Murphy, Lesley Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 11 December 2017 Service provided by: Murphy, Lesley Service provider number: SP2005946125 Care service number: CS2005093537
The service Introduction The care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011. The service is located in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire. The service is provided from the childminder's home, situated in a quiet residential area. There are gardens to the front and rear of the property. The children have access to rooms on the ground floor including living room, kitchen, dining room and toilet. There is also a rear garden area. The service presently operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week. The service is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than 6 are under the age of 12, and of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than 1 is under 12 months. These numbers are inclusive of the childminder's own family. There are currently 8 children accessing the service on a part-time basis. Included in the services aims and objectives is to provide "high quality childcare in a warm, loving and smoke free environment." What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection that took place on Monday 11 December 2017 between 9:15am and 11:30am. The inspection was carried out by one Inspector from the Care Inspectorate. During this inspection we spoke to the childminder and the one minded children present. We observed the care given by the childminder and looked at a number of documents including personal plans. We checked the service was meeting the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), Scotland's nationals 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 parents to work with the services that help them. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of GIRFEC: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Views of people using the service On the day of the inspection there was one young child present. Although he slept for most of the visit when awake we observed him to be settled and happy within the childminder's home. We issued three parental questionnaires to the childminder to distribute to parents using her service, two of which was returned prior to inspection. Parental feedback was very positive with the childminder praised for the care she provides. Comments included: "She is very kind to my children and generous and always happy to help." page 2 of 10
"Childminder always checks if she plans an adventure with my children that I am okay about it." "I am updated if there are any changes to forms or legislation." Self assessment The childminder did not submit an updated self-assessment form. What the service did well It was evident from our observations and written parental feedback that the childminder had developed positive relationships with the children and families who used her service. We observed the childminder to be caring and nurturing towards the child present, creating a warm, homely atmosphere. A range of activities and outings were provided which were age and stage appropriate. What the service could do better The childminder should extend her knowledge and skills by accessing a range of training courses such as First Aid and Child Protection. She should address the recommendations made in this report to further improve her service. The childminder should ensure that all relevant paperwork is available to view at inspection visit. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 4 - Good 4 - Good not assessed Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder had developed friendly, caring and nurturing relationships with the children who attended her service. She provided continuity of care for them through discussions with the parents. The childminder provided some opportunities for parents and children to be involved in the development of her service. The childminder explained that conversations to share day-to-day information, daily diaries and text messages were the methods used to share information. This ensured that parents were kept informed and included in planning their child's care. The childminder told us that prior to children starting at the service, parents were invited to bring their children to her home. This resulted in children familiarising themselves with the childminder's home and the chance for parents to discuss their child's health, wellbeing and safety needs and to determine how best to meet them. The settling in process was flexible to take account of children's individual needs. page 3 of 10
We audited children's personal plans and found their was scope to improve them including reviewing them every six months in line with legislation and making sure full contact details are recorded. (See recommendation 1) The childminder told us she had not administered medication for some time however we advised her to access a copy of the document Management of Medication in Daycare of Children and Childminding Services and use this to review and update her recording system. (See recommendation 2) The childminder was aware of her responsibility in keeping children safe and had developed a child protection policy which was shared with parents. As it had been some time since she had accessed training, the Inspector suggested this would be beneficial. (See recommendation 3) The childminder provided lunch and snacks for the children attending her service. She had registered with the Food Standards Agency The childminder promoted positive behaviour and discussed with parents what methods they used if dealing with challenging behaviour. This ensured that a consistent approach was used. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 3 1. The childminder should further develop children's personal plans to involve parents in their child's learning. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. Standard 3: Health and Wellbeing 2. The childminder should access a copy of the best practice document Management of medication in Daycare of Children and Childminding Services and use this to update and policies and procedures. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. Standard 3: Health and Wellbeing 3. To update her knowledge the childminder should access child protection training. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. Standard 3: Health and Wellbeing Grade: 4 - good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The areas used for childminding were bright and welcoming for the children. Children had access to rooms on the ground floor of the home including living room, dining room, kitchen and downstairs toilet. Although a back garden was available the childminder used local parks to encourage the younger children to be active. In discussion the childminder told us that older children were allowed to play outside her home on the pavement page 4 of 10
and this had been agreed verbally with parents. The Inspector advised the childminder that she should have written consent in place from parents and a written risk assessment identifying potential risks and actions taken to minimise these. (See recommendation 1) Overall, risks within the home had been taken into account and appropriate measures put in place to minimise them. Toys and resources available were age and stage appropriate for the young child present during the inspection visit. Parents who returned our questionnaire confirmed they were happy with the safety within the childminder's home and the range of toys. One parent told us "a variety of toys are available and the house is very neat and tidy when they arrive in the morning." The childminder recorded any accidents and incidents. This information was discussed with parents/carers when they collected their child to ensure they received the correct care and attention. We explained to the childminder when she would put a notification into the Care Inspectorate relating to children's accidents. To further extend children's learning and enjoyment the childminder accessed a range of community based resources such as toddler group, library and parks. We discussed the Care Inspectorate document My World Outdoor and suggested the childminder may find this helpful to develop her outdoor learning activities. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should seek written consent from parents for older children to play outside the home unsupervised and a detailed risk assessment should be undertaken. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. Standard 2: A Safe Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection As a member of the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) the childminder had access to support and advice and was kept up to date with legislation and current news in childcare. She also met regularly with a group of local childminders. This allowed her to discuss and share good practice. page 5 of 10
Since her last inspection the childminder had not attended any training. We discussed the importance of extending knowledge and skills through a range of training opportunities such as first aid, food hygiene, child protection and child development. The Inspector explained about Individual Learning Account (ILA) which would help with the cost of training. (See recommendation 1) The childminder told us that she provided verbal opportunities for parents and children to provide feedback about her service. We discussed how this could be developed and recorded to evidence any changes made and impact on the outcomes for children. (See recommendation 2) The childminder told us that she had a written complaints procedure which was shared with parents. This was not available at the inspection for the Inspector to view. Through our questionnaire parents told us if they had a concern/complaint they would speak directly to the childminder as she was very approachable. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 2 1. The childminder should access training to ensure her knowledge and skills are updated regularly. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. 2. Develop a system which records parents and children suggestions and any action taken. National Care Standards for Early Learning and Childcare up to age 16. Standard 13; Improving the Service Grade: 3 - adequate What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. page 6 of 10
What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 Personal plans should include reviews with parents and or children. National care standards for early education and childcare up to the age of 16, standard 14: well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 8 December 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation Although plans were reviewed this was not carried out within the recommended six months timescale as stated in the legislation. Recommendation 2 A valid certificate in first aid should be obtained. National care standards for early education and childcare up to the age of 16, standard 14: well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 8 December 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation This recommendation remains outstanding and is therefore repeated in this report. Recommendation 3 The childminder should ensure that fitness checks are carried out for her child who recently became 16. National care standards for early education and childcare up to the age of 16, standard 14: well-managed service. This recommendation was made on 8 December 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation This recommendation has been addressed by the childminder. 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 10
Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 8 Dec 2015 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good Not assessed Management and leadership 4 - Good 13 Nov 2014 Re-grade Care and support Not assessed Management and leadership 13 Feb 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed 16 Nov 2011 Announced (short notice) Care and support Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed 13 Dec 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 22 Jul 2009 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership Not assessed 17 Oct 2008 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak page 8 of 10
Date Type Gradings Management and leadership 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