can anyone help me please ...worried!

[milesysgirl]

ive just filled my forms in to become a childminder , im just really dreading the inspection does everything have to be perfect ? can anyone give me some info and tips on what to prepare for . also things to start planning for like toys to get ,fire escape routes ,daily planning ....aarrgghh help please!!!!!!

For toys have a wish list ready to show the inspector for things that you would like to get.
They may ask about fire escape ruotes (I was).
Was also ask about planning and daily activities, meals, where mindees will sleep.

You need to tthink aboput safety - look around each room that you intend to use, making a list of things to do this shows the inspector that you are putting thought and planning into it. Theres loads more but am pushed for time,somebody else will be along soon.

Good luck.

thanks for that , i think im just panicking i need someone to tell me exactly what i need and ill be fine!!!!

you usually have to do a short course where all this is discussed, they then visit your home, see how many children you can have and their ages and tell you of all the health and safety issues.

the actual inspection shouldnt come before you are prepared for it

im having the inspection done in about 4 weeks im going on the course after as they cant fit me on before , they said i must complete the course within 6 months on being registered?

thanks for you replies to by the way!

I was also registered before I did the course and completed it within 6 months.

well, thats really odd, how can you be inspected if your not prepared, havent they told you anything useful?

Is it an inspection as opposed to a viewing?

Very bizarre, if it is an inspection just cover all sharp edges, door and cupboard locks, no lose wires on floor or over-hanging from anywhere, socket covers, stair gates, they like to see that you have enough age appropriate toys, but if you dont know how many or the ages of the children you can have thats a tad difficult.

No it was definatly an inspection, the course that I'm reffering to is the icp. Is this what your thinking of?

thats what i was on about kcemum thats why i wanted it all written down just to show him/her that i was prepared for x amount of children and of x ages .

i meant milesysgirl!

But i have no idea what the course was called. I applied to be a cm and i got put on a course and they explained the timetable of events until becoming a cm. so it was course/register, viewing and after i was ready then it was the inspection. But i didnt do none of it, couldnt be bothered.

thats why im panicking!!!!

lol T ,i would of done the course first if it was starting this year but there fully booked untill march time i think so they said its fine to register first and they will get me on the first course availible next year!

oh just tell them the kids will be fine, you wash your hands and hoover daily, what more? surely.

When they o your initial inspection they will tell you how many, and what age children you will be registered for, as for the toys just make a list of any age appropriate toys that you don't have and would like and don't forget to include multi culteral toys in this, elc do a range called my little family which is good for this, also include things that reflect positive thoughts to disabilities. ( i'm sure that theres a better term for that!)

"positive thoughts to disabilities"

i am on the floor pmsl

as opposed to negative thoughts kcemum??

My first inspection lasted one and a half hours They inspected all my house room by room checking cupboards ,inspected gardens
they asked me questions on all the national standards for childminding in booklet by ofsted if you have not got a copy ring for one as you need to know what is required the questions i got asked all involved this book.

I had my inspection on wednesday, just gone and the lady, who was lovely I might add stayed from 10am until 1:30pm!!!
She was lovely and I had written a few notes from the book of standards I had to help me and to show her what I would do to meet the standards and what activites I could do with the kids I minded.
She left me with only a few actions- fireguard, even tho we never use the fire and saftey film for the glass in our back door... she said she would highly reccomend me and saw it to be not a prob to open before crimbo!
Hooray. Just be yourself and i'm sure they'll love you!