About to have pre-registration inspection..

[pennyparsnip]

hi to everyone in the cm club. i have been 'stalking' the message boards for some time now and it has really helped to get a feel for the sorts of issues cm's face.

i have two children at school (5+12) and i am in the process of registering as a childminder. i have ofsted coming to visit on thursday, fingers crossed that everything goes well as i already have a friend who wants me to care for her dd (11 months) 2 days per week.

wish me luck, i will let you know when i find out if i will be joining your ranks!!

good luck

thankyou, don't think i will sleep tonight!

good luck for tomorrow
tip: have policies all ready and 'show of' about them, emphasize how you ensure cleanliness around house, before meals after toilet, they like separte hand towels, lots of diversity toys, mention making fresh meals not packet/ready meals for mindees, know what safety equiptment you need if not already in place...make sure all hazardous chemcals are locked out of reach and 'know' how you would handle child protection/behavioural etc probs..your answers not what others think, how you would do it...good luck

thanks for the tips! i will bear all that in mind, i am just having a last check around now to make sure i have thought of everything

If she questions anything don't be defensive

eg I was asked about the cats bowls (food & water) being in the downstairs loo
I answered that if a child were old enough to go to the loo unsupervised they were old enough to understand not to play with the cats things - she was pleased with that answer.....so don't be defensive just explain your reasoning

It's nervewracking isn't it? I just went through it myself, definitely just answer all the questions honestly to your best ability.

Also, I had all my policies and procedure printed out in a binder plus a plan of the household layout and what I was planning to do in each room. She really liked that..

Just be honest, and just be yourself! Good luck!
Carrie

HURRAY, ofsted have been and everything was fine. the lady asked loads of questions but was happy with everthing and did not identify any actions needed.

can't wait to get started now. thanks again for the support and advice..

yyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy well done..now comes the waiting game