Careshare - Edinburgh Park Day Care of Children 1 Lochside Place Edinburgh Business Park Edinburgh EH12 9DF Inspected by: (Care Commission Officer) Type of inspection: Joanna Westwater Unannounced Inspection completed on: 5 November 28 1/17
Service Number Service name CS231194 Careshare - Edinburgh Park Service address 1 Lochside Place Edinburgh Business Park Edinburgh EH12 9DF Provider Number dummy Provider Name SP23287 Just Learning Ltd Trading as Careshare Ltd Inspected By dummy Inspection Type Joanna Westwater Care Commission Officer Unannounced dummy Inspection Completed Period since last inspection 5 November 28 13 months dummy Local Office Address Stuart House Eskmills Musselburgh EH21 7PB Low Call 845 6 8335 dummy 2/17
Introduction Careshare @ Edinburgh Park is part of a group of nurseries run by Just Learning Limited trading as Careshare Limited. The service is situated in a purpose built two storey nursery at Edinburgh Business Park, on the outskirts of Edinburgh city centre. The nursery offers full time and part time care to a maximum of 93 children of whom no more than 36 shall be in the age group birth - under two years, and of whom no more than 57 shall be in the age group of three - five years. The nursery is operational throughout the year and was registered by the Care Commission in April 22. Careshare has a mission statement as follows: 'To deliver a five star childcare and education service that meets the needs of our children, parents and staff.' Their aims are as follows: 'We aim to provide routines and activities which will enable each child's development We aim to provide on going training opportunities for our staff We aim to provide a positive, caring environment in which children will develop self-control, self-esteem, self-direction, co-operation and a sense of security We aim to use positive strategies to establish a partnership with parents and to endeavour to maintain strong relationships We aim to encourage children to become familiar with their outdoor environment, local surroundings and to explore new situations' Based on the findings of this inspection the service has been awarded the following grades: Quality of Care and Support - 4 - Good Quality of Environment - 4 - Good Quality of Staffing - 4 - Good Quality of Management and Leadership - 4 - Good This inspection report and grades represent the Care Commission s assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. Please refer to the care services register on the Care Commission s website (www.carecommission.com) for the most up-to-date grades for this service. Basis of Report Before the Inspection The Annual Return The service submitted a completed Annual Return as requested by the Care Commission. The Self-Assessment Form The service submitted a self-assessment form as requested by the Care Commission Views of service users Twenty Care Standards Questionnaires were sent to the service to distribute to parents and ten were returned to the Care Commission prior to the inspection. The questionnaires are designed around the six principles of the National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16. 3/17
The principles are: Privacy, dignity, choice, safety, realising potential and equality and diversity. One parent was contacted by telephone after the inspection. Regulation Support Assessment The inspection plan for this service was decided after a Regulation Support Assessment (RSA) was carried out to determine the intensity of inspection necessary. The RSA is an assessment undertaken by the Care Commission Officer (CCO) which considers complaints activity, changes in the provision of the service, nature of notifications made to the Care Commission by the service (such as absence of a manager) and action taken upon requirements. The CCO will also have considered how the service responded to situations and issues as part of the RSA. This assessment resulted in this service receiving a low RSA score and so a low intensity inspection was required. The inspection was based on the relevant Inspection Focus Areas and associated National Care Standards, recommendations and requirements from previous inspections and complaints or other regulatory activity. During the inspection process Staff at inspection This inspection was carried out by Joanna Westwater, Care Commission Officer [CCO]. Evidence During the inspection, evidence was gathered from a number of sources including: A review of a range of policies, procedures, records and other documentation including: - the services' self assessment document - policies & procedures for child protection, health and safety and infection control - children's development and planning records - minutes of staff meetings Discussion took place with a range of care staff including: - the manager of service - room supervisors, nursery nurses and agency staff Observation of staff practices and interaction with children Observation of the environment and equipment. Discussion with parents/carers Inspection Focus Areas and links to Quality Themes and Statements for 28/9 Details of the inspection focus and associated Quality Themes to be used in inspecting each type of care service in 28/9 and supporting inspection guidance, can be found at: http://www.carecommission.com/ Fire Safety Issues The Fire (Scotland) Act 25 introduced new regulatory arrangements in respect of fire safety, on 1 October 26. In terms of those arrangements, responsibility for enforcing the statutory provisions in relation to fire safety now lies with the Fire and Rescue service for the area in which a care service is located. Accordingly, the Care Commission will no longer report on matters of fire safety as part of its regulatory function, but, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, will alert the relevant Fire and Rescue service to their existence in order that it may act as it considers appropriate. Further advice on your responsibilities is available at www.infoscotland.com/firelaw 4/17
