Buchan, Morag Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 27 November 2017 Service provided by: Buchan, Morag Service provider number: SP2003900626 Care service number: CS2012309573
The service Introduction Morag Buchan provides a childminding service and is registered by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (known as the Care Inspectorate), under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. At the time of the inspection the service was registered with the following conditions: - To provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. - When the childminder is working with a named assistant the service is the service may provide to a maximum of eight children under 16 of whom no more than six are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of children of the childminders family. - Kerrie Buchan is employed as an assistant. - Minded children must be cared for by persons other than those named on the certificate. - Overnight service is not provided. The service operates from a terraced house in Stuartfield, Aberdeenshire. The childminder has a large house with ample play-space for the children to play indoors. Included within childminding service's aims was the statement: "As a childminder, I would like to aim for a professional, flexible childminding service which caters for the individual needs of children and parents in a safe and caring home environment". What we did during our inspection We compiled this report following a short notice inspection, which took place on the afternoon of 27 November 2017. As requested by us, the service sent us an annual return and a self-assessment prior to the inspection. We issued three questionnaires to parents of children who used the service, we also had the opportunity to speak with two parents. Parents told us they were very happy with the service they received from the service. To assess how well the childminder had been providing care to the children using the service we gathered evidence from a range of sources. The 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.hub.careinspectorate.com. page 2 of 9
During this inspection we: - looked at information we had been sent about the service before the inspection, this included the service annual return, self-assessment and last inspection report - talked to the childminder about the service she provided - looked at and took into account the returned parent and carer views about the quality of the service - spoke to two parents who had children attending the service to gather their views of the quality of care - observed the quality of the interactions between the children present, the childminder and the assistant - looked at some of the service policies and procedures and records kept about the children. Views of people using the service Children were relaxed, happy and confident in the care of the childminder and her assistant. The children who spoke with us during the inspection told us they enjoyed their time at the childminders, saying they had fun and had a lot to play with. All of the children present on the day of the inspection appeared content and happy to be left in the care of the childminder and her assistant. We spoke with two parents during the inspection. Parent spoke extremely highly about the level of care their children received and how well their children had settled with the childminder and assistants. They told us their children settled quickly with the childminder and were always happy to attend. They liked the communication book, which informed them of their children's day at the service and found childminder and her assistant welcoming. Self assessment A completed self-assessment document was submitted online to the care Inspectorate by the childminder. This was completed to a good standard and gave relevant information for each inspection theme. What the service did well Children were cared for in a welcoming and comfortable home which had a good choice of play equipment and activities for the children to enjoy. Their development was fostered as the childminder planned for the children to ensure that they had a range of activities they would enjoy as well as challenge them, helping them to learn. The children were kept safe as the childminder ensured that their environment was suitable and safety measures were in place, and that the assistant was suitable for the role of caring for children. What the service could do better The childminder had clear areas of development, as identified during inspection and within the self-assessment. She was committed to reviewing her meal provision and further developing children's care plans to further support good outcomes for children. page 3 of 9
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 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection Children were welcomed and nurtured throughout their time with the childminder and assistant. They supported the children extremely well and helped them to form secure attachments with them and other children, making the service a safe and inclusive place for them to be. The children were confident with both the childminder and the assistant, joining in activities with them or asking them for assistance when needed. There was a great deal of fun and exciting activities available for them and the children enjoyed being in the service and with the each other. The childminder and assistant had good understanding of how children learn and, importantly, how this related to the children in their care. This enabled them to focus support on the children's individual needs well. They planned a range of interesting play experiences, such as activities around children's interests. For example, this included discussing healthy eating and learning where food comes from as they sourced, prepared and cooked foods such as soup and biscuits. Children exploring the world around them as they used natural materials such as stones and sticks for activities such as counting and sorting. The childminder and assistant's positive and fun interactions engaged children very well. As a result, children were achieving well and developing skills for future learning, helping to ensure they were well prepared for moving on to the next stage in their development. The childminder was successfully involving parents in their children's learning as she shared information about their child regularly. Children were polite, helpful and learning to show respect for others and their environment. For example they helped to tidy toys away and assisted each other set up new activities. Children behaved well because they were given clear and consistent boundaries by the adults. They used a lot of praise and explanation to ensure that children knew what was expected. Children's welfare was safeguarded by the childminder continually updating her knowledge of child protection. Both childminder and assistant had attended child protection training and were aware of possible signs of abuse or neglect, and the procedures to follow should any concerns arise. The service policy was shared with parents, and the childminder had relevant contact details so that they could act appropriately in the event of any concerns about a child. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 4 of 9
Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The premises were welcoming and comfortable which respected children's need to have a sense of security and belonging. Children had lots of space to play freely and could be active or resting as they chose. The children had lots of room to be active as they had access to a playroom on the ground floor and the dining area of the kitchen, which was used for eating, table top activities and some messy play. If children required a sleep or rest there was room and resources available to support this. Children benefitted from a garden area to the rear of the home. This provided children with a safe area where they could get active outside, benefitting from exercise in the fresh air. In addition children were often taken out, for example walking in the local area or hunting for mini beasts in the school garden. Other outings included visiting the local sheltered housing complex, spending time with older people from the community and getting involved in activities such as sports day. This helped children learn about their local area, and provided interesting things to do and people to talk with. Children's safety was promoted because the childminder and her assistant take appropriate steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside, are minimised. Regular fire drill practice contributed to children and the childminder being confident about what to in an emergency where the home would be evacuated. Children were provided with a safe place to play. The childminder and assistant encouraged children to explore their environment and to play with the things that interest them most, building on what they have already achieved. For example one child was using pebbles for counting and sorting, as others were painting or playing board games on the floor. Children were able to make choices and to play at their own pace as they selected resources from easily accessible boxes and storage. Children were active throughout their day with the childminder and had access to a variety of resources which provided fun and challenge. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good page 5 of 9
Quality of staffing Findings from the inspection Children shared positive relationships with the childminder and assistant which helped them feel respected and nurtured, as time was spent getting to know the children and their parents. As experienced childcare providers they were able to nurture relationships, and support children learning. We saw them being patient and understanding, helping children to explore and become confident learners. Children benefit from the care of appropriately vetted adults as the childminder ensured that safer recruitment processes were completed for her assistant. The childminder had sought appropriate references for them and was satisfied that they were fit and experienced to be caring for children. The childminder and assistant presented as respectful of each other creating a nurturing environment. This was reflected in the children's attitude as they were kind and caring to others too. We saw good sharing of skills and ideas, each being confident in their own practice. We found that they were committed to providing the best quality of experience and support for the children in their care. They clearly valued and respected both children and parents and provided various ways for them to be involved in children's care and development. The childminder spent time monitoring the work of the assistant and discussed their development in respect of the work they were doing. Training needs were identified and appropriate courses were sought. The regular support and learning ensured that children were being cared for by trained and motivated people. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection Children are cared for by a childminder who is an experienced childcare provider and has undertaken appropriate training and learning. She had good links with other local childminders, and the Scottish Childminding Association which supports her professional development and the dissemination good practice and other information in the area. She used her knowledge of the children and childcare to ensure that experiences planned and provided for children were fun and effectively complement their skills, abilities, learning and interests. page 6 of 9
The childminder knew about Getting It Right For Every Child and the SHANARRI indicators, understanding these helped to plan for children and ensure the best possible outcomes for them. She ensured this was featured in her day-to-day running of the service by displaying information about this in the playroom and considered how her activities and plans for individual children impacted on each of them. Her good knowledge of the children contributed to the well thought out plans of activities. She advised us that she was considering how to further develop the use of the SHANARRI well-being indicators in children's learning and development records. We spoke to her about possible ways she may wish to consider in this development. The childminder had developed policies and procedures that underpinned her practice and were shared with parents. Required documentation was in place and records were well organised, maintained and kept up to date. This supported the efficient and safe management of the provision as well as promoting the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder ensured that parents were kept informed by sharing children's development regularly and talking to them daily. Parents were able to access information through displays in the playroom or through a private social media site. Inclusion in all areas of the service, and providing time to share information provided opportunities for parents to make a good contribution to developing and maintaining effective partnership working, which benefitted their children, their learning and development. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very 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 9
What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations There are no outstanding 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 4 Jun 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 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