Had CM Ofsted inspection done today (needs wine)

[HRHQueenMe]

Happy to answer any questions if you have one coming up!

No but as a school governor who has been (interrogated) interviewed by a mean sod of an inspector pour the wine now.

Hope it went well

Thank you Thelma, bottle chilling now! It went well, kicking myself at all the things I should have said and forgot! Hope yours went well and that inspectors wine is corked this evening:)

Mine is due, just waiting for the call. Would appreciate a run down! A friend of mine said they are focusing less on paperwork and more on how you do observations and plan activities, did you find this?

Oh, and enjoy your wine, you'll need it!!!

The inspector spent alot of time observing me with the kids, more so than looking at my paperwork, but did spotcheck a few things for consistency. She was red hot on safeguarding and asked for lots of examples and facts so do your homework. Also a lot of weight placed on sharing information with other providers, make clear notes in your learning journals that you do this and dates when you have viewed childrens learning journals at nursery etc. Re observations have a clear way of tracking progress, tick and date next to achievement etc. Also have some good examples of managing bad behaviour. Finally sell yourself loudly, lots of annoying talk but its the only way to demonstrate what you know and what you are doing. Lots of " look little X at this lovely leaf what colour is the leaf? How many? What does it sound like? Touch it, smell it lets see what zwe can do with it....and show off all your resources and ideas, drown them in information and keep the kids busy!

gulp gulp gulp

Thanks HRH

Thanks. At my last inspection the inspector was here for all of 2 hours and spent about 20 minutes with me and my charges and the rest of the time with files.

Thanks for the tips, hopefully I'll be better prepared!

Enjoy the wine

Only two hours glen, you were lucky. My last inspection started at 9.30 and she didn't leave till 2 pm. I have never been so drained. Watching me with children, going through all my stuff, asking me questions. I was so bombarded my head felt it was going to explode. I'm always very jealous when I hear of other cms whose inspections only last two hours! Glad it went well for you today though hrh

How long have you been childminding HRH? How many children do you look after, do you have your own at home too?

Hi Moomin, 4 years only have part time children as I have 3 of my own in the EY range.

Do you know what rating (good etc) you got?

How did you register initially to be a CM HRH, online or classroom based?

I did the old fashioned course with the council, but its changed dramatically now so Im not sure how the new training is done. The inspector gives you feedback and grading at the end of their visit.