Hunter, Kerry Child Minding Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 27 April 2017 Service provided by: Hunter, Kerry Service provider number: SP2012984159 Care service number: CS2012312404
The service Introduction Kerry Hunter provides her service from the family home in the Cumbernauld area of North Lanarkshire. The service is provided Monday to Friday flexibly to meet the needs of families. Local schools, shops and community facilities are accessible by foot, car and public transport. The childminder is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. The accommodation is on one level. Children have access to a comfortable lounge, kitchen/dining area and enclosed garden. At the time of the inspection there were four children registered to use the service. Two older children were present when we visited. What we did during our inspection We produced this report following an unannounced inspection carried out by one early learning and childcare inspector. This was carried out on Thursday 27 April 2017. When we arrived there were no children present. The childminder agreed it would be useful to use this opportunity to discuss the service and look at some records. We returned later that afternoon to meet the children. We provided the childminder with feedback at the end of our visit. In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including: - discussions with the childminder - chatting with the children who were present - observations of the interactions between the childminder and the children - observations of the children's experiences and routines - children's records - observations of the childminding environment and toys. - some records, including medication and accident/incident records We used the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included) to assess practice and looked at how the childminder used these to ensure positive outcomes for children and their families. We asked the childminder to distribute three care standards questionnaires to parents/carers who use her service, on our behalf. These were completed and returned to us before the inspection. page 2 of 11
Views of people using the service Children's views The children told us that they were happy at the service. They described how they spent their time after school and during the school holidays. They told us that they were involved in making decisions about activities and what they have for snack. They commented: "Kerry asks us what we want to do. We normally make plans when we walk home from school". "Kerry is really nice". "Kerry is funny. She makes us laugh and she's a good dancer". Parents/carers views: The parents/carers who completed the care standards questionnaires strongly agreed with all of the statements. They provided us with positive feedback about communication, the childminding environment, snacks and play activities. Their comments included: "It's a lovely, bright clean, secure home. All the toys and materials are clean and well looked after". "I am very happy with the daily routine and activities, it keeps my child entertained after school and during school holidays". "The childminder's home is very safe. The toys and equipment are kept up to date and well looked after". "Kerry sends home my child's folder on a regular basis and I have the opportunity then to give my views. We also talk to each other on a regular basis". "My child gets a snack after school and always seems to enjoy what she gets". Self assessment The childminder provided some brief information about what she thought she did well in the self-assessment. We provided her with information about how to develop in this area, including identifying areas for development in future self-assessments. What the service did well The childminder has established very positive relationships with children and parents/carers. She provides her service in a flexible way to ensure it meets their needs. The childminder knows children well. She provides good opportunities for them to enjoy a wide variety of fun play activities indoors and out, and uses the local community well. page 3 of 11
The childminder has further developed ways for children and parents/carers to be involved in assessing and improving her service. She responds well to their suggestions and clearly communicates this to all parents/ carers. The childminder has attended a wide variety of relevant training since the last inspection. She described how this had improved her practice and the quality of children's experiences. What the service could do better We made three recommendations at the last inspection relating to children's personal plans, medication procedures and involving children and parents/carers in developing the service. Although we acknowledged the progress made, we found that there was scope for further development in each of these areas. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 4 - Good 5 - Very Good not assessed 4 - Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection We found that children received good quality care and support in this service. The childminder's welcoming, inclusive ethos created an environment where children and families were respected and valued. The childminder was caring for two older children when we visited. They chatted happily to the inspector about how they spent their time at the childminder's home. They spoke positively about the toys and equipment and wide range of activities they could choose from. They told us that the childminder asked them what they would like to do and that she was responsive to their ideas and suggestions. The children had developed a close relationship with the childminder and were clearly very fond of her. The childminder was kind, caring and attentive to their needs. She interacted with them in a very positive way and participated in their activities. The children received lots of encouragement and support and their achievements were praised and celebrated. This supports children to develop confidence and positive self-esteem. The children told us they felt safe in the childminder's care. They described the arrangements that were in place for being picked up from school and talked about how the childminder supported them to be responsible and develop personal safety skills. page 4 of 11
The childminder spoke positively about the trusting relationships she had established with parents/carers. She knew children well and spoke about how she worked with parents/carers to ensure their individual needs were being met. Informal daily feedback, text messaging and telephone calls were used to share and gather information about children. This enabled her to respond to children's changing needs, ensuring continuity of care between home and the childminding setting. This helped children to feel settled and safe. The childminder recognised the importance of outdoor play to children's health and wellbeing and encouraged them to participate in active play outdoors in the fresh air. Snacktime was a positive, sociable experience for the children and a good selection of healthy snacks were provided. The children confirmed they were involved in choosing and preparing snack. The childminder promoted environmental responsibility and supported children to recycle materials appropriately. The childminder had a good understanding of the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach and had started to consider how the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators could be used to plan for individual children. We made a recommendation about personal plans at the last inspection. Although we could see that the childminder had made some progress with this, we found that these could be further developed. We spoke at length about this with the childminder and provided suggestions about how this could be taken forward. This included recording clear information about children's needs, development and progress and ensuring these are regularly reviewed with children and parents/carers. We suggested that children could be more involved in developing their plan. As this recommendation had not been fully met, this will be repeated in this inspection (see recommendation 1). Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. To demonstrate how children's needs are being met, the childminder should further develop children's personal plans. National Care Standards. Early Learning and Childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing. Grade: 4 - good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection Children and families experienced a very warm, welcoming homely childminding environment. We awarded a very good grade for this quality theme. The children were very relaxed and comfortable in the setting. They spent most of their time in the cosy lounge which was spacious for them to enjoy their activities. page 5 of 11
