Gilda's Childcare Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 23 February 2018 Service provided by: Long, Gilda Service provider number: SP2012984356 Care service number: CS2012313805
The service Introduction This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 1 August 2013. Gilda Long, operating as Gilda's Childcare, is registered to provide a care service to 6 children under the age of 16 years, of whom no more than 6 are under 12 years and of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and no more than 1 under 12 months. Minded children cannot be cared for by any other persons other than those named on the certificate. No overnight care is provided. The childminder operates the service from her family home in the Bishopbriggs area of East Dunbartonshire. The service is well situated to local amenities and schools. The children have the use of the living room and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom on the upper floor. There is also an enclosed garden. The childminder has a set of aims which includes: 'Provide a safe and secure environment for your child. Provide a wide variety of stimulating activities that are appropriate to the age of your child. Recognise your child as an individual and provide opportunities for your child to develop their own personal interests.' What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection which took place on 22 February 2018 between 15:35 and 18:50. We made a second visit on 23 February 2018 between 09:35 and 11:40. There were three school aged children attending the service at our first visit and two children under five on our second visit. The inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate early years inspector. During the inspection visits, we spoke with the childminder, the children and two parents. We observed the care given to the children by the childminder. We looked at a number of documents and procedures including health and safety records, children's care plans, training information, registration and insurance certificates. We check services are meeting the principles of Getting it right for every child (also known as GIRFEC). This is 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 On our first visit, we accompanied the childminder and three school aged children to Springburn Park. The children really enjoyed the opportunity to be out in the fresh air. They had fun running, climbing, spinning and swinging, as they played on various equipment at the park. The children clearly enjoyed being with the childminder. We also spent time at the childminder's home, watching the children as they enjoyed playing a game of King Pong. page 2 of 11
On our second visit, the childminder was caring for two children under five years. They played very well together and had fun with the playdough and toys. We found that all the children were secure and confident in the homely environment the childminder had created for them. Four questionnaires were returned to us and we spoke with two parents when they came to collect their children. Their responses told us that they were very happy with the quality of the care their children received. Parents' comments included: 'Settled wonderfully. XXXX [child] met her and loved her. Feel safe and secure... Very happy.' 'Gilda is keen to take my children for walks, park, days out, weather permitting.' 'Always updates me when I drop/pick up my son.' '[Childminding service] Works for us. Get pictures and details of what is happening. Very happy.' Self assessment We received a completed self assessment from the childminder. The childminder identified what she thought the service did well and gave some examples of improvements. The childminder used feedback from the children and their parents to plan activities and meet the needs of the children. What the service did well We found that the childminder provided a good childminding service to families. She listened to the children and they helped decide the activities they would like to take part in. The childminder ensured that the children had good opportunities to take part in energetic outdoor play by taking them to the park. She had created a warm, friendly and homely environment for the children to play and relax in. The childminder had built good relationships with the children and parents. What the service could do better The childminder should review and update her policies to bring them into line with current best practice guidance. These should include her accident, incident and child protection policies. She should read relevant child protection guidance documentation to help her keep children safe from harm. The childminder should review her risk assessment documentation and update it as required. 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 not assessed Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder encouraged parents and children to give their views to help develop the service. For example: - daily discussion with parents and children - regular informal contact by telephone, emails and texts - questionnaires relating to the children's health and wellbeing - regular opportunities for children to contribute to activity planning. This approach meant that the parents and childminder had formed a good working partnership that ensured continuity of care and support for the children attending the service. A parent told us: 'Text me to update every day. Ask about my views how I would want my son to be care for.' Parents and children visited the service before the children started. This approach enabled everyone to get to know each other and helped the children settle. Parents discussed their children's needs and routines and completed forms. The childminder used this information to shape the children's personal plans and their dayto-day care and experiences. There was nice interaction between the childminder and the children, who were relaxed and happy. We watched them having fun playing at the park, and at the childminder's home with the toys and games. This approach helped nurture the children, encouraged them to be active, and contributed to an ethos of respect and inclusion. We made a recommendation in our last report, dated 28 May 2015, that the childminder should attend child protection training in order to help her implement her child protection procedures. We found that although the childminder had attended child protection training April 2017, she was not confident about whom she would contact if she had a child protection concern. (See recommendation 1) The childminder had a medication procedure in place that helped her to administer medication safely to the children in her care. The childminder provided food and drinks in line with the parents' wishes and the children's dietary requirements. She confirmed that she was registered with the local authority to provide food. The childminder had developed a menu plan which she shared with parents. page 4 of 11
We found that the childminder provided good child centred care. She encouraged children and parents to voice their opinions on the service. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should review and update her child protection policy to bring it into line with current best practice guidelines such as the Scottish Childminding Association's Safe and Secure: A Child Protection Good Practice Guide for Registered Childminders. She should ensure that the policy clearly details whom she would contact if she had a child protection concern. The childminder should share the revised policy with parents. This approach should help her keep the children safe from harm. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing. Grade: 4 - good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder operated the service from her family home which was visibly clean, safe, smoke free and child friendly. The childminder had created a homely environment for the children to play and relax in. There was a range of toys and equipment the children were able to choose from. We watched the children as they had fun playing with the toys and games. All the children were happy and relaxed in the care of the childminder. The childminder ensured that the children had plenty of opportunity for fresh air and exercise. She was keen to promote active play and had encouraged the children to explore their environment. For example, the childminder had organised a visit to Springburn Park. The children really enjoyed the freedom to climb, jump, run, spin and slide. Other places of interest included soft play, museums and toddler groups. This approach positively contributed to children's general health, wellbeing and confidence. Parents' comments included: 'Gilda does lots of activities with XXX [child]. She takes him to the park and a variety of clubs, which he loves. She suggests other activities to us that she thinks he would enjoy.' 'Local parks, walk with the dog, museum, afterschool craft class and sports club.' page 5 of 11
