Childminder inspection report Young, Evelyn and Mirelle Selkirk Inspection completed on 19 May 2016
Service provided by: Evelyn and Mirelle Young a Partnership Service provider number: SP2003908200 Care service number: CS2003009479 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 Childminder inspection report page 2 of 12
1 Introduction Childminder inspection report The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services is available on our website at: www.careinspectorate.com This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011. The childminders are registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 6 children at any time under the age of 16, of whom no more than six are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than two are under 12 months. When either childminder is working alone a maximum of 6 children under 16 years can be cared for of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and of no more than one is under 12 months. Numbers are inclusive of the childminder's family. Currently there are 13 children on the services register. These children attend the service at different times and on different days of the week. The service is located close to the centre of Selkirk. The childminders provide their service from their home, which has an enclosed garden area to the front of the property. The aims and objectives of the service support the well-being needs of children and give a commitment to working in partnership with parents. The Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children receiving a care service to ensure they have the best start in life, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives. The Care Inspectorate has an important role to play in supporting this approach in inspecting care services for children. The Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach is underpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. It's a consistent way for people to work with all children and young people. The approach helps practitioners focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people - and how they can act to deliver these improvements. Getting it right for every child is being threaded through all existing policy, practice, strategy and legislation affecting children, young people and their families. page 3 of 12
Childminder inspection report In Scotland, the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach puts wellbeing at the very heart of its approach. The eight 'indicators' of wellbeing that form the basis of GIRFEC are - safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included - often referred to as 'SHANARRI'. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection which took place between 12.15 pm and 3.00 pm on 19 May 2016. The inspection was carried out by one Care Inspectorate Inspector. We sent the childminders ten Care Standard Questionnaires to give to parents who used the service. Eight were returned before the inspection. Comments were positive and are included in this report. We spoke with two parents when we visited the service. Five minded children were present. In this inspection we gathered evidence from a number of sources including: Current self assessment Certificate of registration Insurance certificate Aims and objectives Policies and procedures Information given to parents Children's personal plans and 'all about me' information Children's individual photograph albums Daily diaries Photographs Risk assessments Medication and accident records We chatted with the childminders and listened to them telling us about their service. We observed their interaction with a minded child and looked at toys, equipment and the environment. All of the above information was taken into account and reported on under the relevant quality themes within this report. page 4 of 12
Childminder inspection report Views of people using the service During the inspection the children were observed to be happy and actively occupied with the activities available to them. We observed the children playing well together and included both childminders in their play. We saw the childminders supporting them and allowing them to make their own choices about what they wanted to do and play with. We received positive comments from parents about the service. Some of these comments are included below and some are written within the body of the report. "They have helped with my child's skills as they are growing up and make them feel safe and secure when we are at work." "We couldn't manage without Evelyn and Mirelle." "My child has a very close relationship with Evelyn and Mirelle which is lovely to see, as this reinforces my confidence in attending there on days I am working." "They look after our child, no problems. Very happy with the service." "I cannot thank them enough for their care and flexibility they have shown and given to me being a shift worker." 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 fully completed self assessment document from the service provider. We were satisfied with the way they had completed this and with the relevant information they had given us for each heading that we grade them under. We found this document to accurately reflect the service. What the service did well Children were being cared for in a safe, warm, happy and nurturing environment. The childminders responded gently and reassuringly to all the children. By offering a very good range of experiences the childminders supported children's development thus encouraging independence and confidence. What the service could do better The childminders should continue to develop their service and keep up to date with current best practice guidance. page 5 of 12
2 The grades we awarded Childminder inspection report 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 not assessed 4 - Good 3 Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminders had developed friendly and supportive relationships with parents. Parents told us they trusted their childminders and were confident that their children were well cared for. A parent commented "We like the fact it is a mother and daughter, two generations. They have lots of ideas and ways of doing things which are very positive". Parents were well-informed about the childminding service, what was happening on a daily basis, any new initiatives and about their own child's care. A parent told us "we have a daily diary which is for me to write things in as well as the daily updates from the childminders". We saw the diaries contained comprehensive care routine information. The childminders gave parents details of policies, procedures and the permissions she needed to get from them. This helped to make parents feel included and involved. The childminders had a lovely nature with the children. They supported and praised them in order to encourage them to become confident individuals. We saw children looked to the childminders for conversation, support and praise. A parent told us their child "is happy, sociable, outgoing and friendly and page 6 of 12
Childminder inspection report thoroughly enjoys going to Mirelle and Evelyn's. By going there they have developed friendships and greater awareness of play and sharing and also taking responsibility for tidy up time". We found the childminders knew the children and their families well. Children's information detailed developments and celebrated accomplishments. The childminders ensured the care they offered was consistent with the child's home life. A parent told us the childminders "are extremely caring and there is no one I would trust more with the care of my children". Grade The quality of care and support is graded Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 4 Quality of environment Findings from the inspection Children were being cared for in a comfortable, clean and safe environment. Parents confirmed this to us. The childminders had a very good range of equipment, activities and toys suitable for children of all ages. A parent told us "they have a wide variety of toys which are clean and looked after". They had included children when purchasing new toys and resources to meet individual interests. Children were encouraged to take responsibility for looking after them and keeping them in a tidy and organised fashion. The nurturing environment provided children with a secure space to play and move around freely. A parent told us "they have a great play area outside and are out a lot". Another told us "they provide a brilliant, safe and fun environment". page 7 of 12
Childminder inspection report The childminders had completed risk assessments for the home, trips in the car and outings on foot. In order to learn about keeping themselves safe the childminders discussed safety with children, for example safely crossing the road. The childminders recognised the importance of fresh air and exercise for children in order for them to develop and grow. They took them to a variety of parks and outdoor spaces for them to explore, be active and have fun. They also took it in turns to pick up and drop off children at a local school and nursery. By using resources in the local community this encouraged children to become more aware of their local surroundings. Parents told us their childminders will take children "to playgroup, park, out for walks and also if needed they will take them for haircuts, doctors appointments and also to the dentist" The childminders had appropriate public liability insurance for their business and for her motor vehicle. Grade The quality of environment is graded Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 5 Quality of staffing We only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant. page 8 of 12
6 Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminders had a wealth of experience between them. They showed commitment and enthusiasm for the job of caring for children. They were supportive and caring toward the parents and children they worked with. The childminders were skilled and had been working with children for a number of years. They had kept up to date with changes in guidance and were willing to attend relevant training when it was available in order to support the children they care for. The childminders continued to consult with parents and children through regular discussion, phone calls, text messages, diaries and questionnaires. This helped them to evaluate their service provided and helped to make parents feel involved. We saw the supportive comments parents and children had written in questionnaires provided by the service. By sharing their policies and procedures the childminders were able to make sure parents were well-informed about how the service operated, they would know who to contact should they have any concerns about the service and did not feel comfortable in approaching the childminders directly. A parent told us their childminder was "both childminders are very approachable so I always find it easy to go to them with any concerns". Another told us "I have often sought advice from Evelyn and Mirelle as I am a first time mum and they have always been helpful and eager to help out. I feel at ease speaking to them". Grade The quality of management and leadership is graded 4 - Good Requirements Number of requirements - 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations - 0 Childminder inspection report page 9 of 12
Childminder inspection report 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 There are no outstanding recommendations. 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 none identified page 10 of 12
11 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings Childminder inspection report 31 Jul 2012 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed 13 Jul 2011 Announced (Short Notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed Not Assessed 20 Jul 2009 Announced Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership Not Assessed 26 Aug 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support Environment Staffing Management and Leadership page 11 of 12
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 12 of 12