Well... prospects have just rang me to ask about my EYFS children.
They said Ofsted will need to come from jan 27th to Feb 27th. I'm
concerned that I haven't done my safeguarding yet. I've been waiting for dates from my LA for the last month, I thought I had until March as that's what I was told when I was registered. But if
they come next week I won't have done it and then that surely means an
instant downgrade?

Added to that, I've only had these EYFS children for 3 weeks with xmas
in between so the only info I have on them is starting points which
I'm just about to build the learning journey with. I don't feel I've
got enough information to show them when they come (if it's in the
next couple of weeks) which I feel could put me as a disadvantage?

**

Surely you did safeguarding on your childminding training?!

When I did my CYP0P5 safeguarding was covered, and I have all my policies etc but I understood you were expected to attend a safeguarding course (like pediatric) which I've not been on yet as still waiting for the dates to be released...really panicking!

As far as I know, safeguarding - what course you have to do, how often, etc. is down to your LA, so if it's them that keep changing the dates, then it's probably ok. Do you have a DO you could phone and ask? Or call your safeguarding team to check. Get a name and write down what they said, when you called them etc. to show Ofsted.

I tried to contact my LC but she was as usual unavailable. I guess I'm just going to have to tell ofsted that I am trying to get on a course!

Does anyone know if having so little in terms of obs and planning (due to the children being with me for just 3 weeks) will count against me when ofsted come? All I have is starting points (all about me) and "getting to know you"observations. Not had chance to do any next steps or further planning...

I tried to contact my LC but she was as usual unavailable. I guess I'm just going to have to tell ofsted that I am trying to get on a course!

Does anyone know if having so little in terms of obs and planning (due to the children being with me for just 3 weeks) will count against me when ofsted come? All I have is starting points (all about me) and "getting to know you"observations. Not had chance to do any next steps or further planning...

You could start now, using the parents input and your observations.
I think 3 weeks is plenty of time to form some obvious next steps, you probably have them in your head anyway when you plan your days activities.
It will put you in a more favourable light as the teaching and learning aspect is a focus now.

On the day ...You need to be clear about why you have offered the children the activities when the inspector is there, based on what you know so far about them individually. You need to know what benefit their particular play on the day will be to them individually if they free choose activities. So at the very least think really carefully about all your resources and why you have them, so you know the area that the children could develop in if they played with.....

A big part of me is against jumping through hoops for an inspection, but the grading could affect your future business potential and as unfair as it seems, you will be assessed on what the inspector sees that day, so some basic pen portrait about each child based on the info from parents and your obs with a few next steps from that might help the inspector see that you know how to obs, asses and plan.

Id been working six weeks when I had my first inspection and got knocked down for lack of evidence. I believe it depends on your inspector tho as mine had a bit of a reputation. Ask for a postponement or to delay it at least until the end of those dates to give you more time.

I keep hearing about a need for upgrading safe guarding but have never been told this so I'm now unaware whether it's something I need

I am rather confused as I though CMs could not operate unless they did Safeguarding and First Aid first...it is clearly in the EYFS...you must have certificates for these?

Ofsted or whoever have given you nearly a months' notice...is this your first inspection?
You should have done the initial training at registration so I am confused again as to why you feel unprepared? not sure what LC stands for but someone must be available to support you if you are newly registered?

In terms of obs it does not matter how long the children have been with you...what matters is that you have a system in place to evidence you are noting their 'Starting points' and have the necessary documents to evidence this...and how you would plan for their next steps
The inspector will be looking at your 'teaching' and how you expect the children to get to EYO

We have input into many of your questions in the EYFS section...read them and you will find them very useful as a starter....and come back if you need more support

Thanks FloraDora you're right, I do have next steps in my head. I'll try putting them into an individual planning sheet for the 2 children this weekend.

