Lee Goodin Childcare Dumfries Inspection completed on 04 February 2016
Service provided by: Goodin, Lee Service provider number: SP2012983410 Care service number: CS2012307522 Inspection Type: Unannounced Care services in Scotland, including childminders, cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and set out improvements that must be made. We also investigate complaints about care services and 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. Contact Us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 www.careinspectorate.com @careinspect page 2 of 15
1 Introduction Lee Goodin operates her childminding service from her family home in Lochvale, Dumfries. The semi-detached property is situated in a quiet residential area. There are gardens to the rear of the property, which children can access, which are child friendly and fully enclosed. The childminder is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 6 children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than 6 will be under 12, of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and no more than 1 is under 12 months. Numbers include children of the childminder's family. During the inspection, two children (siblings) were present. We observed the children to be happy and relaxed throughout the inspection. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection was carried out by one Care Inspectorate inspector. The inspection took place on Thursday 4 February 2016 between 9.15am and 11.15am. As requested by us, the childminder completed and submitted a self assessment form and an annual return to us. During the inspection, we spoke to: - the childminder - two minded children. Throughout the inspection, we gathered evidence from many sources including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents including: - accident and incident recording - aims and objectives - behaviour management policy - certificate of registration - certificate of insurance - child protection policy Childminder inspection report page 3 of 15
- children's personal plans - complaints policy - medication recording policy and system. We also observed the interactions between the childminder and two minded children. Views of people using the service We received two care standards questionnaires from parents/carers prior to our inspection. Comments from parents were shared with the childminder and are documented within this inspection report. Some of their comments included: "My daughter is with the childminder one day per week. We have a catch up chat every Friday morning when dropping her off so the childminder is aware of weekly changes. I also complete a record of child's needs form to keep the childminder informed regularly of her abilities and requirements." "When collecting my child at the end of the day the childminder updates me on the daily goings on. The childminder completes a daily note-book which is kept in my child's bag so I can keep track of developments or changes over her time at the childminder's throughout the week." "My child gets very excited about going to the childminder's as she gets to play with the other kids and with lots of toys. The childminder takes her to Dalscone to play and in the summer she plays outside in the garden on trampoline and garden toys." Two children were present during the inspection, some of their quotes included: "I like making soup." "I play with babies." page 4 of 15
Self assessment Every year all care services complete a 'self assessment' telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this is accurate. We received a completed self assessment document from the childminder. We were satisfied with the way she had completed this and with the relevant information she had given us for each of the headings that we grade childminding services under. What the service did well We observed the childminder walking safely with the two minded children home from a school drop off. We could see that the walking child was familiar with the route and that the childminder ensured that the minded child walked at the inside of the pavement. During the inspection, the childminder demonstrated a kind and caring nature towards the children. What the service could do better The childminder should further develop personal plans for children and ensure that she addresses the recommendations made within this inspection report. page 5 of 15
2 The grades we awarded We grade the quality of care and support, the quality of the environment and the quality of management and leadership. If the childminder employs an assistant, we also grade the quality of staffing. In each case, we award a grade on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent. Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate not assessed 3 - Adequate 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection We observed very positive nurturing relationships between the childminder and the minded siblings. We could see that the children were very comfortable and relaxed with the childminder. We observed the childminder giving one of the children a bottle of milk. The childminder cuddled the child on her lap, chatted to her and comforted her. Whilst the childminder was feeding the child the bottle, the older child mimicked the childminder by feeding her baby doll at the same time saying "Baby not finished, drink your milk baby." We looked at care plans for the two children attending, we noted that these had only been completed on 12 January 2016. We had made a recommendation about personal plans in our last inspection report dated 22 August 2014. We found the information in plans was very basic. We discussed the importance of developing meaningful personal plans for all children using the service. The childminder told us that she had been given information about personal plans and had been told about the importance of reviewing plans with parents at her last inspection but had not actioned this. We have repeated a recommendation relating to personal plans. (See recommendation 1) page 6 of 15
Parents provided children with snacks and lunches. The childminder was aware of the individual dietary requirements of the children, several children had allergies recorded. The childminder needs to seek more information about children's allergies and the actions she should take if there was a reaction. We observed the two minded children having snacks that their parent provided. Children enjoyed fruit and juice as they sat at the dining room table. The childminder provided a booster seat which enabled the younger child to sit at the table and socialise with her sister. Children had opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis as they walked to and from school and nursery. In addition to this, children went to toddler groups, soft play and local parks where they could socialise and interact with other children. From the two care standards questionnaires returned to us prior to our inspection visit, we were told that both parents/carers strongly agreed that the childminder made good use of resources in the community, for example the library and parks. One parent commented: "Dalscone is a local play centre with ball pits, climbing frames and slides. The childminder also takes my child out to parks when weather permits." We looked at how the childminder managed the safe storage, recording and administration of medicines. We noted that the childminder obtained very basic information from parents regarding medication to be administered and that recording sheets did not provide the opportunity for the childminder to record why the medication was to be administered and when the child had last received the medication. The childminder did have copies of current medication recording sheets produced by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) but had not used them. We emailed the childminder a copy of the Care Inspectorate current best practice guidance - Management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services. We have asked that the childminder review and update her policy and recording procedures regarding medication. (See recommendation 2) page 7 of 15
