McEwan, Fiona Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 17 October 2017 Service provided by: McEwan, Fiona Service provider number: SP2003907688 Care service number: CS2003007858
The service Introduction Fiona McEwan was registered with the Care Inspectorate since April 2002. The childminder is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time 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. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. The parts of the premises not used are the three bedrooms on the first floor and the front or rear gardens. Overnight service will not be provided. The childminder lives with her family in an end-terraced house in a residential area of Thurso. The children had access to the ground floor, which included a living room, kitchen and hallway. In additional to using local parks and attractions, the children had access to a communal grass area adjacent to the property. The childminder's aims include: "I will offer a quality service by: - creating a warm caring and relaxed atmosphere - provide a clean safe and secure environment in which your child can play and learn - treating parents and children as individuals - working with parents to provide the best care for your child - being a positive role model and promoting social skills, encouraging courteous behaviour and respect for others." What we did during our inspection We completed this report following an unannounced inspection, which took place between 9.00am and 12.00pm on 17 October 2017. Feedback was provided throughout the inspection. The inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate early years inspector. During this inspection we spoke with the childminder and the three young minded children present. We observed how the childminder cared for and interacted with the children. During the inspection we observed the childminder interactions with the children and evaluated the quality of care, environment and management and leadership. We looked at relevant documents and records; including children's records, care plans, and relevant policies. We check that services are meeting the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (also known as GIRFEC), Scotland's national approach to improving outcomes and wellbeing for children by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work with the services that can help them. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the centre of Getting It Right For Every Child: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. These are referred to as the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators. page 2 of 10
Views of people using the service We spoke to and interacted with the three young minded children who were present during the inspection. They spoke about the activities they were doing, which included: - "I like to play with this". (role play activity with a kitchen and food). - We "go to the park and walks". - I "go to the beach". - "...and the forest". - "we get to play". We observed the children to be happy and confident in the care of the childminder. Two parental questionnaires were returned prior to inspection and we spoke to one parent during the inspection. They told us they were very happy with the care their child receives and got lots of information about their child's day. Comments within the questionnaires included: - "A fantastic, caring environment". - "A family atmosphere, very relaxed and happy". - "Encourages learning through play, very happy". - "Fiona is a fantastic addition to our family and is loved by us all". - "Fiona is always doing something with the children and taking them places". -"We talk the whole time in regards to my child and Fiona always takes into account our feeling and views". Self assessment The childminder completed a self-assessment prior to the inspection. This included information about how the service operates to meet the needs of the children and their families. What the service did well The childminder had a warm and friendly manner with the children. She knew them well and provided a good level of care and support relevant to their needs. Stimulating and creative play activities were offered to help children develop and learn. What the service could do better There were some areas we agreed the childminder could improve on. These included making sure she keeps up to date with changes in practice and makes use of best practice guidance. We also discussed personal plans and chronologies, including ways of making these easier to develop and maintain. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support page 3 of 10
Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership not assessed Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The quality of care and support provided was good. We saw the childminder provide good care and support to the minded children present. Overall the children were happy and confident with the childminder who was warm, and caring towards them. We saw they had positive and trusting relationships with the childminder and other children. The childminder was caring and nurturing in her interactions with all of the children, providing a good level of comfort and support when children were upset. We saw the childminder demonstrate a good understanding of the minded children's needs and personalities. Children were listened to and respected, with their views and choices taken into account when organising activities and changing toys. This enabled the children to feel included and involved in the service. The children were encouraged to play together and the importance of sharing was role modelled by the childminder. The childminder supported the children to lead healthy active lifestyles with regular outdoor play at local parks, the beach and forest. This ensured children had access to fresh air and energetic play on a regular basis. Plans for trips were flexible to take into account changing in children's interests and the weather. The childminder mainly communicated with parents verbally on a daily basis and was good at keeping parents up to date about her service and the care she provided to the children. The parents commented that they were always kept informed and could speak to the childminder at any time. The childminder had consulted with parents about their preferences for meals and agreements were made that packed lunches would be provided by parents and snacks provided by the childminder. Parents commented that they were happy their children tried different types of snacks when attending the childminding service. Records about children's care, likes and dislikes were included as part of the children's personal plan. We discussed the development of chronologies alongside the personal development plans. See information within Quality of management and leadership. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good page 4 of 10
Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The quality of the environment was good. The areas used for childminding were welcoming for the children and laid out with a selection of age appropriate toys and activities. Overall, risks within the home had been taken into account and appropriate measure put in place to minimise them. The childminder listened to what the children wanted and helped them to access the toys, therefore giving them opportunities to play with activities they were interested in. Within the living room, there was a range of interesting toys, puzzles, games and books, which helped the children to access their chosen activity independently or with adult help. The children enjoyed playing with the role play kitchen, Duplo building blocks and a play mobile phone. Equipment and toys were well maintained. Children had access to a grass area adjacent to the property. To ensure children had regular access to physical and energetic outdoor play, the childminder organised outings to many local attractions, including local parks, Dunnet Forest, soft play and beach. We discussed the importance of following good infection control procedures when changing nappies and the development of a 'pet policy'. (See recommendation 1). The childminder was advised of the need to review her practice in line with current guidance which can be found on the Care Inspectorate website The Hub: http://hub.careinspectorate.com Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. To promote the health and wellbeing of minded children, current infection control guidance must be followed in relation to hand washing. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16 - Standard 2: A Safe, Standard 3: Health and Wellbeing and Standard 14: Well-Managed Service. Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership page 5 of 10
Findings from the inspection The quality of management and leadership was good. The childminder is experienced in childcare. She demonstrated knowledge about child development and is aware of individual children's needs. She is enthusiastic about her job and motivated to provide the best outcomes for the children. We discussed training opportunities and how to keep up to date with current guidelines and best practice. Some updated training had been attended since the last inspection, scheduled updated training, and we discussed some additional training to consider and how to access this through different routes. She attended a childminding group with other local childminder's, sharing ideas and giving children an opportunity to wider their social group. The childminder was aware of some current best practice guidance. We agreed that children's personal plans need to be developed further. These should include additional information reflecting the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, including chronologies of significant events or changes in children's development, care needs and lives that may impact on their overall care needs. Information about examples for recording these details can be found at: - https://.education.gov.scotland/improvement/hwb30-making-links - www.mindingkids.co.uk A policy booklet was available and shared with parents. It was discussed that some of the policies should be amended to reflect current best practice guidance, including infection control, pet policy and child protection. (See recommendation 1). Information about current best practice guidance can be found within the Care Inspectorate 'The Hub': http://hub.careinspectorate.com The childminder spoke with parents and children regular about their preferences. Children were supported to make choices about activities and deciding if they enjoyed the activity or not. Parents commented about how their views were listened to and respected by the childminder. Overall, this helped to ensure parents and children were included in developing the service. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. To promote best practice, the childminder should review her policies and procedures and make amendments in line with current best practice guidance. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16 - Standard 3: Health and Wellbeing, Standard 7: A Caring and Standard 14: Well-Managed Service Grade: 4 - good page 6 of 10
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 begin to record and use parents' views and comments to assess and improve her service. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16 - Standard 10: Improving the Service This recommendation was made on 13 December 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder said she spoke to parents regularly to discuss their views. Parents commented that their views were lisened to and acted upon. We were satisfied with the progress made. Recommendation 2 The childminder should build on the children's records, to show their progress and areas for development. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16 - Standard 4: Engaging with Children This recommendation was made on 13 December 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder has introduced personal development plans for each child, identifying an area for development and how the child had progressed. We discussed how to expand these further and directed the childminder to some supporting documents to make these easier to record and maintain. This recommendation has been progressed and the childminder is aware of where further development can be implemented. page 7 of 10
Recommendation 3 The childminder must continue to update her knowledge and experience to further improve her service by sourcing and attending relevant training. She should access web sites such as the Care Inspectorate Hub or Scottish Childminding Association sites to get information on best practice guidance and new legislation. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16 - Standard 14: Well- Managed Service and Standard 13: Improving the Service This recommendation was made on 13 December 2016. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had accessed some training since the last inspection and as part of the childminding group, had sourced additional support and training locally, inclining access to child protection training. The childminder made use of the SCMA documents to support her learning and develop her service. We discussed ways to use the Care Inspectorate - The Hub to source information and use this to update her practice and policies and procedures. We were satisfied with the progress made. 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 13 Dec 2016 Unannounced Care and support 3 - Adequate Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 2 Nov 2015 Announced (short notice) Care and support 2 - Weak Not assessed Management and leadership 2 - Weak page 8 of 10
Date Type Gradings 5 Nov 2014 Unannounced Care and support Not assessed Management and leadership 3 - Adequate 16 Aug 2013 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 30 Mar 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Not assessed 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 10 Mar 2009 Announced Care and support 5 - Very good 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 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. page 10 of 10