CM Club: Do I go to the 'Awards' lunch?

[Katymac]

It's OFSTED; It's in London; It's in a fortnight

Cons

It's on a work day

It will cost me train fare plus wages for someone to replace me at work

I'd have to call in favours from my colleagues

Pros

It's a day off work

I get to go to London & I could go to Forbidden Planet If I can remember where it is)

I get a free lunch

It's a pat on the back

so do I go?

Go

You deserve the plaudits

Is it for all Outstanding CMS from last year?

08/09

But trains cost money......so do books

& it's January

... and it's full! I got a letter too, but I didn't even get as far as trying to reserve a place when a fellow CM told me it was full up the day after the letters went out. Ours were delayed by the snow, so no chance. Not much of a pat on the back - poor planning by OFSTED I think.

Umm - if I ring up on Monday & there aren't any places I feel a formal complaint coming on.

They know how many people got Outstanding FGS

I do like a good formal complaint

Oh goodie, another Ofsted complaint!

Hope you manage to go, seems a bit of a tease to invite then say it's full

I went to one once. I just wanted to have a nosey at all the other people who were outstanding. It wasn't just childminders, but nurseries, schools, etc. It was a standing up buffet lunch. It cost be a fortune in a day off work, train fares, etc. Didn't go to the next one I was invited to. Would I go if I was invited again? Maybe .....

You don't have to wait for Monday - you can do it online - or rather you can't. You could then have the whole weekend to compose a really impressive complaint!

Was going to start the complaint anyway

I got invited,v hacked off they don't pay for travel as it excludes those who can't afford(me) to go.

Basically it's just a pat on the back for the well heeled near London. They should have done one for each region.

Yey - London, Sheffield & Manchester

Gulp they are all a very long way away

I've been invited to go to the lunch as I got an outstanding last February but there is no way I can afford to take the day off work and any way what do ofsted think the parents will do with the children on that day if I'm unable to work? Its ridicules that its during the day and not at the weekend or even early evening so I could work for most of the day and finish eary

Ad in a massive journey 120-200 miles & you see how daft they are

I was also invited and worked out it would cost me £200 in lost revenue and then £20 in travel expenses. Decided I wasn't going and gave myself a big pat on the back instead.

Silly isn't it

When I went, I told every official I met what a silly idea it was for Childminders and no reward at all!

I have to be honest.....I did too

Mind you I feel that way about a CAF everyone else round the table is being paid & muggins here gets shafted - not only am I not being paid but it costs me