Gara, Nancy Glasgow Inspection completed on 12 August 2015
Service provided by: Gara, Nancy Service provider number: SP2003902027 Care service number: CS2003003791 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 14
1 Introduction Mrs Gara is registered to provide a childminding service for up to 6 children up to the age of 16, of whom no more than 3 children should not yet be attending primary school, and of whom no more than 1 child is less than 12 months old. The childminder operates her childminding business from the family home in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. The property is close to local parks, schools and nurseries. Children have access to the lounge, playroom, kitchen and a separate toilet. A large back garden is available for outdoor play. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate inspector. The inspection took place on Wednesday 12 August 2015 between 10.10am and 12pm. As requested by us, Mrs Gara completed and submitted a self assessment form and an annual return to us. During the inspection, we spoke to: - the childminder - 2 minded children. Throughout the inspection, we gathered evidence from many sources including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents including: - accident and incident recording - aims and objectives - behaviour management policy - car insurance - certificate of registration - certificate of insurance - child protection policy - children's records and journals - complaints policy Childminder inspection report page 3 of 14
- medication recording policy and system - settling in policy and procedures. We also observed the interactions between the children and the childminder. Views of people using the service Throughout the inspection, children were happy, settled and relaxed in the childminding environment. They were enjoying drawing, model building and playing with handheld electronic games consoles. Children spoke confidently about the activities they enjoyed at the childminder's and things they liked to do at home. One child enjoyed sharing her artwork folder and scrapbook with us. We issued four care standards questionnaires to the childminder to distribute to parents/carers. Four questionnaires were returned to us by parents prior to inspection. Parents' comments included: "We are very happy with Nancy. She is very good with the children and provides lots to do. She is caring and the children very much enjoy their time with Nancy. She is flexible and meets the children's needs very well." Additional comments are included within the quality themes of 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 completed self assessment document from the childminder. We were satisfied with the way she had completed this and with the relevant information she had given us for each of the headings that we grade her service under. What the service did well The childminder demonstrated a detailed knowledge of all the children she cared for. She showed us comprehensive personal plans for children which reflected children's individual interests and needs. She shared information with parents on a daily basis. page 4 of 14
The childminder reflected on very strong relationships with parents and families and this was supported by parents' comments in the questionnaires. What the service could do better The childminder should continue to maintain the quality of service provided. 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 6 - Excellent not assessed 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder provided excellent opportunities for children and parents to be involved in the continued development of the service. She provided a welcome pack that included service policies and information about her service. She implemented a flexible settling in process involving children and families. The childminder held planning meetings with children to establish what activities and outings they wanted to be involved in. The childminder developed strong ties with families and worked hard to build supportive partnerships with parents by being open and approachable. She shared information about children's progress and consistently followed routines for younger children. page 5 of 14
The childminder kept detailed records about children and used a daily routine provided by parents to provide continuity of care. The childminder used text and telephone to communicate with parents during the day and share photographs of children enjoying activities. In addition, photographs of children were displayed in the playroom and each child had their own art folder and scrapbook depicting their experiences at the childminder's service. One of the children present spent time showing us her art folder and scrapbook. She described at length the activities she enjoyed doing and her experiences and other children she fondly remembered at the childminder's. We looked at children's personal profiles and found that the childminder recorded very detailed information about children in accordance with the Scottish Government guidance Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). She also completed a Child Development Record which she reviewed with parents every six months. The childminder spoke confidently and knowledgeably about GIRFEC and how she used the guidance to assess children's progress and learning. The childminder regularly issued questionnaires to children and families to ensure that feedback about the care, activities and experiences the children received was taken into account. She provided parents with the wellbeing wheel associated with GIRFEC and sought feedback in accordance with this. The wellbeing wheel uses the SHANARRI (safe, healthy, active, respected, achieving, included, nurtured, responsible) indicators to assess outcomes for children. We observed completed questionnaires returned by parents. Comments included: "Excellent communication skills and caring and observant manner." "Nancy always keeps us informed. We feel very safe leaving our daughter in Nancy's care." page 6 of 14
