Little Bugs childminding service gets thumbs up from Care Inspectorate after unannounced visit
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A ROSS childminding service almost received top marks following a recent unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate.
Little Bugs, which is based in a family home in Muir of Ord, was visited by inspectors in July.
It was assessed on the quality of care and support and the environment, which were both rated as excellent, and the quality of staffing as well as management and leadership, which were both assessed as being very good.
According to the report the service is predominantly based within the large and varied outdoor area surrounding the house and, when the two childminders were working together, they may care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time up to 16 years of age.
In the area of care and support inspectors found that the childminders provided excellent care and support for the children which ensured positive outcomes for them.
The report said: “Children had strong attachments with the childminders who were very responsive to their individual needs.
“The children presented as being very happy, confident and relaxed in the care of the childminders. The childminders were warm and caring in their approach which supported the children to feel nurtured and secure.”
Inspectors said it was also evident that the childminders knew the children in their care extremely well which ensured that they were able to respond to their individual care needs.
According to the report inspectors found that both the indoor and outdoor environments offered an extensive range of learning experiences. and the report states: “The children clearly enjoyed the freedom to play and explore their surroundings.
“We found the environment to be excellent and offered the children who attended a fun and exciting outdoor environment.”
In the area of staffing the report states that the childminders said they had two assistants who had been appropriately checked prior to starting work with them.
The report added: “One assistant routinely worked with them for several hours each week while the other assistant only worked with them on an ad hoc basis when required.”
Inspectors also found the quality of management and leadership to be very good in this area.
The report states: “We concluded this after talking with the childminders and looking at supporting paperwork and individual records. The childminders were extremely committed to the ongoing development of their service.”