Hi Simona, yes everyone's input, including yours, to my many questions have really helped me, and I have got some stuff already in place. I'm just worried that ofsted won't see it as enough. As Munch said, cm's have been marked down due to lack of evidence so if I don't have enough evidence in place to suit the particular inspector on the day, I worry it'll work against me.
I might potentially have a month to prepare and have lots of evidence if ofsted come on the 27th Feb, but I'm concerned they will come as early as this Monday. Which means I'll only have 3 weeks worth of evidence.
My LC=learning coordinator from my local authority. In terms of safeguarding I didn't need to have attended the course when I got registered but understood I needed the certificate in time for my first graded inspection. Which is what this is. Once again thanks for all your help so far I really appreciate it.

Munch, can you postpone your inspection? I wasn't aware this was allowed?

This is what the EYFS requires

3.23 Childminders must have completed a local authority approved training course which helps them understand and implement the EYFS before they can register with Ofsted

Your LA must ensure you do that training as well as First Aid before registration they should not leave you uncovered so you must approach them and question why you are still waiting.....how did you get registered without doing safeguarding is what confuses me?

If you have new children on roll under EYFS then your evidence will be your starting points...what are you trying to find out about them...
if you get inspected in a month's time you will have enough evidence that you are complying...you said your children have been with you since before Christmas therefore you have evidence...don't panic and put that evidence in your documentation for Ofsted right now....and keep pushing your LA for that training

When Ofsted did your pre reg visit they will have checked you had completed your 1st aid, local authority approved childminding course and a safeguarding course. The fact they registered you proves you've done the necessary courses.
My la like us to complete a more advanced safeguarding course once we're registered. But this isn't compulsory! Are you sure the course you're trying to get booked onto isn't just an advanced version of the one you've already done?

When Ofsted did your pre reg visit they will have checked you had completed your 1st aid, local authority approved childminding course and a safeguarding course. The fact they registered you proves you've done the necessary courses. My la like us to complete a more advanced safeguarding course once we're registered. But this isn't compulsory! Are you sure the course you're trying to get booked onto isn't just an advanced version of the one you've already done?

Maybe I did it then? Do you think it was covered in the initial local authority approved childminding course? I definitely didn't go on a seperate safeguarding course like I did first aid though?

Simona, so far I have "all about me" filled in by parents, "getting to know you obs" with some next steps that I filled in earlier, and this weekend im going to do a tracker sheet to record where the children are, and then write another "all about me" in the form of a spider chart to show the areas the children are developing according to what I've learnt and what the parents told me in the first "All about me" -- is this enough/ too much?

Have a look at your certificates do any of them say safeguarding on them?

Maybe I did it then? Do you think it was covered in the initial local authority approved childminding course? I definitely didn't go on a seperate safeguarding course like I did first aid though?

Simona, so far I have "all about me" filled in by parents, "getting to know you obs" with some next steps that I filled in earlier, and this weekend im going to do a tracker sheet to record where the children are, and then write another "all about me" in the form of a spider chart to show the areas the children are developing according to what I've learnt and what the parents told me in the first "All about me" -- is this enough/ too much?

Sounds to me as if you are on the right track...well done and relax :thumbsup:
As you look at your paperwork in future you can change things according to you requirements and adapt so not to overwhelm yourself
Hope you get your certificate sorted ...good luck!

Thanks again. You and the rest of this forum have been much more helpful than my local authority coordinator!

Mrsh.. Just looked now and it doesn't say it on my certificates! :-/

Oh :-/ ofsted wouldn't jave registered ypu of you hadn't completed the required courses. You should be fine but maybe try and get hold of someone from your la to check. What area are you in? There might be someone on here who could help

When I did my course a whole evening was dedicated to safeguarding. If the same was true for you, then certificate of completion of course plus a list of what was covered should be enough evidence.

As far as I know, safeguarding - what course you have to do, how often, etc. is down to your LA, so if it's them that keep changing the dates, then it's probably ok. Do you have a DO you could phone and ask? Or call your safeguarding team to check. Get a name and write down what they said, when you called them etc. to show Ofsted.

