Lynn McGuire
Recorded Key Question grade range: 3–4 — Adequate View on Care Inspectorate
Key Question scores
Requirements & recommendations
1. To ensure children’s safety and wellbeing, the provider should make sure the garden is safe and accessible for children. This should include, but is not limited to, keeping pathways clear and ensuring resources are in good repair. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which states that: "My environment is secure and safe." (HSCS 5.17).
1. By the 14 October 2025 the provider must ensure children are protected from harm through receiving care in a safe environment. To do this, the childminder must, at a minimum: a) Ensure secure entry procedures to the premises are in place and maintained. b) Ensure hazardous materials are stored safely, and out of reach of children. c) Ensure the garden is safe and free of hazards. This is to comply with: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulation 2011 (SSI 2011/210) - Regulation 10(2)(a) - Fitness of premises. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'My environment is secure and safe.' (HSCS 5.17).
1. To improve outcomes for children, the childminder should develop approaches to self-evaluation. This should include but is not limited to, developing a deeper understanding of good practice and using what has been learned to make improvements to the service. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standard (HSCS) which states that: 'I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes.' (HSCS 4.19).
1. To ensure children are protected from the potential spread of infection, the childminder should make sure infection control practices promote a safe environment for children. This should include, but is not limited to, embedding thorough handwashing, providing a wipeable changing mat and storing toothbrushes safely. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which states that: 'I experience an environment that is well looked after with clean, tidy and well maintained premises, furnishings and equipment.' (HSCS 5.24).