Well I've been minding over 10 years so have had a couple of inspections and received a good last time, Since then I have studied hard and finished a FD and think the level of care I offer the children is excellent my last development worker said I should be aiming for an outstanding with all work I put in (she was ex inspector) , but that matters one jot as my inspector was focused on one things and one thing alone my teaching ability. She said I was now a satisfactory but would try her best to get me a good. I have made a few notes while it is all fresh in my mind and will share them with you.

I had my own son 4 and two minded brothers (nearly 3 and nearly 4 both Polish been with me 1 year)

She had the wrong name on her id badge, when I questioned this she said she has two names and showed me another badge.

I asked the children to children to help show her around, I asked them what we did in each area but showed little interest just poking her head through the door and hurrying me up. not looking at any of the resources that I have available.

She then sat down and began to tell me the inspection has changed. It would be focusing on my teaching ability and not to expect the same grade as last time as now it is harder. She made this presumption within 2 min of coming in to my setting.

She asked if I had completed a SEF and explained that I emailed it to her and she said she doesn't always get things emailed to Ofsted. I said I had sent it to her own email which she received as it included my new phone number which she has used.

She was not interested in any of my paper work apart from the 2 Learning Journeys. She didn't look at or ask about : attendance registers, risk assessments, complaints books, accident book, policy’s, group planning based around the children’s current interests or my daily activities.

She only poked head into playroom and went outside once for 2 mins spending the 1 hr 20 min sat on chair using her computer. I was mainly outside, potting up plants with the children, planting seeds, building a towers out of wooden blocks and playing in our mud bath all the time talking to the children and engaging them in conversations non of which she could have heard.

She pulled me up on not forcing a child to tidy up when asked. I know this child well and it would have been a battle I could not win, his attention was dropping after being sat making bread and what he really needed was a run around in the garden and some fresh air before attempting to clear up.

She told me I should have made the 3 year old sort out the water dispenser when the tap got stuck with water pouring out all over the floor, where as for safely reasons I picked it up and took it to the kitchen to empty myself before we had a massive puddle and soaked floor.

She said I needed to include the children more with tasks, but if she had stayed longer she would of seen them helping prepare lunch, putting their own plates away and sweeping the floor.

She said I had taken a lot on being pregnant and looking after 3 children. Implying I could not cope well I have 4 of my own and 3 step children who all get attention and are well rounded and well behaved so I am sure I can manage 3 little ones during the day. I do not find it exhausting as I can still manage to do exercise classes in the evening etc.

She questioned the fact I still put them down for naps (nearly 3 and nearly 4) and asked if this was necessary at their age as one is starting school in Sep. I explained they come to me at 7.30 and are often up from 5 depending on parents shits so the parents have requested naps otherwise they would be asleep at 2.30 pick up and they would not get to spend time together. She was still not convinced this was helping with school readiness.

She felt I could not show how they have progressed due to a language barrier ( the eyfs children are polish) despite me being able to show written evidence of improvement in all areas of learning and development. This is pretty much all she spoke about for the whole hr, whatever progress I showed her she implied it was average and not good and they need to be showing a good progress for me to get a good grade. For example they are both behind in CL but English is their second language and I’m the only one speaking it to them and as they understand everything I say I think this is excellent progress. The oldest one forgets to wash his hand and she felt this wasn't showing good progress in PD. She is totally under the impression that the children’s development is entirely down to me and parenting or their own genetic make up has nothing to do with it. They sometimes go back to Poland for weeks at a time and we have to start all over again when they get back because their family does everything for them such as dressing. I wish I had made out my own son was a minded child as he can write his own name, recognise loads of letters and numerals and asks lots of questions.

She said she would make her own judgement at what level they were at and compare this to what I thought, she does not know the children like I do and she can not make these assumptions across al areas of learning and development within one hr especially as the children often act different when strangers are present.

She described one of the minded children as being wild and having behavioural problems, again both me and the parents put this down to language barriers as I cant always explain things to him and I know that when I focus his attention on the things he enjoys such as drawing and craft his levels of frustration can be greatly reduced. He usually gets like this with someone else in the house. She suggested I do more Behavioural management training, I explained again this is due to language barrier and the fact he can become quite active and loud( not wild) and this does not need changing its his personality which I'm not intending to stifle. Also to help this child I should do a picture time table on the wall, but he has no difficulty adjusting from one activity to the next and we do not have a set routine, I'm not a school.