Action taken on requirements since last Inspection There were no requirements made at the last inspection. Comments on Self Assessment The service submitted a self assessment document which detailed areas of strengths and areas which the service had identified for improvement. This was completed to a satisfactory standard and gave relevant information for each of the Quality Themes and Statements. View of Service Users The children in the nursery appeared happy and confident. They were able to access activities of choice. Pre-school children told the CCO about their favourite activities. View of Carers Ten Care Standards questionnaires were returned to the Care Commission prior to the inspection. The responses from the questionnaires indicated parents/carers were very happy overall with the service provided. Two parents who the CCO spoke with during the inspection also indicated they were very happy with the service provided and had no areas of concern. Findings from the questionnaires are included in the body of the report. 5/17
Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the care and support provided by the service. The findings in this section are based on quality statement 1.1. Parents/carers of children using the service had opportunity to become involved in evaluating and developing service provision. Two parents evenings were held each year and an annual questionnaire was given out. A suggestions box was available. Managers encouraged staff to communicate daily with parents/carers at drop off and pick up times. The service policies and procedures were made available to parents/carers at the reception area and included a complaints procedure. A parent handbook and menu information were available for all parents/carers prior to children taking up a place in the service. Within this information parents/carers were invited to give comments about the service at any time. Parents/carers confirmed that they were kept informed about what was happening in the service through newsletters and the information board Parents/carers who returned Care Standards Questionnaires, indicated that overall they were happy with the quality of care children received. Seven parents indicated that the service had involved them and their children in developing the service by asking for ideas and feedback. Children had been asked to give their opinion on favourite foods by drawing pictures. Where possible these foods had been included in menu plans. Quality Statement 2.1 4 - Good The service had designed a questionnaire to be issued to parents/carers with a view to the results informing the grading system. This will be reviewed at the next inspection. It was also planned to issues enquiry questionnaires to assess how potential parents viewed the nursery and also to issues questionnaires to children to gain their views of the nursery activities. The manager stated her intention to remind parents about the suggestions box to encourage the use of this method of feedback. The service planned to implement a parents forum to involve parents in evaluating the service and also planned to encourage awareness among parents of the Care Standards 6/17
and the quality improvement planning within the nursery. Although service questionnaires for parents/carers were in place there were no results/outcomes from these available for parents/carers. The service had not asked parents or the children to formally participate in assessing the service in order to identify areas for improving all aspects of the service. See recommendation 1. This recommendation is also noted under Quality Statements 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1. 4 - Good Number of Requirements 1 Statement 3: We ensure that service user's health and wellbeing needs are met. The findings in this section are based on Quality Statement 1.3 Appropriate policies were in place to support the health and wellbeing needs of the children. Staff were kept up to date on current best practice regarding infection control. Training on infection control took place at induction and on an annual basis. Some staff had attended food hygiene training. Visiting specialists for example, the dental hygienist and a drama and yoga teacher supported children. Fresh water was available for the children at all times. Menus for meals and snacks reflected healthy choices. A key worker system was in place. Staff confirmed their understanding of children's needs and how these were met. Staff were aware of arrangements that were made to ensure continuity of care for the children, when agency staff were brought in. Quiet areas for sleep or rest were available for the children. Staff were observed to be sensitive to children's needs and to comfort children appropriately. Parent comments were as follows: 'Staff and key worker brilliant and put me at ease.' 'Concerned about high turnover of staff although happy with permanent staff in pre-school room.' 7/17
Quality Statement 1.3 5 - Very Good The nursery was planning to include children aged under 2 years in the toothbrushing programme. 5 - Very Good Number of Requirements 8/17
Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the environment within the service. The findings in this section are based on Quality Statement 2.1 The strengths of the service within this Quality Statement are noted in Quality Statement 1.1 Quality Statement 2.1 4 - Good See Quality Statement 1.1 4 - Good Number of Requirements Statement 2: We make sure that the environment is safe and service users are protected The nursery operated from a purpose built building within Edinburgh Business Park.There was a secure, enclosed outdoor play area. There was a security door entry system in place. The premises were accessible for persons with additional needs. The nursery had appropriate heating, lighting and ventilation at the time of the inspection. The playrooms and other areas were clean and there were cleaning procedures in place. Playrooms were set up appropriately and there was room for children to move freely within the rooms. Furnishings and equipment within the rooms were suitable for the ages of the children. Appropriate risk assessments a were carried out and recorded. 9/17
