childminders. parents comments on inspection reports

[kizzypie]

hi, I normally dont post, just like reading everyones comments as there is always lots of good advice. Im a childminder in Scotland and just got my annual inspection report which was really good apart from one little comment. I dont know if its the same as in England but we get questionnaires to give to parents on the service we provide and they send them to the Scottish Care Commission. Anyway two parents wrote really nice things but one made comments about their children not receiving enough stimulation, not enough parent involvement in service and they said I hadnt informed them about different policies. The questionnaires are anonymous but she told me afterwards shed wrote this. This is the bit that annoys me the lack of stimulation is because the kids (9 and 5 years) dont get to do what they want ie play ps2 and computer and watch tv whenever they want. They are only here from 7.15-8.45 in the mornings and half the time she forgets to tell me they arent coming cos its her day off. aaaagggghhhhh feel better now ive ranted on a bit. Im just not happy cos anyone reading this report will think im not as good a cm as I am. Anyway I go on maternity leave in feb so i dont think ill take them back after that. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Hi Kizzypie
I'm fairly new here and only posted a few times.I think what that mum did was really horible.I have my inspection in January with the Care Commission(been registered 10yrs).I gave the mum(only have 1 mindee at the mo)the form and she gave me it back instead of sending directly to them.She has not put even 1 comment in there.She has ticked all the boxes to say shes really happy but not 1 comment,she's leaving in Feb so maybe she couldn't be bothered.Your mum could have come and spoken to you about the supposed lack of stimulation surely? Parents eh?

Kizzypie: how annoying and I think rather unfair; had parent in question ever shared her 'concerns' with you? I would hope that if any of my parents didn't think I was stimulating their child enough or had any 'concerns' etc that they would discuss it with me. I feel really lucky as I have a very good relationship with both mine; I often ask them if they are satisfied. In fact, one of the parents often comments on how well she thinks I care for her daughter - it is really nice to know that she feels her child is happy and occupied/stiumulated etc.

Did Ofsted discuss the comments with you at time of inspection? did they ask for your opinion?

Yes I can well imagine how you feel, in the same circumstances I would be pretty peed off!!

the mum has always told me she is happy with the way I watch her children. I thought the care commission would have said something about her comments at the time to let me comment on it but nothing was said and there were no recommendations to change the way I do things. Oh well I know I do a good job and I suppose I wouldnt have any children to watch if I was that bad. Anyway im going to attach a note to the form I have to send back telling them what I think of her comments. Ive also found out from her previous childminders (shes used 4 before me in 3 years and im beginning to see why) how 2 faced she is you know the my children dont act like that kind of parents. I knew when i took them on in April what they were like but theyll be gone in a couple of months so its not too bad.

I would be really upset if any of my parents wrote this sort of thing on something which is possibly going to remain on file. If she was really unhappy with you, then she should have said something before now, not left it to write on an official document.

When my minding parents filled in my forms, the inspector read them, made comments on her computer, and gave the forms back to me to keep for my portfolio - perhaps you could ask to have yours back?

It's also unfair to expect "stimulation" when everyone is probably getting ready for school - in my house, I'm running about doing breakfast for babies etc., and the older children tend to play with whatever they want (ie. no quality of care whatsoever!)

I agree, it's awful and that would really upset me.

Sorry to hijack thread but as I'm new I'm not sure what these questionnaires are all about and when they get sent etc?

Can anyone explain please?

questionnaires are sent out with the other forms we get just before an annual inspection. Im in Scotland though so maybe its done slightly differently in other places.

My last inspection was a couple of years ago, so it may well have changed a bit?? I had two forms to give to two parents of my choice just asking specific questions about my care of their child (such as: are you happy with the care that your child receives, anything you particularly like etc.)

Parents can return the form to their childminder or to OFSTED.

Hi, I recently had my first inspection and wasn't given a questionnaire for parents; I wonder if it has changed since your last inspection theprisoner?

Will be at Big Important Childminder Meeting tomorrow, so will ask! Hardly anyone I know has had inspection for ages (probably because we're all so brilliant )