terrydoo73
02-12-2010, 01:10 PM
Has anyone every had any bad experience with Social Services/Ofsted?
I am a childminder in Northern Ireland and recently applied for the position of Leader in a new playgroup. Here in NI the group has to be registered with the local Social Services Board Early Years Panel. I had to go through a "Fit Person" interview when I was slaughtered for 1 1/2 hours asking me questions about various things from what I would do with children with disabilities to how to organise activities that are age appropriate etc.
I was emotionally drained after the interview and came home and cried for about 2 days. It wasn't so much the interview questions but the person I was dealing with - she is responsible for getting the Playgroup Registered etc. When I answered a question she always responded by saying "are you sure, would you not consider, I don't think you, what else can you do or say to make things ...."
After a month I received a phone call to say I had passed the Fit Interview subject to a condition that I undergo training "because you don't realise the massive leap you are making from childcare setting in the home environment to a group childcare setting." I don't dispute that for one minute and am happy to do whatever it takes but it is this particular person's attitude to me - making me feeling like I am an imbecile, totally incapable of doing anything etc etc. At one point in the phone conversation she told me "you are not listening to me". Also she told me "you will not be capable of buying resources until you go and visit other playgroups and see what they have." Then when I asked if I could visit other groups she told me I should not do this until she had another half day with me to give me proper feedback on my interview and where I was going wrong, how I should approach my work and what exactly I need to look for in other groups."
I came off the phone shaking and wanting to cry once more. If this is how she makes me feel now before I start working how will I cope when I am in the position of being Leader? I will be constantly on edge wondering if she will be doing a spot check on me, questioning everything I buy and whether I am capable of undertaking the job at all. Should I really take the offer of employment or just stay where I am?
My hubby said to proceed as wouldn't give her the satisfaction of thinking you weren't made of the right stuff! I really do need to learn how to cope with it all though, perhaps even take some self assertion course or something but nothing will prepare me for this half day she has planned because it will feel like another time to rub my nose in it.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am having real doubts about the whole thing.
I am a childminder in Northern Ireland and recently applied for the position of Leader in a new playgroup. Here in NI the group has to be registered with the local Social Services Board Early Years Panel. I had to go through a "Fit Person" interview when I was slaughtered for 1 1/2 hours asking me questions about various things from what I would do with children with disabilities to how to organise activities that are age appropriate etc.
I was emotionally drained after the interview and came home and cried for about 2 days. It wasn't so much the interview questions but the person I was dealing with - she is responsible for getting the Playgroup Registered etc. When I answered a question she always responded by saying "are you sure, would you not consider, I don't think you, what else can you do or say to make things ...."
After a month I received a phone call to say I had passed the Fit Interview subject to a condition that I undergo training "because you don't realise the massive leap you are making from childcare setting in the home environment to a group childcare setting." I don't dispute that for one minute and am happy to do whatever it takes but it is this particular person's attitude to me - making me feeling like I am an imbecile, totally incapable of doing anything etc etc. At one point in the phone conversation she told me "you are not listening to me". Also she told me "you will not be capable of buying resources until you go and visit other playgroups and see what they have." Then when I asked if I could visit other groups she told me I should not do this until she had another half day with me to give me proper feedback on my interview and where I was going wrong, how I should approach my work and what exactly I need to look for in other groups."
I came off the phone shaking and wanting to cry once more. If this is how she makes me feel now before I start working how will I cope when I am in the position of being Leader? I will be constantly on edge wondering if she will be doing a spot check on me, questioning everything I buy and whether I am capable of undertaking the job at all. Should I really take the offer of employment or just stay where I am?
My hubby said to proceed as wouldn't give her the satisfaction of thinking you weren't made of the right stuff! I really do need to learn how to cope with it all though, perhaps even take some self assertion course or something but nothing will prepare me for this half day she has planned because it will feel like another time to rub my nose in it.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am having real doubts about the whole thing.