Ive had the call asking about having early years children on my books. Apparently my inspection will be in may for my first grading. Best get Sarah's ebooks read and my SEF updated again.

I am making myself a promise that I will try not to stress about it as its there for my beneift. How long do you think that will last? lol

Ive had the call asking about having early years children on my books. Apparently my inspection will be in may for my first grading. Best get Sarah's ebooks read and my SEF updated again.

I am making myself a promise that I will try not to stress about it as its there for my beneift. How long do you think that will last? lol

How long have you been registered? Just trying to gauge where they are up to in their inspection list!

PS try not to stress! xx

How long have you been registered? Just trying to gauge where they are up to in their inspection list!

PS try not to stress! xx

I registered the middle of november, how does that fit with you?

I will TRY! lol, I was not too bad over the pre reg visit so hopefully I will be ok with this one too. Especially of I get the same lady from Ofsted as she was great.

Remember to show them everything you do... and ask the inspector to let you know if there's any more evidence you can provide.

You'll be great! :clapping:

Remember to show them everything you do... and ask the inspector to let you know if there's any more evidence you can provide.

You'll be great! :clapping:

Thanks Sarah x im considering myself lucky that i have been given so much warning so i will make sure im ultra organised x

I've just had the call today too. I've also been registered since mid-November.

The timing is pretty terrible though, I have 5 uni assignments due in over the next 5 weeks and am stressed to the max anyway, without having an inspection thrown in!

I've just had the call today too. I've also been registered since mid-November.

The timing is pretty terrible though, I have 5 uni assignments due in over the next 5 weeks and am stressed to the max anyway, without having an inspection thrown in!

good luck, i supposedly started my level 3 last month but havent been sent my first assignment yet so I will wait n see on that one.

Hope you dont stress too much. Just look at it as a positive experience where they are coming to give you guidance. Or thats how im getting my head round it lol

Ive had the call asking about having early years children on my books. Apparently my inspection will be in may for my first grading. Best get Sarah's ebooks read and my SEF updated again.

I am making myself a promise that I will try not to stress about it as its there for my beneift. How long do you think that will last? lol

Good luck with it. I'm sure you will be absolutely fine :thumbsup:
Sarah's advice about asking the inspector if you can show any more evidence is to be heeded! I should have asked if there was anything else she was looking for as I found it difficult keeping tabs on what paperwork she had seen.

Good luck with it. I'm sure you will be absolutely fine :thumbsup:
Sarah's advice about asking the inspector if you can show any more evidence is to be heeded! I should have asked if there was anything else she was looking for as I found it difficult keeping tabs on what paperwork she had seen.

I so love this forum as I feel so supported here. Thanks to all that have replied, and finally you Rick.

I have bought Sarahs ebook, for writing my SEF, which i will be reading over the weekend so my OH will have something new to moan about lol. Oh n to have a break from reading I have a puppy (teddy) to sew n stuff for my DS.

Oh the life I lead lol

I so love this forum as I feel so supported here. Thanks to all that have replied, and finally you Rick.

I have bought Sarahs ebook, for writing my SEF, which i will be reading over the weekend so my OH will have something new to moan about lol. Oh n to have a break from reading I have a puppy (teddy) to sew n stuff for my DS.

Oh the life I lead lol

Only just seen your post as I've been busy working today :laughing:
I had about the same amount of time and it is just the right amount so you can get yourself ready but not have to panic :D

Only just seen your post as I've been busy working today :laughing:
I had about the same amount of time and it is just the right amount so you can get yourself ready but not have to panic :D

haha, ive been working but it was a nice quiet one with 3 under 4's and one of those was at preschool from 9.15 till 1. another one left at 12. all in all a very quiet one.

Rick & Gail - Sarah's new ebook 63 is really good. Cannot recommend it highly enough for Inspection prep.

I'm due to be graded June/July and working my way through her list, so will be very interested to see how you both get on.