No it states that all newly reg cm have to do it it is then renewed as and when LA recommend. My understanding was that like First Aid now it had to be done before your Registration Process was completed.

There are a number of Online courses, Pacey do one I don't think yo have to be a member, I would do that and also ring your local Early Years and make sure you have all the correct phone numbers and procedure for your area.

If you don't have it I suspect you will only attain a Requires Improvement until you can sent Ofsted evidence you have done the training. Then if the overall Grade would have been good at the time had you done the training then they may up your grade.

As far a the children. They will expect to see starting points done from day one and then expect you to know where each child is in terms of their development and how you plan to move them on (next steps) This is what they are looking at in detail after checking all the Statutory Paperwork. They are also very hot on how you share your planning with the parents and how they share with you what the lo is doing at home.

I was on a Training with an Ofsted Inspector just this week on how to be ready for your inspection.

I would advise you to look at 'Evaluation schedule for inspections of registered early years provision' Published Oct 2013 Ref no. 120086 available on the Ofsted website. This is the Inspectors Bible and what they will use to inspect you. Have a good look through it and tick off what you already have in place ans see what you need to do.

The other one to look at is 'Requirements for written documents CMs 120339
Also 'Requirements for the childcare register CMs 080161

Good Luck

Now I'm confused! I did CYPOP5 including an evening on safeguarding. No other courses. My LA say renew safeguarding every three years. I have had preregistration and first graded (was grilled on safeguarding) and no mention of doing an extra course!

I've just received an email back from my LAC who has said "don't panic, you can just tell the inspector that you'll be booking the next available date. It won't affect your chances. A newly registered CM in the area just got Outstanding and she hadnt done the course"

Not sure what to think...

No it states that all newly reg cm have to do it it is then renewed as and when LA recommend. My understanding was that like First Aid now it had to be done before your Registration Process was completed. There are a number of Online courses, Pacey do one I don't think yo have to be a member, I would do that and also ring your local Early Years and make sure you have all the correct phone numbers and procedure for your area. If you don't have it I suspect you will only attain a Requires Improvement until you can sent Ofsted evidence you have done the training. Then if the overall Grade would have been good at the time had you done the training then they may up your grade. As far a the children. They will expect to see starting points done from day one and then expect you to know where each child is in terms of their development and how you plan to move them on (next steps) This is what they are looking at in detail after checking all the Statutory Paperwork. They are also very hot on how you share your planning with the parents and how they share with you what the lo is doing at home. I was on a Training with an Ofsted Inspector just this week on how to be ready for your inspection. I would advise you to look at 'Evaluation schedule for inspections of registered early years provision' Published Oct 2013 Ref no. 120086 available on the Ofsted website. This is the Inspectors Bible and what they will use to inspect you. Have a good look through it and tick off what you already have in place ans see what you need to do. The other one to look at is 'Requirements for written documents CMs 120339 Also 'Requirements for the childcare register CMs 080161 Good Luck

Thanks for that information I'll have a look on those sites tonight.

In my LA you can only do the safeguarding course once you are registered

So, when I had my pre reg visit I explained that this is the procedure in my LA and the inspector was fine with it, so you don't HAVE to have it done before they come, strange I know....I even posted on here about it as I was in a flap. Try get booked on a course or do an online one in the meantime to have something to show? If you get booked on one, print out the evidence and show it to inspector

Also my LA course was rubbish, they did not cover observations, assessments or anything like that. So I have to scour posts about it on here.

When I registered (2012) I had to complete a Common Core Skills and Knowledge course before registering which covered Safeguarding briefly but I understand that you need to complete another LA Safeguarding course as well. I hadn't done mine when I had my inspection but I did do a PACEY one online which cost £50. My DO has since told me that our LA doesn't recognise the PACEY one and I had to do another one organised by my LA. Good luck with your inspection - try and use the time you've got to prepare as much evidence as you can and be sure to explain to the inspector how long you've been working. I had my call from Ofsted 11 days after I started working and she was on my doorstep at 9am the following morning so I know how it feels to feel unprepared. :panic:I'd never even met my DO at that stage!

