Cheeky Monkeys Child Minding

Cheeky Monkeys Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 12 May 2017 Service provided by: Lorraine MacLeod trading as Cheeky Monkeys Service provider number: SP2003909442 Care service number: CS2003015083

The service Introduction The service is provided from the childminder's home in Dunloch, Dunfermline. It is situated in a quiet residential area. The service known as 'Cheeky Monkeys' has been registered since 2002 to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16. During the inspection one children aged two children under 4 were present. The aim of the service is to provide a minded service in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. What we did during our inspection We compiled this report following an inspection announced at short notice which took place on Friday 12 May 2017 from 9.10am and 10.50am. We issued five care standard questionnaires to the childminder for parents of children who use the service. Four questionnaires were returned to us before the inspection visit. In this inspection, we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents including observation of the childminder and her interactions with the children in her care, profiles and plans, discussions with the children at the service, examining equipment and the environment, reviewing continued professional development, quality assurance systems and audits of service user involvement. The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service to ensure they have the best start in life, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives. The Care Inspectorate has an important role to play in supporting this approach in inspecting care services for children. The Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach is underpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. It's a consistent way for people to work with all children and young people. The approach helps practitioners focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people - and how they can act to deliver these improvements. Getting it right for every child is being threaded through all existing policy, practice, strategy and legislation affecting children, young people and their families. In Scotland, the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach puts wellbeing at the very heart of its approach. The eight 'indicators' of wellbeing that form the basis of GIRFEC are - safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included - often referred to as 'SHANARRI'. page 2 of 11

Views of people using the service Four families' returned completed care standard questionnaires. They were happy with the service they received. Their comments included: "The children have been with Lorraine and her family for 7 years now. I have nothing but praise for Lorraine and the service she offers. They are happy and well looked after. They often ask to meet up with Lorraine and friends at Cheeky Monkeys in the holidays. Lorraine is flexible, helpful and friendly. They dance, sing, make things and Easter and Halloween are always celebrated". "I don't have to spend a second of my day worrying about the children. I would be lost without her and it is the best decision I have ever made. Lorraine also updates toys regularly and keeps us all up to date through what's app on a daily basis". More parental views can be found in this report. Both children present showed us what they liked to do. They were content in the childminder's care. Self assessment The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed self-assessment from the childminder. The childminder identified what they did well and what they had worked on since the last inspection. We used the self-assessment to inform the inspection. What the service did well The childminder reflected on her service and provided a very good standard of care. People who use the service gave their views and suggestions and were involved in aspects of the service. There was a child led approach. Children were comfortable and happy in the childminder's care. They told us they enjoyed attending and about the activities they liked to do. The childminding home provided a secure environment, where children's interests were recognised and encouraged. What the service could do better Targets in the personal plans should be more specific to guide the childminder about what next to work on with each child. page 3 of 11

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 4 - Good 4 - Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder had developed warm and friendly relationships with parents and this meant that they could discuss with parents how to meet their child's needs. Parents commented "I couldn't be luckier when it comes to care of my children. Lorraine is the most professional, kindest and loving person I know". Various documents and information had been developed which told parents about the service. The childminder continued to keep parents up to date by talking to them about her plans. 'Whats app' was used so parents could see images of their children participating in a range of activities and experiences. This meant that parents were able to provide an instant response and were aware of how their child spent their day. Reassurance and guidance was provided to parents, regarding their child. The childminder told us it was important for parents to know how their child was nurtured and cared for in the setting. We saw that a warm, caring, nurturing environment was provided. The childminder provided a very good standard of care to support children and families. Parents and children were involved in the service. They made decisions about trips and outings, the activities they participated in and the food they ate. The interaction between the childminder and the children present was encouraging. Confidence and self-esteem was reinforced. The importance of working in partnership with the children and their families was valued. All children attending the service had a profile/plan. The plans incorporated the well-being indicators of shanarri linked to the national framework getting it right for every child (Girfec) and demonstrated what the childminder was working on with each child. These were used effectively to evaluate the service and included reviews with the children and or parents. Children were active in making decisions which meant they were respected and included in the service. This occurred during the inspection. Based on the findings at this inspection, the grade for this quality statement is very good. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 4 of 11

Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder made sure that her home was a safe place for the children. The children were able to access most areas within the home, the premises were smoke free and a designated playroom had been created for the children. The children decided which toys they wanted to play with. The toys and equipment were appropriate for the children present. The layout of the home supported children's interests and development; there was space for them to move around. The children present explained the procedure they used during hand washing and how this occurred particularly before meal times and after outdoor play. Outdoor play occurs away from the service and in the back garden. The children explained where the liked to go. Parents told us they liked the range of places the children went to. The children present were supported during their play. They knew their way around the home and were comfortable here. The layout, space, toys and daily routine contributed positively in creating an environment that gave children independence. Parents commented "Great safety features and a large variety of toys and games. These are always updated and are age relevant and clean. There is a large playroom and good garden". The children were encouraged to be aware of others by talking to them about their feelings and supporting them to share toys and to be kind to one another. Children were spoken to gently and calmly and their good behaviour and achievements were praised. Snacks and packed lunches were provided and parents told us they were happy with the mix of healthy snacks. The childminder said that the service policies she had developed assisted her delivering a safe and effective childcare. The childminder ensured that parents were aware of the appropriate exclusion periods when children were ill by talking to them and giving them written information. The childminder had appropriate first aid supplies and has a valid first aid certificate. Since the last inspection children were more involved in assessing risk during their play. The childminder carried out a range of written risk assessments and this meant dangers in and away from the home were minimised. Based on the findings at this inspection, the grade for this quality statement is very good. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 5 of 11

Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing Findings from the inspection The childminder's mother is employed as an assistant to support the childminder occasionally. The assistant did not take part in the inspection. The childminder told us her assistant knew the children well. Parents said "Granny June helps out from time to time to help with pick-ups and drop offs to the other school". The childminder said that both her mother and herself regularly discuss the children to ensure they are meeting the children's needs. The assistant keeps up to date with training and development. The childminder told us she her assistant has known the families using the service for some time and the importance of working in partnership with the children and their families was valued. The childminder supported her assistant in their involvement to provide appropriate care. Employers liability insurance was valid and displayed. Based on the findings at this inspection, the grade for this quality statement is good. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder displayed enthusiasm. Her reassuring manner meant that she provided a service that was supportive and caring to the families she works with. The childminder was informed about children's needs. Parents commented "Thanks to her, I can work and I don't worry that I'm not there because they have everything they need". page 6 of 11

Families and children influenced the service they received and as a result documentation provided good information and supported the work of the childminder. There was an ethos of working in partnership with people who use the service and this created a welcoming and friendly working environment. Children and families were treated with respect and dignity. The childminder reflected on the service she provided and continued to update her knowledge and awareness by developing her service. To support early language development the childminder plans to implement our guidance 'getting ready to read'. The childminder explained how developing the service had impacted on children's experiences. Although each child has a personal plan we advised the childminder to ensure targets are specific to children's needs such as toilet training or nutrition. Based on the findings at this inspection, the grade for this quality statement is good. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good 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 7 of 11

What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 The childminder should now develop individual personal plans for children which records their development and identifies next steps. This would support the childminder to continue to meet their needs and share their progress with parents. Plans were devised and contained most relevant information therefore this recommendation is considered addressed. Recommendation 2 The childminder should ensure that all furniture is safe and fit for purpose. This is to ensure the continued safety and health of the children. All furniture was safe and fit for purpose therefore this recommendation is considered addressed. Recommendation 3 The childminder should complete full written risk assessments on the home, garden and outings. Written risk assessments were completed for a variety of areas therefore this recommendation is considered addressed. Recommendation 4 The childminder should ensure that children's information including permission slips clearly identify the child and are dated. Permission slips contained relevant information and were reviewed regularly therefore this recommendation is considered addressed. page 8 of 11

Recommendation 5 The childminder should ensure that assistants are proactive in ensuring they are kept up to date with changes in current best practice and legislation and use this to improve outcomes for minded children. The assistant had kept up to date and attending training therefore this recommendation is considered addressed. Recommendation 6 The childminder should review the current parent questionnaires to ensure they gather appropriate information. The childminder no longer used questionnaires and uses the personal plans to evaluate the service. This recommendation is considered addressed. 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. page 9 of 11

Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 13 Mar 2015 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 4 - Good Staffing 4 - Good Management and leadership 4 - Good 24 Mar 2014 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment 3 - Adequate Staffing 2 - Weak Management and leadership Not assessed 8 Feb 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment Not assessed Staffing 4 - Good Management and leadership Not assessed 7 Jun 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing Not assessed Management and leadership Not assessed 19 Feb 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed page 10 of 11

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 11 of 11