Moffat, Anita
Child Minding
Type of inspection: Unannounced
Inspection completed on: 29 November 2016
Service provided by:
Moffat, Anita
Care service number:
CS2003003206
Service provider number:
SP2003901560
Inspection report
The service
Introduction
The childminder is registered to mind a maximum of 6 children under the age of 16 years, of whom no more
than 3 are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than 1 is under 12 months. Numbers are
inclusive of the childminder's family. Currently eight children attend the service through a variety of full and part
time care arrangements. One child aged 18 months was present on the day of the inspection.
The childminding service is provided from the family home: a large detached villa in a residential area of
Helensburgh. The main lounge, kitchen and downstairs toilet in the premises are used for childminding. A large
safe and secure front garden is used for active and energetic play.
The childminder aims to "provide a service with the wellbeing, health and happiness of children as a priority; to
take account of safety and security of the children at all times; to build good relationships of trust, respect and
confidence in a pleasant and stimulating environment; to encourage children to form positive relationships with
each other; to provide a good well-balanced diet and offer various activities and outings; and to provide a high
standard of care and do my best to accommodate all requirements parents may wish for their children."
What we did during our inspection
We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection that took place in the morning of 29 November 2016.
The inspection was carried out by one Inspector from the Care Inspectorate.
We issued six questionnaires to parents of children who used the service four were returned before our
inspection.
As requested, we received an annual return and self assessment electronically. We considered the information
within these documents as part of the inspection process.
We observed the parts of the premises used for childminding purposes and observed the interaction between the
childminder and the minded child. We sampled children's records and viewed other relevant written
documentation.
Views of people using the service
During our visit one child was present. We could clearly see that the minded child had developed good
relationships with the childminder. The minded child was comfortable and confident in the childminding setting
and interacted confidently with the inspector showing her his toys and water bottle.
Self assessment
As highlighted previously, a self assessment was submitted electronically. This gave us information about what
the childminder felt she did well.
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What the service did well
The childminder had established positive relationships with the minded children and their families. She was
observed to be warm and caring towards the child in her care treating him with consideration and respect
throughout the inspection. It was clear from viewing the responses to the questionnaires completed and
returned to us that the families using the service were very happy with the quality of the service.
What the service could do better
The childminder should ensure that personal plans for children are reviewed every six months to ensure that they
contain up-to-date information.
From this inspection we graded this service as:
Quality of care and support
Quality of environment
Quality of staffing
Quality of management and leadership
4 - Good
5 - Very Good
4 - Good
4 - Good
Quality of care and support
Findings from the inspection
We found this service to be performing to a good standard in relation to this quality theme.
At enrolment parents were asked to provide the childminder with information about individual children's needs,
preferences and care routines to create individual personal plans. We found that the childminder held
appropriate and helpful information about children, which was used to tailor the care of each child to their own
individual needs. However, we noted that the childminder had not yet developed an appropriate system to
ensure that the personal plans were reviewed regularly (see Recommendation 1).
Parents told us:
"Anita is very open to my views and I totally respect her views too. She has 100% got the best knowledge and
experience for caring for my children."
The childminder had developed warm, nurturing relationships with the children in her care; she included their
views in her daily planning and respected their individual choices and needs. The daily routine included regular
visits to the local parks. We found that children had good opportunities to be active outdoors in the
childminder's garden. She told us that some children enjoyed craft activities and she shared her plans for
Christmas crafting. Children could make choices from a range of activities like drawing, dancing and dressing
up. We observed a range of age appropriate toys and games to play with. Children were encouraged to choose
which toys they would like. During the inspection the minded child enjoyed playing with cars and toy tools.
Children brought packed lunches and all snacks to the service.
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The childminder had an appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that children's wellbeing was safeguarded.
The childminder had not recently participated in child protection training but remained clear about her
responsibilities to keep children safe and protected from harm at all times.
The childminder told us that there were generally no issues with children's behaviour, but small incidents could
be resolved quickly. She ensured that she worked in partnership with parens to ensure children got consistent
messages about acceptable behaviour.
The childminder had appropriate procedures in place to administer medication to children in her care. At the
time of inspection no children required medication.
Requirements
Number of requirements: 0
Recommendations
Number of recommendations: 0
Grade: 4 - good
Quality of environment
Findings from the inspection
We found this service to be performing at a very good standard in relation to this quality theme.
