Is it harder now?

[MessybutHappy]

It may still be too soon to tell, but do people think it's harder to get "outstanding" now than pre EYFS 2012? Or it's it just a bit different? Kinda like comparing o-levels and gcse's?!

[lubanana]

Been minding since 2001, got good with outstanding aspects for the last 2 inspection cycles, got outstanding this time. Maybe because I had less children on roll (still 9 all under 5), different inspector, a good day?? Who knows, but I felt that as long as I really knew my children well,(I do) their interests and where they were (EYFS) and worked with the parents and others, (preschools, speech and language therapists, early years action protocol, etc) this inspector listened to me, asked lots of questions, but I do now know my stuff.
She was not looking at reams of the useless paperwork our early years advisirs require, i.e fridge temps, monitoring equality and diversity resources - something I heard last week as a requirement ;o) - toy cleaning rotas etc.
Perhaps armed with rescue remedy and I was very relaxed, the day went very well.
I had decided that after my last inspection, the fact that they only darken our doors once every 4 years or so, means very little to any of my current parents, all who have come through word of mouth and recommendations from others.
No - one has asked to see any ofsted report for years!
Therefore, the outstanding result I got a few weeks ago means less to me now than if I had got it 4 years ago!
As the childminding world around us is facing massive changes who knows what the next few years may bring.
My ofsted reg no is EY278186 if you want to look at the report.
Lu

[MessybutHappy]

Firstly, congratulations! I wonder if you are alone in feeling like this. whilst I was registering I thought the inspection grade was the be all and end all, but now I have parents who signed me up with no experience and no grade, I'm not so sure!

[thills]

Congratulations! X

[jo.jo76]

That's an amazing report lubanana, well done x

[Ripeberry]

I had an outstanding grade at my first inspection. Does make any difference. Parents want you for who you are and where you live (not too far to travel). This time I don't care what I get as I concentrate on the children and the parents.
And as the other poster said. It could all change again in September and it won't matter.

[bunyip]

I've a gut feeling it may be harder now. CMs I know who've been inspected since last September have all reported their grades were held down by inspectors citing very picking little points that aren't even stipulated as requirements. They seem to be looking at CM settings as if they were mini-nurseries, rather than a home-from-home. (eg. labelling toy boxes, fridge, etc.) They also seem to listen less to CMs (eg. CM marked down for not displaying photos of children - wouldn't accept CM's explanation that the parents refused photo consent.)

I think I was lucky to get outstanding. A lot of inspectors have already made a judgement before they set foot in the house on a first inspection. I've a feeling there's a point at which a CM is going to get 'good' but will only get 'outstanding' if the right inspector turns up.

TBH, I don't know why the grades are necessary. A 1/2 day inspetion every 3-4 years can only provide a snapshot. I think you're either good enough or else you get actions to fulfil, and that's all they ought to do. When you take a driving test it's either 'pass' or 'fail'.

[Samcat]

I can't compare as I've only been inspected recently under the revised EYFS. Interestingly though, yesterday I was on an LA seminar and one of the workshops was run by an Ofsted inspector. The workshop had nothing to do with inspections, but naturally, we got side-tracked on to asking her questions about them. She came from a childcare background, including 9 years as a CM and was shocked at some of the comments that had come out during the day about people's experiences of inspections and inspectors.
She was asked is it harder now to get good and outstanding and said yes. She recommended using the Inspector's Evaluation Schedule to help write your SEF (I'd done this), as these are the criteria inspectors use to set the grades and there are a lot less of them than they used to be. She said she'd need to see that someone had met, for example all 6 criteria to get a good in the particular section, if they met only 3, then it would be a satisfactory. She said she personally hadn't given an outstanding since September - but not for the want of trying and had noticed that a proportion of those she had gone to had been graded good in their previous inspection, but under the new criteria were satisfactory.

[shortstuff]

Thanks samcat. Thats brill info n i will have a good read. :-)

[Kirstylob]

I agree with Ripeberry. Every time my inspection is due I worry and stress for months about how it will go, have I done everything right etc. Then I give myself a good talking to and tell myself that what is actually important is that all the children are happy and thriving and the parents are happy with what I am doing, they are who I have to impress not Ofsted. I then still worry and stress but I know the families that I care for are more important than an Ofsted grade.

[childminder54]

I had my inspection about a month ago and was told the same thing. It's harder know people who had good are getting satisfaction.