She showed no interest into the care side of childminding or the safely aspects. She did not see how well I know these children and can respond to their needs or how I plan activities and experiences for them based on my observations. She did not care that they come and sit with me for cuddles or that they smile when they look at me. She showed no interest that they come and hold my hand and want to show me something they have built as they want to share the experiences with me and gain pleasure from my praise.

She said I need to listen carefully to her recommendations (I was trying to focus on the children in the garden) as if I didn't improve I would not be getting a good next time. She said she would see what she could do and try to scrape together a good for me, I polity explained if that is all they were interested in there would not be a next time and not to expect to see me again. I thanked her for her time and she left.

Oh my goodness that sounds awful. All I can suggest is to write everything down, especially her very negative language and then appeal or make a complaint. I am sure someone will be along in a minute with more knowledge about that than me but I didnt want to not reply.

Don't know what to say, I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you some advice. Sounds like an awful inspector. I'm not in England so not sure how you would appeal but I hope you can.

Really feel for you, what a horrible experience :(:group hug::group hug::group hug:

I don't have much knowledge & have only been minding 6 months. But when I had my recent inspection it seems a lot different to how you describe yours.

She sounds like a very negative person & from what you have said you do with these children you should have had many positive comments not negative ones.

I would wait for the report & see what it says & then maybe make a complaint about the negativity she gave you. Especially if you feel you deserve at least a good, if not more.

Sounds like you do a great job :-) x

Oh my goodness that sounds awful. All I can suggest is to write everything down, especially her very negative language and then appeal or make a complaint. I am sure someone will be along in a minute with more knowledge about that than me but I didnt want to not reply.

This ^ and :group hug:

That is appalling and I would definitely be putting in a strong complaint noting everything. I'm all up for criticism but if i ever got an inspector like that I wouldn't be able to control myself....she'd probably get a boot up the backside on my front doorstep ...lol

On a serious note though I would complain and get another inspection

OMG that sounds awful, what a rude and unpleasant inspector. From what you describe it sounds like you are doing a great job and giving those kids great experiences and she sounds like she's on a power trip. My inspection is long overdue and I'm dreading it based on some of the reports from forum members :-(

How awful- you must feel so deflated. Sending massive hugs x

oh my.

sending you a big hug.

sounds to me like an inspector who doesnm't know or understand about childminders. i would complain.

xxx

that's awful, I feel really sorry for you. We all dread inspections anyway and to be put down like that is just so bad. I think I would be so upset I would end up giving up. I hope you are ok.

Sounds nothing like my inspection sounds like your inspector needs inspecting to me. I think you need a appeal. Another inspector and by the sounds of it you would get outstanding.

How awful for you, if childminding is about teaching children and not the care and love we show them, then I will not be childminding much longer then. We all know that children learn from play and being in a safe and welcoming environment dont we. I would like the others say complain as this does seem so wrong to me. Hope you are ok

OMG I've got tears in my eyes reading your post, what an absolute dragon - pity she didn't run into St George on a dark night!

Imagine if we spoke to the children in such a negative way, how can she expect to get the best out of you when she shows such little interest. I'm sure you are doing a fantastic job with these children, years ago you could almost guarantee to get outstanding if you had a child from a different culture or with a learning or physical disability whereas this woman hasn't believed the fabulous progress you have made with these siblings - maybe they aren't meeting all the targets in the Development Matters but the language barrier explains that. I had a lo who went to school last Sept he still had an hour afternoon nap until he went - his mum agreed that he still needed it. I remember when I was first in school we had to put our heads down on the table after lunch for a rest and lots of children fell asleep. Also less than 1 1/2 hours sounds very short for an inspection - especially for a setting that is apparently only just scrapping good!

