Sharp, Lynsey Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced (short notice) Inspection completed on: 26 July 2016 Service provided by: Sharp, Lynsey Service provider number: SP2004930167 Care service number: CS2004068801
The service Introduction Lynsey Sharp is registered to provide a childminding service for up to 4 children up to the age of 16, of whom no more than 3 children should not yet be attending primary school, and of whom no more than 1 child is less than 12 months old. The childminder operates her childminding business from the family home in Auchinloch, North Lanarkshire. The property is close to local parks, school and nursery. The childminder has a mid-terraced house with a lounge/dining room and kitchen used for childminding purposes. There is also a safely enclosed rear garden which is suitable for outdoor play. The childminder also uses local parks and walks to ensure that children have daily access to fresh air and exercise. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report after a short announced inspection was carried out by a Care Inspectorate inspector. The inspection took place on Tuesday 26 July 2016. As requested by us, Mrs Sharp completed and submitted a self assessment form and an annual return to us. During the inspection, we spoke to:- - the childminder, - four 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, - car insurance, - certificate of registration, - certificate of insurance, - child protection policy, - children's records and journals, - complaints policy, - medication recording policy and system, - settling in policy and procedures. We also observed the interactions between the childminder and the minded children. Views of people using the service We issued four care standards questionnaires to the childminder to distribute to parents/carers. All were returned prior to inspection. All parents commented very positively on the quality of care provided. Comments from questionnaires are included in the report. page 2 of 9
Self assessment 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 her service under. What the service did well Overall we found that the childminder provided a very good quality experience for children. Her enthusiasm to update her knowledge and skills and keep up-to-date with new practice in early years and childcare resulted in positive outcomes for children. She demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the children she cared for. She showed us personal plans for children which reflected children's individual interests and needs. She shared information with parents on a daily basis. The childminder reflected on very strong relationships with the families she provided care for. What the service could do better The childminder should continue to develop personal plans for children as discussed. She should add the contact details for Social Services to the service's Child Protection Policy. She should update her Medication Policy and procedure in accordance with Care Inspectorate guidance, management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services. She should develop a policy and risk assessment for the use of her care for childminding purposes. She should pursue training on Child Protection as planned. 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 provided very good opportunities for children and parents to be involved in the continued development of the service. She provided a detailed welcome pack that included service policies and information about her service. The childminder consulted with children to establish what activities and outings they wanted to be involved in. She also observed children and noted their preferences and interests. The childminder had developed very strong ties with the families she provided care for and she worked hard to build supportive partnerships with the parents by being open and approachable. She shared detailed information about children's progress and consistently followed routines for younger children. The childminder kept very good records about children's learning and development and shared these with parents. page 3 of 9
She worked in partnership with parents for example, settling children into the service and using strategies to support individual children's development. The childminder used text, whatsapp, telephone and e-mail to communicate with parents during the day. The childminder had recorded information about children in accordance with the Scottish Government guidance, Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) and planned to continue to develop this. This guidance was embedded in practice. We looked at children's personal plans and found that they contained very good information about children's progress and development. The childminder used an All About Me document to record children's interests and preferences. The childminder conducted and recorded observations and used GIRFEC wellbeing indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included) to measure children's progress. We discussed how the childminder could include additional information about children's achievements at home. She agreed to discuss this with parents. Children's photographs and artwork were displayed in the plans and in the service. Overall, we found that personal plans showed progression and development for children. General information about children's health, medical background and emergency contact information was also recorded within each child's personal plan. The childminder had issued questionnaires to parents and children as part of her own preparation for inspection in May/June 2016. Very positive feedback was recorded, eg, comments included; "Very happy. There is a good mix of outdoor/indoor activities", "My child has an excellent relationship with Lynsey", "It's fun. I like Lynsey". She also issued questionnaires relating to the settling in process. This ensured that feedback about the care, activities and experiences the children received was taken into account. The childminder considered nutritional guidelines to plan menus for children and used these to plan nutritious snacks for children. She was familiar with the new NHS Scotland guidance Setting the Table. Children were encouraged to be physically active. The childminder accessed local walks each day and local parks. She also took children on outings further afield. A policy on behaviour management