Would an inspector say NO to this?

[Ripeberry]

Hi, i'm starting mt DHC course on the 4th June for the next 8 weeks and they told us to do the course first and THEN register with OFSTED for an inspection/interview.
Would like to get some things ready in the house, but do have some big things that can't really be changed.
We have an ALL glass conservatory and it was built in 1981 and has toughened glass but, because it is so old it never had a kitemark or other marking on it.
We have the original book for it and i'm sure that even in "those days" they would make sure the glass was totally safe.
Do you think the inspectors would say it was not safe to use because they was no kitemark?? or would they insist on safety film?
Another thing is that we have a pond in the garden and it is covered with a heavy iron grid, that a child could walk on, but it does start to bed a bit if anyone over 7 stones walks on it.
I would rather not get rid of my pond as it has a crested newt in it and they are a protected species?.
Would it just be best to fence off the pond and also it would fence off the veg patch so my veg would be safe from little helping hands...lol.
Is it best to put baby gates on the kitchen access?
And one thing i've wondered but felt too daft to ask was, if the kids want to, is it OK to do rough and tumble with them and play with water pistols or is that too un-pc (guns) or they could hurt themselves.
I'm quite a hands-on person and like to play games like that.
Thank you.

Probs insist on safety film so may be best to do it before they ask for it just to be safe. I would fence off the pond and veg patch and games are fine. So is it the ICP that you are doing which is the first unit of the DHC is it is you can apply anytime to Ofsted as it takes ages for them to come out and only the attendance at the course is a requirement for them and not the exam at the end so as you get near to completing it put in your papers. Hope this helps.

Does anyone know where you can get rolls and rolls of safety film and how much it costs?
It's a very big conservatory and runs the lenght of the house, looks like a greenhouse attached to the house, but it was sold as a conservatory.
Lots of work to do then.

think you can get it in b&q

Fence the pond, and the veg patch.

If you child-proof the kitchen, with safety latches on the cupboards, put your knife block away, get a kettle with a short lead etc you will be fine.

I have put safety film on my home-made playhouse window, at the request of my Inspector, she advised that if you do not have a kite-mark then safety film is needed. Got mine off the internet, can't remember where or how much, this was 3 years plus ago.

Rough and tumble games are fine, ask your tutors about helping you to formulate a Safe Caring Policy, detailing the different types of play you will do - including rough-and tumble.

Water pistols are, imo, a no-no, not appropriate for minded children.

good luck
HTH

That's a pity about water pistols, as we have some neighbours kids around and we play with the pistols when they are holed up in the playhouse, they think it's hilarious!
Never mind, will think of something else, soak the fish...lol

BRLD No Water Pistols!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(OK we used empty spray bottles) my lot were using them in the garden yesterday!

Thay have the time of their lives with them.

Empty spray bottle are fine, I just don't like the idea of Pointing and Pulling a Trigger [staid old lady emoticon]. Water balloons are great, too.

I need to loosen up methinks lol

No I dont have guns of any description (which a Inspector told me I was wrong in doing because I live on a Army Camp, and the mindees must see them in their daily family life! WTF did she think that the parents wander around the house in full battle gear)

But water bottles now they are fun

Oh yes, water bottles, squeeze and run yay.

Hopefully we have not had our summer already like last year before I have had time to get the water play kit together

we got a water spray from b&q which can spray or squirt..like a pistol..but tbh, i wouldnt have a prob with water pistol..i was told on my ICP course that the majority of children who were denied such things were the ones to crave them, the children brouhgt up being able to play cops and robbers etc wern't that botherd about guns ?!

That's true with the gun thing, i help out at our pre-school quite regularly and some of the older boys (aged 4) were into guns a lot.
The playleader had forbiden guns, even little ones off toy soldiers.
But the kids were very resoursefull and made guns out of lego and sticklebricks and from sticks in the playground.
I think they should be allowed that kind of thing to get it out of their system.
Forbiden things are always fair game for kids.
Another question, regarding fencing off the pond and veg patch, does the fence have to be unclimb-able like a low picket fence or could i just use strong trellis?

I would say unclimable, in case they try to climb it ! I have a veg patch, its in a raised bed and I just tell the children not to walk on it. They crouch or kneel around the edges when planting or watering. So far this has worked ok !
As for guns, my poor nephew was sent in from pe for using a hockey stick as a pretend gun, he is 11 and wants to be in the army. We played cowboys and indians and cops and robbers as children, and it was just fun. Kids aren;t allowed to be kids these days.
But as a cm, no I do not have any toy guns in the house, even water pistols. as I know how frowned upon it is.