Good luck & keep up posted! :-D

Rick & Gail - Sarah's new ebook 63 is really good. Cannot recommend it highly enough for Inspection prep.

I'm due to be graded June/July and working my way through her list, so will be very interested to see how you both get on.

Good luck & keep up posted! :-D

I've had mine! I got a good :thumbsup:

Rick & Gail - Sarah's new ebook 63 is really good. Cannot recommend it highly enough for Inspection prep.

I'm due to be graded June/July and working my way through her list, so will be very interested to see how you both get on.

Good luck & keep up posted! :-D

Just warn you I saw this last night and brought it, I was then up until 1am making notes on things I had not thought about and rummaging thought my cupboard pulling out paper work that I could show ofsted. Ofsted are coming next week so I want to be fully prepared.

Just warn you I saw this last night and brought it, I was then up until 1am making notes on things I had not thought about and rummaging thought my cupboard pulling out paper work that I could show ofsted. Ofsted are coming next week so I want to be fully prepared.

Yes! I know!
I'm due June/July and working steadily through it! But I feel calmer with a 'plan'. x

Well I have now had my second call and unless something unforeseen comes up my inspection is may8th. I dont know how I feel about it yet as some will have seen my post yesterday so I have other issues going round in my head at the moment.

Just to get up together now and see what happens.

Well I have now had my second call and unless something unforeseen comes up my inspection is may8th. I dont know how I feel about it yet as some will have seen my post yesterday so I have other issues going round in my head at the moment.

Just to get up together now and see what happens.

It is great that you know so far in advance the exact date. I thought they called you on the Friday and then came one day the following week. I didn't see your post yesterday but I hope you are able to do all the things you need to before the inspection day. Good luck :)

Well I have now had my second call and unless something unforeseen comes up my inspection is may8th. I dont know how I feel about it yet as some will have seen my post yesterday so I have other issues going round in my head at the moment.

Just to get up together now and see what happens.

Good luck! It's good to have an actual date - something to work towards x

Good Luck! Stay calm, you'll do well.

thanks all, I have so much other stuff going on right now that the inspection isnt even hitting on my radar at the moment. At least it means I am calm, lol

thanks all, I have so much other stuff going on right now that the inspection isnt even hitting on my radar at the moment. At least it means I am calm, lol

I'm sure you will be fine. You have a couple of weeks to get things together. Make sure you show the inspector evidence of how great you are :thumbsup:

well for a very quick update as Im cooking for the two mindees that are still here.

I knew I was in for trouble when within the first minute she said 'the highest grade you can get on a first inspection is satisfactory'. So who can guess what I got?

Then she didnt like babys days. Then I didnt include the 14 month old in my planning. We were making play dough and painting using hands and feet. I ended up so covered in paint because i was supporting the 14 month old so she wouldnt slip in her excitement. All of the children loved the activities and she could see why I planned a messy activity for the other two lo's as they dont like dirty hands and definately feet. But she wouldnt take it from me that I planned it for the youngest as I wanted to see how she would react and what she would do with the paint, I will point out that it is only her 3rd week here so we are still getting to know each other. Which I did explain to the inspector. What did she need me to do?

Feeling very down hearted and even shed a couple of tears after she had gone. Then after a nice brisk walk to school in the drizzle I figured that I would ring ofsted and ask what the official line is. They say 'it is highly unlikely that any child minder will get outstanding on a first grading'. Not quite the same huh?

So sorry to hear this Gail - had a very similar experience myself a few years ago, Mrs O said exactly the same re: Satisfactory :-( Yet you hear of others getting Good and Outstanding first time. Sorry to say I'm convinced it's a lottery...

But Satisfactory didn't matter to the parents one little bit or hinder me finding new Mindees in the slightest. I'm sure you will find the same.

Re: shedding a tear - not ashamed to admit I sobbed I was so gutted and almost threw in the towel.

I so wish Ofsted would sort this out. So unfair.

