Cm's - a genuine query re; ofsted checks....

[matalot]

Hi am looking to put my DS (15 months) with a CM. Visited 3 yesterday. Because I got the details from CIS, thought that they would be Ofsted checked - but 2 could not produce Ofsted reports because they had not been checked yet even though they were looking after other children. So they were just registered with Ofsted, but hadn't been checked out.

Appreciate that Ofsted reports are not the be all and end all of assessing whether I like a CM - but they are really helpful.
Can any wise CM help shed light on this - thanks!

Hi, hopefully this will come out correctly:
When aCM first starts CMinding she doesn't get a inspection report until she has had her first inspection, this first inspection usually takes place with in 6 to 12 months of registering providing she has minded children to look after.

However you can rest assured that if she is registered she will have had a "suitable person" interview which is carried out by ofsted and will have had all the other checks done in order to be registered and have a certificate. One thing that you will/should check is whether she has done a peadiatric first aid course or whether she has booked onto one.

Thanks HenniPenni.
Both had been minding children for 18months more without an inspection, they cited delays with Ofsted.

Also both had not yet had a first aid course but one was booked onto one in three months time.

Its made it more difficult for me to be honest - I think a CM is the way to go, my DH prefers a nursery because all the checks and paperwork (and stuff like first aid etc) seems to have been done.

Oh well - we'll ponder more on the weekend

Thanks

The delays with Ofsted are more than likely due to the introduction of the EYFS which we will all have to work to from Sept. (According to my inspector they are very behind)

To be honest I would be a little concerned at the delay with the First Aid as by law we should complete this with in 6 months of registering and renew every 3 yrs, although I know around my area there has been problems for newly reg mindres getting on courses. In your shoes I would be ringing CIS to determine whether it is hard for minders to get on to courses.

Please don't be put of by the lack of report tho' as they're not the be all and end all, go with your gut instincts as they are usually right.

They should have done their first aid, I thought that Ofsted only gave you 6months from the initial visit to do one!

If they are already minding, could you not ask to talk to one of the other parents already using them?

Hi there
Yes could talk to one of the other parents - but got the impression she is a friend of the family anyway - but will try.

Am also going to try CIS re: problem with getting on first aid course.

However despite these efforts, I think we will end up going with the nursery: with the best will in the world to know that people haven't got first aid yet but are advertising childminding services, is making my gut (IYSWIM) very nervous. I think the other thing is that both weren't honest about it at the beginning - if they had openly mentioned it first of all I would have been ok. They only confirmed that they hadn't got it when we pressed them.

Thank you both so much for your help though - you've really helped crystallise my thoughts.

The First Aid situation is bad. I would steer clear due to that. Most CM's do have training up to date, so don't let it put you off CM's altogether. It can be a simular issue with nurseries, but due to them having so many people onsite, there should be enough present who are trained.
Ofsted reports when done can be found online, could be worth checking at ofsted.gov.uk - can check nursery reports there as well.