Nothing like the prospect of an Ofsted inspection (first graded) to have you second guessing yourself, eh?! I have some random questions:
1. how often do you clean your toys, specifically baby ones (all my LOs are at that put-everything-in-the-mouth stage) and how do you record this?
2. heating up food. Food hygiene (as per SFBBFC) says to follow manufacturer's instructions and always check that food is very hot but what if these conflict? I had an Ella's pouch (other varieties are available:o) for LO today which says to warm food up and make sure it's not too hot before feeding it to a child. So manufacturer doesn't say to heat til steaming. Is this ok because it's a sealed pouch? I did heat the homemade pea puree up to steaming (and then cooled down!)
3. re being able to see/hear LOs at all times: how well do you have to hear them? I use a monitor at naptime which I know is ok but at other times do you have to be able to hear a whisper or a shout or something in between?
4. What do you do when you check on a sleeping baby? Just poke your head round the door to hear any odd noises? Listen til you can hear them breathing? I keep waking mine up!!!!! And how often? I try to check every 15-20 minutes with the thinking that if I get involved with something else then it'll be 30 minutes at most. Is that ok?

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later. TIA

Anyone out there?

Ofsted shouldn't ask about food and heating but if they do follow your training

As to listening - my house has 4 levels - if a baby wakes I hear them (I think we are tuned into this). I do go up to each bedroom and listen at the door but I don't open it otherwise they stir.

Nothing like the prospect of an Ofsted inspection (first graded) to have you second guessing yourself, eh?! I have some random questions:
1. how often do you clean your toys, specifically baby ones (all my LOs are at that put-everything-in-the-mouth stage) and how do you record this?
2. heating up food. Food hygiene (as per SFBBFC) says to follow manufacturer's instructions and always check that food is very hot but what if these conflict? I had an Ella's pouch (other varieties are available:o) for LO today which says to warm food up and make sure it's not too hot before feeding it to a child. So manufacturer doesn't say to heat til steaming. Is this ok because it's a sealed pouch? I did heat the homemade pea puree up to steaming (and then cooled down!)
3. re being able to see/hear LOs at all times: how well do you have to hear them? I use a monitor at naptime which I know is ok but at other times do you have to be able to hear a whisper or a shout or something in between?
4. What do you do when you check on a sleeping baby? Just poke your head round the door to hear any odd noises? Listen til you can hear them breathing? I keep waking mine up!!!!! And how often? I try to check every 15-20 minutes with the thinking that if I get involved with something else then it'll be 30 minutes at most. Is that ok?

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later. TIA

Please look at the new inspection framework... it covers first inspections
I have posted it in the Independent CMs section

During my inspection, the children started playing with a big jungle activity centre type of thing. To my horror I noticed it was rather dusty. I pointed it out to the children and we got some wipes and soapy water and all cleaned it together (not the inspector, lol!). She really liked that - I think she appreciated the common sense and realistic approach. She could of course see that the rest of my house and toys were very clean and so it wasn't reflective of the whole environment! I wash as I go in terms of the other toys. If I see that something has been in someone's mouth I put it to one side when they have finished and give it a wash as soon as I get a chance.

Please look at the new inspection framework... it covers first inspections
I have posted it in the Independent CMs section

Yes, I've seen this (thanks for flagging it up) but as I don't know when exactly my inspection will be I don't know which framework I will be judged against. At least I have half term off so if not inspected by then, will look at the new framework during the break (my kids will just love that!)