'Very good' grades for Balintore-based Gateside Daycare in Easter Ross following Care Inspectorate visit
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AN Easter Ross childminder has been given "very good" grades after an unannounced visit by the Care Inspectorate watchdog body.
Angie Ross, who operates Gateside Daycare from her detached home outside Balintore, is registered as a childminder to care for a maximum of six children.
There is a large enclosed garden surrounding the house which is very popular with the children and is used daily.
Ms Ross also regularly takes the children on visits to the beach and playpark to offer the children the opportunity to be healthy, active and have access to fresh air and exercise.
Two inspectors visited last November while there were three children under the age of three present.
The inspection report said: "They were all extremely settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. There was lots of chat, smiles, laughs and positive interactions between them. "The childminder offered the children encouragement and praise when trying various activities and, when required, reassurance which helped the children to feel safe and secure."
Parents and carers were invited to contact the inspectors and this resulted in "extremely positive" feedback about the childminder's service and the standard of care their children received.
"They all highlighted how much their children love attending and how much they have benefited from the experiences offered to them," said the report.
"The childminder provided a service of a very high standard which promoted positive outcomes for all children. She was committed to the ongoing development of her service to ensure that she continued to meet the changing needs of the children in her care.
"We saw the childminder being very caring and nurturing with the children. We were able to observe the children being fully engaged in a range of activities. The children were able to freely select what it was they wished to do.
"The childminder had established very good working relationships with the families which allowed for open communication and information sharing. This was confirmed by the comments made by all the parents and carers."
The inspectors noted that Ms Ross was committed to her professional development, and advised her to "continue to access appropriate training and keep up to date with best practice guidance."
Very Good ratings (second top) were given for quality of care and support, quality of environment, and quality of management and leadership.
