Bartkowiak, Izabela Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 25 May 2017 Service provided by: Bartkowiak, Izabela Service provider number: SP2010978878 Care service number: CS2010269574
The service Introduction The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Prior to 1 April 2011, this function was carried out by the Care Commission. Information in relation to all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com. This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 19 March 2012. The service is operated by Izabella Bartkowiak who will be referred to in the report as The Childminder. The service is located in a residential area of Newton Stewart. The childminder provides her service from her home. The childminder's home is within walking distance of schools, shops and parks. The childminder is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any 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 the childminder's family. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection visit on Tuesday 2 May 2017 between the hours of 12.45 until 14.30. The childminder had no minded children present, but agreed to start the inspection by discussing her progress and looking at some records. We returned on Thursday 25 May 2017 to complete the inspection and see how the childminder worked with children and talk to them about their experiences. There was one minded child and the childminder's own family present. Views of people using the service We spoke with one minded child who was present during the second visit. She appeared happy and content to play with the activities set out for her. She told us she enjoyed going to the park. We sent four questionnaires to be distributed to parents on our behalf. We had one returned to us before the inspection. The parent told us that they "were very happy with the service provided" and told us that they were, overall, happy with the quality of the care their child receives" Self assessment The childminder submitted a well detailed assessment of how her service works and included areas where she felt she was doing well. We have asked her to now consider how she can improve this further by including the impact of her work. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 2 of 10
What the service did well The childminder had worked well to develop and improve some of her record keeping. She had planned activities for children, following their interests. What the service could do better We asked the childminder to ensure all children have a personal plan in place by 28 days in the service. The childminder had planned to complete two training courses which should help her improve her practice. The childminder should now work with the SCMA to complete child protection training recognised in Scotland. The garden should be improved, as planned, to allow minded children to use it. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate not assessed 3 - Adequate Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection We found that the quality of the care and support is adequate. We looked at records and spoke with the childminder about how she cared for children and saw children at play. There was one minded child, along with the childminders' own child. They played together and enjoyed sharing an indoor sand activity, showing she was settled and happy in the childminder's home. We asked her about her favourite things to do and she confirmed that the 'small world' toys were always available to her. The childminder had spoken to her parents and found out what she liked to do, providing a good range of activities for her. We asked the childminder about the records she keeps for the minded child present. We found that she did not have any written information about the child, her needs and how to support her. We have made a requirement about this below. Following our previous inspection, we asked the childminder to attend training to help her improve her knowledge of childcare issues. Although the childminder had included these in her action plan, they have not yet been attended and we are repeating the recommendation. We also made a requirement that she completes suitable child protection training, as the current course is not recognised as good practice in Scotland. See recommendation, below. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 3 of 10
Requirements Number of requirements: 1 1. In order to ensure minded children have appropriate support, the childminder must: After consultation with each service user, and where it appears to the childminder to be appropriate, any representative of the service user, within 28 days of the date on which the service user first received the service prepare a written plan ("the personal plan") which sets out how the service user's health, welfare and safety needs are to be met. These should be reviewed every six months or when there is a significant change. This is in order to comply with: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland(Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011(SSI 2011/210), regulation 5 Personal Plans Timescale: within 48 hours of receiving this report. Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. To help the childminder improve the quality of care she offers to families, we recommend the childminder accesses training relating to 'GIRFEC' and 'Building the Ambition'. She should then put her learning into practice. Reference: www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/people/young-people/gettingitright andwww.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/earlylearningandchildcare Grade: 3 - adequate Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the quality of the environment to be adequate. We looked at the areas used by children and the choices available to them. We spoke with the childminder and looked at records for fire safety and risk management. Children had been involved in fire drills with the childminder, meaning they were included and supported to be safe. We asked that the childminder continues to encourage children to think about their own safety and involve them in thinking about risks during play. This would help them develop life skills and improve their confidence. We directed the childminder to new guidance, My World Outdoors, Loose Parts Play and asked her to consider introducing them into her plans to improve play for early years children. These documents are available in the Care Inspectorate online resource, The Hub. The premises presented clean and tidy, with enough space for children to play downstairs. The childminder had undertaken some risk assessments to ensure the home was safe and secure, for example using stair gates and placing electrical equipment out of reach of children. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 4 of 10
