Had a letter that I thought you might be interested in if you are due an inspection:
On Saturday I received a 'failure to contact you' letter.

It stated that on three consecutive days : 23,24,25 April ( second week of the Easter holidays) they contacted me.
' despite these attempts, we have not been able to make contact with you. The law requires us to inspect all childminders and childcare providers that are registered with us to check, the quality of provision, compliance with the requirements of registration and the ongoing requirements( referenced to sections of the childcare Act 2006). You must make your childcare provision available for inspection. Failure to make yourself available for inspection may result in cancellation of your registration. This is a serious step that will disqualify you from providing childcare in the future.
Please get in touch to let us know your intentions within five days of the date on this letter.'

I was not aware they had phoned. I checked my home phone and under my 'call history' and ' there was a Nottingham code number on these three days at times when I was out and about. What I don't understand is that on none of these occasions did they leave a message! Had I come home to my answer phone bleeping and a message I would have returned their call but I had no idea they had called when I was out. I only have term time children and so was out daily - visiting, having days out etc...
With the bank holiday too the letter was dated the 30th April so I didn't have much time to call before 5 days had passed, but I did leave a message on their answer phone on Saturday! I phoned today, discussed the no message left but they weren't really interested, they just said that Prospects would be in touch and if I could provide other numbers to contact me that would help- I said the number they had was fine, as I have an answer phone so if I am out they can leave a message which I always respond to, but they didn't comment.

Not sure if I want to take it further as the letter was a little scary to get on Saturday, implying that I was avoiding them.
But thought that I would share my experience.
Went out to Chattertots today and as soon as I got in I checked call history!! I think I will be doing this for a while!

Bog standard letters do come across as scary.They are meant to scare the few that are actually avoiding them, but it's the ones that aren't who get scared! If it helps I would be in the same position as I don't have an answer phone and don't very often use the house phone as we all have mobiles. If you have contacted them now and sorted the situation and you're ready for your inspection there shouldn't be a problem. If you feel strongly about it, then maybe write a letter back expressing your feeling about the wording of the letter. Maybe if enough of us do that then, they may change their methods of communication. Good luck with the inspection when the time comes

I don't answer my house phone to with held or unavailable numbers, if it were Ofsted I would hope they would leave a message on the answer phone - also I know it's just a standard letter but bit silly sending it out for dates over the school holiday - wouldn't have found me home as I was on holiday and most other people were probably out on trips entertaining the children or having a well earned break too.

Had a letter that I thought you might be interested in if you are due an inspection:
On Saturday I received a 'failure to contact you' letter.

It stated that on three consecutive days : 23,24,25 April ( second week of the Easter holidays) they contacted me.
' despite these attempts, we have not been able to make contact with you. The law requires us to inspect all childminders and childcare providers that are registered with us to check, the quality of provision, compliance with the requirements of registration and the ongoing requirements( referenced to sections of the childcare Act 2006). You must make your childcare provision available for inspection. Failure to make yourself available for inspection may result in cancellation of your registration. This is a serious step that will disqualify you from providing childcare in the future.
Please get in touch to let us know your intentions within five days of the date on this letter.'

I was not aware they had phoned. I checked my home phone and under my 'call history' and ' there was a Nottingham code number on these three days at times when I was out and about. What I don't understand is that on none of these occasions did they leave a message! Had I come home to my answer phone bleeping and a message I would have returned their call but I had no idea they had called when I was out. I only have term time children and so was out daily - visiting, having days out etc...
With the bank holiday too the letter was dated the 30th April so I didn't have much time to call before 5 days had passed, but I did leave a message on their answer phone on Saturday! I phoned today, discussed the no message left but they weren't really interested, they just said that Prospects would be in touch and if I could provide other numbers to contact me that would help- I said the number they had was fine, as I have an answer phone so if I am out they can leave a message which I always respond to, but they didn't comment.

Not sure if I want to take it further as the letter was a little scary to get on Saturday, implying that I was avoiding them.
But thought that I would share my experience.
Went out to Chattertots today and as soon as I got in I checked call history!! I think I will be doing this for a while!

Maybe Ofsted do not expect CMs to go on holiday or have a few days off?

I believe inspectors do not leave messages...if you were to dial 1471 you will probably find the number is 'withheld'...this is because inspectors are not allowed to be contacted by us...I would check on that

I also thought Lorna Fitzjohn was now in higher education and not the Ofsted Director for childminding...that remit is now down to Nick Hudson....the mind boggles!

My inspector left a message and phone number. It makes sense as they know we go out and about. Mine rang when I was on the school run

This isn't the inspector call- its Prospects - the call to establish children and days you work.

My inspector left a message and phone number. It makes sense as they know we go out and about. Mine rang when I was on the school run

it certainly does make sense to do that....I am glad they can ..much easier for us to call back

Flora Dora...I think there is a bit of confusion over this ...lets hope it gets clarified soon
Inspectors are supposed to call a few days before inspection but it appears that Prospects and Tribal call cms to 'update' details

If Prospects called you to update details I wonder why the rather unpleasant letter?
if all they wanted was to find out days you work then you were not really obstructing them?
you were simply not in...all they had to do is try again, get your details and then the inspector would call you when she is due?

I cannot remember this happening in the past ...all we had was the inspector calling us ...it has obviously changed but I feel that sort of letter is not really necessary...my view of course.

Perhaps Ofsted, Tribal & Prospects need to enter the modern age of technology and ask for our e-mails addresses and mobile phone numbers - or rephrase their "unable to contact you" letter so it isn't so aggressive.

Perhaps Ofsted, Tribal & Prospects need to enter the modern age of technology and ask for our e-mails addresses and mobile phone numbers - or rephrase their "unable to contact you" letter so it isn't so aggressive.

It is a shame that this was not flagged up at London OBC alongside the variations in interpretation by inspectors...it never crossed my mind

There has been another OBC meeting recently with Lorna Fitzjohn...I don't think anyone mentioned it...and another one taking place soon...so I hope a cm will flagged it up then

Otherwise there is always the new Ex inspectors' blog where the question can be asked
There are a few cms in this forum who have commented on it ...

It seems clear to me...having been a cm a while...that the procedures have changed and we are getting different calls...that is not the issue...the issue is being informed that can happen and being treated in a professional manner without inappropriate letters

I'll go and see what I can find out