Barbara’s babysitting service in Inverness gets thumbs-up from the Care Inspectorate which rated it as providing very good care and support in a similarly high standard of home environment
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A small childminding service in Inverness has been commended for excellence of service in a report by inspectors.
Barbara’s, run from the owners’ home in a quiet residential area, looks after up to six children of 16 or younger at any one time, with no more than three of them below primary school age and no more than one younger than 12 months.
After an unannounced visit in April, a report by the Care Inspectorate rated the service as providing very good care and support in a similarly high standard of home environment. The quality of management and leadership was also rated as good.
During the inspection, Care Inspectorate staff observed and interviewed the childminder at work. They also gathered evidence from children’s records and looked at policies and procedures adopted by the business.
Three children present on the day of the inspection – all aged between one and two – were observed to be very happy with positive interaction with the childminder.
Parents spoken to by telephone were effusive in their praise of the service. One said: “My child has been at Barbara’s for many years and it’s a home-from-home environment.
“I have every trust in her and a good relationship. There is a very good communication between the childminder and I and if there are any concerns, Barbara is happy to chat with me at the end of the day.”
The report stated: “The childminder had positive interactions with the children in her care. She was kind, caring and nurturing in her approach.
“She made sure that she had appropriate toys and activities to occupy the children.
“Children were able to enjoy a relaxed home-from-home environment created by the childminder. She has established positive working relationships with the families and maintains very regular open communication.
“She provides a flexible and supportive service for the families she works with.”
The report also praised the childminder’s commitment to her own professional development, adding: “The childminder should now keep up-to-date with current best practice.”