Appropriate and accessible toileting facilities were available for the children. Some staff members had attended First Aid training. The Manager confirmed that risk assessments for the premises and play equipment were in place and that the provider was currently reviewing and updating these. The service had welcoming notices and information leaflets within the entrance area and outside each playroom. Parents commented that the nursery had provided them with appropriate information and that staff were approachable and friendly. Quality Statement 2.2 5 - Very Good The service identified that it planned to introduce usage of walkie talkies to enable staff to communicate quickly and easily with a member of the management team when they were in the garden area, should the need arise. 5 - Very Good Number of Requirements 1/17
Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of staffing in the service. The findings in this section are based on Quality Statement 3.1 The strengths of the service within this Quality Statement are noted in Quality Statement 1.1 Quality Statement 3.1 4 - Good See Quality Statement 1.1 4 - Good Number of Requirements Statement 3: We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National Care Standards, legislation and best practice. The findings in this section are based on Quality Statement 3.3 All staff were appropriately qualified. Appropriate policies and procedures were in place including the following: Recruitment Child protection Staff confirmed awareness of the whistle blowing policy. Staff exit questionnaires were undertaken. An induction and training programme was in place for staff as was a staff development strategy. Annual training for staff included infection control and child protection. Staff training and development plans were implemented. Monthly staff meetings were held when staff were kept up to date with policies and new legislation. 11/17
Staff commented that they could make suggestions about practice and that their views would be welcomed and valued. Copies of the National Care Standards were available for staff and staff confirmed their awareness of this document. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to Scottish Social Services Council and their continual professional development Staff described lines of communication and accountability within the service. Care Standards Questionnaires indicated that parents/carers were satisfied in the following areas: that staff were approachable that staff were appropriately skilled and experiences to care for their children that staff treated children fairly and with respect. Quality Statement 3.3 5 - Very Good The service identified that they had planned training for staff on 'Child at the centre 2' and on the Curriculum for excellence'. In discussion the manager stated her intention to maintain a staff training analyses record. 5 - Very Good Number of Requirements 12/17
Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the management and leadership of the service. The findings in this section are based on Quality Statement 4.1 The strengths of the service within this Quality Statement are noted in Quality Statement 1.1 Quality Statement 4.1 4 - Good See Quality Statement 1.1 4 - Good Number of Requirements Statement 3: To encourage good quality care, we promote leadership values throughout the workforce. The service had in place an appropriate development plan, aims and objectives and complaints procedure which were accessible to parents. The service was part of a group of nurseries operating in Scotland. The Manager attended Management meetings which were held monthly and minuted. The Managers at these meetings were consulted with regarding the performance of their nursery and the direction of Careshare Nurseries in Scotland. Staff were involved with regular meetings to discuss and plan the work of each playroom. There was a clearly defined staff structure within the playrooms. There was opportunity for staff promotion within the service. Staff understood the management structures and job descriptions were clearly defined. 13/17
Quality Statement 4.3 4 - Good The service identified that measures were currently being taken to employ a supervisory nursery nurse for the pre-school room and for the toddler area. 4 - Good Number of Requirements Statement 4: We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers, staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide. A corporate plan, annual report and statement of aims and objectives were in place. A complaints procedure was in place and made available to parents/carers. There was evidence that action was taken in response to staff suggestion on ways to improve the service. The company issued an annual questionnaire to parents/carers seeking their views about the service provided. The nursery was in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to provide education to pre school children. The nursery had worked with the Education Officers to provide an appropriate curriculum and service development plan. Quality Statement 4.4 4 - Good Careshare planned to bring in a quality assurance team into the nursery to audit all aspects of the provision. The service also planned to involve parents with staff development plans, for example through the parent forum. 4 - Good 14/17
Number of Requirements 15/17
Regulations / Principles National Care Standards 16/17
Enforcement There has been no enforcement action against this service since the last inspection. Other Information none Requirements There were no requirements made at this inspection. Recommendations 1. Parents/carers and children should be asked to participate in assessing the service provided to ensure that they are involved in identifying ways to improve the quality of the care and support, the environment, staffing and management of the service. National Care Standards in Early Education and child care up to the age of 16 Standard 13 Improving the service and Standard 14.5 Well-managed service. Joanna Westwater Care Commission Officer 17/17