THE Care Inspectorate has heaped praise on a child-minding service set in a countryside setting near Jedburgh.

Leigh Grieve, trading as Countryside Kids, is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of six children under the age of 12.

Children have access to a playroom, large outdoor spaces and downstairs toilet facilities.

The service benefits from open views of countryside and farmland.

An unannounced inspection took place on June 27.

The findings were that children experienced “warm nurturing care from a responsive child-minder” and that they could access the outdoors on a regular basis which supported their health and well-being.

The service received four ratings of ‘very good’ for the quality of care, play and learning, its setting, leadership and staff team.

The report states: “The large garden offered children space and freedom to explore and have fun with their peers.

“They enjoyed making bird feeders and planting fruit and vegetables. Families commented that ‘my child is able to play and learn new things’ and to ‘explore her surroundings’. This gave a strong message that children mattered.”