How to get an outstanding

**Happy Bunny** · 06-11-2010, 06:31 PM

I was graded Good on my last inspection.
What do i need to do to get an outstanding.

**sweets** · 06-11-2010, 06:46 PM

you have to lick the inspectors feet, do a triple standing somersault, beg, cry and have so much daft mindless paperwork that you will have to build an extension to house it all.

**rickysmiths** · 06-11-2010, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by sweets

you have to lick the inspectors feet, do a triple standing somersault, beg, cry and have so much daft mindless paperwork that you will have to build an extension to house it all.

**sarah707** · 06-11-2010, 07:56 PM

You need to show you do more than good!

From the day of one inspection to the day of the next put together a file of evidence (you can follow the SEF sections if you find it works for you) showing how you have improved all areas of your provision.

So if you have made changes to your garden, take before and after photos and note how the changes have benefited the children.

If you have bought new resources, note what they are and why you bought them - to meet a child's interests for example.

Plus obviously your paperwork needs to be spot on ... if you get a picky inspector they will look at it very closely.

Hth

**Happy Bunny** · 06-11-2010, 08:53 PM

I know i have made man improvements since my last inspection.
Attended more training, currently doing the homebased diploma.
If i can improve my paperwork i want to know how lol (have had good feedback from other childminders and co-ordinator)
I have thoroughly improved how i do my planning to enhance the children's learning.( me definetly kissing ****)
If i have to kiss their feet, jump through hoops, i will LOL LOL LOL
I strive for perfection though continually doubt myself.

**Winnie** · 06-11-2010, 09:35 PM

Have you read the Ofsted booklet -Childminding: a passion to be outstanding.

Its difficult to say why an inspector thinks someone is providing an outstanding service, but i remember someone saying the service 'stands out', i've also heard that some inspectors say they can tell within seconds of walking through the door... so it can not all be down to brilliant paperwork

Just keep working towards improving overal and keep evidence such as up-dating your SEF.
Its very important you look at the limiting judgements and be certain everything is in place to cover that. Everything else is icing on the cake and thats where the os comes in i guess.

**solly** · 06-11-2010, 10:22 PM

I like you would love to get an outstanding and my inspection is due very soon especially after the malicious complaints i have had this year.

I was updating my sef and i asked my DH should i put myself as satisfactory, good or outstanding and he said i should put outstanding on all of them, if the inspector questions this i should say this is what my parents think of me as they have all written letters about how good i am and it is for her to prove otherwise.

**Playmate** · 06-11-2010, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Winnie

Have you read the Ofsted booklet -Childminding: a passion to be outstanding.

Its difficult to say why an inspector thinks someone is providing an outstanding service, but i remember someone saying the service 'stands out', i've also heard that some inspectors say they can tell within seconds of walking through the door... so it can not all be down to brilliant paperwork

Just keep working towards improving overal and keep evidence such as up-dating your SEF.
Its very important you look at the limiting judgements and be certain everything is in place to cover that. Everything else is icing on the cake and thats where the os comes in i guess.

Our inspectors told us back in March, that they new within minutes of walking through our front door.They gave up looking at our paper work very quickly and just played with the children and us. I have to be honest it does help to think, eat and sleep childminding 24/7,

but thats not what everyone wants to do (which is understandable). Just do everything the best you can and give 101%.Good luck

**Playmate** · 06-11-2010, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by solly

I like you would love to get an outstanding and my inspection is due very soon especially after the malicious complaints i have had this year.

I was updating my sef and i asked my DH should i put myself as satisfactory, good or outstanding and he said i should put outstanding on all of them, if the inspector questions this i should say this is what my parents think of me as they have all written letters about how good i am and it is for her to prove otherwise.

If you believe you are outstanding then grade yourself to reflect this. you can't expect others to see you as anything else if you don't believe you are

**IndigoMoon** · 07-11-2010, 10:05 AM

My inspector said she knew as soon as she walked through the door.

I lived, ate, dreamt and breathed childminding for 9 long months beforehand and still do now. To get an Outstanding, in the words of my inspector, you have to be outstanding...

(and be able to blow your own trumpet!

)

**cazbet** · 07-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Thank you Sarah I received my assistant's ebook it is really helpful as I am looking to expand my setting. Gosh along with all the children's paperwork there is a lot. Thank you for the platform to start me on the right track.

Caroline

**sarah707** · 07-11-2010, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by cazbet

Thank you Sarah I received my assistant's ebook it is really helpful as I am looking to expand my setting. Gosh along with all the children's paperwork there is a lot. Thank you for the platform to start me on the right track.

