Diaries

[grandmainmypocket]

Dear minders

I need some advice. Im a relatively new minder. I use diaires, but the parents tend to forget them, so I email them updates etc.

However, on my inspection one of the things I got marked down for, was communication with parents. I got a satisfactory,because I need to encourage greater dialogue with parents, questionairres etc. And was told to ask parents to write in diaries.

Does anyone know how I could get parents to do that. And how I can politely ask parents for the diaries - since its also nice for me to see how much we do and the variability.

Any suggestions from minders regarding this - any info welcomed.

In my experience - going back 6yrs - parents only read what you write and make their own comments 'if they have the time'.

I have one mindee whose brother I cared for a few years ago and the communication was fab then - mum wrote up what they'd done at the weekened and during holidays (term only child). However, with younger sibling, they never fill it in - even during holidays - and it frustrates the hell out of me because I know Ofsted will pick up on it on my next inspection.

Another mindee's diary comes back to me every week without even being opened. We can't force parents to share informatiom with us in diaries or questionnaires and Ofsted are aware of that. As long as we are providing the 'communication' from our end then - as far as I'm concerned - that should be good enough!.

What I have started doing is writing in my own diary any conversations I have with parents and hopefully that will 'fill in the gaps' for Ofsted when they come next year. If that's not good enough then I will appeal. Let's face it - nurseries dont have to provide daily diaries for their children so why should we

I used to have diaries that stayed with the child, but they were rarely written in and often lost or forgotten. I send home my daily notes on a page from a duplicate book now, so I still have my copy. Parents notes, emails, etc are popped into the child's file, so Ofsted can see it is 2 way communication.

I have never written a diary for my own DD (except for the first few months), so how can we expect parents to do them for us to show to Ofsted?

Thanks Ladies.

I didnt know if other parents were doing it or what to expect to be honest. We have great communication, via the phone, email , text etc. But its annoying I only got a satisfactory for that - when I dont know what more I could do.

HSMM - do you mind me asking where you got a duplicate book from?
Thanks

Any good stationary store sells them - never thought of doing that, thanks HSMM X

Why not email all your diaries home instead of just the updates? I find people are much more likely to read and reply to emails.

I do my diaries and send them home every night, I use it for the basics but I also record my observations and next steps etc in them, so there are lots of pictures. The parents love seeing the pics so I find they do return them nearly all of the time (so as I will put more pics in) I do worry that one might lose it mind you

Yes, get the duplicate books from Rymans. Cheaper to order them online.
I know another CM who does everything online and parents have a sign on for their child's page.

Is that me HSMM?

I email diaries to parents (using a template) and used to have a 'photo of the day' and a few more photos of the day's activities but now I have a 'parents page' on my website which the parents go to to see ALL pics month by month (they have their own login and I have permission for photos to be shared amongst parents). I am, however, playing around with Toucan Learn and think that's how I'll do things moving forward

Sorry, not you this time looney . She doesn't even email them, she just has something a bit like webpages (it wasn't myspace, something else). She just updates them as the day goes along, she uploads their photos to their page. She includes observations and next steps as she goes along and the parents simply log in to look at their child's day/progress/give feedback/etc. It does mean that Ofsted have to look at it on the screen, but she does not have any end of day emailing, or any printing to do. (She goes to the Drop In)

can you print the emails and stick in diary?

My inspector was quite happy to look at some records on my laptop, but i do tend to print things for the childrens files.

Before my Ofsted, I put everything relevant onto a flash drive.

Diaries, Emails from Parents, Photos, Learning Journey, EYFS, Observations, well just everything one flashdrive for each child, and hand it over to the Inspector, she can then look at anything she wants without getting in my way.

Thank you so much guys. super super appreciate it.

Lot to think about.
All you childminders who have been doing this for a long time, hats off to you.
:-)