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lauren1979
26-07-2011, 08:08 PM
Do you all do paper LJ or do some do digital type ones?

Just printing out all the pics to stick in the scrapbook style LJ which i have been using up to now and thought it would save time/print costs etc if I could just do it all on the PC and mail the parents a copy every few months. Would this be acceptable for Ofsted purposes?

Also, when you have filled a scrapbook style LJ what do you do with it? Keep or give to parents?

Thank you!

mushpea
27-07-2011, 06:00 AM
i'm not sure if its acceptable or not but its a brilliant idea although i dont think I would email but prehaps but it all on a disc then when ofsted comes you can show them the disc , less paperwork, less ink and you could give to copys for the parents when the child leaves, 1 for them and 1 for their new setting,, wow I really like that idea
oohh somone tell us if ofsted would accept this??

Penny1959
27-07-2011, 06:28 AM
I currently do both - I do on computer and each child has own folder with all their LJ stuff in - I take pictures of art work and wow notes and include.

I then print out and put paper copies in file.

I am thinking about doing away with the paper ones because the paper and ink costs alot and as have 8 mindees on my books- it also takes quite a lot of time to print and file - plus takes up room in the house.

I have decided to ask the parents which they would like - and I will be emailing (with permission from all parents that is now in place) up dated pages each week - plus doing the whole thing on a disc when they leave.

If parents decide they would prefer a paper copy I will continue to do so.


Penny :)

singlewiththree
27-07-2011, 06:38 AM
My problem is one of my parents doesn't have a computer so I give all the other parents a CD each term with photographs on and I have to print this families out as I go along and put them in the daily diary. I didn't know the first term but she did managed to view them at a friends.

I love everything on computer but I'm reluctant to put a LJ on it as I feel the little ones like to be a part of talking it through with parents and they can't do that as well onscreen.

Chimps Childminding
27-07-2011, 07:42 AM
June and I have been looking into the possibility of putting each chid's LJ/Profile on a memory stick (one per child). We will take photos of any arts/crafts they do and put these on too (originals taken home by child). We too are finding that we are spending a fortune on ink/pogo papers :eek: We know one parent doesn't have a computer so will carry on doing a paper copy for them!

We did ask on a recent course we went to (about Learning Journeys) what the lady who run the course thought Oftsed would think about it, and she couldn't see why there would be a problem! We could let them look at one of the LJ's/Profiles on the computer when they come to do inspection, and as long as parents were happy she thought it would be ok!

Still just an idea at present :rolleyes:

mushpea
27-07-2011, 07:52 AM
I have emailed ofsted about it to see what they say and will let you know if and when i get a reply

i like the idea of putting it all on a memory stick but not sure how parents would feel,, as a parent I would probably like it in a folder so I can sit and look through it with my child but then again this is the age of technology and the children would probably like looking at it all on computer just as much,, having said that at the end of their time its nice handing over the folder not sure it it would look so nice handing over a memory stick but having said all that their learning journeys could be on the stick but their daily diarys could still be on paper (i use a5 books) and as i wouldnt be printing out loads of pics for the LJ I could afford to put more pics in the diarys making them nicer .

mushpea
27-07-2011, 07:55 AM
can I ask those that do use memory sticks what amount of gb you use ie 4gb

I just found these on amazon and thought they are quite cute
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monkey-Silic...1753188&sr=8-7 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0048WJDEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0048WJDEU">4GB Baby Monkey USB 2.0 High Speed Silicon Flash Memory Drive Disk Stick Pen Support Windows and MacOS Great Gift (4GB PINK)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0048WJDEU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;)

Chimps Childminding
27-07-2011, 08:18 AM
can I ask those that do use memory sticks what amount of gb you use ie 4gb

I just found these on amazon and thought they are quite cute
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monkey-Silicon-Memory-Support-Windows/dp/B0048WJDEU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1311753188&sr=8-7

Love the monkeys!!! One of my concerns is that parents would prefer to have a "hard copy" to look at so still thinking about the stick idea at the moment :rolleyes:

Penny1959
27-07-2011, 10:28 AM
My problem is one of my parents doesn't have a computer so I give all the other parents a CD each term with photographs on and I have to print this families out as I go along and put them in the daily diary. I didn't know the first term but she did managed to view them at a friends.

I love everything on computer but I'm reluctant to put a LJ on it as I feel the little ones like to be a part of talking it through with parents and they can't do that as well onscreen.

That is a good point - however with my new format of a 'What we did sheet' and the days photo's printed and displayed at end of day - the children talk about them then with parents. They can also veiw and discuss with parents and other family members via the computer screen.
Some of my mindees grandparents live a long way from then and so the email / disc LJ means it can be shared with them as well

Penny :)

jaja
27-07-2011, 10:51 AM
I used to print and stick and it took forever, i have been doing powerpoint, adding pictures, wow moments, music to some and stars and basically decorating it, the parents love it, i did ask first though, one mum is sending a copy home to russia so it shows i am working with parents, my do loved it as said my observations are also covered in it as it is very imformative but i still do obs on a different printed sheets, i send a disc home 2 times a year and then parents also have a hard copy of the pictures of there kids...

