I'm scared I'm due for an inspection any day soon

[Summerfruit]

I'm really caring, keeping diaries on all my children, making sure I meet their needs..individual needs, learning them some new skills...They are 17 months, 13 months, 15 months old and 7 month old (not all on same days)...I do my best but I'm feeling overwelmed by EYFS..I'm scared of the inspection, not sleeping at night !! Any positive stories ???

I must admit although being exactly like you and feeling dreadful, my inspector was actually really nice (unlike the first one but thats another story). I haven't been inspected under the EYFS, but I know in my heart the children and their families are happy, and although an outstanding is fantastic (yes you KatyMac) do try and remember the children are the important ones, and as long as you aren't putting nappies on their heads you will be fine. The fact that you are worrying about it, doing the very best you can shows you care and.

Won't tell you not to worry though because I bet you won't!!!!

Good luck

Mine went smoothly due to the fact Id submitted my SEF weeks before. This cut down the time she was with me a great deal.
She was pleasant, and I felt relaxed.
I got a good with 6 areas of outstanding so I was happy.

Have you had 'the call' to arouse your suspicions?

Sally x x

Yes I hadddd the call !!!! I almost vomited on myself !!! What is this SEF to submit ?? Thanks rosiegirl and brad...I'm going to catch up on admi, I have been so bad you wouldnt believe, I love all my children I care for...but I'm not a clever person !

The sef can be submitted online and you should have been sent a password by ofsted to enable you to access it. Basically, you blow your own trumpet and tell them what you do and how you do it. It isn't compusory but it can cut down the length of time your inspection takes as you've already given them an outline of your setting before they come out. It is very repetitive and takes some time, but it's worth doing. It also will count towards your overall grading.

Ofsted will check you have risk assessments in place, observation and assessment files, policies and procedures, etc, etc - but most importantly they are coming to observe how you interract with the children and most of the observation should be based on that.i've had mine this week and was as panic struck as you beforehand - though didn't vomit till after they'd been out . If you want to, email me to address on my profile and will contact you with more info about what my inpector asked/was looking for/feedback etc. Good luck

remember who pays your wages, it isnt ofsted, if your parents are happy then thats what matters, and just a point, you get inspected every 3 years whether outstanding or satisfactory so cheer up and enjoy the children.

Speaking from a parent's point of view, my CM feels the same about her inspection and it really makes me cross that Ofsted puts her through all this stress. (Particularly cross that Ofsted said they were inspecting in Feb and to date have not shown up or had the courtesy to call her).

Anyway , one of the reasons I chose a CM rather than a nursery was because I thought it was more casual and like home, not becuase I wanted the CM to have to fill in endless paperwork and tick boxes.

The uposhot is I am perfectly happy with my CM regardless of what score she gets from Ofsted and if I wasn't I would take my children elsewhere.

So as the previous post says - if your parents are happy with you then that's what matters.

Summerfruit, were you joking about not knowing what the SEF was?!
Surely you've had correspondence from Ofsted about it. They will have sent you your own log in details with a token. I received mine July/august.
Are you working to the EYFS framework?
Have you had EYFS training?

Sally x x

BradfordMum - sorry to be so harsh but you sure know how to frighten someone!

Even I've not got round to looking at the SEF yet and I've been childminding for 8 years.

Summerfruit mentions the EYFS so she is probably doing her best (as we all are) to implement this. But with four mindees so young it must be a nightmare.

I only mind two at the moment and feel bogged down and have another possible mindee starting but am thinking twice because it just means another folder to keep.

Before the EYFS I managed to turn out lots of well adjusted individuals, including 3 of my own, and I agree with thebody about as long as the parents know you are doing a good job just try your best.

Summerfruit don't worry - the most ofsted can do is make recommendations and you can then act on these.

Good luck.

Sorry, I never intended to frighten anyone!

Maybe the SEF has had too much importance placed on it here in Bradford, butdoing our SEF has been drilled into us since july/aug, and I found it hard to believe that a childminder didn't know what it was.

I do apologise.

I also have 3 very well adjusted children of my own, and keep in touch with many of the children I have childminded.

The general census of opinion around here, is that if you've submitted your SEF prior to 'The call', the inspection is swifter and easier.

I think I'll keep schtumm in future, I was only asking.

Have they Been yet?

X

Have you been inspected as yet? (the person who was scared)

If so how did you get on?

I was inspected Last November. I dont mind sharing some ideas via mumsnet with you. (if you have not yet been inspected)

I'm not a childminder, just a very happy mum whose DS goes to the most wonderful childminder who "only" got satisfactory on her inspection. I don't care about their tick boxes, DS adores her and that's all I care about. I'm sure other mindees' parents feel exactly the same. Yes it is important that basic checks are done, but most parents take OFSTED with a pinch of salt.

Hi everyone !
Sorry I haven't been on computer lately ! I know what is the SEF but just knew it the name of evaluation iyknwim..lost the password and ordered a new one. I understand EYFS but it's just hard to keep up with all the planning, paperwork etc..I have 2 young childrens on my own probably like the majority of cms ! I had an inspector from OFSTED this morning just to check the premises and she was lovely. I felt I could speak with her and share my concerns..so I feel a bit better, I have been really stressed, depressed, tearful about it and I finally feel better.. The thing is I'm just scared that the inspector wont find me good enought and will destroy the bit of confidence I have got left..but I'll bear in mind that the parents like me otherwise they wouldn't let me near their children !! Thank you so much for all your posts !!

MUM2BLESS I'll be happy if you could share your experience with me, my email adress is [email protected]

Ask your parents to write you a reference too - all of mine did and I was really moved by what they had written

Will also email you over weekend, if that's ok

What a good idea ! I tought about making a survey to give to my parents just to see what point they would like to improve but a reference is really good too ! Please do email me !! I'm really touched by all the support I get, thank you so much !!!

Summerfruit - any update on your other thread here

Newsletters for parents is also something I have recently started doing - tell them what you've been doing and what your plans/themes are for the coming month ahead. You could build something into that along the lines of a survey - 'If there is anything you wish me to cover or involve in the day to day running of my care of your child, please do not hesitate to let me know - all suggestions gratefully received'. Ofsted liked that one . We are all here to support each other - but all thanks are good . Have had lots of support myself on here recently, more than have received from 'home turf' .

Wow thanks for all the tips ..what do you mean by "home turf"

Local cms - especially coordinator .

Not 'all' local cms I hasten to add - just incase anyone out there knows 'who I am' .