CM Club: Is this fair? Or am I panicking unreasonably

[KatyMac]

OFSTED are coming this next week

They have said they will arrive between 10 & 10:30 and will be ready for feedback at 2:15ish

& because they don't want to make a second journey they will inspect all 3 childminders within this time.

So in a maximum of 4:15 - she will inspect 3 childminders that is 85 minutes each

I think that is really stingy

I was expecting about 3 or 4 hours each & the last inspector due to come (due in Feb cancelled due to ill health) was going to spend between 2 & 3 days with us

I am sad - I have prospective parents who stay longer than this

I think you're panicking, as even though they may be dealing with one cm, they will be watching the others all the time.

They are quite intuitive, and will be able to make decisions very early on in the visit, this is what My inspector told me.

The way you greet them, and introduce them to the children/parents and other minders will set the scene for the whole inspection.

I was very open, and welcoming, and she said that was refreshing as so many childminders are so tense and worried, their first impression doesn't bode well for the rest of the inspection.
Relax, smile and you'll be fine.

Sally xx

I just feel that isn't very long to show off

I am calm about the inspection - I just want more time

Lol, don't be greedy!

OFSTED guidance says half a day per childminder - all I want is my due

It does sound unfair Katy.

BradfordMum - tbh I don't think inspectors should be making snap judgements! "Intuitive" is a bit too subjective, they should be taking time to assess the setting thoroughly.

I think I will ring NCMA in the morning (before she gets here) just to check my position

I do feel vulnerable atm, this is a very important inspection for me

The longest any of my inspections has lasted is two hours - I would have thought you would want them out as soon as possible!

Presumably if they're inspecting one setting, then there would be a lot of duplication if they inspected each of you individually? Once they've done the paperwork (which seems to be all they're interested in), then they just need to "Hi" to everyone and off they toddle?

If your last inspection was Good/Outstanding then perhaps they are much more focused about what they need to check out to ensure that you are maintaining than that rather than having to start from the beginning because your last one was only satisfactory?

Last time she was here about 6 or 7 hours & we only just covered everything

My longest inspection was 3 hours.
It was my inspector in 2005 that said she made up her mind in the first 5 minutes.

When my inspector arrived, my lil one who was toilet training decided to make a poo in his pants right then and there!!!

I tried not to cry remained calm and friendly, introduced her to the kids (4 under 3s) and asked her to go on through to the lounge, whilst I cleared up the lil fella.

She was 4 hours, checked through all my hard labour of paperwork, but spent much time grilling chatting with me whilst I went about my day with the kids - doing a couple of activities, reading a story before making lunch... I really don't think it's the time that matters.

What do I need to remember to show her?

I am stressed about my mum - she is having surgery tomorrow

OFSTED is kinda in the way - but it was cancelled once before & I want to get it over with. The inspector has offered to cancel but I said no

katy snap - I am being inspected tomorrow :-(
#I have got the irrational "I don't give a rat's ass" stage now - all weekend I have been scrubbing, scribbling and shouting at my kids for breathing......I hate Ofsted and I am vowing now this is my last one...

BTW - I would feel a bit hard done by too - but if you have a very up together SEF - thats meant to be the new way of doing it - the SEF forms part of your inspection IYSWIM so thats probably why she doesn't need so much time with you

Neither of the other minders have done their SEF - but mine was a bit of an epic

SEF if possible (I believe it's quite NB), ask her to sign in, attendance register, medication files, accident and incident files, planning, observations and any assessments you have done, parent portfolio (altho she barely glanced at this tbh), permission slips, children's personal learning journey files etc.

Show her you are well clued up with what EYFS is all about and show her the paperwork to prove this.

Good luck for tomorrow nomoreamover!!

god I only came off mat leave in jan.....this is so unfair -i don't have enough evidence :-(

It is hard

I think concentrating on what you are going to do is important

I know XYZ needs work but it is on my list

ABC is a little ropey but I think I will.....

Off to bed (I've been up since 5 )

nomoreamover Lots & lots of luck - you will be fine

Lots of luck guys - I am sure you will be great, you both sound increadibly professional and know what you are talking about, remember as long as the children and parents are happy that's what's important - it will be fine. I do understand the worry, nailbiting, cleaning the fluf under the fridge, not eating, eating lots of chocolate, shouting at everything including the rabbits, panic at 3am trying to remember if a parent had signed a particular bit of paperwork ............ you will be brilliant :-)

had my inspection a couple of weeks ago, she was here just under three hours i think and she said that they are being told to keep each inspection to about 2 hours as they have so many to do....but i have heard of quite a few four hour ones too.

So 4 hours for 3 of us is silly

Thanks chaps - I shouted at the chicken and the cat (no rabbit)

Poor DD has hardly seen me this weekend as I have been at work

So it was closer to 7 hours I knew I'd take longer than that