Am I Mad!!!

**MAWI** · 17-01-2014, 04:59 PM

Hello All

I have not really been on here for quite some time, although I have lurked

I gave up CM in August 2012, but never surrendered my registration. I have had time off for family reasons and then also went to work in a Nursery. I sold all my resources... Absolutely everything!

Well now....I'm Back. Ive decided I miss CM and I am going to start all over again in a few weeks.

My house is so much smaller than my last one. I used to have dedicated extension playroom, huge garden and dining room. I now only have the living room so need to be very creative with space!!

So apologies in advance for all the questions.

**Mouse** · 17-01-2014, 05:10 PM

Hello and welcome back!

I started off childminding in a very small house, but managed. Like you say, you get to be very creative with the space you have.

Knowing what I know now, if I was to go back to the beginning and start all over again, I certainly wouldn't by half of the resources I have bought over the years. In fact, I probably wouldn't buy 80% of it! What I like to do now is scour the carboot sales for resources (not just toys, but all sorts of things like wooden bowls etc), then when the children have finished with them I either sell them on or give them to the charity shop. I have so many fewer resources, but the children certainly don't miss out

**bunyip** · 17-01-2014, 05:22 PM

Hi Mawi

Welcome back.

In answer to the question, yes - you are mad. It's not actually a regulatory requirement, it just goes with the job.

**MAWI** · 17-01-2014, 05:23 PM

I like your thinking Mouse. I think that's how I will have to play it. I'm not filling walls with posters or pictures either! Will mAke picture books for children to select different toys too I think as I can't have them all out at once.

I want to use Wicker baskets instead of Plastic ones this time around. How does that go down with Ofsted because they are not clear? Anyone know.

**MAWI** · 17-01-2014, 05:24 PM

OHHH you have a like Button now just like FB. Mucho excited by that (it doesn't take much)

Your are right Bunyip...it helps to be Mad.

**Mouse** · 17-01-2014, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by MAWI

I like your thinking Mouse. I think that's how I will have to play it. I'm not filling walls with posters or pictures either! Will mAke picture books for children to select different toys too I think as I can't have them all out at once.

I want to use Wicker baskets instead of Plastic ones this time around. How does that go down with Ofsted because they are not clear? Anyone know.

I don't have any plastic boxes. Mine are all wicker or fabric. They don't have lids on and are on low level shelves so the children can see what's in them. Apart from that, they soon get to know what's in each box. I don't think Ofsted give children enough credit for being able to remember what's in which box

**bunyip** · 17-01-2014, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mouse

I don't have any plastic boxes. Mine are all wicker or fabric. They don't have lids on and are on low level shelves so the children can see what's in them. Apart from that, they soon get to know what's in each box. I don't think Ofsted give children enough credit for being able to remember what's in which box

One night I'm planning to break into Ofsted HQ just to see if all the office drawers and cabinets are labelled with little pictures of pencils, paper clips, scissors (blunt-ended ones, of course), etc.

Wanna join..........?

**Mouse** · 17-01-2014, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by bunyip

One night I'm planning to break into Ofsted HQ just to see if all the office drawers and cabinets are labelled with little pictures of pencils, paper clips, scissors (blunt-ended ones, of course), etc.

Wanna join..........?

And check if they all have individual handtowels in the bathroom

Count me in

**bunyip** · 17-01-2014, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mouse

And check if they all have individual handtowels in the bathroom

Count me in

We could fill the staff car park with windmills...............

(Btw, I loved your post on that subject this week. You were spot on and I too am sick of CMs taking such suggestions out of context.)

**Mouse** · 17-01-2014, 09:06 PM

Now I will admit that I do have windmills in my garden.

But I had them long before they became Ofsted's latest 'must have'. I'm tempted to get rid of them now out of sheer pig-headedness and a desire not to conform

**MAWI** · 17-01-2014, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mouse

Now I will admit that I do have windmills in my garden.

But I had them long before they became Ofsted's latest 'must have'. I'm tempted to get rid of them now out of sheer pig-headedness and a desire not to conform

Windmills??? I've been out the loop too long. What have I missed. I take it this is something new OFSTED suggest is a must have, lol.

**tigwig** · 17-01-2014, 10:39 PM

Lol this thread is hilarious! ! Im in with the breaking into ofsted

**tigwig** · 17-01-2014, 10:40 PM

Sorry forgot to say welcome to MAWI!

**Maza** · 18-01-2014, 08:22 AM

Welcome Mawi.
Now, back to windmills. I actually refuse to have them because I want my garden to be natural in terms of colours and materials - I have enough bold coloured plastic stuff everywhere else.

Whicker baskets sound lovely Mawi and in my opinion are a lot calmer on the eye than see through plastic boxes. As long as your toys are age appropriate and organised in a way that allows the children to self select then Ofsted will give you credit for it.

I don't have a playroom either. My certificates are kept in my file and I just have my files open on a table next to the register - so yes, they are on display for all parents to see but they are not on he wall. Ofsted were fine with this. x

**bunyip** · 20-01-2014, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Mouse

Now I will admit that I do have windmills in my garden.

But I had them long before they became Ofsted's latest 'must have'. I'm tempted to get rid of them now out of sheer pig-headedness and a desire not to conform

I had windmills in my garden a few weeks ago. Then came the storms and I suspect they're now somewhere in the next street.

Oh well, if Ofsted turn up asking about windmills, I'll just have to explain. Anyway, I can tell them we generate all our electricity by giving the lo's a run on the treadmill for a few hours.

**jackie 7** · 20-01-2014, 09:27 AM

Now I have just had a cunning plan. We should all sent e t a windmill. Just to prepare her in case ofsted visit her as she works in early years.

**bunyip** · 20-01-2014, 09:41 AM

Now, if Ofsted saw this Children's favourite Windy Miller is drunk on Camberwick Green (no spoof) - YouTube maybe they'd just put the whole windmill thing to bed.

**FloraDora** · 20-01-2014, 12:11 PM

In the process of re thinking my 'print in the environment' situation:
not sure whether to use the Scottish or Irish spelling of Whisky on the drinks cupboard as I have ancestors in both.

**Mouse** · 20-01-2014, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by FloraDora

In the process of re thinking my 'print in the environment' situation:
not sure whether to use the Scottish or Irish spelling of Whisky on the drinks cupboard as I have ancestors in both.

**mama2three** · 20-01-2014, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by FloraDora

In the process of re thinking my 'print in the environment' situation:
not sure whether to use the Scottish or Irish spelling of Whisky on the drinks cupboard as I have ancestors in both.

If you insist on having ancestors in your cupboards , Im not sure , but they probably need a dbs check !