Looking for a childminder - how important/useful is the Ofsted report?

[sassylassie]

We're looking for a childminder for when I go back to work part time in January and looking through the list of local CMs, most seem to have satisfactory Ofsted ratings, while only a few have good or outstanding. A childminder who lives very close to us and has a vacancy has been recommended by another childminder (who's about to retire), so we're keen to check her out first, but she only has a 'satisfactory' Ofsted report. I was a bit confused though, because when I read it most of the commentary was quite glowing and I couldn't really spot too many bad points! Hmmm... I'm keen to hear from anyone out there using a childminder how important you feel Ofsted ratings are...? Was this a big factor for you when choosing your CM or did you just go by instinct/personal preference?

Like any parent, I only want the very best for my child (I'm dreading having to go back to work and leave him with anyone to begin with!). But I've read that Ofsted demands a lot of red tape (endless progress reports etc), so is it that useful? Would you trust a CM with a 'satisfactory' report? Also, if we do meet her, any tips on how to broach the subject of her Ofsted report with her...?!!

Thanks. :)

Satisfactory means that they are meeting all the requirements and are probably great CMs. Good and outstanding minders just have a few extra bells and whistles and maybe clearer policies or paperwork. Read the report as a guide and to help you when you are meeting minders.

(Speaking as an outstanding rated minder)

Sorry just re-read my post and worried it sounds like I'm a bit up my own backside! I'm not honestly - just a bit nervous about going back to work and want to make sure my little boy's in really good hands but not sure what to go on. (If I'm honest, I would love to be a SAHM but sadly we just can't afford it and I know I'd struggle to get back in to the career area I'm in now if I took a break...)

I expect most parents to have read my report, so don't worry about mentioning it.

Thanks HSMM, that's helpful.

I used childminders and later on a nursery for my dds. Personally I read the Ofsted report and references but really just went with my gut instinct....you will know if you'd be happy with this person looking after your son...or at least that's what worked for me.

I've never read my CM's Ofsted report and don't know what her rating is . She was personally recommended by a close friend and we just liked her and trusted her right away - and DD has been very happy there from day one. The other children who were there when we went to look around just seemed relaxed and happy and cuddled CM and clambered all over her the whole time, and CM took a great interest in DD and picked her up and talked to her, which none of the staff at the nurseries we looked at bothered to do - they didn't even ask her name or glance at her. CM's warmth and the general atmosphere were all we were really looking for tbh.

The Ofsted report is a snapshot of the time the inspector spends with the person and their personal opinion of them. In my case I was told by the inspector that because it was my first inspection it didn't matter how good I was she never gave more than a satisfactory for first graded inspection. I know of several others who had the same from the same woman.

Sorry, not a huge fan of Ofsted, I think going on your gut at meetings is the best way, as well as personal recomendations if you can. All my clients come from personal recomendation and I have a wait list at the moment. All this on a satisfactory rating!

Satisfactory is satisfactory! It means they meet all the requirements, it doesn't mean 'not very good' or even 'could do better', but that the inspector found them to be satisfactory.

Also not a fan of Ofsted, partly because the ratings system means people read 'rubbish' when they see that a setting is satisfactory. I don't think ofsted can tell from a few hours of looking at your paperwork much at all about how good you are. I have a good rating, which I see as a bit of luck as another inspector could have refused to give good at a first inspection, which is unfair and arbitrary. I would use a satisfactory minder if I liked them / the setting, and I know some outstanding I would never use.