They had access to a very good range of toys which were clean, well-maintained and easy for them to access independently. The children told us they sometimes liked to "chill" and "snuggle on the couch" after being at school all day. They used the comfortable sofas, soft cushions and throws when they wished to relax. Children told us they regularly played outdoors in the garden, which was spacious and secure. They had a wide range of stimulating outdoor toys and equipment to choose from. The childminder's home was safe, clean and hygienic. She described carrying out visual checks prior to children arriving and throughout the course of the day. Formal risk assessments were completed for the premises, outings and car. The childminder was familiar with best practice infection control guidance and appropriate measures were in place to minimise the risk of spread of infection in the setting. Children had access to appropriate handwashing and drying materials. The childminder encouraged them to engage in good handwashing routines, prompting and supporting when required. The childminder had a suitable system in place to record details of accidents and incidents. 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 Findings from the inspection We awarded a good grade for this quality theme. Through discussions we found that childminder had a good understanding of her role in protecting children. Although a child protection policy was in place, we noted that there was scope to further develop this to more accurately reflect practice. We provided information and advice about this during our visit. The childminder agreed to take this forward. page 6 of 11
We looked at some of the records the childminder used at this inspection. We made a recommendation about amending written medication procedures at the last inspection. Although the childminder had made some progress with this, we noted that medication procedures could more clearly reflect best practice. As this recommendation had not been fully addressed, this will be repeated in this inspection (see recommendation 1). Attendance records were in place, however, we noted that these could more accurately reflect when children arrive and depart the service. The childminder agreed to ensure that accurate records are maintained. We discussed notification procedures with the childminder and sent her a copy of guidance by email. The childminder is now clearer about the events the Care Inspectorate needs to be notified of. The childminder was committed to her professional development and had attended a wide range of relevant training since the last inspection. This included, child protection, paediatric first aid, GIRFEC and food safety. She used the Care Inspectorate's Hub and information from Scottish Childminding Association to ensure she had up to date information about best practice and legislation. The childminder discussed how the learning from these opportunities had improved her practice and supported her to develop confidence in her role. We encouraged the childminder to review and further develop policies and procedures to reflect any new learning. The childminder was committed to the ongoing development of her service and welcomed feedback from children and parents/carers. She told us that parents/carers mainly preferred to share their ideas informally through daily chats, which allowed her to respond naturally to their suggestions. The childminder had developed a written policy on working in partnership with parents/carers in response to a recommendation made at the last inspection. This described the ways in which they could be involved in the setting. More formal questionnaires were also being used which demonstrated that parents/carers were very happy with all aspects of the service. We encouraged the childminder to continue to develop ways for children and parents/carers to assess and evaluate her service and provided ways in which this could be taken forward. For example, using more open ended questions and more focused consultations. The childminder has agreed to take this forward. We signposted her to Building the Ambition, National Practice Guidance and How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare. References: Building the Ambition, National Practice Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 http://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/201173/national-practice-guidance-on-early-learning-2014.pdf How good is our early learning and childcare? - https://education.gov.scot/improvement/documents/ Frameworks_SelfEvaluation/FRWK1_NIHeditSelf-evaluationHGIELC/HGIOELC020316Revised.pdf Records childminding services must keep and guidance on notification reporting. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 7 of 11
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. What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 Ms. Hunter should develop her policy on working in partnership with families to describe the ways in which this will be achieved. She should also develop a formal method of obtaining and recording the views of families in relation to each of the quality themes:- care and support of children, the childminding environment, and how the service is managed. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 13: Improving the Service. This recommendation was made on 24 May 2013. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had developed a policy which reflected the ways parents/carers could be involved in the setting. Questionnaires had also been developed to gather children and parents/carers views. While we acknowledged the progress made, we noted that there was scope to further develop in this area. We have reflected this under quality of management and leadership. This recommendation had been met. page 8 of 11
Recommendation 2 Ms. Hunter should develop personal plans for each of the children she cares for. These should be developed once children have attended the service for 28 days, and should be reviewed with parents at least every six months, or more frequently if required. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 5: Quality of Experience. This recommendation was made on 24 May 2013. Action taken on previous recommendation Although the childminder had a written plan in place for each child, we found that there was scope for these to be further developed. We have reflected this under management and leadership. This recommendation had not been fully addressed and will be repeated in this inspection. Recommendation 3 Ms. Hunter should amend her written medication procedures to indicate that parents will be asked to confirm in writing that they have administered the first dose of any medication prescribed for children. Records of medication should reflect that this has been done. National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 3: Health and Well-being. This recommendation was made on 24 May 2013. Action taken on previous recommendation Although the childminder recorded details about when children were given the first dose of any new medication, we found that medication procedures generally could be improved. We have made reference to this under quality of management and leadership. This recommendation had not been fully addressed and will be repeated in this inspection. 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 24 May 2013 Announced (short notice) Care and support 4 - Good Environment 4 - Good Staffing 4 - 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