shirley's little angels anstruther - care inspectorate

Childminder inspection report

Shirley's Little AngelsAnstruther

Inspection report for Shirley's Little AngelsInspection completed on 20 August 2015

Service provided by: Nuttall, Shirley

Service provider number: SP2014986050

Care service number: CS2014327636

Inspection Type: Unannounced

Care services in Scotland, including childminders, cannot operate unlessthey are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award gradesand set out improvements that must be made. We also investigatecomplaints about care services and take action when things aren't goodenough.

Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or haveany concerns about a care service.

Contact UsCare InspectorateCompass House11 Riverside DriveDundeeDD1 4NY

[email protected]

0345 600 9527

www.careinspectorate.com

@careinspect


Inspection report for Shirley's Little Angelspage 2 of 13

1 IntroductionThe Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information in relationto all care services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com.This service registered with the Care Inspectorate in September 2014

Shirley Nuttall, trading as Shirley's Little Angels, is registered to providea childminding service to a maximum of 6 children at any one time under theage of 16, of whom no more than 3 are not yet attending primary school and ofno more than 1 is under 12 months.

The childminder lives in a well-maintained home, located in a residential area inAnstruther. She cares for 12 children, all of whom attend part-time. At the timeof the inspection, one minded child was present.

What we did during our inspectionThe Care Inspectorate is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of allchildren receiving a care service. We want to ensure they have the best start inlife, are ready to succeed and live longer, healthier lives.

We check services are meeting the principles of Getting It Right for Every Child(also known as GIRFEC). Set up by Scottish Government, GIRFEC is a nationalapproach to working in a consistent way with all children and young people. It isunderpinned by the principles of prevention and early intervention. Theapproach helps services focus on what makes a positive difference for childrenand young people - and what they can do to improve. GIRFEC is being woveninto all policy, practice, strategy and legislation that affect children, youngpeople and their families.

There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of GIRFEC. They are: safe;healthy; achieving; nurtured; active; respected; responsible; and included. Theyare often referred to as the SHANARRI indicators. We use these indicators atinspection, to assess how services are making a positive difference for children.

We compiled this report following an unannounced inspection, which took placeon 20 August 2015.

As requested by us, the childminder sent us a self-assessment.



We issued Care Standard Questionnaires to parents of children who used theservice. We received three for inclusion in this inspection.

During this inspection we:

- looked at information we had been sent about the service before theinspection, this include the self-assessment and registration report- talked to the childminder about the service she provided- spoke to child about their time with the childminder- considered the views of parents- observed the quality of the interactions between the children present and thechildminder.- looked through children's information files.

Views of people using the serviceThere was one child present during the time of the inspection. We observed thechild at play and interaction between them and the childminder. They wereobviously very relaxed and happy to be in the care of the childminder. Theyplayed happily in the garden, involving the childminder at times, as well asexploring independently. They were confident about approaching thechildminder and her husband to request resources or snack. They appearedcomfortable in their surroundings and enjoyed the selections of resourcesavailable to them.

Parents returned Care Standard Questionnaires. All parents who completed thequestionnaires agreed with the statement, "Overall, I am happy with the qualityof care my child receives in this service". Comments included:

"We are extremely happy with the care provided for our children. They lovegoing to Shirley's and enjoy all the activities provided. Shirley is very flexible andalways tries to accommodate any hours when needed. We could also continueour children's activities/clubs in the village when I had to go back to work full-time, as Shirley offered to drop them off."

"Shirley ensures that our (child) experiences a wide range of activities both athome and outside. These include going to the park, picnics, painting, baking,walks and playing in the garden."



Shirley is very thoughtful and considerate. She has provided opportunities forour (child) to make birthday/mother's day cards etc. Our (child) has alsoenjoyed making cakes on occasions."

Shirley is always happy and cheerful. She has created a 'home from home'environment. Most importantly our (child) is happy there."

