Grieve, Kirsty-Anne Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 16 May 2018 Service provided by: Grieve, Kirsty-Anne Service provider number: SP2005945077 Care service number: CS2005097840
The service Introduction The service is located in the village of Gatehouse. The childminder provides her service from her home, which has a large garden to the rear of the property. 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. The parts of the premises not to be used are the upstairs rooms. On the day of the inspection, there were two children present. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following a short notice announced inspection by one inspector on Wednesday 16 May 2018 between 09:30 hours and 11:45 hours. To assess how well the childminder had been providing care to the children using the service, we gathered information from a range of sources. Getting it Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) quality indicators were used to ensure a holistic approach. More information about the GIRFEC approach can be found at www.hubcareinspectorate.com. We looked at children's personal plans, relevant policies and procedures, observed how the childminder cared for the children and observations of the accommodation used for childminding purposes. Views of people using the service Children attending the service were settled and content in the care of the childminder. They played happily together enjoying outdoor play, exploring sand play and having fun on the seesaw and wheeled toys. Friendships were encouraged by the childminder as children learned to care for each other. We sent three Care Standards Questionnaires to gather the views of parents and carers; however, none were returned. Self assessment The Care Inspectorate received a self-assessment from the service. The childminder identified what they thought the service did well. Consideration should be given to how the childminder can improve when completing the self-assessment. What the service did well Children were cared for in a playful and caring environment. The childminder made good use of her local community, ensuring children had the opportunity for outdoor learning. page 2 of 9
What the service could do better Personal plans format should be reviewed, completed with required reviews taking place. The childminder should develop systems and processes to support self-evaluation in the service. We signposted her to best practice guidance that would support self-evaluation including: 'How good is our early learning and childcare' - education.gov.scot/improvement 'My childminding journey' - hub.careinspectorate.com 'My childminding experience' - hub.careinspectorate.com. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good not assessed Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection Personal plans for children had been developed since the last inspection. Information including 'all about me' had been used to help the childminder plan her care routines. Further work is needed to ensure reviews with parents/carers take place within a six month period or before if needed. The childminder should develop a system for reviews of children's personal plans. See recommendation 1. The childminder was confident in her role to safeguard children and told us children were never unsupervised whilst in her care. Positive behaviour was promoted using praise and encouragement to build children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder explained how she would work in partnership with parents should she need to resolve any behaviour concerns. We observed positive interactions between the childminder and the minded children that were caring and nurturing. Children benefitted from accessing a range of play activities that were developmentally appropriate and linked to their interests. She had a good understanding of children's developmental stages. This was of benefit to help plan activities that were led by the children's interests. A healthy lifestyle is promoted as part of the childminder's daily routines. Fruit was offered daily to children. We suggested the childminder could refer to 'Setting the Table' - nutritional guidance for children, to help plan menus. Daily outdoor play and fresh air contributed to a healthy lifestyle for children. Children enjoyed a wide range of suitable play activities within the childminder's garden that offered opportunity to explore and be challenged. Good use of the local community, including music groups, book bug sessions local walks included children within their local environment. This contributed to children's well-being and self-esteem. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 3 of 9
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should update her format for children's written personal plans and implement a plan for review within a six month period, or before if necessary, involving parents or, where appropriate, children. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state that as a child: My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices - HSCS 1.15. Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder's home was hygienic, safe and organised to allow children to play. A separate playroom had been organised for children to eat at a small table and chairs appropriate for their size, relax on the sofa or play on the floor. The childminder told us meals were normally at the dining room table. Choice was promoted with resources that were accessible. