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Original poster

CHILDMINDERS letter to ofstead what would you want included

37 replies

MJW1999 · 04/05/2023 13:50

Hello this is more a question for childminders. I have a great childminder set up ready for my LO in a few months and they are due to be inspected soon. I have been asked to email over a parent feedback for them to show their inspector. I want to know how would I format it and any key points that will help my childminder get the rating they deserve! They really are great and I’d love to reflect this in my email but I haven’t got any idea how to format it and I don’t want it to be unusable or confusing. Any templates drafts or completed ones that I can look at or any other feedback would be really helpful. I will not copy it as I have my own positive comments but I just don’t know how to format it all. TIA xx

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GoodChat · 04/05/2023 19:45

@Mammalamma it's a red flag because she's essentially asking the op to lie rather than just using current or previous customers. Ofsted don't need loads of letters, but they need transparency

Mammalamma · 04/05/2023 19:21

GoodChat · 04/05/2023 18:24

You don't know that she's a great childminder yet and the fact she's asking for parents who haven't used her yet to give good feedback rather than families who have used her previously is a bed red flag to me

Why is it a red flag? The childminder will have asked all the current families for such a letter. To have one from someone who has only done settling in hours could be great as OFSTED are keen to see things like the settling process and working with parents as Jannier said. Having a range of parents giving feedback helps build a rounded picture.

GoodChat · 04/05/2023 18:24

You don't know that she's a great childminder yet and the fact she's asking for parents who haven't used her yet to give good feedback rather than families who have used her previously is a bed red flag to me

jannier · 04/05/2023 18:23

Sorry to Thor's who say keep it simple but the more detail the better....X put themselves out to give us information on financial schemes.
Settling was done at the baby's pace and talked through with me on how we all felt it was going and what would be the next step.
Through the process I felt........listened to/ supported/ Etc.
Ofsted are very interested in the settling in process, working with parents, and support with issues like finance, getting support with eating, development, food banks, abuse etc so if you say helped with setting up childcare grant or whatever it ups the grade. .
If a childminder goes above and beyond, has looked after you or your child in emergencies or difficult times, is a listening ear or whatever Ofsted wants to know and it absolutely does help your childminder in inspection.

CatOnTheChair · 04/05/2023 14:51

Only talk about what you've experienced to date - so really pleased with how the settling sessions are going, and looking forward to having baby Billy in full time.

Original poster
MJW1999 · 04/05/2023 14:44

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Skybluepinky · 04/05/2023 14:44

Just a little note, that’s all I did, they won’t b look for essays.

Iwrote · 04/05/2023 14:37

You are really over thinking it, you don't need templates or formats.
Just email saying "Lara is a great childminder because of X, Y and Z".

Original poster
MJW1999 · 04/05/2023 14:36

Okay well I still would like to do one incase as they’ve helped a lot settle my LO into their care 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 04/05/2023 14:34

They won't be interested unless your child is currently on roll, sometimes only if they are present on the day of inspection.

Original poster
MJW1999 · 04/05/2023 14:33

We’ve had settling in sessions but not full time yet. I am going to comment on the support they’ve given to settle LO in etc.

OP posts:
Mammalamma · 04/05/2023 14:23

Have you not used the childminder yet, are you just preparing to?