McFadyen, Agnes Child Minding Type of inspection: Announced Inspection completed on: 8 December 2016 Service provided by: Mcfadyen, Agnes Service provider number: SP2003902762 Care service number: CS2003004835
The service Introduction This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011. Mrs McFadyen operates her service from her home in the town of Beith in North Ayrshire. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under the age of 16, 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. The childminder's aims include that she will "provide a high quality service and show consideration to parents and guardians". At the time of this inspection she was providing her service to four children at various times. Two under five's were present on the day. What we did during our inspection We wrote this report following an announced inspection which took place between 9.45am and 11.30am on 8 December 2016. As part of the inspection we took account of the annual return and self assessment forms that we asked the provider to complete and submit to us. We sent the childminder three questionnaires to give to parents/carers using her service. One was completed and returned to us. During the inspection process we gathered evidence from various sources including: - Supporting evidence from the most recent self assessment - Returned care standards questionnaire - Communication methods - Service parent evaluation questionnaires - Children's questionnaires - 'End of service' questionnaires - Activities and snacks pictorial prompts - Review meetings - Children's information folders/personal plans - Allergy/health information - Medication permission/recording - House rules - Photo album - Samples of children's' art/craft work - Accident/incident recording - Infection control procedures/records - Policies/procedures - Good practice guidance publications - Training certificates - Registration certificate page 2 of 9
- Public Liability insurance certificate. We spoke with the childminder and the minded children present and observed interactions. We also looked at some toys, equipment, activities and the general environment. Views of people using the service Two minded children were present during our visit. They were settled, familiar and happy in the childminder's home and enjoyed a positive relationship with her. The childminder readily met their needs in a kind, calm and caring manner. One parent completed our questionnaire giving us their views of the service. They told us that they were very happy with the quality of care the children received. Comments made provided positive feedback on a range of aspects including communication, healthy snacks, access to fresh air, activities, safety and use of community resources. Comments made included "My children both ask for Anna on a regular basis and are always happy to go. I have never come for the children and felt they haven't enjoyed their time there. Anna is very flexible with our working patterns". Additional comments can be found within this report. Self assessment We received a fully completed self assessment document from the childminder which accurately reflected the service strengths we found during this inspection. The childminder had identified what she thought she did well under each of the headings and told us how the people who used the care service had taken part in her evaluation processes and involvement opportunities. What the service did well The childminder had continued to maintain and develop her service since her last inspection to ensure positive outcomes for the children in her care and their families. She fully involved parents in their child's care and gathered a wide range of information to help cater for their individual needs. She knew the children well and responded positively to their needs, interests and preferences. Her home provided them with a warm, comfortable child-friendly environment where their independence was encouraged. What the service could do better The childminder should consider the recommendation and areas for improvement made following this inspection. 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 page 3 of 9
Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection The childminder provided very good opportunities for children and their families to be actively included by listening to and acting on their views and providing them with choices and information. She used various methods of communication including daily discussions, daily diaries for parents who chose to have them, review meetings and pictorial prompts for younger children. Parents and children were encouraged to play an active role in decision making. Children were provided with choices on a daily basis and their views and suggestions respected. Activities and outings were organised around their interests and preferences and a parent told us "My children love crafts so are happy doing different pictures". This told us that families input was respected and included in daily practice. During our time in the childminder's home we observed the minded children to be familiar and comfortable and to enjoy positive relationships with her. She knew the children in her care well and was able to demonstrate how she catered for the children's individual needs and preferences and to support them in their daily routines. She gathered a range of relevant personal information and had developed personal plans based on the 'Getting it Right for Every Child' SHANARRI well-being indicators to assist her in meeting their individual needs and progression. Parent/carer input was valued and respected. At least twice a year review meetings took place with discussions taking place on each child's progress and long term care plans. The childminder provided a nurturing environment and promoted healthy lifestyles. She provided varied nutritious snacks and provided the younger children with pictorial prompts to help them make their own choices. The children had been involved in picking brambles and enjoying eating them for snack. The childminder told us she had applied to register as a food business with the local authority. Regular active play opportunities helped the children to develop their physical skills, enjoy being in the fresh air and meet and play with other children and adults. A varied selection of resources/activities was available within the childminder's home for the children to choose from. Their experiences were further enhanced through visits to community resources such as toddler groups, parks and interesting activities in other local towns. She gathered information on the children's health needs and ensured permission was sought from parents to administer any medication. Up-to-date guidance had been used to inform her policy/procedure. The childminder took steps to ensure the children in her care were kept safe within and outwith her home and was well aware of child protection issues, keeping up-to-date through training and relevant publications. She held discussions with the children, raising their awareness of keeping themselves safe, the importance of having rules and appropriate behaviour. This gave the children a sense of responsibility, helped them understand their rights and develop self-confidence. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good page 4 of 9
Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The childminder provided the children with a safe, warm and homely environment. The children had access to the lounge, kitchen/dining area and toilet facilities all at ground floor level. The space allowed them to play safely with their chosen toys/activities from a varied selection and to enjoy quiet times. Furniture was arranged to provide free play space and child sized table and chairs enabled them to safely and comfortably take part in certain activities such as creating their own art work. The childminder ensured her home, toys and equipment were safe and clean for the children. She was well aware of risks and how to keep the children safe and secure and had taken part in 'risk benefits' training. She now needed to record the risk assessments/benefits she carried out for her home; extended outings and specific activities (see recommendation 1). Gas safety checks were carried out on an annual basis to ensure the boiler/ heating was in good working order. We discussed the addition of a carbon monoxide detector as an additional safety precaution. A low level mirror and coat hooks in the hallway supported the children's independence. The rear garden was fully enclosed and secure, however, the childminder advised this area was not presently being used for outdoor play opportunities. As an alternative, the childminder made use of resources in the local community. Parent feedback was positive regarding the suitability and safety of the childminder's home, toys and equipment. The childminder carried out good practice procedures with regards to infection control. Her home was clean and fresh and she kept records of the frequency of cleaning and also the checking and washing of toys and equipment. Appropriate equipment was used when nappy changing and the children were provided with individual hand drying facilities to help reduce cross infection and keep them safe and healthy. Accident/incident recording facilities were available and shared with parents/carers, ensuring they were made aware of any events and action the childminder had taken. She made sure her knowledge and understanding of dealing with any incidents was up-to-date by renewing her first aid certificate every three years. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. The childminder should record the risks/benefits within her home and for extended outings and specific activities. National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 2: A safe environment. Grade: 5 - very good page 5 of 9
Quality of staffing This quality theme was not assessed. Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The childminder had kept up-to-date with best practice and changes since her last inspection. She had attended a varied range of training courses since her last inspection to update her knowledge and help inform her day-to-day practice in providing positive outcomes for the children and their families. Contact with other childminders, magazines, booklets and good practice guidance documents provided her with other methods of keeping informed. With regards to data protection we provided the childminder with the contact details of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) to enable her to enquire if registration was required. The childminder's complaints policy informed parents of her procedure should any concerns/issues arise along with our contact details should issues not be fully resolved. A parent told us they were aware they could raise concerns/complaints with the Care Inspectorate, but that they would "be able to speak directly to Anna if I had any concerns". This indicated the positive, trusting relationships she had built up with the families using her service. The parent we consulted with told us that the childminder involved them and their children when making improvements/changes to her service. She valued their input and sought their views on different aspects of her service. Feedback was also sought from families leaving her service and what benefits the children had experienced whilst in her care. Parent and child questionnaires we viewed were very positive. This showed us that parents/carers and children were included and respected. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good page 6 of 9
What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements Requirement 1 The childminder must develop personal plans for each child in her care. These should show how the children's health, welfare and safety needs are to be met and must be reviewed at least once every six months. This is in order to comply with SSI 210 'The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011', Regulation 5 - Personal Plans. Timescale: within 28 days of the date the child starts using the service. This requirement was made on 19 December 2012. Action taken on previous requirement The childminder had developed personal plans individual to each child's particular needs. She held review meetings with the parents/carers at least twice a year to discuss progress and long term plans. Met - within timescales What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 Recorded risk assessments should be in place and reviewed when required for extended outings and specific activities. National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 2: A safe environment. This recommendation was made on 19 December 2012. Action taken on previous recommendation There were no recorded risk assessments at this inspection. This recommendation is carried forward with the addition of a premises risk assessment. page 7 of 9
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 5 Dec 2012 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very good Management and leadership Not assessed 27 Mar 2009 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very good Environment 5 - Very good Staffing 5 - Very 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