Dawn Webster

1. To support positive experiences and outcomes for children and families, the childminder should strengthen quality assurance practices. This should include but is not limited to: a) Self-evaluation of practice against recognised frameworks such as, ‘A quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors: Childminding quality indicators’. b) Gather and make use of feedback from children and parents to support ongoing improvements to the service. c) Ensure that all policies, procedures and risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect current legislation and guidance. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (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); and ‘I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidenc1. To support children’s safety and wellbeing, the childminder should review and improve practices. This should include but is not limited to: a) Consistent handwashing at key times of the day such as, after toileting, before and after eating and when returning indoors from outdoor play. b) Ensure children remain seated when eating, are adequately supervised and food is suitably prepared and to minimise choking risk. c) Ensure that external doors to the setting remain locked when children are present. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which states that: 'I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice' (HSCS 4.11).

2. To support children’s care and overall wellbeing, the childminder should review and improve information recorded in children’s personal plans. This should include but is not limited to: a) Ensure that personal plans are reviewed and updated with parents/carers at least once every 6 months, or more often if children's needs change. b) The use of individual chronologies to record significant events in children’s lives. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which states that: 'My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices' (HSCS 1:15).