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Dunfermline childminder had explicit poster on wall and ‘very limited understanding’ of child protection

Inspectors found Elise Easton also didn't have emergency contact details for some kids during outings and failed to always give them nutritious meals.

The Dunfermline childminder has been criticised. Image: PA
The Dunfermline childminder has been criticised. Image: PA

A Dunfermline childminder who had an explicit poster on the wall of her home and “very limited understanding” of child protection has been given a scathing report by inspectors.

The Care Inspectorate found Elise Easton put youngsters in her care at risk of harm.

Inspectors also said Ms Easton had failed to consistently show “openness, honesty and transparency” when officials visited her home – where she runs her childminding service – last month.

The report branded all four areas of Ms Easton’s childminding service “unsatisfactory” – the lowest possible rating.

Findings after Dunfermline childminder inspection

Inspectors’ findings included that:

  • Ms Easton “did not have full registration information for children to take with them on trips and outings so that families could be contacted in the event of an emergency”
  • One unspecified outing “was not appropriate for children” and “had the potential to compromise (their) wellbeing”
  • Children were sometimes provided with meals and snacks that were not nutritionally balanced
  • Adequate sleep provision was not always available with some children allowed to sleep in buggies, putting them at risk
  • While the house was clean and well-presented, the playroom offered only a limited selection of resources and at times, children only had limited space to play due to overcrowding
  • Some items on display in the home were not appropriate for children, for example, a framed poster in the kitchen which contained explicit language

Inspector says ‘they were not confident about what to do’

The report said: “The childminder had a very limited understanding of their role in child protection and safeguarding which had the potential to put children at increased risk of harm.

“They were not confident about what to do, including contacting other professionals, if child protection or wellbeing concerns arose.

“They had also not completed relevant checks for people living in the home, in line with child protection guidance.

“In addition, a serious incident had the potential to compromise children’s health, safety and welfare, showing a lack of understanding in protecting children from harm.”

Elise Easton ‘fully accepts results of inspection’

While the Care Inspectorate said children experienced “a few warm interactions” which “supported positive relationships”, it was “very concerned… and found that their health, safety and welfare had been compromised as a result”.

Ms Easton – a registered childminder since 2002 with a history of good reports – has been ordered to make a series of improvements.

The report said since the visit on October 23, Ms Easton claimed to have replaced a buggy that was in “poor” condition, removed the explicit poster and completed child protection training – all of which will be checked at the next inspection.

Ms Easton told The Courier: “I fully accept the results of the inspection and its findings and recommendations.

“I have been a childminder for 23 years and all previous inspections dating back to 2009 have resulted in the Care Inspectorate ratings of ‘good and ‘very good’.

“I have done everything that the inspectors have asked in the short time since the inspection and met all of the recommendations weeks ahead of the required dates, which inspectors are very happy with.

“The inspectors have also met with parents to inform them of the improvements that have been made and the feedback from both the inspectors and the parents had been very favourable.”

The Courier’s latest care round-up includes a Perth worker who has been struck off and concerns over unattended medication in a Kirkcaldy home.

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