Going to be a chilminder soon, if everything goes to plan -help please?

[IvantaOuiOui]

Hello all, I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

I've finished my training, done my first aid and am just on what is hopefully the final leg of getting ready to be a qualified childminder. At the moment I am getting the house ready for OFSTED to visit, and have a small budget to buy some toys so going shopping soon.

Childminders - what do OFSTED look for at the visit? If you look after 0-5's, what toys would you recommend? Do I need to lock up cleaning products, even if they are on a very high shelf? What do you do if you or your kids are ill?

Parents - what are the most important qualities in a childminder? Are you put off by a newly qualified one? Would my not driving put you off - I have two kids and we go all over the place on buses and trains, so plenty of days out.

I am new to all this but I have previously run a pre school playgroup, been a Brownie leader and a school helper for three years. I genuinely like (most) kids and have had a bit of interest in my services already. Just a bit nervous as a few years since I've worked, apart from voluntary jobs with children.

Also - daft question - I have pink hair - would this put you off me?

If my own children are ill, my husband takes some time off to care for them and I try to go out for most of the day. I've only ever let parents down once when I was really poorly with a sickness bug.

Why would having pink hair put people off, I would think it makes you a fun and lively person, am I correct?

Start off with a small variety of toys, I tend to like wood and things the children may not have at home but I also have a selection of noisy plastic toys which ticks the ict box.

I would wait until children start and you find out their interests before buying lots of toys.

Have a treasure box with lots of household objects and nip to the local pound shop for sensory bits like bath scrubs and brushes.

Also fancy dress with lots of shiny bits of material, it doesn't have to be anything special. Have fun with the childrens imagination.

You'll be fine with your experience, good luck x

Hi, i had my pre-reg visit 2 weeks ago, just waiting for my certificate.

The inspector looked at the policies i had prepared and we discussed the eyfs at length. Asked what kind of activities i would do and how i would plan for two children of similar age with different interests.

When we talked about toys i showed the inspector a wish list of toys i would like and explained i would start purchasing resources when i had mindees so i could ensure they fitted the child's personality. They were happy with that and said it showed thought and planning! I also made sure my dd had nice age appropriate toys out which showed the type and quality of toys i buy for her, the inspector again commented on that and was very positive.

Hope that helps and good luck

Keep your toys simple to start with. It's really easy to get over-run with loads of stuff taking up your house. I don't have stickle bricks at home (for example), because they can play with them at every toddler group. Most used toys in my house - dressing up, books, Duplo, animals, dolls, cars.

You just have to demonstrate that your cleaning products, etc are where the children couldn't get to them. CMs don't get ill :). My DD has been ill a couple of times and looked after by my DH, or now she is bigger, she can be confined to her room. I have been ill twice in 11 yrs - once for an operation and one Friday off for a sudden attack of flu.

Being newly qualified, not driving and having pink hair could be positive or negative, depending on the people who are coming to see you. Try and think of all the positive points you can put across about being new (fresh ideas, recent training, etc) and about not driving (children get to see more of the local environment, don't expect to be driven everywhere, learn about public transport, etc). The pink hair wouldn't bother me at all, and I bet the children will love it.

Remember to talk about your past experience with children, to the Ofsted inspector and new parents, as it is all relevant.

should also add. I work with my DH and he is bald, scottish, tattoo'd and a man, but that doesn't seem to put anyone off

Hi, I'm at exactly the same stage as you! Just waiting for the call (eek!)

My task for today is raiding DC's toy boxes to find toys they don't use anymore to put in the playroom - what's betting they suddenly decide to play with them once I unearth them?! Then I need to move on to sorting out my cupboards. On my training course they advised getting rid of toilet brushes, knife blocks and aerosols should also be locked away in the same way as cleaning equipment, medicines and alchoho.

I haven't worked with children professionally before so I feel like I really need to study the EYFS - they only touched on it on my pre reg course so I really need to study that before they arrive!

Hope you get on ok (i'm sure you will!)

Good luck!

at HSMM

Thanks very much everyone!