Hi.

I'm expecting an inspection soon and I'm worried because of one of my mindees. She is EXTREMELY shy (seeing a SENCO about it) and will definitely not talk while inspector is in my home. She might play, but is unlikely to be fully engaged in any activity, because of the presence of another adult in the house. She is normally a bright, chatty and lovely girl and well advanced in all areas of EYFS (she is nearly 4), but she will not show this to a stranger.

My worry is, that my behaviour will change to accommodate her needs. We will probably sit and read books for the first hour (because she finds that reassuring), however, I have to be careful about the type of books I read and how I read them. Absolutely no expectation of participation from her! So, while I would normally be asking questions, getting the children to join in or act out the story, etc, I just can't do this when she is unsettled.

My focus will be on this child's needs (more so than the other mindee) and there will be very little focus on learning and development! I have really detailed Learning Journeys that show the activities that we do and show the children's development, but I'm worried that I'll be judged on my activities on the day.

Help! I'm losing sleep worrying about it.

Why dont you take a video of how lo normally is when its a normal day? Reading a book and playing? Then you can demonstrate to the inspector what you are good at, which is understanding and supporting lo while in your care? Hth

Preparing children for change can also help - why not make a visual timetable with her which shows a 'surprise' happening each day.

The surprise can be a new toy, a visitor coming, an outing, an adventure game in the garden etc...

It can work well although I don't know how long you have to prepare her before your inspection.

Good luck with it all! :D

On my last inspection I had a 10 month old lo who was terrified of any other adults in my house, all the other mindees parents learnt to drop off and collect very quickly as the lo would be hysterical. Unfortunately she was like this for my inspection and I had to make sure that I was between her and the inspector at all times, which was very hard.

I like both Tracey and Sarah's suggestions - of showing the inspector what this child is like on a one to one basis and preparing her for a stranger coming to visit. I wish inspections could be done by webcam as they often unsettle the mindees, either making them "lively" showing off or quiet, withdrawn and not themselves.

I hope all goes well - I am over due for an inspection and am burying my head in the sand - doesn't help that I have the brother now of the lo who was easily upset for my last inspection and he is very shy too!

Great suggestions above. Also, could you maybe tell the inspector that your mindee will be very shy on the day / you are working with a SENCO / you would like to show her video information, so that she understands the situation? Or hand her a note about it when she arrives?

I have a seven month old baby who was really ill with teething cold..refused to do any activity at all..cried when she saw hungry caterpillar fave story from story sack...Mrs O was lovely..Baby was clearly unwell and refused to do anything but sit on my lap...she recognised how she was very attached to me and also got me to talk through the activity I had done with her that morning as her observation.


I do like the video idea but do make sure you have permission to film children or you might trip yourself up. My inspector was very hot on mobile and photo permission

Good luck

Thanks for the ideas.

I do have some videos (with parent permission), so that's a great idea thanks.

She's actually great at dealing with new outings, toys, activities, etc - it's just people! However, I am trying to arrange new people to visit. My parents came yesterday (she's met them quite a few times over the last 2 years) and although initially shy, she did start talking (out of their sight), which was great. Next step is inviting another adult that she is somewhat familiar with and then a 'stranger'.

When Mrs O calls to make arrangements for the visit, I'm going to talk to her then, because SENCO advised not talking about it in front of the child. I thought I could also give her some advice on how she could make things easier for the child, e.g. not looking at her (weird, I know).

Thanks again.

You're going to be demonstrating to Mrs O that you really know your mindee and that you are working in partnership to get her the right support. :thumbsup:

It sounds as though it's a possibility that she may have selective mutism? There is a good website at Selective Mutism Group ~ Childhood Anxiety Network — Selective Mutism Group (http://www.selectivemutism.org) :)

Hi.

I'm expecting an inspection soon and I'm worried because of one of my mindees. She is EXTREMELY shy (seeing a SENCO about it) and will definitely not talk while inspector is in my home. She might play, but is unlikely to be fully engaged in any activity, because of the presence of another adult in the house. She is normally a bright, chatty and lovely girl and well advanced in all areas of EYFS (she is nearly 4), but she will not show this to a stranger.

My worry is, that my behaviour will change to accommodate her needs. We will probably sit and read books for the first hour (because she finds that reassuring), however, I have to be careful about the type of books I read and how I read them. Absolutely no expectation of participation from her! So, while I would normally be asking questions, getting the children to join in or act out the story, etc, I just can't do this when she is unsettled.

My focus will be on this child's needs (more so than the other mindee) and there will be very little focus on learning and development! I have really detailed Learning Journeys that show the activities that we do and show the children's development, but I'm worried that I'll be judged on my activities on the day.

Help! I'm losing sleep worrying about it.

Just explain all this to inspector, maybe you could take a little video of her playing normally to play to inspector so she can see difference. This will also show that you know your lo well and are working in partnership, honestly don't worry about it.

You're going to be demonstrating to Mrs O that you really know your mindee and that you are working in partnership to get her the right support. :thumbsup:

It sounds as though it's a possibility that she may have selective mutism? There is a good website at Selective Mutism Group ~ Childhood Anxiety Network — Selective Mutism Group (http://www.selectivemutism.org) :)

Thanks for the link. Describing her as 'shy' just didn't fit! Funny how knowing the name of something makes it easier to manage and explain.

You will be alright even if she does go funny. My mindie sat on my lap for 2 hours during my inspection. Inspector thought it was great how attached he was to me and also she had good humour about the fact that mindie avoided the side of the room that she was on lol. Or would do very quick runs in to the area to get toy then straight back.

The children I care for are not use to me having many visitors and understandably are rather shy of people they don't know - I bought a book from

Tina's Trio Series (http://www.kidpremiership.com/tinas/index.html)

which covered the ofsted inspection to help prepare them

Cx