JCrakers
30-08-2012, 08:45 AM
I decided to write a complaint letter as I'm trying to become validated to receive the 15hrs funding. I feel better now I've sent it and had a reply to say they will reply by 3 weeks. Whether it will make any difference to future childminders in my area going through the process I don't know but at least I've put my views forward. :rolleyes:
Dear xx,
I have been childminding for 5yrs and in that time i have received 2 'Goods' from Ofsted. After a parent asked if I would continue caring for her 3yr old because she was so happy with the care I provide I thought I would go through the validation process.
I started the process in January 2012 but after looking at the business plan which was aimed at nurseries/preschools I decided it wasn't for me. The parents were extremely disappointed and decided instead of sending their daughter to a preschool that had a poor reputation they would keep their daughter with me and lose the funding.
After a few months they realised they couldn't afford to lose money so asked me if I would try again. Now I'm just waiting an inspection and hopefully I will be able to offer them the 15hrs.
Being a childminder I have found the process extremely stressful because as well as working 50hrs a week with 15 children, 6 EY folders to do, 2 children of my own, the new eyfs coming into play next week, i have also had to find time to do what I feel is unnecessary extra paperwork.
The lady who visited to go through the business plan had to do so with 3 children screaming/playing around me. It was also the same when the improvement advisor came to visit. I had to put the children in front of the tv so i could concentrate.The business plan was aimed at an establishment and half of it was not even aimed at me as a childminder. The quality review is also the same. The PFTS course that I am having to do is an hours drive away meaning I'm having to have time off from work, 4 sets of parents are having to finish work early and I'm losing money. The other two courses available are in the day time, again, aimed at nurseries.
A nursery and a preschool has a manager who can take time out away from the children to do necessary paperwork. I feel that's it's very unfair that I am being treated the same as a larger establishment just so I can offer a parent free hours.
What I can't believe is the costs that must be arising for this process to go ahead, a lot of it so unnecessary. With cutbacks being made I don't know why as a childminder I'm having to put together a business plan so I can show how sustainable I am when tomorrow I could close down due to ill health. With children coming and going due to parents jobs how can I say where I'll be in two months, never mind two years.
To be told my paperwork is good but I'm not using the correct forms to me is ridiculous. As long as I'm showing the children making excellent progress does it matter if I'm using one of my own methods? To receive a good report from Ofsted should show I'm doing everything right and also a parent wanting her child to stay with me should also count towards something.
A preschool down the road didn't even put together a proper learning journey for one of my children as she had so many key workers but it is still able to give the free hours to parents. I have change all my paperwork when what I'm doing is good anyway.
The process has been stressful and I think the main reason for this is because I don't see the point to a lot of it. It has also made me doubt myself which is not the outcome I wanted. It seems to me that the most important thing is the paperwork and not the children.
The parents view should also be taken into account and the fact that they are choosing me over a larger setting, their daughter is thriving and they are pleased with that. They cant understand why Im having to go through this process. For the second time I've nearly stopped the process meaning the parent would have to send their daughter to a setting that she doesn't want to. This isn't giving parents a choice.
The process for childminders needs changing, it's too much.
:D
Dear xx,
I have been childminding for 5yrs and in that time i have received 2 'Goods' from Ofsted. After a parent asked if I would continue caring for her 3yr old because she was so happy with the care I provide I thought I would go through the validation process.
I started the process in January 2012 but after looking at the business plan which was aimed at nurseries/preschools I decided it wasn't for me. The parents were extremely disappointed and decided instead of sending their daughter to a preschool that had a poor reputation they would keep their daughter with me and lose the funding.
After a few months they realised they couldn't afford to lose money so asked me if I would try again. Now I'm just waiting an inspection and hopefully I will be able to offer them the 15hrs.
Being a childminder I have found the process extremely stressful because as well as working 50hrs a week with 15 children, 6 EY folders to do, 2 children of my own, the new eyfs coming into play next week, i have also had to find time to do what I feel is unnecessary extra paperwork.
The lady who visited to go through the business plan had to do so with 3 children screaming/playing around me. It was also the same when the improvement advisor came to visit. I had to put the children in front of the tv so i could concentrate.The business plan was aimed at an establishment and half of it was not even aimed at me as a childminder. The quality review is also the same. The PFTS course that I am having to do is an hours drive away meaning I'm having to have time off from work, 4 sets of parents are having to finish work early and I'm losing money. The other two courses available are in the day time, again, aimed at nurseries.
A nursery and a preschool has a manager who can take time out away from the children to do necessary paperwork. I feel that's it's very unfair that I am being treated the same as a larger establishment just so I can offer a parent free hours.
What I can't believe is the costs that must be arising for this process to go ahead, a lot of it so unnecessary. With cutbacks being made I don't know why as a childminder I'm having to put together a business plan so I can show how sustainable I am when tomorrow I could close down due to ill health. With children coming and going due to parents jobs how can I say where I'll be in two months, never mind two years.
To be told my paperwork is good but I'm not using the correct forms to me is ridiculous. As long as I'm showing the children making excellent progress does it matter if I'm using one of my own methods? To receive a good report from Ofsted should show I'm doing everything right and also a parent wanting her child to stay with me should also count towards something.
A preschool down the road didn't even put together a proper learning journey for one of my children as she had so many key workers but it is still able to give the free hours to parents. I have change all my paperwork when what I'm doing is good anyway.
The process has been stressful and I think the main reason for this is because I don't see the point to a lot of it. It has also made me doubt myself which is not the outcome I wanted. It seems to me that the most important thing is the paperwork and not the children.
The parents view should also be taken into account and the fact that they are choosing me over a larger setting, their daughter is thriving and they are pleased with that. They cant understand why Im having to go through this process. For the second time I've nearly stopped the process meaning the parent would have to send their daughter to a setting that she doesn't want to. This isn't giving parents a choice.
The process for childminders needs changing, it's too much.
:D