Grade The quality of care and support is graded 3 - Adequate Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 2 1. Personal plans should include a statement of intent, link to the wellbeing indicators used as a tool to evaluate the service, be specific to each child and include an outcome in relation to health, welfare and safety needs. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Well-managed Service. 2. The childminder should ensure that she reviews and updates her policy and procedures for the safe administration and recording of medicine. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing. page 8 of 15
4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection When we arrived at the service the childminder was walking along the road from school with one minded child walking and another in a buggy. We observed the older child walking alongside the pram holding onto the childminder's hand. When the childminder crossed the road the child automatically moved to the inside of the pavement. The childminder told us that this was a normal thing for her to do and that she constantly reminded children of road safety and how to keep safe when out and about. We observed the childminder's home to be clean and bright. We noted that the childminder made good use of the available space for her childminding business. Children had access to a living room, dining room, kitchen and downstairs toilet. Patio doors from the dining room provided direct access to a secure rear garden which had recently been re-fenced, this contributed to the safety of the children using the service. Children could easily access a variety of toys that were available in the living room, we observed children choosing toys and resources throughout our visit. Parents made the following comments in care standards questionnaires: "The childminder's house is spacious, tidy and toys are always available to play with. The toys cover a variety of ages. The childminder monitors the kids to ensure the toys they choose are suitable. My child likes to take along her favourite toy also." The childminder carried out a daily visual check of her home prior to children arriving. She told us that she ensured blind cords were tidied up, fire guards were in place and that cupboard locks were secure. She told us that children were aware of the safety rules within her home. page 9 of 15
We noted that the childminder did not wear gloves or an apron when nappy changing. We also noted that the childminder did not wash the child's hands after changing her nappy. We provided the childminder with current best practice guidance around nappy changing. In addition to this, a communal towel was shared in the bathroom between the minded children and the childminder's family. We have made a recommendation relating to infection control. (See recommendation 1) Grade The quality of environment is graded 3 - Adequate Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 1 1. The childminder should ensure that she reviews her procedures for safe nappy changing and infection control in order to reduce the risk of cross contamination and the spread of infection. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 2 - A Safe Environment. page 10 of 15
5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. 6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder was a member of the Scottish Childminding Association. She told us that she received its newsletters and accessed its website to keep up to date with best practice and legislation. We found that although the childminder had received information about national frameworks such as Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) and Building the Ambition and had attended GIRFEC training she had not implemented or put into practice what she had learned. We shared information with the childminder about The Hub (http://hub.careinspectorate.com/), an online resource which provides access to a range of resources to support improvement through using intelligence and research led practice. In addition, we emailed the childminder copies of current best practice and legislation to inform her practice and to support her in the improvement of her service. The childminder told us that she took children in her car to soft play and on local outings. We checked the childminders insurance certificate and noted that the childminder did not have business cover to protect her when transporting children. We asked the childminder to contact her insurance company to address this. The childminder did this and later provided evidence to the care inspectorate that appropriate insurance was in place. page 11 of 15
The childminder shared information on a daily basis and parents had the opportunity to discuss any issues with the childminder. The childminder had not received any complaints about her service. She had an effective complaints policy in place which parents had been given a copy of and in which contact details of the Care Inspectorate were given. Parents made the following comments within care standards questionnaires: "No concerns but feel I could speak to the childminder if any." "If I was concerned with anything or felt the need to complain I would feel comfortable enough to raise it in conversation with the childminder. She is very approachable." The childminder had valid public liability insurance in place. Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 3 - Adequate Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 1 1. The childminder should research and attend training as it becomes available. The childminder would benefit from accessing training around Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC), Building the Ambition and child protection. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 12 - Confidence in Staff. page 12 of 15
7 What the service has done to meet any recommendations or requirements we made at our last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. Previous recommendations 1. Personal plans should include a statement of intent, link to the wellbeing indicators used as a tool to evaluate the service, be specific to each child and include an outcome in relation to health, welfare and safety needs. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Well-managed Service. This recommendation was made on 22 August 2014 Please see section 3 quality of care and support. This recommendation had not been met and has been repeated. 2. The childminder should attend training about child protection and GIRFEC. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Well-managed Service. This recommendation was made on 22 August 2014 The childminder had attended GIRFEC training and had accessed a child protection course online. It was clear from our discussions that the training had not impacted on her practice. The recommendation has been repeated. See section 6 Quality of management and leadership. page 13 of 15
8 Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com 9 Enforcements No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. 10 Other issues N/A 11 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 22 Aug 2014 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 4 - Good 4 - Good Not Assessed 3 - Adequate 20 Aug 2013 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate Not Assessed page 14 of 15
To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. You can also read more about our work online. Contact Us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 www.careinspectorate.com @careinspect Other languages and formats Childminder inspection report This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is c?nain eile ma nithear iarrtas. page 15 of 15