"Going back to work and leaving my child with a childminder is the hardestthing I have ever had to do. My childminder helped to make the process as easyas possible for me and my child. My child settled quickly and always comeshome happy. (They) enjoy spending time with the other children (and have)grown in confidence. It has been a very positive experience. I know my child isbeing well cared for and is in a safe, nurturing environment. "

Self assessmentEvery year all care services complete a 'self assessment' telling us how theirservice is performing. We check to make sure this is accurate.

A completed self-assessment document was submitted online to the CareInspectorate by the childminder. This was completed to a good standard andgave relevant information for each inspection theme.

What the service did wellChildren were cared for in a comfortable and nurturing environment. Theyenjoyed a lot of outdoor activities where they were learning about the area theylived in, as well as developing interests in the environment and nature. Childrenwere included in choosing activities which kept it interesting and contributed tothem enjoying their time with the childminder.

The childminder was able to share good information with parents throughregular conversation, diaries and a private social media website.

What the service could do betterThe childminder had only been providing the service for a few months wheninspected. She had clear ideas on how she would continue to develop theservice she was providing.



She was aware of the need to continue to access appropriate training andlearning opportunities. We asked the childminder to undertake Child Protectiontraining and to research the Care Inspectorate 'Hub' for up-to-date and currentgood practice documents.

2 The grades we awardedWe grade the quality of care and support, the quality of the environment andthe quality of management and leadership. If the childminder employs anassistant, we also grade the quality of staffing. In each case, we award a gradeon a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent.

Quality of care and support 5 - Very GoodQuality of environment 5 - Very Good

Quality of staffing not assessedQuality of management and leadership 4 - Good

3 Quality of care and supportFindings from the inspectionChildren were happy and settled in the childminder's care. They were learningthrough their play because the childminder provided activities that were wellmatched to their ability and interests. For example, children were learning aboutthe environment and nature as they were taken on regular walks and spenttime in the garden. The childminder spent time talking to the child about therabbit and helped to look after it, be providing food and water.

The child played very happily and was well occupied throughout our time withat the service. The childminder joined in with activities, talking to them andtaking opportunities to ask simple questions. This helped to extend theirdeveloping language and understanding. The childminder responded warmly tothe child, she was calm, consistent and gentle towards them and tookopportunities to praise their efforts and achievements.



We found that child present was relaxed and confident in the childminder'scare. They clearly had a nurturing relationship with the adults in the house andwere comfortable sitting beside and cuddling the childminder. The childminderspoke gently and encouraged the child to follow instruction by gently helpingthem. She spoke to them constantly through their time with her andencouraged them to feel at home in her care.

Children settled well with the childminder because she gathered informationabout them that helped her to ensure she could provide for them and feelcomfortable and reassured in her care. It was evident that the childminder knewthe care and support needs of each child she looked after. She had developedchildren's records and recordings of the individual children's achievements andshared information through conversation and a diary, provided for parents. Thechildminder updated development records which were based on SHANARRIindicators regularly, and parents could view these, checking on their own child'sachievements and planned next steps. However, we did talk to the childminderabout dating all documents to ensure that anyone could follow the chronologyand be confident they were following the most up-to-date information.

Children were included in organising and selecting their activities. Thechildminder told us she asked the children and parents regularly throughconversation and play what she could do to make their experience being withher better. Children were able to make choices and to play at their own pace asthey select resources from easily accessible equipment. Children were activethroughout their day and had access to a variety of resources.

Children were polite, helpful and learning to show respect for others and beresponsible within their environment. For example they helped to tidy toys awayand assisted others set up activities. Children behaved well because they weregiven clear and consistent boundaries by the childminder. She used a lot ofpraise and explanation to ensure that children knew what was expected.

Children were learning about being healthy as the childminder followed verygood daily routines to ensure that they understood the need for personalhygiene. Children washed their hands prior to eating snack. We did not see thechildminder's nappy-changing procedure but through discussion we weresatisfied they had knowledge of good practice and keeping children safe andhealthy by limiting the risk of cross-infection.



