Is it like a test? Is it more to go through your paperwork and systems and inspect your home to offer feedback?

Do they come back and check you have done things before giving you the go ahead?

Any tips on what it involves would be really appeciated.


Thank you :-)

Is it like a test? Is it more to go through your paperwork and systems and inspect your home to offer feedback?

Do they come back and check you have done things before giving you the go ahead?

Any tips on what it involves would be really appeciated.


Thank you :-)

I've just sent you a PM.

They won't come back and check unless you have actions. You should be ok.

My inspector spent 3 hours with me, half an hour of that was looking round the house, the rest asking me questions. Inspectors try and put people at ease so don't get too uptight about the inspection.

Answer the questions in the booklet you got in your Ofsted application pack. You are allowed to refer to them in your inspection but it is difficult to flick through it as you are being asked questions so make sure you can answer them well.
My inspector didn't go to town on my paperwork but did flick through it.

Hope this helps. I've given you more info in my PM :thumbsup:

Have you got the pre-reg booklet from Ofsted?

Ofsted Pre-Registration (http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/freeresources/Free%20downloads/ofstedpreregistration.html)

I am sure it will all go well! Don't forget feedback for our members :D

Had mine a week ago, she went through the booklet and asked a few other questions, but nothing I did not know from CYPOP5, she looked at the policies I had done (but this was not essential), briefly flicked through my risk assessments (this WAS essential), had a tour if my house (I took my risk assessment with me and made notes of anything she commented on), I showed her my portfolio (certificates of training, CRBs, references, CV and other qualifications not directly related to childcare but showing I have a functioning brain), showed her all my books, toys and equipment.

The only slight issue I had was that my medicines policy wasn't up to date with recent Ofsted guidelines - it passed CYPOP5 in Dec though! I have to amend it to remove any form of 'blanket' permission for pain relief (Calpol/Nurofen).

I had NOT done absolutely everything, had not completed all my policies etc, still had some equipment left to buy and some low-risk things flagged up on my risk assessment BUT I had a huge whiteboard in my kitchen with all of my 'to be done' points listed. She picked me up on a few things, but she could see that I was aware of them and working through a (massive) list of action points. NB: I'm not starting until after half term, so she was confident I'd be ready. Might be a risky plan if you are starting ASAP though.

Make yourself a list of last minute action points to do on the morning/last minute, in my case: empty bins, flush and clean loos, check fridge is clean and food stored properly, medication stored out of reach, no razors left out in bathroom, morning dog poops picked up in garden and Hubbie hadn't left last nights beer bottle outside the back door (!) If you have partner and kids, basically anything they might do or leave out without your knowledge!

GOOD LUCK! :-D

just re-read OP...

Yes, it is a kind of test (even though they say it isn't!), but you CAN refer to notes, checklists etc and take your time. In any case, my Mrs O took ages typing my responses onto her laptop. So I was able to look at the answer to the next questions!

As far as I'm aware Ofsted no longer do 'actions' to be done before you start - it's simply a pass or fail and if you fail, you have to re-apply again :-( So the training ALL has to be done (CYPOP5, first aid and basic safeguarding), CRBs through, house and garden have to be safe and you have to be a 'suitable person'.

I had my pre registration visit this morning!
I went really well!
Make sure you stay calm as there really is nothing to worry about!
Insure that you ask for the inspectors I'd and show them the fire escape plan (I had mine on the table) and ask them to sign the visitors book (or explain they can sign it at the end)
The main focus is HOW you are going to do things. So maybe some observation templates and insure you understand the development matters documents and safe guarding requirements! I suggest reading through the documents and highlighting as if you were revising at school! I did this and found it SO helpful!
Insure the room you are childminding from is safe and you either have a plan of the toys you want to have which link across the ages- insure that they are assessable for the children to play with, wires are safe out of the way, plug sockets covered, rugs not tripping hazards...
Make sure you read the pre reg questions they help!!! I got about 5 of the common questions and had revised the responses!
Re-read your policies and ncma policies too! Read the statutory frame work and just be yourself, be enthusiastic and insure you use the correct terminology such as "children" not "kids" etc.
I would suggest you give examples of medical folders too as she asked to see these.
Be aware of the prime areas and sespific areas , signs of abuse and basic safeguarding such as what do to if you think a child is being abused.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!