Source · Care Inspectorate

Valerie Hodges

Type Child Minding Location Grantown-on-Spey Last graded 22 Apr 2026

Recorded Key Question grade range: 3–4 — Adequate  View on Care Inspectorate

Key Question scores

Six-point scale
Support and wellbeing
—
Care and support planning
4
Setting
4
Staff team
—
Leadership
3
Care, play and learning
3

Requirements & recommendations

0 requirements · 4 recommendations

Verbatim text from the Care Inspectorate datastore. Requirements cite a specific regulation and deadline; recommendations are good-practice guidance against the Health and Social Care Standards.

Visit: 27 February 2026
Recommendation 1

1. To support positive outcomes for children and families, the childminder should strengthen their approach to self-evaluation and improvement. Involving children and families will help shape a responsive and inclusive service. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standard (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).

Recommendation 2

1. To support children’s learning and development, the childminder should ensure children have access to open ended resources and toys appropriate for their age and stage of development. These should provide challenge as well as opportunities for children to develop their natural curiosity. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'As a child, I can direct my own play and activities in the way that I chose and freely access a wide range of experiences and resources suitable for my age and stage, which stimulate my natural curiosity, learning and creativity.' (HSCS 2.27)

Recommendation 3

2. To improve outcomes for children, the childminder should develop appropriate systems to record and review children's learning and development. The childminder should use this knowledge to support children's next steps and extend their experiences. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standard (HSCS) which states that: 'My care and support meets my needs and is right for me' (HSCS 1.19).

Recommendation 4

1. To ensure children’s safety, emotional security and wellbeing are supported the childminder should ensure they are knowledgeable of safe sleep guidance and implement this in practice. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes' (HSCS 3.14).

Registry facts

Service no: CS2009235373
Provider no: SP2009976519
Ownership: Private
Registered places: 6
Registered: 10 March 2010
Council area: Highland
Health board: Highland
Integration authority: Highland
Risk band: LOW