WARNING TO CHILDMINDERS WITH WEBSITES

[lenaschildminding]

Warning to all childminders with websites!

If you have a link to Ofsted's website on your own childminding website or are displaying ANY version of an Ofsted logo please read on!

There are conflicting views on what is acceptable and what is not.

I was told by Nicola Connelly, Customer Services at Ofsted and Angela Bantom from the Inspection Support Team, who had checked with the legal team, My website was ok and that I do not need to change it!

However, I have now spoken to Andrew Wilson at the Ofsted Early Years HQ in London, who has told me different!

YOU CAN NOT USE THE FULL LOGO, PART OF THE LOGO, A CURRENT LOGO OR AN OLD LOGO, ANY DIFFERENT COLOURED LOGO OR ANYTHING THAT VAGUELY RESEMBLES AN OFSTED LOGO!

Needless to say, I was not impressed, after being told what I had was fine and I didn't need to change it and that was confirmed by Ofsted's legal team.

I have made my feelings about lack of clear communication and differences in opinion within Ofsted departments known to Andrew Wilson, who has told me he will look into having a detailed page added to the Ofsted Website.

This whole incident has caused stress I could have done without! I have been told now that I may have a box with OFSTED written in block capitals. If they change their minds again I'll scream!!!

Contacting web host today to have it changed.

Thank god im not with OFSTED! And how pathetic hey?? At the end of the day your only using there logo for link to help parents out! OFSTED get a life I say

I'd be interested to know if you could even use the following phrase:

Ofsted Registered Childminder

As that could be claimed to contain something "that vaguely resembles an Ofsted logo" as Ofsted use their name, as their logo.

Has NCMA not got some agreement with Ofsted regarding this issue - surely it must affect a lot of NCMA members?

You can say you are Ofsted registered. That is a factual statement (their words!). Aparently using thier logo implies they are endorsing your website and it's content.

nannynick found this information...

The following is from this webpage: Crown Copyright: Ofsted

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Linking to the Ofsted web site

Many organisations, institutions, commercial and non-commercial web sites link to the Ofsted web site. Ofsted is not responsible for the content or reliability of such sites. It does not necessarily endorse the views expressed by them. A link to the Ofsted web site should not be taken as endorsement of any kind by Ofsted.

Ofsted logo

Ofsted rarely gives permission for its logo to be used on other web sites. The presence of the Ofsted logo on any web site or other materials should not be taken as endorsement of any kind by Ofsted.

The above text is likely to be Crown Copyright, so is hereby used for "teaching purposes".

It doesn't actually say you can't use the logo though!

Ofsted really need to make their rules on this much clearer!

The letter I had from Early Years HQ in London reads:

This is a distinctive sign of Ofsted communications. Ofsted takes the view that the unwarranted use of this logo is, potentially, misleading. While we accept that you may not have intended to use it in this way, the appearance of the logo could be interpreted as an endorsment, or recommendation, of your provision by Ofsted.

As an impartial authority, Ofsted does not allow its logo to be used as an endorsement of any particular provider of childcare. Therefore, whilst you may include a link to Ofsted's website on your own, I must ask you to remove the Ofsted logo from your website and to refrain from using it in any kind of display or noticew.

I have had confirmation from Robert Rhodes at Ofsted Early Years HQ that what I now have on my website is ok.

To quote his e-mail... "I have had a look and I can confirm that this is absolutely fine. "

If any of you who have the logo and need to change it, you are most welcome to copy & paste mine!