I have made a monumental cock up :(

[LingDiLong]

I was inspected a few weeks back. I knew it was coming so had dutifully spent the preceding weekends getting my paperwork in order. I'd put all my certificates in a folder ready to show the inspector - throwing out all my old expired ones in the process. Except I didn't throw out an expired First Aid certificate, I threw out my current one and kept the expired one . What an absolute idiot. It was incredibly embarrassing when I admitted this to the inspector during the inspection but she was lovely and very reassuring that it would be fine, I just needed to provide some proof I'd attended the course.

I didn't panic too much at first, I just thought I'd simply ring the provider and pay for a certificate to be re-issued. Only the can't find me on their database. I have no idea why, I KNOW I did the course - I have the course pamphlet (it has no date on it so can't be used as proof I attended). I have rung the Family Info Service who I booked the course through and they promised to dig out the register from the course. Only they haven't done, despite my repeated chasing. In the meantime I've booked onto the another course but this isn't until December. I kept the inspector in the loop about all this and she hasn't really responded to my emails. But she just rang this evening to tell me that she's writing my report tomorrow and unless I can show her a valid certificate by then she will have to issue me a non-compliance notice. I am absolutely gutted. I KNOW this is all my fault, but I had tried so hard to be organised and I work really hard at my job but now this just won't be reflected in the report. I have no way of fixing this by tomorrow. I don't know why I'm even writing this except I had to get it down somewhere :(

Oh no. Sounds like the sort of thing I'd do. If she issues non compliance will she be able to amend it as soon as your certificate arrives? Chase up the trainers again. They really should have a record you attended and can maybe email you a certificate.

Can you go in to the Family Information Service Office first thing in the morning an get them to email/fax the Ofsted inspector to confirm you did attend the course? Maybe phone first and say you are on your way but you need them to dig out the paperwork right now. Can you produce evidence of having paid for the course? Can you get hold of the trainer who took the course and get them to vouch for you? Don't give up, I'm sure if you could produce something tomorrow it would be okay.

Was your course funded? Who by? I had to pay for mine and have the receipt filed as part of my expenses? Mine has a reference number on it that identifies me and the trainer too. Did you do the course with a colleague and could check theirs for info? Annoying but at the end of the day you can rectify the non compliance by redoing course and then it won't show on your record

You know, I'm so glad I posted this, you've made me feel much better! I've been knocking around these boards for ages and really respect your advice HSMMaCM - I feel so much better that someone I think of as a very good and professional childminder feels she could make the same mistake! I have been really beating myself up.

I am going to ring the provider again first thing - surely they HAVE to keep records of this kind of thing? I didn't pay for the course - it's a free one funded through the family info service so no receipts to look for unfortunately. There was no-one I knew on the course so nobody else who could vouch for my attendance. The guy who would have booked me on the course is responsible for booking all the FIS courses in my city - of which there are many. I did the course 2 years ago so unlikely that anyone would actually remember me. I KNOW I did it because the certificate I have in front of me expired in July 2012 and I was first inspected in August 2012 - so the inspector would have seen a valid certificate then.

So, Kathryn, non-compliance is something that can potentially just be amended once it's sorted? She rang me in the middle of dinner so it was difficult to have a full conversation and non-compliance sounded so serious. I've been feeling sick all evening worrying that I'd be shut down temporarily. I'll try and ring her in the morning when it's quieter so I can properly understand the ramifications.

Thanks again all, you really have helped talk me down a bit.

When I did my first AID , I paid by bank transfer. Can't you find a proof in your statements?

Or go there tomorrow first thing and beg them to dig.

And for tonight, have a glass of wine, relax, things will work out OK, don't blame yourself, you were trying to do well and that kind of mistake could happen to anyone.

oops, sorry , I just read yoiur answer regarding the payement, Well I cross my fiingers for you ;)

it happens so dont beat yourself up about it

dp threw away his log book so had to order a new one when wanted to sell his van, so people do throw away important docs

i got an email confirming my place on the course and afterwards once i had passed saying they would send me a certificate and would be in the post a week or so later

can you check through your emails, Hotmail have a date search and see if you can find proof

fab you got it free,i paid think £80 for mine, but alas free means you dont have any receipt

i also scan any docs/ref/cv/first aid/dbs/pli etc i have into my laptop so i can send easily if someone wants to check it - would you have a copy on your laptop anywhere?

I've checked emails but no luck - might just check to see if I've scanned it though, thanks!

My only experience of non compliance was a colleague who forgot to renew her first aid and was inspected the week it ran out! Once she had done it she sent her cert in and was regraded accordingly. Doesn't show anywhere now.

Panic over - I got a copy of the certificate finally! The Family Information Service guy took pity on me I think after a rather desperate phone call this morning and we managed to work out together exactly what date I did my First Aid, this was enough to help the Training Provider find my details.

Phew. Thanks again to everyone who replied, it really helped.

Fantastic news. Congratulations.

Glad you found it