This is the final version of our letter which we gave to Ofsted during the Ofsted Big Conversation meeting in Manchester.

If you have any comments you would like to add I will be attending the next meeting and I will happily take them with me - please let me know.

Together, we can make a difference! Ofsted say they are keen to listen - so let's give them something to focus on :D

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/blogs/sarah707/88-dear-ofsted-childminders-would-like-your-support.html

Great letter Sarah :thumbsup:

Well done fantastic letter.xx

Brilliant. Well done. X

Brilliantly written, thank you Sarah!

I believe that cms should send their questions to whoever is attending their Regional OBC for many reasons.. one being that those cms in the north have Prospect and we in the south have Tribal...or is it the other way round?

Also each OBC will have its own allocated Regional Director who will deal with its own region, in addition we have an allocated childminding Director: Lorna Fitzjohn
I see no point in sending my questions to Leeds or anywhere in the North when I am in London...if that makes it clearer?

There were few questions posed by forum members.......... so the letter should reflect it is from the Forum FB page...the questions are pertinent but we had no chance to discuss them in this forum so they cannot reflect many cms views here.

I am concerned that concerns are being sent in block to Ofsted while each cms experiences a different method of judgement by the inspector

I believe that cms should send their questions to whoever is attending their Regional OBC for many reasons.. one being that those cms in the north have Prospect and we in the south have Tribal...or is it the other way round?

Also each OBC will have its own allocated Regional Director who will deal with its own region, in addition we have an allocated childminding Director: Lorna Fitzjohn
I see no point in sending my questions to Leeds or anywhere in the North when I am in London...if that makes it clearer?

There were few questions posed by forum members.......... so the letter should reflect it is from the Forum FB page...the questions are pertinent but we had no chance to discuss them in this forum so they cannot reflect many cms views here.

I am concerned that concerns are being sent in block to Ofsted while each cms experiences a different method of judgement by the inspector

The forum FB page is owned and run by the forum - which is owned by Childcare.co.uk.

The letter was written by me and to be honest with you Simona nobody else was doing anything so I did my best - with very little time - and included as many comments as I could.

I then put the letter out for proofing and gave it to Ofsted explaining that contributions came from across the country. I did ask on local groups but nobody bothered to reply - just like very few on the forum replied - perhaps because they answered on the FB group.

I do my best and I am told that nationally we all face pretty much the same problems. If others want to take over and do it then feel free. Thank you.

I think its a brilliantly worded letter and thanks for taking the time to do it! I couldn't have written it better :thumbsup:

I think its a brilliantly worded letter and thanks for taking the time to do it! I couldn't have written it better :thumbsup:

A really big thank you from me for writing such a brilliant letter and for giving up your time to attend the Ofsted Big Conversation meeting - I have forwarded your letter and the feedback from the Manchester meeting to everyone in our independent childminding network, I was pleased to see my comment about Ofsted inspectors coming on trips and bringing their wellies. I don't know where you find the time, you clearly don't sleep much and I am very grateful for all you do on here and the facebook page.:thumbsup:

You certainly did your best Sarah ...I was not criticising just giving an alternative suggestion to what we could do to be heard when we attend the OBC meetings

I do feel though that it is not fair to say...no one was doing anything about it...I know a lot of work is being done, letters written, concerns reported and Ofsted questioned.

Sarah just a note, I think your email address on the bottom of the letter may be wrong!
Right on the bottom line,
It says knutsfordchildinding when I'm guessing it should say knutsfordchildminding. Just letting you know in case they say they've tried to contact you via email xxx

Sarah just a note, I think your email address on the bottom of the letter may be wrong!
Right on the bottom line,
It says knutsfordchildinding when I'm guessing it should say knutsfordchildminding. Just letting you know in case they say they've tried to contact you via email xxx

I had 2 copies - the original one had my address and other contact details on the top - I did this one quickly for the forum - obviously too quickly :blush:

Thank you xx