Definitely complain - loud and clear and threaten them with newspaper interviews if they won't send another unbiased inspector out. Don't wait for the paper copy of your report - complain and report her immediately. :angry:

Goodness this inspector sounds ridiculous! You can appeal to Ofsted about inspection grades so I would do just that - listing everything you have written here. I have never ever had anything like that in an inspection. Sounds like you and the children had a great time - its a shame the inspector couldn't remove her bum from the chair!!!!! Try not to let it get you down , stick to your guns and complain.:thumbsup:

She was just obsessed with the language thing and kept saying I couldn't show improvements because of it, but I can. I tried to show her how I was assessing his speech this week compared to 3 days in Feb and already I can see new words and the beginning of sentences but she didn't seem to care. They are making progress but are still one stage behind, what ever happened to children developing at their own rate. She paid no attention to the other aspects such as making relationships or self confidence which they have in bucket loads.

So how on earth do I make a complaint and is it worth it?

I've just checked the inspection guidelines and it says

26. Children’s progress should not be viewed as a ‘race to the goals’. The extent of children’s progress relates mainly to the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children’s progress. Where the practitioner has a good knowledge about each child’s learning and development, this is a characteristic of effective teaching

Well surely this is exactly what I am doing, I know there is a problem with his speech (not his understanding) and I am incorporating helping him with this in all planned and non planned activities. I also know he struggles putting on his shoes, its not that he cant do it, but he is lazy and mum will do it for him. The inspector was focusing on what he cant do rather than my knowledge of that and my ability to plan ways in which to develop these aspects.

Big hug - I have been there....

My first graded inspection was similar, but criticism about different things (they all seem to have their favourites :-/). I didn't complain, felt dreadful for months,nearly gave up, parents rallied round and said it made no difference to them that I was 'only Satisfactory'.

I have re-registered now and I am really not looking forward to being graded again. However... I really wish I had complained first time as I have since come across many other CMs in my local area who have had similar unfair treatment from the same inspector. Some have complained and had grades reinstated. If you don't complain, how do Ofsted know what is going on?

I really wish inspections weren't such a lottery :-(

As for how to complain, I think you just phone Ofsted and go through the phone system until you speak to the right person. But I would put it all down in an email or letter and work out a summary for the initial phone call.

Good luck.

Her first name did not start with the letter S and last W was it? You poor thing, it feels very degrading, mine was a little like that but got a good. The reason she gave for not getting an Outstanding was minor and not at all true. Going to complain but I know my voice will fall on deaf ears!!

One more thing, you need to complain on line. Go into Ofsted web there will be a link.

Awwwww I fell ur pain

You poor thing. That sounds an absolute nightmare :(

This sounds like she has been listening to what Ms Truss has been saying and trying to implement her own personal "mark".

Complain, please, you sound absolutely outstanding. You are trying so hard against all the odds.

I am so tired of what we all are being subjected to. I think we are being attacked, as the government can't blame parents or schools (as they can strike causing public outcry) so the private sector is being held to blame as their is nothing we can really do that could do damage to them.

I have 3 children 6 hours a week, 1 child 24 hours and 1 30hrs. How can the blame lie with if children aren't learning quick enough.

Good luck, you do not deserve a satisfactory grade.

Oh, by the way, I have had 3 inspections, 2 outstanding and 1 satisfactory (or the old equivalent) the satisfactory one came from an inspector who I complained about, as she told me she would be with me over a set period, didn't turn up and didn't call, so we were stuck in all week, when I called to complain, the next week a got a very harassed inspector, grotty, moaning as she "still wasn't well enough to be back to work, but I have so much to do", I got a feeling she had been, "told off" and took it out on me. As it was my first inspection I didn't want to rock the boat.

Possibly picking her up on the name badge issue, set her off, although shouldn't have of course.

X

:group hug:

Totally unacceptable and very unprofessional :(

Ok right... take what you have put in the post here and anything else you remember and put it into a letter format. Do it now while it's fresh in your mind.

Include evidence from the EYFS and your files where relevant.

Tomorrow - ring Ofsted and say 'I want to complain about my inspection yesterday' - and don't be put off until you speak to someone who will note your complaint.

Why do you want to complain? 'I want to complain because I do not believe the inspector was professional or conducted herself appropriately as detailed in the code of conduct for inspectors.'