General information about children's health, medical background and emergency contact information was recorded within each child's personal plan. We saw evidence that the childminder took children's interests and preferences into consideration whilst planning activities for them. The childminder considered nutritional guidelines to plan menus for children and used these to plan nutritious snacks for children. She had developed a healthy eating policy. She was familiar with the new NHS Health Scotland guidance Setting the Table. Children were encouraged to be physically active. The childminder accessed local walks each day, used the garden, local parks and countryside. She promoted healthy lifestyles in discussion with children and parents. We discussed child protection procedures. A child protection policy was in place. The childminder was able to explain to us what she would do if she had a child protection concern. The childminder knew who she would contact to discuss these concerns. The childminder had attended child protection training. The benefit for the children and their families using the service was that the childminder had in place child protection procedures that would help to keep the children safe. We found that the childminder had satisfactory systems in place to administer, store and record any medications children had been given. She was familiar with, and had reviewed, her policy and procedure in accordance with the Care Inspectorate guidance, Management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services. The childminder had a managing behaviour policy and implemented appropriate strategies to ensure that children respected others and behaved responsibly. Parents who completed care standards questionnaires commented: page 7 of 14
"I have total trust in Nancy as my childminder. Nancy is just wonderful, she has the best interest of my children all the time. My children feel exceptionally comfortable, welcome and 'at home' with Nancy. Nancy is very accommodating to my requirements and always communicates. I can genuinely say Nancy is a first class childminder." "Nancy is a very caring childminder. I have used her for my elder daughter for about five years now and the younger one for about seven months. She provides a daily summary of the children's activities, food they ate etc. She encourages my kids to participate in outdoor walks, park plays, art work. She occasionally takes kids to shops, galleries with our consent and exposes them to outdoor learning which is good. Nancy is very disciplined and encourages the kids to tidy up after plays, keeps the home very neat and clear of items which could harm the children. Overall we are very satisfied with the services she provides." It was evident that the principles and practice implemented by the childminder ensured that children attained very positive outcomes. Grade The quality of care and support is graded 6 - Excellent Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the childminder's home to be a very warm and homely environment. The accommodation was safely arranged, hygienic, smoke free, clean and tidy. Since the last inspection, the childminder had redecorated the playroom and had fitted new patio doors. page 8 of 14
On the day of the inspection, two minded children were present. We observed the minded children to be welcomed and included in the family home. The semi-detached house provided a good amount of space for children to play and learn. Children had access to the lounge, playroom, kitchen, separate toilet and back garden. A variety of resources was easily accessible for children to play with independently. A secure enclosed rear garden was available for children to play outdoors with a range of outside play equipment. The childminder told us about, and we were able to see photographs of, children playing in a variety of outdoor settings such as local parks and trips and outings further afield. The childminder had a copy of the best practice guidelines Infection Prevention and Control In Childcare Settings. She had developed policies and procedures relating to health and safety and infection control. She had a copy of the NHS Exclusion Criteria for illness. The childminder had considered potential risks within her environment and for outings. She told us how she regularly checked parks and areas used for outings in advance to ensure safety for children. She also recorded risk assessments relating to the family dog, baby equipment and the use of her car. Although the childminder told us that there had been no accidents there was a recording system in place to record and inform parents if any accidents occurred. The childminder recorded fire drills and alarm tests and conducted fire drills with children. A record of attendance of children was maintained. Grade The quality of environment is graded page 9 of 14
Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder managed her service well. She was committed to continued professional development. She tried to keep up to date with current legislation and best practice by visiting the Care Inspectorate website including The Hub section and discussing practice with local childminders. She regularly used the internet to research information about childcare issues and she shared information with parents. The childminder reviewed policies and procedures annually. When amendments were made to policies, parents were given a copy. Since the last inspection in 2011, the childminder had undertaken the following training: - First Aid - Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). The childminder had involved parents and children in evaluating her service through daily discussions at drop off and collection times and more formally through questionnaires. (Refer to Quality of care and support). The childminder told us that she knew the families well and had very good relationships with them. page 10 of 14
From the questionnaires the childminder had given out, we could see that children and parents were happy with the service. The childminder had an effective complaints policy in place; parents were given a copy of the policy before starting the service. A recording system for accidents and incidents was in place. A daily attendance register was maintained. Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded Requirements Number of requirements - 0 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. page 11 of 14
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 5 Sep 2011 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed Not Assessed 15 Jan 2010 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed Not Assessed 19 Sep 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 4 - Good 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 Childminder inspection report 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