Caroline

You are very welcome I am pleased it arrived safely.

If you need any further information you know where to find me

**catswhiskers** · 07-11-2010, 03:35 PM

Regarding NVQs and diplomas etc. I was told at my last inspection that these are not yet mandatory for childminders so have no bearing on your inspection grade.

I think it just depends on what inspector you get at the end of the day. Some are a lot more laid-back about paperwork, but hot on other things and vice versa.

**miffy** · 07-11-2010, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by sweets

you have to lick the inspectors feet, do a triple standing somersault, beg, cry and have so much daft mindless paperwork that you will have to build an extension to house it all.

Oh, if only it was that easy!

I definitely think confidence in yourself and what you are doing helps but it's still such a lottery - what one inspector thinks is fantastic another will not be bothered about.

Miffy xx

TheBTeam · 07-11-2010, 08:43 PM

I simply can not answer this question, cos i know of a few childminders with it and to be honest very few of them really are outstanding, some of them i would say are outstanding at mocking things up in the few weeks they reclused before the inspection and others are about the same as me, and i in all honesty would say I am good, because i do not live and breath just for childminding.

I care for the children, do all the paperwork, have a good variety of activities and outings and the children love it and have fun, but that is it, i am still pleased when the last one goes home and I can live my life!

**sweets** · 07-11-2010, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by TheBTeam

I simply can not answer this question, cos i know of a few childminders with it and to be honest very few of them really are outstanding, some of them i would say are outstanding at mocking things up in the few weeks they reclused before the inspection and others are about the same as me, and i in all honesty would say I am good, because i do not live and breath just for childminding.

I care for the children, do all the paperwork, have a good variety of activities and outings and the children love it and have fun, but that is it, i am still pleased when the last one goes home and I can live my life!

couldn't have put it better.

i got a good and am completely happy in the amount of paperwork i do. i know of couple of outstanding minders that i dont think should be! but they got it through paperwork.

**charlie potato** · 07-11-2010, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by sarah707

You need to show you do more than good!

From the day of one inspection to the day of the next put together a file of evidence (you can follow the SEF sections if you find it works for you) showing how you have improved all areas of your provision.

So if you have made changes to your garden, take before and after photos and note how the changes have benefited the children.

If you have bought new resources, note what they are and why you bought them - to meet a child's interests for example.

Plus obviously your paperwork needs to be spot on ... if you get a picky inspector they will look at it very closely.

Hth

thanks for that. xx

TheBTeam · 07-11-2010, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by sweets

couldn't have put it better.

i got a good and am completely happy in the amount of paperwork i do. i know of couple of outstanding minders that i dont think should be! but they got it through paperwork.

It is a bit ironic, cos most of my outstanding childminder friends have taken most of their paperwork from mine and my research and reading to get theirs! And they all freely say my paperwork is better than theirs and always more up to date!

My three years was up in July so could be anytime!

**sweets** · 07-11-2010, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by TheBTeam

It is a bit ironic, cos most of my outstanding childminder friends have taken most of their paperwork from mine and my research and reading to get theirs! And they all freely say my paperwork is better than theirs and always more up to date!

My three years was up in July so could be anytime!

ooh good luck then

ive about a year to go for my next one and to be honest yes it would be nice to get outstanding but i am certainly not trying for it, as part of me thinks if i got it then the pressure would always be on keep it up and it would be disapointing not to get it the next time round lol. tho i wouldnt get it anyway as my paperwork is always kept to a minimum as im not remotly interested in it and neither are the parents of mindees. I dont mind doing the learning journeys as they are a nice keepsake for the children but the rest of it is a complete waste of time.

TheBTeam · 07-11-2010, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by sweets

ooh good luck then

ive about a year to go for my next one and to be honest yes it would be nice to get outstanding but i am certainly not trying for it, as part of me thinks if i got it then the pressure would always be on keep it up and it would be disapointing not to get it the next time round lol. tho i wouldnt get it anyway as my paperwork is always kept to a minimum as im not remotly interested in it and neither are the parents of mindees. I dont mind doing the learning journeys as they are a nice keepsake for the children but the rest of it is a complete waste of time.

Same here, I would be pleased I suppose to get an outstanding, but dont really want the pressure to try and keep it, (as long as i dont drop to satisfactory) then i will happily stay with a good, cos i dont think it matters to most people, they decide if they like us and what we offer and thats it!