FIRST OFSTED INSPECTION NEXT WEEK!!

[kellyskidz!]

Hi, I am totally new to this forum and new to Childminding (started in September this year). I have my first Ofsted inspection next week and any advice would be a huge help! I worked in a nursery setting for serveral years and was never in work when Ofsted came to call, (I thought this was a good thing at the time but now I wish I'd seen an inspection being carried out!) so I am totally clueless. Thanks in advance for any advice, Kelly xx

[kaykaymoo]

Hi well you are not alone, ive just had my call today too for my first one next week either mon, tues or wed!! aggghhh!! ive only been minding since June, feel so un prepared, lets hope some of the lovely childminders on here can give us some help, good luck with yours hun

[FussyElmo]

Concentrate on your children - first and foremost.

Have your paperwork in a box, on a table so you dont have to go and fetch anything.

Remember they are not there to catch you out.

Be yourself and do what you would normally do - nothing like a little person to drop you in it

[*Katrina*]

It will be fine, had my first one last week. The inspector was quite chatty, looked through all my paperwork.
She asked me to do an "on the spot" Observation, Assessment and plan Next Steps on an activity a child was doing whilst she was present. But that was ok too, a child was playing with a shape sorter so I said "X is playing with the shape sorter, attempting to fit in the shapes and it naming and counting some of them" which links to Maths, UW and C&L, next steps would be to provide more resources such as peg puzzle boards for fitting pieces in and out and to start learning names of the other shapes.
I agree to follow your usual routine and make sure each child has equal attention - my daughter decided to tantrum for more or less the whole time she was here and so a lot of my attention was on her, making sure she wasn't hurting herself (headbangs) or others (she does lash out occasionally) which in turn meant my mindee wasn't getting equal attention and the inspector picked up on this and has said in my report it will mention that I need to make sure I meet the emotional needs of all the children.

[faerielies]

just got the call that it will be before xmas! i'm soooo scared, i hate things like this, i'll be okay as long as i'm not question about everything, i've been working since sept and am getting to grips with the eyfs but i need it with me and i def am not good at thinking stuff up on the spot like you Katrina. fingers crossed i get the nice one from my first inspection, she knows what my dizzy brain is like ha ha x

[Shireoaks]

I was registered in June, but only started in September - i feel so unprepared, and i too - don't know the EYFS fully. I hate being put on the spot. Just going to concentrate on the next few evenings making sure everything is in check. Then away at the weekend. I'm hoping they come Monday when i only have an 11 month old here, if they come Tuesday or Wednesday then i'll have the 11 month old & a 2.5 year old. Ive plans in place for friends to take my 22 month old Daughter - so she isn't wanting my attention.

[helena_j]

I agree with advice given, stay calm almost imagine its a play date lol. Be honest, prepare paperwork make sure children have plenty to keep them organised I made sure my 2 3 year olds had a new activity to do meant I could answer questions easier when they were engaged in something new and think she enjoyed observing it as much as me!
Ask questions if you need to and just be you. It's honestly not as bad as you think. I had mine yesterday!

[kellyskidz!]

So sorry i havent replied, wasnt getting notifications
Went well, the inspector was so lovely and said to ignore her and pretend she wasnt there! Asked q's about eyfs and how I communicated with parents etc.
I got a 'Good' grade so im so chuffed!! Hope every1 else's goes well too *fingers crossed for you all* xxxxx

[cathtee]

well done, you can relax now that's over