uf353432
15-03-2012, 08:40 PM
I had my 1st annual quality audit as an accredited child minder which amounted to something akin to a full Ofsted inspection. It lasted 3 1/2 hours and thursday is my busiest day as I work with a variation to have 4 under 4 with 3 accredited within than number. It was certainly a good refresher for my next inspection - but my god as soon as she left I admit I had to give the kids 20mins TV time so that I could just chill out - as soon as she went the stress that I had accumulated over the past few weeks, coupled with the stress of the audit just hit me and I felt physically sick from it all.
I will never ever ever again feel guilty that as a childminder I get paid to play in the park on hot summers days, or down on the beach or in the woods having a pinic because I think we NEED lots of days like this to offset the very stressful days like today. Even though I know my stuff, am proud of my setting and have excellant continuous provision its so hard when people come and audit or inspect you not to take it personally - because the buck stops with you and the responsibility and any gaps or holes are a reflection of you. Its hard not to take it personally, i'm a person who shys away from confrontation. I will always be grateful to the parent who on picking up here child this afternoon, wrapped up a bottle of wine in time for the school run and a note to say 'congratulations on your outstanding audit' because I so needed wine tonight.
My audit went really really well - I was awarded the highest level they could offer, that is a practitioner who can work independently and can mentor others - and reflects that I am working at an outstanding level. I was thrilled and its so wonderful to have your practice validated.
I work very closely with the preschool in our village, they were Audited last year and got the same outcome - it was very important to me to achieve the same level as I sell myself as offering a parallel service with the preschool where parents can share their care between me and the preschool and we work in partnership together. It would have been a really tough sell if I had not done as well and they had already laid down he gauntlet by doing so well - which was richly deserved. So now I can hold my head up very high indeed and feel fabulous knowing that professionally our local village is absolutely the best place for childcare in our local area.
I am so proud to be a child minder today. We really rock!
I will never ever ever again feel guilty that as a childminder I get paid to play in the park on hot summers days, or down on the beach or in the woods having a pinic because I think we NEED lots of days like this to offset the very stressful days like today. Even though I know my stuff, am proud of my setting and have excellant continuous provision its so hard when people come and audit or inspect you not to take it personally - because the buck stops with you and the responsibility and any gaps or holes are a reflection of you. Its hard not to take it personally, i'm a person who shys away from confrontation. I will always be grateful to the parent who on picking up here child this afternoon, wrapped up a bottle of wine in time for the school run and a note to say 'congratulations on your outstanding audit' because I so needed wine tonight.
My audit went really really well - I was awarded the highest level they could offer, that is a practitioner who can work independently and can mentor others - and reflects that I am working at an outstanding level. I was thrilled and its so wonderful to have your practice validated.
I work very closely with the preschool in our village, they were Audited last year and got the same outcome - it was very important to me to achieve the same level as I sell myself as offering a parallel service with the preschool where parents can share their care between me and the preschool and we work in partnership together. It would have been a really tough sell if I had not done as well and they had already laid down he gauntlet by doing so well - which was richly deserved. So now I can hold my head up very high indeed and feel fabulous knowing that professionally our local village is absolutely the best place for childcare in our local area.
I am so proud to be a child minder today. We really rock!