The childminder had prepared an indoor sand activity and we saw the child enjoy this, supported by the childminder. There were other opportunities for imaginative play set out in the playroom, which meant children could play independently, while being monitored by the childminder. She followed good infection control and ensured children washed their hands after play and before eating. We saw a helpful booklet displayed for parents on the notice board which showed a range of photographs of outings to the local community. This helped keep parents informed and involved in their child's care. A condition of registration states "the childminder cannot use her garden until it is safely maintained". This meant children were limited in their access to outdoor play and we saw that the minded child wanted to play in the garden during our visit. The childminder told us she had plans to improve this situation and would contact the Care Inspectorate to request the condition is removed once complete. We have made a recommendation about this below. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should develop an action plan to manage improvements to the rear garden. The plan should have timescales for completing the works. Reference: National Care Standards, early education and childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 2 A safe environment. Standard 5 Quality of Experience Grade: 3 - adequate Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder told us she kept up to date with changes to legislation and good practice through her membership with the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), and the Care Inspectorate magazine, Care News. She had worked with the local SCMA office to improve her practice, showing her commitment to improvement. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 5 of 10
We found that the childminder had made efforts to improve her knowledge of how to safeguard children by using an online course. She had done this to meet a recommendation in the last inspection report. However, this course did not contain relevant content for the work she does. We have repeated this recommendation. The childminder told us she encouraged parents to discuss their child's needs and she had recorded these in children's files, giving her a good understanding of the care they wanted. We asked that she develops her questionnaires to 'open' questions to provide further insight into parents wishes for their child and the service as a whole. We looked at the parents information the childminder used, such as policies and procedures. We found some incorrect references to her service as a 'nursery' and have asked that these be changed. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. In order to ensure minded children are cared for by suitably trained and confident staff, the childminder should complete a suitable course for safeguarding children. Reference: National Care Standards, early education and childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 Health and wellbeing. Grade: 3 - adequate What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements Requirement 1 To help ensure the safety of minded children, the childminder must access child protection training which provides her with accurate information of how to keep minded children safe should concerns arise. Reference: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210)-regulation 4(1)(a) Timescale: Within twelve weeks of receipt of this report. This requirement was made on 6 April 2016. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 6 of 10
Action taken on previous requirement The course the childminder used was not specific to Scotland, therefore we have asked that she undertakes one which is better suited to childminding in Scotland. Not met Requirement 2 We require the childminder ensure the safety and dignity of children by clearly evidencing any discussion with parents in care plans relating to restraint and how this will be used. Reference: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) - regulation 4(1)(c) Timescale: Within twelve weeks of receipt of this report. This requirement was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous requirement Care plans were improved and the childminder had discussed the use of reins with them, as required. Met - within timescales What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 It is recommended that the childminder begins to use the 'Setting the Table' document when planning for meals, snacks and drinks. Reference: National Care Standards, early education and childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 Health and Wellbeing and NHS Health Scotland - 'Setting the Table' - Nutritional guidance and food standards or early years' childcare providers. This recommendation was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation We found the childminder had a better understanding of policies and procedures since the previous inspection. We asked that she updates them as her confidence and knowledge improves. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 7 of 10
Recommendation 2 To help the childminder improve the quality of care she offers to families, we recommend the childminder accesses training relating to 'GIRFEC' and 'Building the Ambition'. She should then put her learning into practice. Reference: www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/people/young-people/gettingitright andwww.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/earlylearningandchildcare/buildingtheambition This recommendation was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had not attended the recommended courses and was awaiting confirmation of them from SCMA. Recommendation 3 We recommend that the childminder clearly evidences any discussion with parents in care plans relating to restraint This recommendation was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder told us she had discussed the use of reins and will include in personal plans, where appropriate. Recommendation 4 The childminder should ensure that minded children have regular and planned play in the outdoors. Reference: NCS Health and wellbeing Standard 3. This recommendation was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had plans to improve the rear garden to allow the condition for non-use to be removed. Recommendation 5 The childminder should regularly access the Care Inspectorate on-line resource, The Hub, to provide her with upto-date information about childcare matters. She should use these documents to help her make improvements to the service she offers families. National Care Standards, early education and childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 14.6. A well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 6 April 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation There was evidence that the childminder has carried out research on childcare matters and had started to use this in her service. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 8 of 10
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 26 Jan 2016 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak Environment 3 - Adequate Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 8 Dec 2014 3 Care and support 3 - Adequate Environment 3 - Adequate Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate for Bartkowiak, Izabela 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. for Bartkowiak, Izabela page 10 of 10