Childminders - can this possibly be right (Ofsted)

[Littlefish]

My dd's wonderful childminder has just had an Ofsted visit. She was graded "good" in all areas and the only improvements which the inspector said she could make was to change three words in a policy. The bit I'm seething about is that the Ofsted inspector said that she couldn't get an "outstanding" unless she was a "nursery setting" who provided full session by session planning for each child in her care".

My childminder quite rightly said that she plans for each child, in a flexible way, depending on their interests, mood, health etc.

The inspector seems to have completely missed the point that parents make a choice to use childminders so their children can remain in a home and family environment. For those who want to choose a nursery, then that's great, but why on earth should childminders not be able to get an outstanding grade, but nurseries can.

Please come and tell me that the inspector is talking crap!

Er yes that's rubbish of course we can get Outstanding. Hope she's going to complain.

I have said that she needs to complain and she did acknowledge that there seems to be a discrepancy between ofsted inspectors.

yes of course childmnders can get outstanding, however i know my inspector wanted to see short , medium and long term planning, maybe thats what they meant.

ofsted Inspectors!!!!!!!

Not one seems o have the same agenda as another.

In all my dealings with Ofsted, I have never had a straight answer or a decision that has been the same as anybody else's.

i had a Inspector who said that she would never give a outstanding as everybody has to strive for something, (This was after a 3 day accredited Inspection) and another who gave one after a 1 1/ hour Inspection where she never got of the sofa, didn't look around the house, just went by what I said!

I am....twice now

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I agree Shoshe that there just doesn't seem to be a consistent message from inspectors. They each have their own particular strategies or approach that they like to see implemented.

Katymac - I was sure I had read a thread where you got an outstanding, which is why I wanted to check. I think that my childminder is outstanding - I'm a former EY teacher (both nursery and Reception), and am familiar with the EYFS in its entirety and so, know what I'm looking for.

SillyMilly'smummy - that's interesting about the planning. If that's what she meant, then fair enough, but it's not what she said. She definitely said that she would only give outstanding grades to a nursery settings, not childminders.

I'm in the process of appealing against my recent inspection, detailed on a previous thread. Ofsted inspectors are a law unto themselves and they don't all seem to sing from the same hymn book .

As a parent, why don't you contact Ofsted yourself with your views - obviously let your cm know first. I spoke to a rep from NCMA last night - about a different subject - and she said she wished more cms would appeal against overall judgements. If I was your sm I would appeal.

cm

I am not a CM and have not so far needed one for my dcs but do know many CM. Hats off to them! When they tell me what they are going throught with OFSTED inspections I am very often speachless (and believe me it is quite an achievement to shut me up!).

One even decided to stop CMing because of all the new rules, after nearly 20 years doing it! what a loss!

I agree with you OP, they have completely missed the point!

Thanks underpaid - I think I will look into it myself. I'm glad you're appealing.

I have an outstanding grade in all areas and am a CM - if I was your CM I would appeal the decision.