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Ofsted coming on Monday - last minute advice needed, please!

26 replies

philmassive · 02/07/2008 10:39

Good morning! I've got ofsted coming on Monday for my first inspection - I've been a CM for one year, so not my pre-inspection, the real thing!!! Any thoughts from anyone of bits and bobs that I should have done but haven't thought about? All comments welcome please - I will have one 2 year old and my 18 month old with me when she comes, if that is of any use!

I have got policies done, my certs and first aid all up to date, plus first aid kit, fire blanket and all the tings you have to have (I think!), anything vital that I've missed?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
alibubbles · 02/07/2008 11:32

Make sure you have a fire evacuation procedure, and that you have practised it!

Complaints policy and the poster from Ofsted, Child Protection - Local Safe guarding Board details and info.

Sign her in and out, check her ID.

Good luck

love2sleep · 02/07/2008 11:46

Tell your mindees parents!

I would definitely want to know so that I could buy her a huge bunch of flowers and tell her that we all know that she is fab and don't care what ofsted think!

Can you ask around local cms to find out if there is anything they are picking on right now? Maybe start a new thread with your area in the title?

chloemegjess · 02/07/2008 11:56

You sound like you have it all pretty much sorted. Maybe try and get some evidence of the activities you do if any? Maybe some photos, or art work? Don't worry if you havent got any though

dmo · 02/07/2008 21:14

my friend had her first inspection yesterday and got a good just make sure everything is signed and in order
good luck

philmassive · 03/07/2008 14:26

Thanks, all. Just one more question. Someone told me that you can only ever get a satisfactory if you're looking after only one child when she's observing you. Is that true? I will have 2 with me when she comes but one is my own so he probably won't count as far as what she's interested in? What do you think?

Good on your friend dmo, she must be so proud of herself.

OP posts:
philmassive · 04/07/2008 11:04

Anybody?

OP posts:
LoveMyGirls · 04/07/2008 11:17

I had dd2 and 1 mindee and still got a good hth

other obvious things are...

certificates and fire blanket on the wall

gloves when doing nappy changes

prepare food in advance

plan activities (things like icing bicuits/ playdough/ drawing with mega sketcher just playing with toys on the floor)

show inspector they have their own belongings to make them feel a home (comfort blanket, cot/ bedding, cup, bag to keep their things in, hand towel etc)

hth

Good luck!

philmassive · 04/07/2008 13:17

Wow, thanks, that is a relief, I'd hate to think that I'd shot myself in the foot by only having one mindee. Thanks for the tips. Wish me luck!

OP posts:
eleanorsmum · 04/07/2008 13:56

hellooooooooooooooooooooo

I've just had aphone call to say mine is 15th july! knew it was coming but still a bit omg omg omg must calm down must calm down!

maybe we can share tips from otherS! Please let me know how yours goes!

ShinyPinkShoes · 04/07/2008 13:58

I've got a Childminders checklist if anybody wants a copy?

eleanorsmum · 04/07/2008 13:59

ooooohhhhh me please!

keri dot bradley at tiscali dot co dot uk

tia

OFSTEDoutstanding · 04/07/2008 14:03

That is complete rubbish that you can only get a satisfactory if you only have one mindee plus your own. I had ds who was 20months and mindee who was 10months and got an Outstanding even though the mindee slept for half her visit.
Might be worth showing her that you have some bits together in preparation for EYFS in September

dustystar · 04/07/2008 14:10

I got a good and I only look after one baby for a few hours a week. Plus he was only 6 months old when I was inspected and spent most of the time the inspector was with me fast asleep. So definitely rubbish that you can only get a satisfactory.

No advice to add to what has been given and agree that you sound like you're pretty up together already. They do love paperwork ime and it seems like you can't have to much of it. Good luck

mumlove · 04/07/2008 14:15

PSP - Can I have a copy please,
rachaels DOT rugrats AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Thankyou.

ShinyPinkShoes · 04/07/2008 22:01

sent

philmassive · 07/07/2008 20:36

Just wanted to say a big thank you, and to let you know that I got a good!!! I'm really so pleased, and the inspector was really useful in terms of information and advice as well.

OP posts:
southernbelle77 · 07/07/2008 20:48

Well done

mumlove · 07/07/2008 21:53

Excellent news

JenniPenni · 17/07/2008 01:45

I have my inspection on the 22nd July - eek! Also my first one!!!

I have all you mention... but have a couple of questions...

(1) Do I initiate the fire evacuation or does she?

(2) Do I chat about everything as I show her round my home... mentioning things I have done for health and safety reasons... or wait for her prompting?

(3) I will ask for her ID. Is it necessary to also sign her in and out?

(4) Does the fire blanket have to be mounted on the wall? Mine is on a counter in the kitchen.

JenniPenni · 17/07/2008 01:46

ps: Well done philmassive!!!!

eleanorsmum · 17/07/2008 08:55

jenni - had my insepction on tues, got outstanding! wasn't quite what i expected, was fine!
1 - she won't expect you to do evac with her their just show records that you have prsctised them and with which children etc, and a fire evac route and policy
2 - she'll ask lots of leading questions, you don't get time to talk about everything!
3 - def ask for id, mine showed it before i had chance to say hello! and def sign her in and out, i had bit of paper tpaed to wall saying visitor record, only visitr we've ever had as usually parents.
4 - fire blanket MUST be fixed to the wall ( think you can fail if not!) they are designed to be pulled off the wall to open th packet and then you can use it. you'd struggle to open it without it being fastened to anything.
hope that answers you're questions and good luck!

JenniPenni · 17/07/2008 16:42

eleanorsmum, thanks so much for that!!! Glad I asked about that! Just called hubby and he will pop it on the wall tonight. Phew!

CONGRATS on your outstanding too!!!

Did you have any EYFS stuff (observations etc.) done to show her?

lavenderrose · 17/07/2008 17:38

Hi Shinypinkshoes, could you send me a copy of the childminders check list please
thanks

lavenderrose · 17/07/2008 17:39

sorry forgot email addy sandraasten@yahoo dot co dot uk

eleanorsmum · 17/07/2008 19:05

hi jenni - no we talked about eyfs but she wasn't expecting anything to see, just asked if i'd had my training (which i have of sorts, more of an introduction!) she liked my daily diaries i do and said i coulde asily adapt these to include observations. good luck! and if you have any more questions please ask!

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