Rice, Sarah Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 25 August 2016 Service provided by: Rice, Sarah Service provider number: SP2011982553 Care service number: CS2011297876
The service Introduction Before 1 April 2011 this service was registered with the Care Commission. On this date the new scrutiny body, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Care Inspectorate), took over the work of the Care Commission, including the registration of care services. This means that from 1st April this service continued its registration under the new body, the Care Inspectorate. Mrs Sarah Rice was registered as a childminder in September 2011. The conditions of registration state: 1. A care service may be provided to a maximum of 6 children at any one time under the age of 12, of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending Primary School and no more than 1 is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of children of the childminder's family. 2. Minded children cannot be cared for by persons other than those named on the certificate. 3. No overnight care may be provided. The aims and objectives of the service state: "I aim to provide a warm and caring, but yet stimulating environment for children of all ages. I will use a variety of toys, equipment, books and activities to suit their different levels of ability and further develop their skills..." What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following a short notice inspection that took place on 25 August 2016. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector. Feedback was given to the childminder on the same day. During this inspection process we gathered evidence from various sources, including the following: Discussion with the childminder and observations of two children who were present during the visit. We considered the service's: - aims and objectives - certificate of registration - the service's public liability insurance certificate - a range of policies and procedures - personal plans and individual records - risk assessments - certificates for courses that the childminder had undertaken. We issued three care standards questionnaires (CSQ) and received two completed questionnaire from parents. We took the findings from the above into account for the purpose of reporting. page 2 of 9
Views of people using the service Two children were present during the inspection visit. Both were very relaxed and comfortable in their environment. They presented as being happy and having fun through the inspection. One child offered views on the service and these are noted in the body of the report. We also received two completed Care Standard Questionnaires (CSQ) from parents who used the service. All views and comments received from parents were very positive. Supporting comments are also noted in the body of the report. 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. The Care Inspectorate received a self-assessment document from the provider. We were satisfied with the way the provider completed this and with the relevant information included for each heading that we grade services under. What the service did well The childminder also established strong relationships with parents and children through good communication and regular information updates. Children were cared for in a child focussed environment that was welcoming and fun. What the service could do better No areas for improvement were identified during this inspection visit. The service should continue to maintain existing good standards. 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 not assessed 5 - Very Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder was able to demonstrate that she knew the children well which helped the minded children to feel secure and settled in her care. She had achieved this by ensuring good communication and settling systems page 3 of 9
were imbedded at the start of any new placement. This included visits to the service prior to the child starting and the sharing of information between childminder and parents. We found that the childminder continued to gather information about the children who attended her service, she was familiar with their preferences, and had followed the wishes of their families for the day-to-day care of their children. The childminder had established effective working relationships with the families. She spoke with parents on a daily basis to discuss their child's care needs and share information. This communication helped provide continuity of care which helped support positive outcomes for children. The childminder told us she thinks it is important to keep parent's informed of what she is doing on a day-today basis with the children. One way she ensures they have the most up to date information is by using the app system "Whatsapp". This allows the childminder to send text messages to parent's but also include photographs. There was a good range of well-balanced toys and resources available; we found these to be clean, in good condition, accessible and appropriate for children's' individual age and stage of development. On the day of inspection, we saw the children choosing toys they wanted to play with, allowing them to make choices and to promote their independence. We talked to both children attending about their time at the childminders. They both indicated they enjoyed being there and that they had enough toys and activities to keep the service a fun place. One child told us about trips and outings they had gone on: "We go to the park, soft play, library and swimming". Procedures were in place to enable the childminder to administer any medication supplied by parents. Written consent was required prior to any medication being given, and the childminder's policy reflected current best practice guidance. The childminder regularly talked to the children about their own personal safety, this included washing their hands before snacks or after going to the toilet but also when out doors for example road safety. One child told us: "We look and listen so we don't get run over, and we don't walk in front of the swings when we're at the park". Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The service was provided from the childminders family home. The property was a mid terraced villa with an enclosed front and back door. Children had access to a kitchen/dining area, lounge and downstairs WC. page 4 of 9
The childminder knew the importance of keeping her home safe in order to protect children from harm. On a daily basis she completed a visual check to make sure that her home was safe for the children. On the day of the inspection, we found her home to be safe, clean and tidy whilst offering a 'homely' atmosphere for the children. There was appropriate lighting, heating and ventilation in her home which made her home comfortable. Smoking was not allowed in the home. In our questionnaire, parents confirmed that they felt the home was safe, secure, hygienic, smoke free, pleasant and stimulating environment. The children were based in the lounge and kitchen/dining area, which allowed them sufficient space to play safely and to enjoy different activities simultaneously, depending on their interests. Age appropriate toys and play materials were readily accessible so that the children could select for themselves. The childminder supervised the children well during our visit so that they could play safely. They were encouraged to help tidy up when finished playing. This helped them to learn to be responsible, whilst at the same time reducing the risk of accidents. The care standards questionnaires returned to us, told us parents 'Strongly agreed ' that their child had regular access to fresh air and energetic play. There was enough space for the children to play and get involved in a range of activities. The childminder provided a suitable range of equipment, toys and materials for the children, and the childminder made good use of resources in the community, for example the soft play, parks and the beach. The childminder helped children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe. For example, they talked about crossing the road safely when out walking. 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 The childminder presented as committed to improving her service, placing children's interests at the centre. Information gathered from parents and children was used routinely to plan her service and make any changes for improvement. We noted she had responded to a parents request and supported her child through toilet training. She had regular discussions with parents and children sharing ideas of activities and resources. This allowed parents have involvement in their child's learning and allowed children to request new resources. page 5 of 9
The childminder provided opportunities for children and parents to be involved in the continued development of the service. We saw that children and their families were routinely involved, listened to and offered choices. This was done in a number of ways including: questionnaires, whats app and the completion of children's personal plans. The childminder ensured she kept her continuing professional development (CPD) up to date since her last inspection she had attended, GIRFEC, First Aid, Child Protection and Food Hygiene. Outcomes for children were improved as a result of training attended by the childminder. The environment they explored indoors and out were safer as a result of the childminder acting on knowledge gained through her First Aid, Child Protection and Food handling training courses. The way in which she approached her daily planning was also influenced by attending "Getting it Right for Every Child" and this again improved children's experiences as the childminder was more focussed on individual needs and learning. The childminder had a broad understanding of regulatory issues and had submitted information to the Care Inspectorate when asked to do so. Parents through the CSQ 'strongly agreed' that they were happy with the quality of care that their child or children received at the service and 'strongly agreed' that there were opportunities for them and their child to develop the service. 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 6 of 9
What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 It is recommended that the childminder develops a system to actively involve children and their families in assessing and improving the service. She should give consideration as to how she can evidence this consultation has led to improved outcomes for children. This recommendation was made on 8 August 2012. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had introduce a number of systems to allow service users to assess and improve the service. Details of these systems are noted in the body of the report. Recommendation 2 It is recommended that Mrs Rice develops a personal plan for each child. The plan should be reviewed at least every 6 months. This recommendation was made on 8 August 2012. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder had introduced and maintained very comprehensive personal plans for each child attending. Recommendation 3 It is recommended that Mrs Rice develops a policy of the procedure to be followed should a child be unwell. This should include information about exclusion periods. This recommendation was made on 8 August 2012. Action taken on previous recommendation The childminder was fully aware of exclusion periods. She had sourced this information and developed a policy to reflect this. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. page 7 of 9
Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 8 Aug 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support 4 - Good Environment 4 - Good Staffing 4 - 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