Have got my first OFSTED inspection tomorrow (with one days notice!)

[MrsPuddleduck]

I haven't done much at all.

I have started on my policies - I am going to try and finish the most important ones later.

I am desparately cleaning and tidying the house.

I am making a list of things I need to buy eg fire blanket, first aid kit.

Is there anything else I need to do? I am in major headless chicken panic mode!

Also, will I be told tomorrow how many children I will be registered for? Should I push for 6 (I think I have the space) if I only get offered 4? I have 2 children of my own so could do with the flexibility of being able to have 6 if I thought I could cope.

What age are your children?

Don't worry as it's your 1st inspection and your not minding yet, I am sure they will go easy on you.

You could order the fire blanket / F A box and tell the inspector it's on it's way.

My children are 2 and 4 (5 on 5th Sept - when I plan to start minding hopefully).

I will have a look around for a first aid kit - I thought I read somewhere that you could order one through NCMA - but I haven't joined yet.

I can't believe they have given me so little notice!

You may get registered for 4 then. 2 under 5's and 2 over, then with your own you could have a total of 6.

Would recommend that you join NCMA - you can get the insurance from them too at a reduced rate.

Just make sure everything is safe in and out the house, that's the main thing they look for on a first visit.

Good Luck, let us know how you get on

This is your pre-registration check, yes?

My advice is to mention to the inspector anything that you know that you need to do but haven't got around to doing yet, that way they might register you immediately and not refer you.

For example, I had a laburnum tree in my garden that I knew I couldn't have, but hadn't got around to getting rid of yet and the inspector said that as I was aware that it was an issue she would register me on the condition that it was dealt with. She also said the same about upstairs window locks. she told me that if I hadn't mentioned these things first (ie she had spotted them and I hadn't drawn attention to them too) she would have put a referral on my name to get them done and they would have come back and re-interviewed me once they were done.

I am almost certain that I didn't have a fire blanket or first aid kit when I had my initial pre-registration check. It was mostly questioning on the birth to 3 and every child matters and the childminding guidelines so that she could see that I'd read and understood them.

Hope it goes well for you tomorrow.

OFSTED are so fickle

I have a laburnums tree next door (on the boundary)& OFSTED just told me to tell the children not to eat them - which is what I would rather do ayway

As far as I am aware, and my assistant had her registration visit fairly recently, they need to be assured that you know the guidelines, so your time would be well spent reading the detailed version 'guidance to childminding'....also they have let me know there and then what they are going to say on my certificate with regards to numbers etc. Agree with philmassive, and make sure you tell them what they need to hear, so they know that you are a 'suitable person'

Philmassive - what was wrong with your window locks?

We lockable double glazing. I wasn't sure whether they should be locked and closed with the keys put away or whether that in itself was dangerous.

Thanks for all the tips.

I have done a 'risk assessment' of my house of things which I can see need to be sorted out but which haven't been done yet. Hopefully that will be OK.

Do I need a fire evacuation policy?

As a childminder you don't need written policies, although if you employ other people (which you don't) you need to ensure that they know your policies. It is only nurseries etc that need written policies.

Paragraph 3.9 on page 20 of the EYFS Statutory Guidelines states "Childminders will be expected to ensure that any assistants are aware of all policies and procedures, and that they are able to clearly define them for parents and others as and when requested. However, it will not be necessary for childminders to have written copies of these policies and procedures".

Well, we've got quite big windows which open from the bottom (hinged at the top, if you're with me) and they wanted extra window locks fitted to them. They are a bit pointless if you ask me, but there you go.

As for the laburnum, I did say that it was ridiculous since they are growing on the pavements around here but theres was no moving her -'rules is rules' and all that!

As philmassive said above; you don't have to have everything ready to go straight away but you do need to convince the Inspector that you know what you need to do.

A "wish list" of equipment and toys is a good plan - preferably written but as long as you can say "I intend to get X, Y and Z" either as and when you can afford it if it's required, or once you've got a baby or older mindee lined up if it's more age-specific, then that should be fine.

Top tip: mention risk assessments! Ofsted loves risk assessments; again written or just thinking through the risks inherent in eg. a trip to the zoo, or buying a trampoline for the garden, and how you would minimise the risks.

And don't forget to mention hand washing as well; with an individual towel for each child/paper towels...

I'll stop here before it gets crazy! But overall don't panic - Inspectors are human too!

Thanks for all the tips!

The risk assessment and wish list went down well.

All I have to do is change the bolt on my gate for one which can also have a padlock on (I think).

And I got registered for 6 in total!

Good news. Good luck with the minding and thank you for coming back to update us

how did you get reg for 6 ?

Your own children will count as 2 children so you should only get reg for 4

am I the only one thinking this??

Sorry, I meant 6 in total including my own.

I don't think I could cope with 8 LOL! (or 6 for that matter )

I am not going to have too many children until I know how many I can cope with.

Well done Mrs P.

Good luck with the minding.