CM Club....Have pre registration Ofsted visit tomorrow...HELP!!

[chocoholic]

I starting to get a little stressed as I have my pre registration Ofsted visit tomorrow. I have had conflicting advice on whether they will expect everything sorted or whether it is ok for me to have details of the remaining things I need to sort out before I accept children. (eg, need to get first aid kit sorted, put a few more locks on doors, get a couple more socket covers, get another high chair).

Should I run round like a mad thing today to try to get all the remaining stuff or is that not what they are looking for.

panic, panic, panic........

I would be inclined to say have as much ready as possible. If there is stuff you havent managed to sort just be prepared to explain exactly what you are going to get and for what purpose.
Other than that, stay CALM! Talk, talk, talk to insepctor about everything you can think off (childminding related!) that you have in place or are going to do and have all paperwork handy. Good Luck. you'll be fine

Message withdrawn

You don't need to run around like a mad thing so long as you are reasonably aware of things that you will need to do, buy, set-up or whatever. Write stuff down if you can, because that will prove that you have thought about it.

You could tell her that you have looked at the NCMA website (make sure that you do!) so that you know all about the policies you will need to think about etc.

if you ahve stuff left to do, list it, tell them what it is and how you are dealing with it(safety equipt/complaints folder etc), know the froms of abuse, they always ask me this one!?, tell them(and do it) you will have hand towels for each child, you will teach them good hygeine, brush teeth after meals, wash hands before food after messy play etc...all common sense really but the NEED to be told!, also if you have policies wrote down in folder or anything show it too them...good luck...who've you got coming?

Thanks everyone. Am trying to be calm as she is coming in 10 mins.
Have done all the silly jobs that didn't really take much, bought my first aid kit and have written a list of things that I need to do.
House is shiny, shiny, shiny and have packed my 2 year old DS off for the afternoon.

Phew, think I'm ready......

Just like to say thank you again. Visit went well & once all the other bits come in I'll finially be registered.
I'm so pleased

I have my 3 yearly inspection next year but there is no way I am starting buying extra handtowels and toothbrushes. I am a Childminder NOT a day nursery. I provide healthy food, do not allow sweets and have low sugar drinks. Parents should brush their own child's teeth morning and night. I supervise them to the toilet until they are school age and by then they should know how to manage their own hygiene, I stand outside the door and if the child needs me they can ask.

I think OFSTED are going too far expecting us to put towels and notices up that they cannot read anyway. I use gloves and wipe changing mats with surface cleanser spray. How do children manage once they get older and the local town toilets or school toilets are not as clean as ours?

I am in no way saying what Ofsted are asking is acceptable and tbh I don't do half the things that I'm suppose to do, but like you M2L everyone is healthy and happy with me. However, I have come to the conclusion that the stuff OFsted are doing is to safe guard us.

None of us want to be treated as a nursery on a day to day basis, but I very rarely hear of parents taking the micky out of nurseries when it comes to pick up times, changing hours, late payments, etc. I think what they are trying to do is get parents to appreciate us as a business and not just a mum staying at home with their lo's and earning a bit of money on the side.

My answer, is to smile sweetly at your inspector, say all the right things and remember that its your business and your home. We will of course not flout the rules to the extent that it is detrimental to the children, but have a little bit of common sense.

Here endth the lesson!

Thinking seriously about becoming a childminder- got initial meeting in a couple of weeks. Anyone got any thoughts/advice/observations about how they feel as childminders? What made them choose to be childminders/etc? Still hormonal and on mat leave at present with baby 2, but will have to return to full time work in a few months to pay back mat pay before resigning!!

Well, its very different now, to when I started 11 years ago! There is a hell of a lot of paper work and forms to do, the hours can be long, the parents can sometimes be a pita, BUT it is the most rewarding job I've even done!

If you think you can handle looking after other peoples children and your family will support you, then go for it. I'm sure you've got most of the safety aspects i place already, since you've go a young family and the extra toys you might need, won't make much difference. I'm just on my way out of CMing tbh. My dd is 12 now and I'm getting fed up with having safety catches on all my doors and stairgates etc! I will miss my mindees enormously, but I won't miss the paperwork!

Thanks MaureenMLove- can't be as much paperwork as the job I'm already in!!

we childminders need 2 spare rooms
1 for toys and 1 for paperwork

Don't bank on it!

i wish katy, i have to make do with under the stairs for the children

Its not a room for the children Dmo - sometimes we need a cage!!!!

My dh is cursing OFSTED right now as we've nowhere to put extra files, craft materials etc.

I'm trying to persuade him to have a conservatory built for use as a playroom, have even got floor plans of where things will be kept and where shelves will be put!!