Don't worry about it Gail.....you did great. Unfortunately you got 'one of those' inspectors who has already made up their mind what your grade is before they enter your house. So you have to stop thinking that you did anything wrong. If you'd have had my inspector you would have got at least good I'm sure. Definitely don't shead any tears, she won't be sheading any for you!

At least that's ticked off your list.....you must be glad!

And well done :thumbsup::clapping:

Im in the lucky position that two of my parents are teachers who know all about the lottery that is ofsted. Another couple have told me they dont care what the inspector says as they love their LO's coming here so although i feel it is a massive slap in the face Im going to do my best to shrug it off. Im also going to wait for the written report and consider making a formal complaint.

Yes - complain! I really wish I had, but was so intimidated and 'green' that I ended up feeling I was a dreadful CM and just spent months 'licking my wounds' instead.

I have since met several CMs locally who have complained about the same Mrs O and either had their grading changed to a Good or a new inspection and hot a Good! My local 'bad' Mrs O is well known for it - but nothing will happen unless Ofsted are made aware of her (over and over again...)

It is a lottery... and I wish that instead of all the energy currently being put into 'Truss fiasco', that someone would look into exactly how CMs are graded and ensure a fairer and consistent system.

As an aside, I have read here and on other fora about first grading inspections taking anything between 2 and 4 hours. Surely if they have the same points to cover, they should last about 3 hours? 2 hours is probably not thorough enough and 4 is bordering on torture... 'taint right :-(

got, not hot

:-)

Im in the lucky position that two of my parents are teachers who know all about the lottery that is ofsted. Another couple have told me they dont care what the inspector says as they love their LO's coming here so although i feel it is a massive slap in the face Im going to do my best to shrug it off. Im also going to wait for the written report and consider making a formal complaint.

I would say, if the report reads quite well then maybe just leave it, put your efforts into something else. If the report is scathing then complain.

It's good that your parents don't just look at gradings but how you actually are with the children.

I entered the lottery and I won; unfortunately you lost your lottery ticket! I do hope Ofsted do sort this out because saying you can only get satisfactory on your first inspection is completely untrue and demoralising to childminders when they should be encouraging us and gently guiding us to improve.

I feel annoyed for you but so long as you understand that you did nothing wrong then I would just sweep it under the carpet and forget about it.

Yes - complain! I really wish I had, but was so intimidated and 'green' that I ended up feeling I was a dreadful CM and just spent months 'licking my wounds' instead.

I have since met several CMs locally who have complained about the same Mrs O and either had their grading changed to a Good or a new inspection and hot a Good! My local 'bad' Mrs O is well known for it - but nothing will happen unless Ofsted are made aware of her (over and over again...)

It is a lottery... and I wish that instead of all the energy currently being put into 'Truss fiasco', that someone would look into exactly how CMs are graded and ensure a fairer and consistent system.

As an aside, I have read here and on other fora about first grading inspections taking anything between 2 and 4 hours. Surely if they have the same points to cover, they should last about 3 hours? 2 hours is probably not thorough enough and 4 is bordering on torture... 'taint right :-(

That was the other funny part, she arrived late as she forgot my door number. Then moaned that she shouldnt be here this long. Well strange that huh? I rang babys days to query why we couldnt view all of the p's and p's signed individually as she wanted to see that. The guy on the phone was quoting EYFS to me stating that they have to be signed and not individually. After hearing this she checked her book and found that he was right!

What can you say when the inspector has to phone a colleague to ask what she needs to know?

Hugs sorry you had a rubbish inspector. Glad your parents can see through it though and are happy with you.

What an awful experience! I just had my inspection on this Tuesday and totally different to yours. Mrs O was lovely and really encouraging and giving advice. So you never know what you get...

What an awful experience! I just had my inspection on this Tuesday and totally different to yours. Mrs O was lovely and really encouraging and giving advice. So you never know what you get...

Im so pleased you had a different experience to me. My OH has said it couldn't have been that bad you must have dealt with much worse while working in the bank. Well to be honest with you I would sooner go to the dentist than go through that again. Oh n I have a fear of dentists.