The childminder had procedures in place that helped minimise the spread of infection and ensured that the environment was safe, clean and tidy. For example, her home was cleaned on a regular basis and children were encouraged to wash their hands. We discussed the nappy changing procedure, and noted that the childminder needed to change the latex disposable gloves to vinyl gloves. The childminder agreed to do this. We emailed her a copy of the updated document: Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings (Day Care and Childminding Settings) which she should read to help her in her childminding role. The childminder regularly risk assessed her home to ensure it was safe for the children. She had also considered the outdoor space and transporting children in her car. The childminder agreed to review and update her risk assessment documents, as required. Appropriate insurance and registration certificates were in place and up-to-date. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder kept up-to-date with childcare best practice through a variety of ways. This included the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) training, best practice information and the Care Inspectorate's Care News magazines. The childminder was keen to continue to develop her skills and knowledge and had undertaken a range of training since the last inspection. For example, she had taken part in child protection, business practice and Getting it right for every child training. She held a current paediatric first aid certificate. The childminder was able to share with us how she would use what she had learned to support the children in her care and help her improve her childminding service. As recommended within this report, under quality of care and support, the childminder should read the Scottish Childminding Association's Safe and Secure document to help her keep the children she is caring for safe from harm. page 6 of 11
The childminder provided a service for parents and children that promoted an ethos of respect. She regularly discussed the children's care, support and development needs with the parents. This approach helped the childminder support the children she cared for. She sought and listened to the children and parents' ideas and feedback to help improve the service. A parent commented: 'Gilda is great at keeping in contact through calls, text messages and in person. She always takes on board what we say and works with us for the best for our son.' We found that the childminder had a range of policies, which she had shared with parents. The childminder told us that she will review and update her policies to bring them into line with current legislation and best practice guidance. For example, her accident and incident policies did not show that, in the event of a serious accident or incident, the childminder would contact the Care Inspectorate within the required 24-hour timescale. (See recommendation 1) We found that the childminder kept a record of the children who attended her service each day. We have asked the childminder to refine and improve this system to show the times the children had attended each day. She agreed to do this. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should update her accident and incident policies to show that, in the event of a serious accident or incident, she would notify the Care Inspectorate within the required 24-hour timescale. As outlined, in our document Records childminding services must keep and guidance on notification reporting. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Well-managed Service. Grade: 4 - good What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements Requirement 1 We made this requirement on 19 October 2017, as the result of an upheld complaint. The provider must ensure that the conditions of registration are maintained at all times. In particular: page 7 of 11
- the provider must ensure that the numbers of children that can be cared for does not exceed the agreed conditions of registration. - the provider must ensure only adults named on the certificate of registration care for children. The arrangement where the care of children is transferred to another carer must cease. This requirement was made on 19 October 2017. Action taken on previous requirement The childminder told us that she understood the requirements made. She confirmed that only adults named on the certificate of registration cared for the minded children. We found that she had developed documentation which ensured that the numbers of children cared for did not exceed the agreed conditions of her registration. Met - within timescales Requirement 2 We made this requirement on 19 October 2017, as the result of an upheld complaint. The provider must introduce a system to evidence the daily attendance patterns of children. This requirement was made on 19 October 2017. Action taken on previous requirement We found that the childminder had put in place a system that recorded how many children she would care for on a daily basis. We asked the childminder during our inspection visit on 22 February 2018, to refine and improve the system and to show the actual times the children had attended the service each day. She agreed to do this. We have included information about this under quality of management and leadership. Met - outwith timescales Requirement 3 We made this requirement on 19 October 2017, as the result of an upheld complaint. The provider must ensure the Care Inspectorate is notified of any incident which is a serious unplanned event that had the potential to cause harm or loss: physical, financial or material. Within 24 hours of the incident taking place. This requirement was made on 19 October 2017. page 8 of 11
Action taken on previous requirement We spoke with the childminder and discussed the notification procedure. We also emailed the childminder a copy of - Records childminding services must keep and guidance on notification reporting. The childminder confirmed that she would contact the Care Inspectorate to notify them of any incident, which is a serious unplanned event that had the potential to cause harm or loss: physical, financial or material. And, she would do this within 24 hours of the incident taking place. We asked the childminder, during our inspection visit of 22 February 2018, to update her accident and incident policies to reflect the 24 hour timescale. We have included information about this under quality of management and leadership. Met - outwith 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 arrange to attend child protection training in order to help her implement her child protection procedures in line with current practice. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 12 - Confidence in Staff. This recommendation was made on 11 September 2015. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had attended child protection training. However, we found that she was not sure whom she would contact in the event she had a child protection concern. We have commented on this within this report under quality of care and support. Complaints The Care Inspectorate received a complaint on 10 August 2017. This related to the childminder exceeding the number of children which registration allowed and that notifiable incidents had not been reported to the Care Inspectorate. This matter has now been formally concluded. See the section What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection of this report. Please also see our website (www.careinspectorate.com) for details of complaints about the service which have been upheld. page 9 of 11
Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 28 May 2015 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership 5 - Very good 5 - Very good Not assessed 15 Jul 2014 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and leadership Not assessed 3 - Adequate 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