Children were safeguarded from harm and their welfare was sufficientlypromoted because the childminder demonstrated that she had anunderstanding of her role in child protection. She was able to put appropriateprocedures into practice if concerned about a child's welfare or safety. Thechildminder was also aware of the need to keep training such as Safeguardingand First Aid up to date.

GradeThe quality of care and support is graded 5 - Very Good

RequirementsNumber of requirements - 0

RecommendationsNumber of recommendations - 0

4 Quality of environmentFindings from the inspectionThe childminder was welcoming and the premises comfortable which respectedchildren's need to have a sense of security and belonging. Children were caredfor within clean, tidy and smoke-free premises. The children had room to beactive within the conservatory, living-room and kitchen. There was also spaceavailable within the home which gave children quiet areas where they could restand sleep if they needed.

Children were supervised by the childminder as they used the garden to the rearof the property. The garden was secured for use by the children providing a safearea for them. There was a supply of activities within the garden which thechildren enjoyed such as balls, wheeled toys and physical activities. Childrenenjoyed getting outside, laughing and playing and the many play activitiesavailable. This gave them opportunities for active and energetic play in the freshair.

Children's safety was further promoted because the childminder had takenappropriate steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, bothinside and outside, were minimised.



For example, hazardous materials were kept out of children's reach, smokedetectors were fitted within the home, a fire blanket and extinguisher wereavailable if needed. The childminder was fully aware of the need to constantlyreview safety measures as the children grew up and other children joined theservice.

Children were regular taken out locally and further afield where they werelearning about nature and the environment. They were getting plenty ofchances to have fun and play outdoors, being active and benefitting from thefresh air.

GradeThe quality of environment is graded 5 - Very Good



5 Quality of staffingWe only assess this where the childminder employs an assistant.

6 Quality of management and leadershipFindings from the inspectionResources, routines and space within the home were successfully organised toensure children were comfortable and content in the childminder's care. Thechildminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding course andundertaken further training which contributed to her having appropriate skills topromote good outcomes for children. The childminder had developed policiesand procedures that underpinned her practice and were shared with parents.Required documentation was in place and records were maintainedappropriately.



Parents and children were respected because the childminder had taken stepsto involve them in the evaluation of her service. Parents were frequently askedfor their opinions during discussion and they and children were asked toconsider 'two stars and a wish', where they could provide information on thingsthey liked and what they would like to see. Parents were welcomed into thehome where they could see the childminder in practice. She passed oninformation about the children's day verbally and through their diaries. Parent'scomments to us and the childminder show that they were delighted with thecare and the standard of the provision.

The childminder was aware of the need to undertake research and trainingabout Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) and how to best meet theSHANARRI (Safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, responsible, respected andincluded) indicators for each child within the service. She told us she wascommitted to extending her knowledge on this and incorporating it into hereveryday work including the children's development folders.

We told the childminder about the section of the Care Inspectorate websitecalled 'The Hub'. This is an information section which provides all care serviceproviders with access to good practice documents and learning materials. Wesuggested the childminder look through this website as part of her personaldevelopment. The childminder also informed us that they would continue toincrease their knowledge by attending appropriate training and learningopportunities as they arose. She keeps up-to-date with information from theCare Inspectorate and Scottish Childminding Association. Regular contact withother childminders also helps to share and disseminate information locally.

GradeThe quality of management and leadership is graded 4 - Good





7 What the service has done to meet anyrecommendations or requirements we madeat our last inspection

Previous requirements

There are no outstanding requirements.

Previous recommendations

There are no outstanding recommendations.

8 ComplaintsThere have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of anyolder upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com.

9 EnforcementsNo enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the lastinspection

10 Other issuesNone



11 Inspection and grading historyThis service does not have any prior inspection history or grades.



To find out moreThis inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can downloadthis report and others from our website.

You can also read more about our work online.

Contact UsCare InspectorateCompass House11 Riverside DriveDundeeDD1 4NY

[email protected]

0345 600 9527

www.careinspectorate.com

@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 c?nain eile manithear iarrtas.



shirley's little angels anstruther - care inspectorate

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