Ofsted have given it the OK - so how do I advertise it??!!!

[chel86]

Previous thread "Walking to school minding".

I've called Ofsted who told me that because I would be watching the kids in the playground, or at most walking them from my house to the school and watching them until they go in to school, for no more than an hour a week, then I will not have to count them in my ratio. Which is great news!

But now how do I advertise it? Best way, I know, would be by word of mouth, but thinking of putting up a poster by the school. Before School Playground Supervision??

careful about putting playground in title school may not go for that??...you could call it..erm....school run supervisor..then explain underneath what you do and the cost??

You could be right there. I might speak to the school first any way to make sure they're ok with me doing this.

You'll also need to check insurance for this. A Local minder tried this and unfortunately the school said she wouldn't be covered on insurance. She could stand off the premises, but not on them.

Great news, Chel at least you have a starting place and no longer a what if but a how question.

Well done

you 'should' be coverd with you PL insurance as ofsted have auth the extra children, so you should be covered for them too?, check it out first tho

I don't understand why the children wouldn't count in your ratios? Please make sure that you get something in writing from Ofsted, and do not rely on the word of someone who has just answered the phone!

Yes, good idea TP. Hey -not seen you around the staff room in a while! Ok?

(sorry for hijack)

Was just about to say what TP said - NEVER trust the phone people, they get it wrong all the time and even the inspectors tell you to get it in writing!

Good luck xx

Agree with TP, don't rely on a phone conversation. Write a letter, send an e-mail - at least then you have an official reply to file away for the future.

As you are a Registered Childminder already, children with you would need to be in your ratio's, even though care is provided for very short period of time. If you were not already a Registered Childminder, then as long as the total period of care did not exceed 2 hours in any given day, then you would not need to register - which may be what the person you spoke to at Ofsted was meaning.

Certainly have word with the school, see what reaction you get. Could you call it a 'walking bus'?

Good idea. I'll write to Ofsted and get them to put it in writing to me. My own insurance would cover the kids. Ok, let's write to Ofsted!

The standard PL Insurance I THINK covers 10 children in total but I may be wrong? Anyone know for sure?

My NCMA insurance is for 12 children or with an assistant it goes up to 18.

Also the insurance certificate refers to the registration certificate so a childminder who exceeds the child ratios on their certificate will render their insurance invalid. Assume Morton Michel's policies will say the same, anyone know?

I know from experence that Ofsted sometimes get it wrong with their phone advice (think that if the fees do go up, some funding ought to be put towards their training ). So I would wholeheartedly agree with above advice and urge everybody NEVER to rely on anything said on the phone, always ask them to confirm what they've said in writing.

Our school has the same problem (kids playing on school grounds from ten past 8, despite repeated requests not to arrive before 8:45), so I respect what you're trying to do here. Just suggest you make sure you have 2 things in writing before you start - Ofsted permission re numbers & appropriate insurance cover.

Good luck!