What is the point of ofsted?

[canofworms]

I've just been on their website as dd3's nursery has recently had an inspection and I wanted to see what it said.

But while I was on it I thought I'd check out our old childminder's latest report as I reported her to Ofsted about 18 months ago because she smacked dd1.

Anyway, I am completely shocked to find she has not had an inspection for over 2 years now! What is the point of making such a serious allegation if they're going to do nothing about it!

Morning canofworms

Rest assured she will definately have had a visit from an inspector and they should have written to you with the outcome of that visit.

However we are only officially inspected every three years and that is the report that will be available for others to read

When she has her next inspection and it is published, there will be a section towards the end which say 'complaints since the last inspection' which should mention your allegation.

I have to say though that they do have to deal with complaints day in day out with only a few that can be upheld as it is very much your word against hers and in my experience they tend to favour the c/m. The reason for this i suspect is because so many complaints are just a way of parents getting back at a childminder who they have fallen out with.

Although i completely agree with your reason for reporting her many parents report their c/m as just a way of venting their frustration at not seeing eye to eye with them or because they are otherwise disgruntled

Hope this helps

I have no idea how the Ofsted complaints system is supposed to work - but do know that a parent, who made an identical complaint to your own about her previous minder, was told by Ofsted that they couldn't pursue the complaint unless the mum contacted the police or Social Services. She wasn't impressed.

I don't have much faith in Ofsted since watching the whistleblowers the other night. I was considering changing ds nursery due their grading after watching the programme i'm now not so sure.