Say - 'I have it written down, I would like to send it to a named person' - and get a name.

Try not to get drawn into a lengthy phone call - be confident that you have it all written down and you want someone to read it through rather than try and deal with in on the phone.

They have a complaints procedure - it's very important that you make a complaint because they will just carry on riding roughshod over people if they are not challenged.

I cannot imagine you need help - your letter writing is excellent - but I am more than happy to proof for you and share any insights if you want to run it by me.

I think you know my email and I do have time.

More hugs xx

Poor you! Hugs
My first thought was , is she really an inspector ( due to the name badge issue) I think I would have taken that further and phoned Ofsted for clarification!
Other than that it sounds exactly what our EYFS 12 inspections should NOT be like.
Complain. I think I would have kicked her out, or rather, politely asked her to leave after the first few comments she made.
I do hope you have support where you are.
Carol xx

Great advice from Sarah, other people haves succeeded in making complaints, you have nothing to loose. :group hug::group hug:

Couldn't read and not post to say how very sorry I am. It sounds like you're worked so hard for the children, and for such a long time, and now someone has come in and not recognised any of that hard work. I hope you do complain and that you get the recognition you deserve. Hugs

What a nightmare! You poor thing. I hope you complain and get the judgement that you deserve and I hope the childrens language wasnt good enough to hear her labelling of them! disgraceful.

O dear! She sounds very unprofessional. A similar situation occurred with me when I first registered and I didn't complain, I've regretted this decision ever since, but all of my parents are amazing and I still have enquiries coming out of my ears thanks to my degree and knowledge and experience. Sending you big hugs! :) xx

If I was the parent I would be very happy of how you were caring for my children.
It will be interesting to see the written report.

You know you are doing a good job :)

Omg I think I would have burst into tears in front of her. My god, what a horrible person she seems! Take comfort in the fact that you aren't and will never be as nasty as her. Also, complain! Hope you at least get a Good out of that ordeal xx

Hi I'm pre reg and this has scared the life out of me for my future inspections! However I have worked as an assistant and do know how the process usually works. Have you looked at your local settings ofsted reports and find any others inspected by that particular inspector and see if that is her usual line she follows language etc others might not have phoned and complained but at least you would have a little more to go on if u can also compare her remarks made in others inspections. Good luck I hope I never get one like that!

:group hug:

Totally unacceptable and very unprofessional :(

Ok right... take what you have put in the post here and anything else you remember and put it into a letter format. Do it now while it's fresh in your mind.

Include evidence from the EYFS and your files where relevant.

Tomorrow - ring Ofsted and say 'I want to complain about my inspection yesterday' - and don't be put off until you speak to someone who will note your complaint.

Why do you want to complain? 'I want to complain because I do not believe the inspector was professional or conducted herself appropriately as detailed in the code of conduct for inspectors.'

Say - 'I have it written down, I would like to send it to a named person' - and get a name.

Try not to get drawn into a lengthy phone call - be confident that you have it all written down and you want someone to read it through rather than try and deal with in on the phone.

They have a complaints procedure - it's very important that you make a complaint because they will just carry on riding roughshod over people if they are not challenged.

I cannot imagine you need help - your letter writing is excellent - but I am more than happy to proof for you and share any insights if you want to run it by me.

I think you know my email and I do have time.

More hugs xx



I think you have to Complain to whichever Company that the inspector is from, so Prospects or Tribal first because you have to follow the complaints procedure to the letter. They have to report any written complaints to Ofsted anyway and if Ofsted are not happy with the outcome or you are not then Ofsted will then take it up.

Please complain my friend did and got re graded good. Once the rubbish was removed from her report Ofsted didn't even have to reinspect her

[Complain. I think I would have kicked her out, or rather, politely asked her to leave after the first few comments she made.
I do hope you have support where you are.
Carol xx[/QUOTE]

Yes i agree, she would not have had the chance to finish if she had been in my house. I would have been on the phone putting in a complaint about her before she was off my doorstep :angry:

Omg def complain with all the details you have put on your post - have only been minding for 6 months and am in Scotland but that sounds like. Complete joke - think she obv thinks no-one will complain so can do as she pleases - with all the detail in your notes am sure you will have a good outcome. Xx

Thankyou everyone I brought Sarahs E book and made sure everything was done to the letter, anything of mine not quite right I tweaked adjusted or tidied up and she never asked about any of it nor as she interested if I tried to raise it.

