Newly registered Childminder - how long until their first inspection? And is it good to have childminder close by?

[p2b]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone could tell me how long after registration a newly qualified childminder would undergo an ofsted inspection? I am currently researching childcare options for my son and discovered that a newly registered childminder lives in my street. In doing my research I would ordinarily have looked at the ofsted report for the childminder but she hasn't had one yet. Anyone got any thoughts on what I should look for instead? Would you be happy with a newly qualified childminder? Is it better to have the Childminder close by? Any experience or advice gratefully received. Many thanks
p2b

I think it is within 6 months, though I expect a CM will come on here and tell you for sure.

Having a childminder living close to you I expect is quite convenient. However there are probably some negatives as well - such as if you got home from work early, they may see you coming back home and wonder why you didn't then immediately collect your child.

Alibubbles did a list of questions that may be helpful to you.

How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, achieved a quality assurance qualification, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. First aid must be no more than 3 years old, food hygiene certificate, Certificate in Childminding practice or NVQ 3, Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?

Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service

Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best'

~~~ End of Alibubbles list of Questions ~~~

Nannynick, many thanks for the reply and the list of questions and quality pointers. I'm off downstairs now to print them off!

I think it is 6 months IF she has children she is childminding. I think if there are no children, they will either delay the inspection or come but will not give more than a satisfactory.

I have chosen new childminders a few times - my personal ( subjective) expereince is quite positive, they won't necessarily have lots of children which can be a bonus and seem to be very caring and conscientious ( although i know this can apply to others)

The only minus side I can think of is there is a chance that childminding isn't what they expected so change their mind and then you could be left in the lurch.

Lastly, again in my experience, ofsted reports really don't tell a full picture so I wouldn't worry too much if she hasn't got one - yes the safety stuff is important, but I visited so many dreadful cm that had received good/ outstanding reports I quickly lost faith in them.

Good luck

I would feel very comfortable with a NQCM - mainly because many of the old timers I know have got more lax with experience! NQCMs are fresh out of the training and are keen to do well at their new job (ime). Also you don't know what her job was before CM - she may have been a nanny or a teacher or something else that would suggest she is alreay well experienced with children.

I would be very happy myself - but obviously would have a thorough interview first and also have a plan b in case it didn't work out so I could take DC out if it wasn't right. (But I would do that with ANY childcare - nursery nanny CM)

Completely agree with last 2 posts

Also, she is probably more likely IME to be a lot more flexiable that more experienced childminders. I am new to CM and will do a lot more for a parent/child than most CM in the area. They do their job well, but they know what they do/don't need to do and won't go out their way to make something work.

First inspection is after 6 months ish. I think you have to decide what you want in a childminder and see if she fits the bill. Ime parents want different things, everyone's priorities are different. Having one very close will save you time and si good for a long term arrangement, I'm thinking local playgroups, schools etc she might pick up from.

She may have been a childminder in another area in the past so you could ask her if she has an old ofsted report? My childminder lives in our road and the convenience is great! She was also newly registered when DD2 started with her but had childminded and nannied elsewhere.

My childminder was newly registered when I chose her. She has brought up 5 children of her own, and had 3 other mindees by the time DS started, 2 before/after school and a toddler (I met her in November and he started in March as a 10 month old).

I thought that being newly registered might be an advantage as she needs to establish herself and it feels easier to agree things between us about how we do stuff.

She makes a lot of effort to take him to groups and do educational and fun activities with him, and has introduced him to a wide variety of food. She had an inspection recently after about a year's minding, slightly longer since registration, and she's doing the first aid course which is necessary now.

He clearly enjoys being there and it's a very caring, affectionate and stimulating environment - obviously she's earning money but I get the impression that having a young child around is a part of it she really enjoys as well.

Our CM doesn't live quite as close as the same street but very close and it's great. Once dp bumped into them as he was on his way back to work from home at school pick up time and the school is also very close and on the way to/from the tube station, and that was a bit awkward as ds saw his daddy and wanted to be with him. I think on the same street could be awkward from that point of view as well as what nannynick says, but within a few minutes walk is great.

Thanks very much for all your replies. On the whole everyone sounds positive so I think I will bite the bullet and give her a ring. Sounds daft, but it's a bit intimidating cold calling a potential childminder - I feel a bit like I'm attending a job interview!

Trust me - she'll be as nervous as you even if she doesn't show it - because for her it is a job interview!!!

Let us know how it goes! Good luck