I've just received an email back from my LAC who has said "don't panic, you can just tell the inspector that you'll be booking the next available date. It won't affect your chances. A newly registered CM in the area just got Outstanding and she hadnt done the course"

Not sure what to think...

I do not think that your LA can give such advice...I would challenge it
following a consultation a while back the govt agreed that CMs MUST be trained BEFORE registration not after in First Aid and Safeguarding and that is reflected in the revised EYFS 2012...it is a statutory requirement you have Safeguarding ...not just when you book it when an available date comes up as your LA recommends


LAs are still registering CMs and when you received your registration visit from Ofsted the inspector should have looked at both your certificates...my advice is you get this done very quickly ..it is the LA's duty to provide that course for you because it has to be 'LA approved'...you will be questioned on your knowledge in safeguarding and my feeling you should not risk a downgrade

I do not think that your LA can give such advice...I would challenge it
following a consultation a while back the govt agreed that CMs MUST be trained BEFORE registration not after in First Aid and Safeguarding and that is reflected in the revised EYFS 2012...it is a statutory requirement you have Safeguarding ...not just when you book it when an available date comes up as your LA recommends


LAs are still registering CMs and when you received your registration visit from Ofsted the inspector should have looked at both your certificates...my advice is you get this done very quickly ..it is the LA's duty to provide that course for you because it has to be 'LA approved'...you will be questioned on your knowledge in safeguarding and my feeling you should not risk a downgrade

This is not quite right Simona, the only requirement for registering is a paediatric first aid course and an LEA course:

Guidance on applying says:
'33. Before you can be registered you must show us that:
 you, and every other person looking after children on the premises with you, are suitable to care for children in the early years age group
 every person living or working on the premises is suitable to be in regular contact with children in the early years age group
 the premises are suitable for looking after children in the early years age group and have enough space for the number of children you want to care for – childminding can take place in many different types of home including, for example, high-rise flats or mobile homes
 you have completed a first aid course and a local authority approved training course designed to help you understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage
 you meet, or will meet, all the safeguarding and welfare and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, all regulations and any conditions of registration imposed by us.'


So you do not have to attend a course and get a certificate, but you do need up to date knowledge:

The EYFS says:

'3.5 A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies, and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course10 that enables them to identify,

(Foot note from this page: 10 Taking account of any advice from the LSCB or local authority on appropriate training courses.')

So you must attend training, but it is up to your local authority.

So....I think you will be ok saying you have applied to attend a course, have evidence of chasing it up and the LEA not yet providing one ....but you must show fully up to date knowledge in your practise when the Inspector comes ( despite not attending training) for the inspector to be sure that you can safe guard children, despite not attended full training ( you can qoute what was covered at your initial LA training as it would have been covered briefly.

Don't panic, just know your stuff and a lack of certificate should not be an issue.

I've just received an email back from my LAC who has said "don't panic, you can just tell the inspector that you'll be booking the next available date. It won't affect your chances. A newly registered CM in the area just got Outstanding and she hadnt done the course"

Not sure what to think...

From Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage P 13 3.5

'A practitioner MUST be designated to take lead responsibility for the safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with the local authority children's services agencies, and with the LSCB. They MUST provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner MUST attend a child protection training course (note 10) that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect. (as described at paragraph 3.6) which is on page 14.

Note 10 Taking into account of any advice from the LSCB or local authority on appropriate courses.

In the introduction on page 3 V The Safeguarding and welfare requirements cover the steps that providers must take to keep children safe and promote their welfare.

My understanding has always been that 'MUSTS' are a legal requirement of our Registration with Ofsted and have to be in place. If they are not in place then there is a high risk of being graded inadequate.