Do you think I should wait for my report before making the complaint as I can then link the points to sections in that. I'm slightly concern how the parents of the child are going to feel, they may think it is my fault their children are not progress as quick or they could feel guilty that believe it is their childs fault. Im dreading reading it for that reason . I have tried to look for other inspections she has done but with 2 names its confusing, it seems she is quite happy to give outstanding to nurseries but only good and satisfactory to childminders.

Do you think I should wait for my report before making the complaint as I can then link the points to sections in that. I'm slightly concern how the parents of the child are going to feel, they may think it is my fault their children are not progress as quick or they could feel guilty that believe it is their childs fault. Im dreading reading it for that reason . I have tried to look for other inspections she has done but with 2 names its confusing, it seems she is quite happy to give outstanding to nurseries but only good and satisfactory to childminders.

No, I do not think you should wait.

I strongly urge you to ring today and inform them that you want to make a complaint.

Why let the inspector waste time writing up your report? Why wait and let them think everything is ok? Why let bad inspectors get away with it?

Lodge the complaint with Ofsted - get them to put it in writing on your file - get a complaint number and a name to write to / deal with - ring whoever they tell you to ring next if it's prospect or tribal - and get the ball rolling.

xx

No, I do not think you should wait.

I strongly urge you to ring today and inform them that you want to make a complaint.

Why let the inspector waste time writing up your report? Why wait and let them think everything is ok? Why let bad inspectors get away with it?

Lodge the complaint with Ofsted - get them to put it in writing on your file - get a complaint number and a name to write to / deal with - ring whoever they tell you to ring next if it's prospect or tribal - and get the ball rolling.

xx

I agree, complain today while her exact words are still fresh in your mind - try to remember exactly what she said, her words and her tone of voice and write it all down. At the end of my inspection when inspector was summing up, I said "didn't I even get one outstanding element" and she just looked at me and sniffed loudly - implying "don't push your luck lady"! So sometimes it isn't always the words they say but the way they say them.:panic:

Why should you doubt yourself and the fantastic job you do just because she got out of bed the wrong side and hates her job.

Get help from your Development Officer (if you still have any) or ring someone up higher in the County and ask for advice and a name of someone high up in Ofsted - I had to do this once and believe me finally addressing a letter to the "right" person made all the difference.

Today's another day - carry on exactly as you were, you are doing a great job.:clapping:

Nothing useful to say just a hug , poor you :(

It's wrong isn't it how one persons mood or attitude or personality can have such a massive impact on us both personally and professionally ! Terrible
Poor u, keep fighting till your happy :)

honey how awful :panic: i can only echo Sarah's advice. please let us know how you get on.xxx

Poor you.

I had a similar experience with an inspector. It seemed no matter what I did or said it was taken in the wrong way. I very much disagreed with what she wrote in my report. It by no means reflected my setting accurately, so I complained. I wrote a very clear email, noting down each statement or action from the inspector that I had an issue with. I requested her initial notes from the inspection to see if what she had noted on the day coincided with what she had written in the report. It highlighted a couple of discrepancies on her part. It lead to the inspector being interviewed and an internal investigation. Ofsted came back with 'complaint not upheld'!! What a load of rubbish!!

Anyway 6 months later I was reinspected out of the blue and the inspection went really well.

It is definitely worth complaining. Inspectors should not be allowed to have their own agenda, they should follow guidelines. They are not supposed to be trying to catch us out they are supposed to be trying to assess the setting and find ways it can improve. The more people that complain about bad inspectors the more notice Ofsted will be forced to take.

Let us know how you get on.

Well I think that was a good result, thank you all for your support.

