I've had enough

[Xroads]

But there is nothing else I can do until my debts are cleared, feeling very fed up.

Sick of them changing the goal posts. Apparently when I'm next inspected if I mess up one area I will be graded satisfactory (which is soon to be changed to needs to improve) last time I got 9 good areas and 3 outstanding. I have famillies coming back to me with siblings time after time, I turn people away on a reg basis because I don't have enough spaces, I am good at what I do.

I'm sick of the pressure and stress they put childminders under.

Surely as long as the children are happy and developing then that's what should matter NOT how much evidence you have in paperwork!

I'm with you. It's frustrating ... just as we work out what hoops they want us to jump through, everything changes. Care of the children seems to matter so little now.

Had this discussion with another childminder. We have to please OFSTED, the Government, the parents: children are lucky if they get a look-in

They should change it to "Every Child Matters Least"

Sounds like you are someone who would be in favour of any proposals for deregulation? Do any of your parents use childcare vouchers or get the childcare element of tax credits?

Having said that, I don't see anything about a grading of satisfactory in one of the key areas meaning you cannot get good overall, and the "requires improvement" grade is only for schools.

I don't know if deregulation would be a good idea because I do think there should be some guidelines, for suitable people, crbs, insurance, safety, safeguarding, first aid and it's definitely good to have an idea of where children are at and what their progression should be, children should be thriving and developing without a doubt BUT what I hate it the red tape of it all, it's not good enough just to have a few photos showing children are happy and learning (I think that should be all we have to do and accident forms) I think attendance reg for cm's is a waste of time because the children I care for are like family to me, I don't need to have them signed in and out, if there was a fire I would instantly know how many dc's I was looking after and who they are fgs. It's just the endless reams and reams of work that are dragging me down.

I say get rid of
attendance book
written risk assessments (we do it constantly in our head all the time!)
development folders

argh no idea what other job i can do love the kids hate the paperwork

Well I am the last person to defend unnecessary regulation but...

attendance book
This is there for a number of reasons, in particular (i) so that there is an accurate record in case of memory loss/dispute over how much needs to be paid; (ii) in case of insurance claim following injury to the child.

written risk assessments
These have mainly gone. Arguably they were never required to the extent that some childminders/inspectors thought they were anyway.

development folders
I have to agree that for a child that is also attending nursery school these are a waste of time and effort, however it is difficult for the EYFS to have one rule for some children and a different one for others.

... and note that there has NEVER been a requirement for children to be signed in an out, only the time needs to be recorded.

Thanks, I'm feeling a bit calmer now, I think it would just be best for them to supply the paperwork and for us to fill it in instead of making it open to interpretation etc.

As a parent using a CM, can I say that I place no relevance on the grading system. In fact, it's quite often the opposite. I've met CM who scored highly but had filthy houses, were late & chaotic, no warmth at all - yet scored highly. My 2 previous CM were lovely & didn't rate that highly according to the authorities - I disagree! The fact that you are busy & have few slots speaks for itself.