Is it weird that I can't find this childminder's ofsted report?

[CheesecakeAddict]

I've been to see a childminder who I am really interested in. She seems great; her home is baby-proofed, a lovely garden for my DD to play in, lots of toys, extremely clean, lots of activities, homecooked food etc etc. She has a website and there are photos of different sets of kids out and about, it all looks very professional. She does learning journals and keeps records to use in her planning for the next week. I work in education and to me, she talked the talk and everything seemed legit. I came home to search for her ofsted but neither her name nor her address wield anything from ofsted report search. On the one hand I am thinking she went to extreme lengths to look ofsted registered if she wasn't which does't make any sense. On the other hand, my gut instinct is telling me that something is off here.

So can anyone think of a logical reason why someone who claims to have been doing this for 20 years, doesn't appear on the database?

You need her Ofsted reg number. Longstanding providers weren't asked to be searchable by name or address back in the Olden Days.

Many childminders don't advertise their name on the OFSTED site so you need to ask her for her registration number. You may also find this by looking on the council website as that often has people's registration numbers if they are advertised on there

Alternatively, ring Ofsted and ask if anyone is registered at that address or under her name. They should be able to tell you that much at least.

Yes get her URN. She's probably keeping her name and address confidential for security. Ofsted allow us to do this because we work from home.