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to make sure the environment is safe. She takes daily checks before children access the service. The childminder has written risk assessments for her premises and specific activities to identify any hazards and action she needs to take to keep children safe. She should continue to review and update as needed her risk assessments taking account of children's changing and developmental stages. Should children require a sleep, the childminder followed best practice guidance and ensured a travel cot was available with regular checks taken. The childminder identified the specific toys and games each child enjoyed and offered these to extend their play. During the inspection, we saw how the minded child enjoyed inset boards and playing with the cars. The childminder helped to extend the child's interests by adding trains and a track. Good use of the local community meant the childminder could practice road safety in a meaningful way and ensure children understood the safety rules when near roads and using seatbelts and appropriate seats when in the car. Suitable infection control practice was carried out by the childminder. She followed best practice guidance in relation to hand washing and changing of younger children, wearing protective clothing and using a wipeable changing mat. We reminded the childminder of the need to always wear aprons. We signposted the childminder to guidance within infection prevention and control for childminding and daycare services for further information. Good cleaning routines and hygiene practice were promoted, which helped to limit any spread or risk of infection. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 4 of 9
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder had continued to keep up with good practice and legislation since her last inspection. As a member of the Scottish Childminding Association, she is kept up to date with regular updates and best practice. Some training had been attended since the last inspection and the childminder was aware of national guidance to improve her practice. The childminder recognised the benefits of attending training to maintain her knowledge and skills. She should continue with her plan to access further training. Daily discussion with children and parents took place and this feedback directly influenced the care and support the childminder provided to the children in her care and any improvements to the service. The childminder took into account children's thoughts and opinions when she planned activities and purchased new resources. The childminder should now record her reflections on the overall service considering what is working well and what could be better to support on going improvement. We signposted her to national guidance 'How good is our early learning and childcare?' (2016) - a self evaluation framework for practitioners who work with children under five years. Familiarising herself with this guidance will support understanding of self evaluating to support improvement in relation to her childminding service. It would also be useful for the childminder to familiarise herself with 'My childminding experience' available on the HUB. The childminder had a clear complaints policy which was made available to parents and families when registering with the service. All parents who returned our Care Standards Questionnaire agreed the childminder has involved them and their child in developing the service; for example, asking for ideas and feedback. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good page 5 of 9
What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements Requirement 1 The childminder must put in place a personal care plan for each child using her service. She must review plans every six months or more often 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) - regulations 5.(1) and (2). Timescale for meeting this requirement: 3 months from receipt of this report. This requirement was made on 11 July 2014. Action taken on previous requirement Personal plans had been put in place for each child who attended. Informal reviews had taken place. Met - within timescales What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 The childminder should review her procedures for giving medication using good practice guidance, which is available on the Care Inspectorate website. She should ensure that she follows good practice when obtaining permission from parents and when giving medication. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 3 - Health and wellbeing. This recommendation was made on 11 July 2014. Action taken on previous recommendation Records had been updated referring to guidance including permissions from parents given. page 6 of 9
Recommendation 2 The childminder should ensure that she always follows good practice when changing nappies by making sure that she washes her hands before and after putting on gloves and wears personal protective equipment. She should ensure that children also wash their hands after nappy changes. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 2 - A safe environment. This recommendation was made on 11 July 2014. Action taken on previous recommendation Infection control practice we observed was good including appropriate handwashing for both the childminder and the children present. Recommendation 3 The childminder should register as a food provider with the local authority. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 2 - A safe environment. This recommendation was made on 11 July 2014. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had not yet actioned; however, advised this will be followed up immediately. We have asked that she notifies us of the outcome. Recommendation 4 The childminder should submit an assessment of her service, using the e-forms. She should involve parents and children in this. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 13 - Improving the service. This recommendation was made on 11 July 2014. Action taken on previous recommendation Self-assessment was submitted when requested. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. page 7 of 9
Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 2 Jun 2014 Unannounced Care and support 21 Jul 2010 Re-grade Care and support 4 Jun 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support 1 - Unsatisfactory 19 Jan 2010 Re-grade Care and support 1 - Unsatisfactory 30 Sep 2009 Announced Care and support 3 - Adequate 25 Sep 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support page 8 of 9
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 9 of 9