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@$£%^^!! Inspection booked

16 replies

crace · 12/03/2007 16:33

It's my first one, and I know you've been through this a thousand times - but what do I need done?! Do they do a tour of the house? Look in the fridge?

Luckily I only have my one mindee until 1pm so she will get here about 9.30-9.45 so worst case 3 hours!

Help help help

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
StrawberrySnowflakes · 12/03/2007 16:38

oh god..cant advice cos not had mine yet but good luck...no titty bottle with juice in, get all meds papers and registers signed!..erm keep looking on here to find out what theyre picking on!

dmo · 12/03/2007 16:50

most inspectors look around the house (mine didnt)
never heard of them looking in your cupboards or fridge

make sure enrolment forms are filled in and dated, register is up to date, medicine forms are compleated, you have an accident book, drivers lisents and insurance forms, insurance forms for liabilty insurance forms

make sure bleach and razors are put away
if needed cupboard locks in place
safety gates up
fire equipment sorted (alarms, blankets)
you have a phone in the room that you mind (or mobile)
get a healthy lunch planned for that day
toys are clean

looneytune · 12/03/2007 16:51

Mine didn't tour the house but all are different. Certainly be prepared for them looking everywhere and then you're covered!

Paperwork, paperwork, they LOVE paperwork. Sometimes I think they like this more than seeing how good you are with the kids!!!

Be yourself. If doing messy play, my advice would be to do something not SO messy i.e. sticking, as you don't want extra stress! Make sure if they have a hot drink whilst there, you ask them to keep safely away from kids

You MUST:

  • display Ofsted Certificate
  • display public liability insurance
  • have some sort of complaints book/folder for parents to use if needed

Safety things to consider:

  • cupboard locks
  • safety film on anything glass if not safe glass
  • stair gates
  • cleaning products etc out of reach of children
  • fireguard on fireplace (if got one)

These are some things I was picked up on in case it helps:

  • I didn't change towels daily (do now)- everyone I know has been asked how often they are changed
  • I used the word 'not' which is seen as a negative!!! All I said was 'oh xxx, lets not touch that, lets ........' all in a very nice soft voice but she said they don't like any negative words like 'no, not, don't' etc! (please don't let it stress you though, I'm sure mine was having a bad day! )

Oh yeah, birth to three matters........do you have a poster? If so, stick it up if it isn't already, if not, just make sure they know you are aware about it and tell them you will be going on a course.

If you have a wish list (of items you plan to get, courses want to go on etc), let them see it with all the other paperwork.

Make sure all signatures are on all forms required and that you have all the necessary permission forms completed.

They like to see multicultural toys etc. so if you don't have any, try to borrow some from toy library if you have one? Or at least have it on a wish list.

I'm sure others will come up with lots of other tips for you.

Best thing is to try not to worry TOOO much and just be yourself, good luck!

daisy26 · 12/03/2007 16:57

but do ofsted sometimes check for other things whilst going round ure house, like mb wether they think your house is falling down or not. If you have a safety gate so they cudn't go up the stairs, but maybe had a bathroom where children cud easy get access to bleaches as such,i do ave a lock on bathroom door, but what if i didn't ave a lock. But do u need things to be high or secured everywhere in the house even tho u may have safety gates, do they pick up on these sort of things also?

crace · 12/03/2007 16:57

Oh thanks, this is perfect.

What is a complaints folder? I have the NCMA pack that came with contracts, contact forms, accident book, attendance register and accounts. What is the complaints folder for? I have a policy..??

OP posts:
looneytune · 12/03/2007 17:04

It can be just a blank notebook with the words 'Complaints' on. I'm pretty sure that will do

dmo · 12/03/2007 17:16

daisy
ofsted should go into all the rooms the children will be allowed in

daisy26 · 12/03/2007 17:20

saying that i just thought obv if the child needs the loo then obv they will need to placed out of reach. I know it's common sense really.

daisy26 · 12/03/2007 17:23

just my partner seemed to be worried it's not that safe,but it is, it is safe i mean it's safe enough for us to live in the house, etc and we haven't got allot of room. But we have a flipping big dining room space lol and a spacious garden with already fences around the garden

bmz · 12/03/2007 20:19

when i had my inspection she didnt go upstairs to check the rooms or the garden just stayed in the lounge and had cups of tea. but you do need to have all your paper work upto date. if you say your going to do something she'll need prove. such as attending courses and workshops.

SHOSHAlee · 12/03/2007 20:28

I had one that looked in the frodge and the freezer to see if I had a thermometer!

Another who only went in the lounge.

mogs0 · 12/03/2007 21:20

My inspector wanted to know if I had any alcohol in my flat as they'd previously had a problem with an alcoholic cm.
Before having my ds I used to party hard and the only alcoholic drink I drank was vodka (using past tense coz obv I don't have a social life now I have my ds!!). For ages, all my friends would buy me vodka for my birthday but I never drink at home so the bottles have stacked up. When I opened the cupboard I was more than a little embarrassed to show the inspector 6 unopened bottles of vodka!!!!!

Also, I don't use my bedroom for minding but the inspector still wanted to have a look in. Another embarrassing moment coz it was a tip!!

I think I have been lucky so far that I have had a very nice inspector who I've seen three times.

Good luck to all of you who are due inpections.

gooseegg · 12/03/2007 21:31

Put the children and their needs first, even if it means that you have to keep interrupting any conversation or questioning from the inspector.
Apart from paperwork you are also being inspected on what it is like to be a child in your setting.
Display lots of children's work and colourful posters etc and if you have any photos of activities you have previously enjoyed have them out too.
Get a written reference from your mindees parents before your inspection.
Good luck.

dmo · 13/03/2007 09:49

OMG mog
what a noisy bi**ch looking in your room and asking if you have alcohol

incase they didnt notice after work i have a life and enjoy a drink (need a drink somedays) and it is my house
they think they are so high and mighty

crace · 13/03/2007 10:50

That is appalling actually. I have mine well hidden away, and I actually rarely touch the stuff. I would be peeved if I had to show and unregistered room. I think she was being nosy!

OP posts:
saltire · 13/03/2007 11:05

You know, reading all these threads about OFSTED I'm wondering whether I should register as a CM when I move. i thought the Care commission were bad!

I think that's terrible regarding the inspector who wanted to see in the bedroom and how much drink you have in the house. They seem to forget that we wrok in our homes,not huge playgroups, and that our DH's, children and ourselves live there.

Of course I've just never forgotten the OFSTED woman who came out when they switched over from Social services when i lived in cambridgeshire. God she was bad, had me in tears

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