It works for me and my setting and takes alot less time, paper, ink, and glue, give it a go and have fun, the comptutor can make it look lovely xxxx

mushpea
27-07-2011, 11:34 AM
just a thought but how do those of you who use memory sticks stop the parents from putting the images of the children on the internet.
say for instance you are at a toddler group or another minders and two children, one your minded child and one somonelses child are building a tower together and you think this is a good observation so you take a picture and put it on the memory stick learning journey,, if those children are freinds and the parent thinks its a nice picture whats to stop them putting that pic on face book,,how do you protect both your minded children and children that are not from your setting in this way?

Penny1959
27-07-2011, 02:07 PM
just a thought but how do those of you who use memory sticks stop the parents from putting the images of the children on the internet.
say for instance you are at a toddler group or another minders and two children, one your minded child and one somonelses child are building a tower together and you think this is a good observation so you take a picture and put it on the memory stick learning journey,, if those children are freinds and the parent thinks its a nice picture whats to stop them putting that pic on face book,,how do you protect both your minded children and children that are not from your setting in this way?

I only put photo's of my own minded children and with full permission of all parents - I do not include images of children at group / parks or even those of my childminding friends mindees, As you are right you have to be very careful. Also first names are used only- to further protect my mindees.
I have been putting photo's on my website and naming children by first name in my newsletter (which is also on website) for over 12 months - and Ofsted were fine about it.

In the example you have given - i would just do a written obs / wow moment and say 'another child at toddlers'

Penny :)

Cammie Doodle
28-07-2011, 07:25 AM
I did'nt think a memory stick would be as good to look through as a folder/ book at home, but rethinking now as most of my children can use the mouse and scroll through the photographs and point out themselves and each other, so Im now thinking maybe it will be nice to sit with Mummy/ Daddy/ etc and relive their experiences on the screen . Sending out a letter soon to ask what Parents would like and follow their wishes..

miffy
28-07-2011, 08:23 AM
can I ask those that do use memory sticks what amount of gb you use ie 4gb

I just found these on amazon and thought they are quite cute
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monkey-Silic...1753188&sr=8-7 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0048WJDEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0048WJDEU">4GB Baby Monkey USB 2.0 High Speed Silicon Flash Memory Drive Disk Stick Pen Support Windows and MacOS Great Gift (4GB PINK)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0048WJDEU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;)

Those are lovely.

I still do books for the children and I love looking back at them - not sure if having it on a computer/memory stick would be the same.

Miffy xx

FussyElmo
28-07-2011, 08:44 AM
If I was sending my children to a cm etc and they presented me with a memory stick I would find this to be very impersonal.

Also what would you do if your computer etc crashed and you couldnt get access to it on your inspection. Or worse you hadnt backed evrything up you could lose the lot.

Also memory sticks are very easy to lose whereas a folder/scrapbook isnt.

Yes it would save me time but Im sticking to the hard copy :thumbsup:

mummyMia
28-07-2011, 04:16 PM
I had a chat just last week with my CDO about filling in paperwork on the computer. She warned me to be very careful because there was a childminder in my area who recently had an inspection and got a satisfactory because the inspector refused to look at anything in electronic format. My CDO did say that this particularly inspector is known for being quite fussy about a lot of things so it may well be that other inspectors would take a different view. I had been planning on doing my LJs electronically but now I am rethinking this:(

Chimps Childminding
28-07-2011, 06:12 PM
I had a chat just last week with my CDO about filling in paperwork on the computer. She warned me to be very careful because there was a childminder in my area who recently had an inspection and got a satisfactory because the inspector refused to look at anything in electronic format. My CDO did say that this particularly inspector is known for being quite fussy about a lot of things so it may well be that other inspectors would take a different view. I had been planning on doing my LJs electronically but now I am rethinking this:(

Think thats a bit unfair :( Ofsted don't tell us how we should do our LJ's so shouldn't really mark down if the way someone chooses to do theirs doesn't suit the inspector:( :angry:

Still undecided, like June said will ask parents what they would prefer!!

Penny1959
28-07-2011, 06:23 PM
Think thats a bit unfair :( Ofsted don't tell us how we should do our LJ's so shouldn't really mark down if the way someone chooses to do theirs doesn't suit the inspector:( :angry:

Still undecided, like June said will ask parents what they would prefer!!

Agree with Carolyn - I would appeal against that - as is an inspectors personal view.

As I have already said like June and Carolyn going to ask parents - and I also have printed evidence for setting available for anyone to view - that is done on a daily basis.

But as with all things I am sure there will be as many for as against and we are lucky that each of us can decide what works for us.

Penny :)

mushpea
28-07-2011, 07:55 PM
thanks for all your views folks but due to the fact I reguarly meet with other childminders and have my own minded children in each others photos I have decided to stick with folders as I dont want to take the risk of someone elses child being put on the internet. plus on relflection I think the folders are nicer and as someone else said more personal and as a parent I would prefer them.