Suitable person interview tomorrow!!

[chicaguapa]

I have put together my policies and tidied the house. As I have DD (nearly 5) and DS (nearly 2) the house is already child-friendly and safe. Is there anything else I need to do? Am I being too relaxed?

Have everything like CRB checks, marriage and birth certificates to hand, If you offer the inspector a hot drink- remind them to keep it out of your childrens way and above all relax!!

AND also remember that they are human, they're not going to catch you out but will offer advice etc (they catching out bit comes later!)

Good luck!

dont tidy all toys away,theyll want to see it as being a happy fun environment, take lots of notice of your own children as well as hers to show you take what they say as being v.important, have your certificates on show along with fire drill and insurance..and auto cue with your policies basically reading things out so you dont worry about what to say..youll be fine

oops is it ofsted?..sorry thought you meant parent and mindee..similar anyway, but make sure you have loads and loads of id to hand for you and other adults..tips...put extra hand towels out and let her/him know each child will have own, ensure you 'brag' about what your planning to do cos mine said although she found everything exceptional, i hadnt sold myself cos id tried so hard with welcome pack and policies..so show her/him what youve put together and tell them what you plan to do.
they are(well mine was) really nice and try to put you totally at ease.
good luck tho'

make sure you have cupboard locks in kitchen if children are allowed in there
saftey gates up
toys out

they do come out again once you are working to veiw you in practice

DH has been away since last Thurs so haven't got done all the things I wanted to like extra cupboard locks and socket covers. But I have written a list to show I am aware of these things and am not just pretending when she mentions it.

Just re-read that and wanted to point out that DH being away has meant I've not had time to do it - not that I can't do it myself!

cause not us cm are multi talented

You don't have to have cupboard locks in your kitchen unless you store cleaning products or anything else considered "dangerous" in them. My own children were always able to open the locks so I don't use them for minded children - all my cleaning stuff is up high on top of cupboards.

most importantly then..if your locks arnt in place..when your showing her around tell her 'my cupboard locks will be here and here..we have just bought them and will be putting them up xx..ie this weekend before children comeetc..let them know that you know what you should have done or should be doing and then at least they know you know what your doing!..phew..easy for me to say!"

Hiya! It all went well. It was definitely a plus having put my procedures in place as she sat and read through them, filling in the appropriate boxes on her laptop. Saved sitting there asking me loads of questions. The bits I had not included in my policies she just asked me. When I showed her around I pointed out all the things I had done to make it safe - put socket covers on etc - and any areas I wasn't sure about.

I have one action which is to get a first aid box. I had been waiting to do my first aid course next month to find out what to put in it, but now I have to get one within 2 weeks. Any links?

are you getting any help from local surestart?
ring them and explain your about to start CM and explain about first aid box..i got mine free from them!

p.s..well done on inspection!