The inspector phoned me at 9 this morning and we had a really lovely conversation regarding the writing of my report. She said she will have a good think how to word it making it as positive as possible and she can see I don't have an inability to control behaviour but the boys are are hand full. She said she can see I have fostered in them a desire to learn and they show great characteristics of learning by their enthusiasm, the little boy is clearly intelligent but has an inability to concentrate however she can see how I managed to hold his attention during the planting activities. She mentioned how affectionate they are and how he cuddled her and wanted to look at her ID. I told her some other things he had been doing that showed good learning and went on to say I was worried for him starting school as the teachers don't know him like I do and it will be hard for him to get he attention he needs in a larger class meaning he may be labelled as difficult when he just needs help to focus. She said it was good that I know what he needs help with and that I am thinking about his future and that I was trying to improve his outcomes. She finished by wishing me well with my pregnancy and said I should try to slow down as the boys are quite energetic and quite a handful.

I would appeal. I have known childminders to do this, get another inspector and get a better grade

Be positive, you know you are good at what you do and most importantly the parents do to :)

Well I think that was a good result, thank you all for your support.

The inspector phoned me at 9 this morning and we had a really lovely conversation regarding the writing of my report. She said she will have a good think how to word it making it as positive as possible and she can see I don't have an inability to control behaviour but the boys are are hand full. She said she can see I have fostered in them a desire to learn and they show great characteristics of learning by their enthusiasm, the little boy is clearly intelligent but has an inability to concentrate however she can see how I managed to hold his attention during the planting activities. She mentioned how affectionate they are and how he cuddled her and wanted to look at her ID. I told her some other things he had been doing that showed good learning and went on to say I was worried for him starting school as the teachers don't know him like I do and it will be hard for him to get he attention he needs in a larger class meaning he may be labelled as difficult when he just needs help to focus. She said it was good that I know what he needs help with and that I am thinking about his future and that I was trying to improve his outcomes. She finished by wishing me well with my pregnancy and said I should try to slow down as the boys are quite energetic and quite a handful.

sounds to me like she knew she was totally out of order and knew you would report her !!!!
I know we all have less patient days but these inspections are important to us ...we dont care if she has PMT or other issues ,we care about being inspected in a fair ..consistent and proffesional way.She has not acted proffesionally and has obviously reflected on her attitude at your inspection and realised her job is on the line ,hence the b*tt sucking phonecall.
i would still complain ,these people hold a position of power over us and she has abused it

Well I think that was a good result, thank you all for your support.

The inspector phoned me at 9 this morning and we had a really lovely conversation regarding the writing of my report. She said she will have a good think how to word it making it as positive as possible and she can see I don't have an inability to control behaviour but the boys are are hand full. She said she can see I have fostered in them a desire to learn and they show great characteristics of learning by their enthusiasm, the little boy is clearly intelligent but has an inability to concentrate however she can see how I managed to hold his attention during the planting activities. She mentioned how affectionate they are and how he cuddled her and wanted to look at her ID. I told her some other things he had been doing that showed good learning and went on to say I was worried for him starting school as the teachers don't know him like I do and it will be hard for him to get he attention he needs in a larger class meaning he may be labelled as difficult when he just needs help to focus. She said it was good that I know what he needs help with and that I am thinking about his future and that I was trying to improve his outcomes. She finished by wishing me well with my pregnancy and said I should try to slow down as the boys are quite energetic and quite a handful.

If you are happier now that the inspection outcome has moved forward and your report will read well and you will get the good which is the least you deserve then maybe wait now until you get your report...

However, if it doesn't give you the outcome you deserve and / or the wording falls short of your expectations you will have a short time to lodge a complaint.

xx

It looks like she was blaming the children, rather than you which is wrong, as she should be looking how well you deal with them, and what things you have set up to help them. Still complain about her attitude, as they need to know when they get it wrong.

At least she has phoned and will try and word the report better than perhaps it sounded like she would during the inspection. Presumably she said nothing about changing the grade?

Whatever the report says, you know you do a good job and hopefully your parents do too and won't give one jot what it says :thumbsup:

What a horrible experience :( did she look like she was related to Ms T??
Well done for keeping your sanity and standing up for yourself. I really hope she grades even some areas as outstanding as by the sounds of it, you deserve it.
I have wondered if all our inspections are going to be more unpleasant now to push us towards agencies.
Sorry you have had to go through this.