Sounds horrendous its getting worse the difference between inspectors.

Ive just been talking it over with oh n he is in shock. So need the vodka to just take the edge off my anger but it just isnt working. Best not have no 2 im working tmw x

Sending you a hug x

Wait for her report and then respond accordingly.

Mrs O sounds rubbish - especially with that double checking she had to do.

Oooooo it makes me so MAD!

oh Gail I'm sorry to read about your day, she sounds a right dragon.Don't beat yourself up about it, its not you but just the way all these ofsted inspections are being carried out using individual inspectors own interpretations. You and your parents know how good you are and that is what really matters at the end of the day......well done xx

Just out of interest Gail: how long after registration did you get your call?

I re-registered in Feb and I am due my grading soon - really nervous and full of dread due to previous experience :-(

Oh....rude word

I'm so sorry to hear this, its probably the last thing you needed just now. If you do decide to complain, be aware that the letter that came with my report said I had to respond within 24 hrs of recieving it... all very well untll you get the report at lunchtime on a Friday! I'm guessing that the first call doesn't need to include all your arguements, you could just state your intention to complain, but I don't know. At the very least her opening comment needs challenging. I had the same, but it wasn't quite as blatant - I was told "someone with your experience, well, in four years you'll have much more... won't you". Mmm, pity the children I'm caring for now then - they're only guinea pigs are they????

And again, rude words...I'm very cross for you, so can only begin to imagine how you are feeling. :mad::mad::mad:

Just out of interest Gail: how long after registration did you get your call?

I re-registered in Feb and I am due my grading soon - really nervous and full of dread due to previous experience :-(

Hi. It was a week before my 6 months. My reg cert says nov 15th x

Oh....rude word

I'm so sorry to hear this, its probably the last thing you needed just now. If you do decide to complain, be aware that the letter that came with my report said I had to respond within 24 hrs of recieving it... all very well untll you get the report at lunchtime on a Friday! I'm guessing that the first call doesn't need to include all your arguements, you could just state your intention to complain, but I don't know. At the very least her opening comment needs challenging. I had the same, but it wasn't quite as blatant - I was told "someone with your experience, well, in four years you'll have much more... won't you". Mmm, pity the children I'm caring for now then - they're only guinea pigs are they????

And again, rude words...I'm very cross for you, so can only begin to imagine how you are feeling. :mad::mad::mad:

Thanks fir the heads up. I think i might get it written up at the weekend n just amend on the day. The man at ofsted that i spoke to, to clarify my max grade, said i can complain as it stands. I will wait for the report, maybe her qa will whip her butt for me? Wishful thinking i know x

It would be interesting to see what 'nasty mrs O' would give to a new childminder who had a teaching, in particular a nursery teaching, background. I'd like to understand her justification for only giving a 'satisfactory' grading then.

Don't let her get to you, easier said than done I know.

((((( hugs))))

Sam x

It would be interesting to see what 'nasty mrs O' would give to a new childminder who had a teaching, in particular a nursery teaching, background. I'd like to understand her justification for only giving a 'satisfactory' grading then.

Don't let her get to you, easier said than done I know.

((((( hugs))))

Sam x

Inadequete to make the point :rolleyes:

Need to shake this very cynical mood of this morning

It would be interesting to see what 'nasty mrs O' would give to a new childminder who had a teaching, in particular a nursery teaching, background. I'd like to understand her justification for only giving a 'satisfactory' grading then.

Don't let her get to you, easier said than done I know.

((((( hugs))))

Sam x

I have been reading the latest reports in my area and an ex-primary school teacher got a pretty bad report and a satisfactory grading. I am hoping my inspector gives me the grading I deserve and not what 'should' be given to a newbie.

Ps did you get your grading confirmed?

Still awaiting the report, hopefully it won't take much longer x

Still awaiting the report, hopefully it won't take much longer x

Sorry hunni, it was so long that I made it in to a new thread called 'fate decided before the inspection'