Ofsted insisted going into private rooms that are not registered or used for childminding

[notthemum]

Are they allowed to do this and can I refuse?

It’s allowed I think

It's allowed. They have to be satisfied that you are not renting out rooms to dodgy lodgers. My inspector told me she had come across hidden doors behind false walls and lodgers not being declared/DBS checked.

Yes they can.

They need to make sure you don’t have anyone living with you that haven’t been declared/DBS checked

The things you learn on MN. That had literally never occurred to me, but now people explain it it makes sense: with so many childminders in the UK and so many people on the SOR it’s a real risk if some of them are letting rooms to randoms.

You could have anything in that room that might be illegal or dangerous to children - weed farm, weapons, 10 pit bulls, a massive koi tank, undisclosed lodger, craft tools such as knives, welding equipment, porn stash, a million things.
The inspector will need to be sure the whole premises is safe even if you say you won’t be using a room there is still a chance a child could get into that room while your back is turned.

Thanks for replies, never considered this but afraid it still seems excessive to me. Have been childminding for 16 years and this is the second time she has done this to me. No other inspector has done this, also had a visit years ago from a tutor who was also an inspector for Ofsted and even she didn't do this The early years team visited and were very surprised that she had gone into these rooms. They suggested putting high bolts on the doors so they are definitely not able to be accessed by the children.

I don’t get the reason that they are looking for weapons or a porn stash. They generally only push the door open, poke their head round the door and pull it closed again. They don’t open drawers or wardrobes or anything, so unless you’ve left your porn stash all over the bed they wouldn’t see it. I have no idea why only some inspectors do this. If it was compulsory so be it, but I honestly don’t think it as I know cms who have been inspected recently and the inspector didn’t even go upstairs, let alone look in bedrooms.
As we all know, ofsted inspections were not all made equal. And that is the biggest worry.