We were told by a Tribal Inspector at the training this week that if the issue that reduces the grade is one that can be quickly addressed this has to be done and notified. If that issue is the only one that has held the Grading from a Good then the Good grading will normally be awarded on production of the evidence, in this case it would be the certificate of attendance at an LA approved Safeguarding Course. Knowing how different inspectors are I'm not sure I would even want to put this to the test and be in a position to have to fight my corner over it.

Yes you are right your LA have a duty to provide the training courses. However it is your responsibility to put yourself on the courses at the right time and if your LA is not providing them at the right time actively seek one who is.

This is not quite right Simona, the only requirement for registering is a paediatric first aid course and an LEA course:

Guidance on applying says:
'33. Before you can be registered you must show us that:
 you, and every other person looking after children on the premises with you, are suitable to care for children in the early years age group
 every person living or working on the premises is suitable to be in regular contact with children in the early years age group
 the premises are suitable for looking after children in the early years age group and have enough space for the number of children you want to care for – childminding can take place in many different types of home including, for example, high-rise flats or mobile homes
 you have completed a first aid course and a local authority approved training course designed to help you understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage
 you meet, or will meet, all the safeguarding and welfare and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, all regulations and any conditions of registration imposed by us.'


So you do not have to attend a course and get a certificate, but you do need up to date knowledge:

The EYFS says:

'3.5 A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies, and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course10 that enables them to identify,

(Foot note from this page: 10 Taking account of any advice from the LSCB or local authority on appropriate training courses.')

So you must attend training, but it is up to your local authority.

So....I think you will be ok saying you have applied to attend a course, have evidence of chasing it up and the LEA not yet providing one ....but you must show fully up to date knowledge in your practise when the Inspector comes ( despite not attending training) for the inspector to be sure that you can safe guard children, despite not attended full training ( you can qoute what was covered at your initial LA training as it would have been covered briefly.

Don't panic, just know your stuff and a lack of certificate should not be an issue.

I will stand corrected if this is true but I have always understood Child Protection training MUST be done prior to registration not after
I understood the very reason it was so is because too many providers were practising for a long time before being able to get on a course

Is this another case of LAs doing things differently?
if so it makes a mockery on the EYFS emphasis to safeguard children which is the 1st Welfare requirement and the ability of a new provider to know the process of reporting and how to deal with allegations?

I will stand corrected if this is true but I have always understood Child Protection training MUST be done prior to registration not after
I understood the very reason it was so is because too many providers were practising for a long time before being able to get on a course

Is this another case of LAs doing things differently?
if so it makes a mockery on the EYFS emphasis to safeguard children which is the 1st Welfare requirement and the ability of a new provider to know the process of reporting and how to deal with allegations?

When I had my pre reg visit in December my previous safeguarding had run out a month previously and I was booked on a level 3 safeguarding the following week, the earliest I could get...... she did not mention it, just questioned my knowledge, but then I have been on safeguarding courses for 30 odd years and I had old, out of date certificates.

It does refer to the LA in the EYFs statuatory requirements and it looks as though this particular LA do not think it is an issue, given that another childminder was also in this position.

The training just secures your up to date knowledge.....if you can talk about this and show you know how to safeguard then you are proving your accurate, up to date knowledge to the Inspector......

The tricky situation I think would be if there was an incident, the training proves on paper that you are up to date, so if an enquiry took place things would look good, if you haven't got up to date training then that would be a negligent matter.

Like you, I think all training should be up to date, the more opportunities you get to go through scenarios with a professional the better you become at dealing with safeguarding.

But according to what I have read there are loopholes in whether training is needed for this first inspection and since this childminder has not been able to access training ( another issue about LA's discrepencies) then I was just trying to show where the LA was coming from when they said she would be ok.

Interesting question though which is not absolutely clear because of the LA footnote.

I just wish the EYFS was a lot more 'black and white' with MUSTS meaning exactly that!
If LAs also had a uniform approach that would be so much better than constantly having to compare what one LA does against the other....drawing funding being the prime example with different conditions applied by each one or none at all.

It would save a lot of worries and questions on our part!

Thank you for your reply Flora Dora