Children were able to access the downstairs facilities within the childminder's home. These consisted of the
lounge, hallway and use of the family kitchen. Children accessed the downstairs toilet. As mentioned earlier,
there was an enclosed front garden to offer children opportunities for safe and healthy outdoor play. The
environment was observed to be clean, well decorated and in a good state of repair. The childminder told us
that children were excited by the appearance of her Christmas decorations.
No health and safety issues were observed. The childminder told us that she carried out regular visual risk
assessments to ensure that the children were safe and protected from any hazards.
Parents commented:
"Anita always has different toys out for the my child. She has a fantastic range for all the children."
"Equipment and toys age appropriate, although some toys are too young for my children now, she works to
ensure the safety of the youngest children in her care and suitable space is provided for any toys/games older
children wish to play with."
The childminder was aware of her role in ensuring children were protected from the spread of infection within
the home. Children were encouraged to wash their hands routinely after being outside, before and after eating
and after visiting the toilet. Appropriate nappy changing arrangements had been put in place. The childminder
also ensured she issued information on exclusion periods for infectious illnesses to parents.
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There was an appropriate accident and incident recording system in place to ensure that parents/carers were
advised if any children were involved in minor bumps, etc.
We confirmed that the childminder held appropriate insurance for the service and for using her car for business
purposes.
Requirements
Number of requirements: 0
Recommendations
Number of recommendations: 0
Grade: 5 - very good
Quality of staffing
Findings from the inspection
We found this service to be performing at a good standard in relation to this quality theme.
The childminders' daughters were registered to assist within the childminding service and we were told that they
occasionally visited. The assistants mainly visited during holiday periods.
Neither assistant was present at the time of inspection.
Parents told us:
"On occasion Anita's daughters will assist her in caring for my children. Rachel has taken my child swimming
which she loved and keeps asking when she can go again. Both Rachel and Sarah are fantastic with my
children."
Although the assistants had not attended any formal childminding training, one of her assistants held a relevant
teaching qualification.
Requirements
Number of requirements: 0
Recommendations
Number of recommendations: 0
Grade: 4 - good
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Quality of management and leadership
Findings from the inspection
We found this service to be performing at a good standard in relation to this quality theme.
The childminder told us that she kept up-to-date with best practice guidance and changes to legislation through
Argyll & Bute Council and accessing online resources including The Hub - the Care Inspectorate's online
information resource.
Since the last inspection the childminders had not participated in any training sessions to enhance her practice,
as a result of family circumstances. We would encourage the childminder to update her skills through training
regularly.
The childminder respected the views of children and parents/carers and used their views to improve the service
where possible. We were told that most feedback came from informal discussions and questionnaires.
In the completed CSQs received from parents/carers using the service we noted a high level of satisfaction.
Parents told us:
"The childminder advises of any changes required by law and discusses any effect this would have on any
children. (The childminder) is open to any suggestions/changes/improvements parents may have."
"We had mentioned on a feedback form that we would like our child to do more creative activities and Anita has
taken this on board. Our child regularly comes back with drawings or paintings that he has done with her."
Requirements
Number of requirements: 0
Recommendations
Number of recommendations: 0
Grade: 4 - 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.
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What the service has done to meet any recommendations we
made at or since the last inspection
Previous recommendations
Recommendation 1
The childminder should develop a written service user participation strategy and statement for her service.
National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 7 A caring environment.
This recommendation was made on 18 February 2013.
Action taken on previous recommendation
An appropriate participation had been developed since the last inspection.
Recommendation 2
The childminder should develop an adult protection policy and procedure for her service.
National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 14 - Health and wellbeing
Standard 3 and Well-managed service.
This recommendation was made on 18 February 2013.
Action taken on previous recommendation
An adult protection policy had been put in place.
Recommendation 3
The childminder should develop a full written medication policy and procedure for her service.
National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16: Standard 3 Health and wellbeing.
This recommendation was made on 18 February 2013.
Action taken on previous recommendation
A full written medication policy and procedure for her service was now in place.
Complaints
There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are
published at www.careinspectorate.com.
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Enforcement
No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection.
Inspection and grading history
Date
Type
Gradings
23 Jan 2013
Announced (short notice)
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and leadership
5 - Very good
5 - Very good
5 - Very good
Not assessed
11 Sep 2009
Announced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and leadership
5 - Very good
5 - Very good
5 - Very good
Not assessed
17 Mar 2009
Announced (short notice)
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and leadership
5 - Very good
4 - Good
5 - Very good
Not assessed
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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
[email protected]
0345 600 9527
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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.
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