaire strongly agreed that they were happy with the quality of care their child received from the service. Commented included: "Jane will regularly check with me about various aspects of care for my child. She sends developmental folders for us to look over". "Regular opportunities for discussion". "Jane will ask about your child's interests and will put into place a routine that will help with them being settles and cared for". Grade The quality of care and support is graded 5 - Very Good page 7 of 14
Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder provided a welcoming, clean and homely environment for the children who used her service. Minded children had access to the ground floor of the house which included the living room, kitchen, bathroom and play room. The environment supported children's play and independence well. There was space for children to play together and spaces where children could play alone or sit comfortably with a book. Parents commented "Jane has adapted a room and has a variety of toys for all the children" and "The environment is safe with no stairs (it is a bungalow). Toys are safe and age appropriate". The childminder had taken steps to minimise the spread of infection within the environment. We saw that children were supported to wash their hands with soap and warm water before sitting down to eat and after using the bathroom. There were no children present during the inspection who required nappy changing however the childminder told us the procedures that she would follow to support infection control such as cleaning the changing mat before and after use and using appropriate personal protective equipment. Children were encouraged to be active and healthy. The childminder used the local parks. Playing at the park and the green areas within the area provided the children with fresh air and the chance to explore their local community. She told us that taking the children on outings gave them the chance to socialise and it was educational. Parents who returned our care standards questionnaires agreed or strongly agreed that the childminder's home was a safe, secure, hygienic and smoke free, pleasant and stimulating environment. Further commented included: page 8 of 14
"My daughter loves going to Jane's and interacts well with the other children. She often takes part in activities both indoors and outdoors (Visiting parks etc)". "Jane takes them to a few local parks and the library also the beach and local woods for walks". "Book bug sessions and library visits. Outdoor learning: season walks, park play, den building. Attending local events teddy bear picnic's, school sports afternoons. Attending local groups: playgroup and mother and toddlers". 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's husband is employed as an assistant. He was employed to assist the childminder with some aspects of her service should they be required. The assistant knew about all aspects of the service, including policies, procedures, relevant paperwork and caring for children. This provided consistency of the care and support should it be required. The assistant had an up-to-date PVG (protection of vulnerable persons) check. We saw that there were no issues with this. We identified that although the assistant had a PVG in place no other safer recruitment checks had been undertaken. We discussed this with the childminder, who stated she was unaware of her responsibility to formally recruit staff. Moving forward we advised the childminder that the following must be in place for the current assistant and any new staff that she is considering employing: page 9 of 14
- All assistants must submit an application form - Two references must be sought, one of which must have been obtained from the last employer - A formal letter of employment must be issued, which should state the date the assistant commenced employment within the service. Grade The quality of staffing is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection We found that the service routinely involved families and children in the assessment of the service. The childminder told us that she would act upon any reasonable request. Children were given the opportunity to influence the service provided by verbal feedback and the use of questionnaires. This resulted in the children taking part in activities, outings, art and craft sessions and topics that mattered to them. We felt this made them feel included and supported by the childminder. The childminder had appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to support children's learning and development. We saw that the nurturing interactions helped the children to feel safe, respected and valued. We spoke about Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), which is now national policy in Scotland. This is the model used to ensure that any service working with children and their families put their needs at the centre of their service delivery. The childminder had a very good understanding of this policy. She had begun to use the SHANARRI well-being wheel to assess individual children. The childminder had very good knowledge of 'Building the Ambition' (this is the page 10 of 14
newest best practice document developed by the Scottish Government to support all practitioners who are delivering early learning and childcare in different settings and areas of Scotland). She had attended training and told us she had found the training useful. She felt that it provided a good benchmark to assess the level of service she provided. The childminder was proactive about attending training to gain information and experience for the service she provided for children. She felt this improved outcomes for children as she was increasing her knowledge and understanding to support children and their families. She told us that she would reflect on any training and use We found that the childminder kept up to date with good practice guidelines and legislation through various means. This included reading the SCMA (Scottish Childminding Association) magazine and the Care News published by the Care Inspectorate. She was a member of online childminding blogs. She told us she found it useful to discuss ideas, issues and concerns with others of her profession. She informed us that she knew about 'the 'HUB' section on the Care Inspectorate website and would access it when she needed further information about best practice and new guidance. We felt the childminder had very good systems in place to ensure her continuing professional development. Parents comments: "Jane is a great childminder" "Jane is fantastic with all the children in her care. She is easy-going and approachable. I know my daughter is happy in her care. She also encourages activities and the children love it. She is highly recommended". Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 5 - Very Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 page 11 of 14
Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 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 10 Other issues No other issues. page 12 of 14
11 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 23 Nov 2011 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very Good Environment Not Assessed Staffing 5 - Very Good Management and Leadership Not Assessed 23 Sep 2010 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 5 - Very Good 4 - Good 5 - Very Good Not Assessed page 13 of 14
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 14 of 14