Daly, Caroline Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 9 August 2016 Service provided by: Daly, Caroline Service provider number: SP2006957452 Care service number: CS2006116913
The service Introduction Caroline Daly has been registered with the Care Inspectorate since 01 April 2011, to care for a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16 years, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. The childminder has an additional, time limited condition, on her registration for: Every 2nd Thursday until 1.30pm, term time only, from 1 November 2012 until 31 January 2013 the childminder may care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom a maximum of 6 will be under 12, of whom no more than 4 are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than 1 is under 12 months. The childminder agreed to apply for a variation to registration to have this condition removed now. The service is provided from the childminder's home within a residential area of Alexandria. The service is close to a bus route and local parks. The areas used to provide the service are the lounge, kitchen and downstairs toilet. Children also have access to the back garden. The aims and objectives of the service include the following statement: "to provide a high standard of quality childcare in a family setting. I aim to provide a caring and safe environment for children in which they can learn and grow." What we did during our inspection We compiled this report following an unannounced inspection, which took place between the times of 1.30pm and 3.30pm on 9 August 2016. The inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate Early Years Inspector. During this inspection we spoke with the childminder, the child present and one parent. We observed the care given by the childminder and looked at a number of documents including evaluation records, health and safety records, personal plans and certificates of training. We check 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 heart of Getting it right for every child: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Views of people using the service One of the two minded children was present at the time of inspection. The child enjoyed playing with the toys available and was secure and confident in the environment. The child clearly knew they had the right to decide what they wanted to do in the service. For example, we noticed that the child moved freely and safely between the garden and the house, selecting activities. We saw the child jumping on the trampoline, jumping over small hurdles in the garden and playing with a wide range of activities in the lounge. page 2 of 9
Four parents returned questionnaires to us. The responses from these demonstrated that they were happy with the quality of care their child received. - "My child is a well developed and confident child due to Caroline's range of activities, play groups and use of local services/book Bug". One parent took the opportunity to have a telephone discussion with us after our visit. The parent told us they were "more than happy with the quality of care" their child receives. This parent told us that the childminder "does everything to perfection". The parent told us she feels fully included in the service and that her views are welcomed and acted upon by the childminder. Self assessment The childminder submitted a comprehensive self-assessment as requested. The childminder had clearly identified how she ensured positive outcomes for children. Areas of strengths were identified including the methods she used to communicate with parents and gain the views of children. The childminder had also identified some areas where she wished to develop her service. What the service did well The childminder provides an excellent service to children and families. She regularly accesses information which helps her to provide very positive outcomes for the children using her service. She understands the childminding task and is professional in her approach. We observed that the childminder's care of the child was nurturing and respectful. The minded child had a very warm and fun relationship with the childminder. Parents indicated that they value the service highly. What the service could do better The childminder should develop the use risk assessments to identify the action taken to maximise safety in the service and on outings. She should continue to involve children in learning about how to deal with possible risk on outings. This will provide further opportunity for children to develop confidence. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 6 - Excellent 5 - Very Good not assessed 6 - Excellent Quality of care and support page 3 of 9
Findings from the inspection The childminder provided an excellent level of care and support. She used the wellbeing indicators to provide positive outcomes for children. She did this by giving parents and children information about the indicators and what she did to make sure that experiences provided for children helped to achieve these indicators. Parents were kept well informed of what their child did at the childminder's, how they were progressing and if there were any concerns. The parent confirmed they valued the updates and photographs provided. The childminder had a wide range of information recorded, in personal plans, about each child. This helped the childminder to meet their individual care needs. Each child's plan was regularly reviewed and updated to make sure the childminder had an accurate picture of the children's needs. Parents said: - "Caroline is a dedicated childminder and upholds the highest standards of care and educational input to all the children in her care". The childminder used good practice guidance and training on child behaviour to influence her interactions with children and to help children interact with each other. The relationship between child and the childminder was very warm and nurturing. The childminder was able to describe the children's different personalities and how she provided fun outcomes for each child. The childminder provided healthy food options at meal and snack times. She used best practice to inform her discussions with parents and to plan her menu. Children grew their own fruit and vegetables. We observed the child present having fun gathering strawberries they had grown, then washing and eating them. The childminder spoke about involving parents and children in discussions about healthy food and dental health. This helped keep children engaged when learning about healthy lifestyles. The childminder was confident in her ability to keep children safe and explained how she would report any concerns. She had attended training about first aid, GIRFEC, child protection and was aware of children's rights. This knowledge and understanding meant that she was well placed to take the appropriate action to support children's health and wellbeing in the event of any incidents or concerns. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 6 - excellent Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder used very good methods to maximise safety and keep her home clean. The house was child friendly, providing a homely environment. Children were able to decide where they wanted to play. For example, when the child wanted to do a water play activity in the lounge the childminder encouraged the child to page 4 of 9
independently collect water for this filling and pouring activity. Well organised toy storage indoors and outdoors gave children opportunities to freely select activities. The garden and local resources were well used. This meant that children had daily opportunity to be physically active and to explore the natural environment. One parent said: - "Caroline provides an excellent service and my child is always happy to go to her house. She also takes my child out to participate in activities outdoors, toddlers, parks, soft play and the aquarium". The childminder should continue to involve children in learning about how to deal with possible hazards on outings. This will provide further opportunity for children to develop confidence. The childminder was aware of things that were hazardous for children. We noticed that she supported the child whenever this was needed and was vigilant in her supervision of the child. She undertook regular risk assessments of the home and identified hazards. The childminder should now note more detail of the action taken to minimise risks in the home. Parents confirmed they were happy with the childminding environment. Systems were in place to record any accidents and incidents. This helped to ensure parents were informed of any injuries, and therefore children would receive appropriate care and attention. Child friendly toilet and hand washing facilities were available and children were encouraged to look after the toys. This helped to promote children's independence. Children were included in discussion about safety and learning about how to keep safe. For example, the childminder told us about systems she used when introducing her new pet dog. The parent we spoke with confirmed she had been impressed by the level of consultation the childminder had with parents about this. She was also impressed by the safety skills her child had learned. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership page 5 of 9
Findings from the inspection The childminder used questionnaires and speaking with parents and children to review her service. Newsletters reminded parents they could make suggestions for improvement. The childminder also used the wellbeing indicators, along with good practice documents Building the Ambition and Setting the Table to review and evaluate her service. Parents confirmed they were regularly consulted and the parent we spoke with gave examples of when the childminder had acted on her suggestions. This excellent practice meant people who used the service were included and their opinions were valued. Professional development was a priority for the childminder. She kept a professional development folder and made parents aware this. One parent said: - "I am always well informed about all training Caroline attends and any new initiatives she is implementing". The childminder had undertaken a comprehensive range of training. This included first aid and child protection. Environmental health had confirmed the childminder could provide food safely. She had taken part in many relevant courses including, GIRFEC and Child Led Planning. From our observations we could see the childminder applied the knowledge she had gained. Such as the way the childminder used the wellbeing indicators in the delivery of her service and the way she encouraged the child to decide what they wanted to do in the service. The level of training undertaken, additional reading, links with the Scottish Childminding Association and local childminders helped her keep abreast of current childcare developments and work towards improved outcomes for the children. One parent said: - "I couldn't ask for a better quality service and care for my child". The childminder fulfilled her statutory responsibilities by displaying her registration certificate, having a complaints procedure and having public liability insurance. She fully completed documentation for the Care Inspectorate making sure that we had a full overview of her service. The childminder kept accurate attendance records for the children and this showed she was working within the condition of her registration regarding numbers of children attending the service. She was aware of the records she was required to keep and her responsibility to maintained these. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 6 - excellent page 6 of 9
What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations 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 14 Jun 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership Not assessed 21 May 2010 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Not assessed Staffing Management and leadership Not assessed page 7 of 9
Date Type Gradings 4 Sep 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership 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