Had a call today from Ofsted to remind me I am ue an inspection and that someone will contact me shortly!!

Im feeling sick with nerves as I have so much to sort out as not been minding for that long (although been registered a year!)

Currently I only mind before and after school, so do i still need to show observation sheets etc? I am so confused and really scared im going to be given the lowest grade.

Also will the inspector want to 'inspect' the whole day or just the hours im actually minding (2 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon!)

Sorry if these seem like obvious answers but i just cant think straight!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :panic: :panic:

xx

This may seem like a very silly question but has a very big bearing on how I answer! What are the ages of the children you currently mind?:)

A friend of mine minds after schoolers only and got 5 goods in an inspection a couple of weeks ago...

You need to show some kind of planning / obs etc for children up to the end of their reception year at school.

Even with older ones though I have a photo album of things they have done as evidence that we are busy.

Good luck and don't panic! :D

The more you do whatever the age of the child is always obviously good anyway so do what you can

Good luck im sure you will be ok on the day

Angel xx

Just wanted to say Good Luck :thumbsup:

Emler x

Not in a position to give any advice I'm afraid. Just wanted to say good luck and I'm sure you'll be fine :thumbsup:

A cm friend of mine only does before and after school Ofsted came out did all the paper work then waited in the car writing everythink up until she came from school pick and observed her with the children then.

Plan an activity topical to time of year to keep children occupied and busy, have it all ready come them coming home and an easy snack prepared in advance.

Good luck :thumbsup:

I've nothing to add but just wanted to say Good Luck with your inspection :)

This may seem like a very silly question but has a very big bearing on how I answer! What are the ages of the children you currently mind?:)


They are 5 1/2, in reception class until end of this term.

They arrive at 7am but we leave at 8am for school as its a 20 minute drive - they normally watch a favourite programme until 7:30am then its breakfast.

On the way to school they usually ask for certian songs to be played or we chat!

I pick them up at 3.25pm but takes use until 4pm to get home having to contend with the traffic etc!!

I do have some photos of them playing but havent noted down any obs!
Again its usually only half an hour from when we get back to when we sit down for their evening meal and once thats finished, mum usually turns up 15 minutes later!!

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH - Im doing everything wrong from the sounds of it!!

Firstly...calm down:) easy to say and hard to do I know lol

Like the others have said, get everythign ready so they can literally walk in the door and go to something if they want to. or even get some mini pizza bases and they can make their own tea ready for you to cook when the time comes, or they could decorate biscuits for after their meal or something.

A friend of mine also only does after school and like someoen else said, the inspector came in and did all the paperwork etc before she left for school then she sat in her car and wrote it up and looked through policies etc :)

You'll be fine I'm sure

Good luck!

Like the others have said, get everythign ready so they can literally walk in the door and go to something if they want to. or even get some mini pizza bases and they can make their own tea ready for you to cook when the time comes, or they could decorate biscuits for after their meal or something.







Thats a really good idea, keeps them busy and gets dinner sorted! Good luck you'll be fine.

Just wanted to wish you good luck

miffy xx

Good luck, hope it goes ok.

littletreasures

Good luck....

I am sure you will be fine.

Good Luck. :D

breathe

you'll be fine you've had lots of good activity advice already
you'll be fine

Still not feeling very confident!!

The problem i have is that the girls are used to going to the childminder (im their sixth one since they were born!!) and just playing with whatever they feel like.

We have made pizza on a few occassions but everything else usually has to be prepared/cooked in advance due to the time scale!!

Will i get marked down for just allowing them freeplay? At the nursery i worked at prevously, they NEVER had set activities after school and just came in and chose their own toys/activity!

:panic: :panic: :panic:

My after-schoolers dont have set activities. They are welcome to join in with the lo's but rarely do unless we are just playing outside. They do their homework and then TV or playstation/ Wii. I notice that you dont know when they (O) are coming yet so maybe you could start getting them to do a little bit of activites now - you never know they may be interested in something different to do and take loads of photos. Even getting them to help with the meal, setting the table, clearing up.

I agree. I dont do an activity with my after schoolers every night. Sometimes they are just not interested. I will often leave out what the pre schoolers have been doing but usually goes away as they just want to chill. From reading about OFSTED inspections on here you will usually get another call to give you a firmer idea of when they are coming so I would get them used to doing something and just have a few things up your sleeve for when OFSTED arrive.

My inspection will be unannounced so chances are we may not be doing an activity when the inspector arrives. But I will have loads of photos of what we do and that will have to do.

Now I've come back to this my answer's been given (along with lots of other great bits of advice)!:rolleyes: :D

Thanks everyone. Feel better knowing others of you with after schoolers dont have set activities either. My mindees already clean the table before and after meals as well as help set the table, but i will definately try and incorparate something for after school - if they dont do it at least i can say i tried!

xx

Just want to say Good Luck! XX