Ofsted references

[MJP1]

Hi
I am soon to be applying to ofsted to become a childminder ! I am so excited however I have realised I have a bit of a problem regarding references and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me.
I have been on maternity leave since January and am not returning to work, I have handed my resignation in and my employer is being an arse, he's been a pain all through me working whilst pregnant, being on maternity leave, paying me maternity pay and now refusing to pay me my holiday pay for the holiday I have accrued whilst being on maternity leave. It's a small business and he has only been my boss he bought it 2 moths before I left to have my baby. he doesn't know me and I really don't want to use him as a employment reference and the previous owners have gone AWOL, so I don't know what to do or who to ask.
Any ideas or thoughts

I am scared this is going to cause problems and my dream new career is so close

I can't remember what references Ofsted asks for - been 10 years now since I worked there... time flies - though I suspect they don't want work references. They would want Character references.

CR1 (by hand) - I can't see where it says about references. Maybe they don't ask that any more, as having a friend say you are great with children is not that useful. Ofsted tend to rely I feel on what data is held about you, your address, your partner - so things like what social services knows about you if anything, what police records show, that sort of thing.

Ofsted require three references. I did my last job and two personal refs from friends. They then wrote to each of my refs to confirm they did it!!!

It's in the EYC form. Think CR1 must be for voluntary only part of register.

"You may use a friend, neighbour or colleague who knows you well. Where possible these should be from individuals who have known you in a childcare role and/or for a significant period of time (12 months or more). One reference should preferably be from your current or most recent employer."

So I would read that as meaning that you don't have to give most recent employer as referee, though they would like it. Perhaps you feel your employer won't complete a reference in a timely manner, so giving them as a referee would slow the process? Plus he does not know you well enough as he took over the business shortly before you went on maternity leave - so whilst you were in their employment for more than 12 months, your employer only knew you for two months. I would tell the inspector that if they query it. They ask for employment history so if they really wanted to they could contact your employer.

Do you know people whom you have known for over 12 months who can give an opinion on your ability to look after children under the age of five and your overall character/suitability? That is what Ofsted are looking for in my view.