was implemented in the service in partnership with parents. We discussed child protection procedures. A child protection policy was in place. The childminder was able to explain to us what she would do if she had a child protection concern. The childminder knew who she would contact to discuss these concerns. We asked the childminder to add the contact details for Social Services to the policy and she agreed to do this. The childminder intended to complete child protection training with the local childminding group at the time of inspection this was being planned. We found that the childminder had systems in place to administer, store and record any medication children had been given. We discussed how she should amend these to reflect Care Inspectorate guidance - Management of Medication in daycare of children and childminding services. (See recommendation 1). We observed four completed Care Standards Questionnaires returned by parents. Very positive responses were recorded. page 4 of 9
Comments included: "Lynsey has gone beyond my expectations as a childminder. She is committed, caring and loves her job." "I have always noted that Lynsey takes a genuine interest in the care and development of my daughter and works closely with me to ensure that my opinions are taken on board." "We are all very happy with the service Lynsey provides." Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should amend the service policy and procedure on administration of medication in accordance with Care Inspectorate guidance, Management of medication in daycare of children and childminding services. National Care Standards, Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 3, Health and Wellbeing. Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection We found the childminder's home to be a very warm and homely environment. The accommodation was safely arranged, hygienic, smoke free, clean and tidy. On the day of the inspection four minded children were present. They were enjoying using playdough and a range of resources for imaginative play. The house provided a good amount of space for children to play and learn. Children had access to the lounge/dining room, kitchen and rear garden. The childminder regularly visited local parks and walks, mother and toddler group, soft play and the library. She had also organised trips further afield to play parks and country parks in accordance with children's wishes. Photographs of children in their personal plans showed that they had enjoyed very positive experiences in a range of settings. A variety of resources was easily accessible for children to play with independently for example, books, jigsaws, craft, songs and music. The childminder told us about, and we were able to see photographs of, children playing in a variety of outdoor settings. The childminder had a copy of the best practice guidance Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings. She had developed policies and procedures relating to health and safety and infection control. page 5 of 9
The childminder maintained cleaning records and maintenance and equipment records. The childminder had considered potential risks within her environment and for outings. She had developed risk assessments for parks and places that she regularly visited in the local area with children. We discussed the development of a policy and risk assessment in relation to the use of her car for childminding purposes. (See recommendation 1). Although the childminder told us that there had been no accidents. there was a recording system in place to record and inform parents if any accidents occurred. Overall, children enjoyed very positive experiences in a range of environments and settings. Parents commented: "Lynsey provides a very stimulating environment. My children are happy and confident and look forward to going." "Lynsey does a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors. I am really pleased with my child's routine and activities and wouldn't change anything." Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should develop a policy and risk assessment for the use of her car for childminding purposes. National Care Standards, Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Standard 2, A safe environment. Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder managed her service well and was committed to continued professional development. She kept up-to-date with current legislation and best practice by visiting the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) and Care Inspectorate's websites, reading SCMA and Care Inspectorate magazines and discussing practice with local childminders. She was familiarising herself with 'The Hub' section on the Care Inspectorate's website. This is a resource library containing guidance and good practice documents. page 6 of 9
The childminder reviewed policies and procedures annually and sought parents' views. When amendments were made to policies, parents were given a copy. Since the last inspection the childminder had undertaken training on First Aid and GIRFEC. The childminder had involved parents and children in evaluating her service through daily discussions at drop off and collection times and more formally through regular questionnaires on a range of subjects. The childminder told us that she knew the families she worked with very well and had very good relationships with them. This was reflected in the comments made by parents. The childminder had an effective complaints policy in place. Parents were given a copy of the policy before starting the service. The childminder managed her service well and implemented systems to evaluate the quality of service. This ensured that children and parents were involved in service development and could shape provision. Parents commented: "I am very happy to have Lynsey looking after my child and I would recommend her to anyone." "She is a very valuable person to have in our children's lives and I am thankful for all she does for them. I would strongly recommend her to anyone." "She has provided a fantastic service to my daughter." 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 9 Oct 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support 6 - Excellent Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 22 Sep 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 15 Jan 2009 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