Am I required to get all visitors to sign or is it acceptable to just have name, time of arrival, time of departure and reason for visit. I don't really like the idea of making family sign if they happen to pop in.

I don't have a visitor log as like you I have no intention of making my family and friends sign in and out. There is no requirement in EYFS for us to have one and in the 5 inspections I have had over the years I have never been asked if I have one.

I keep a record of their visit in my diary and it may be on my calendar just the same way I do for any work men or the window cleaner etc. So I could if asked tell Ofsted who had been here but as the children are never left alone with any visitors anyway I know the children are safe at any time.

I am not an institution that may have any number of visitors in the building and not all the staff know who or where they are. A log/Visitors book has to be kept in case of an emergency so the emergency services know who may be in a building. My home is not like that.

Thank you :-) I'm pleased about that, I always want my family and friends to feel welcome in my home and tbh it's rare they would visit when I'm working anyway. And I would never leave the LOs alone with anyone as they are my responsibility. So I'll just keep a record in case Ofsted ask.

like rickysmiths I just note visitors in my diary - including my inspectors.

I think really it is best just to record who visits just in case an allegation is made. I always tell my parents if someone has visited and they are always positive and like it when friends and family visit as they see it as it would be like at home if they had family or friends in.

Thanks again I ll keep a simple log with no signing

Oh the last bit was a thumbs up - strange.

I agree, I would hate my friends and family to feel unwelcome and as long as you have noted it somewhere for your own records then you are covering yourself :)

[QUOTE=natlou82;1361991]Thanks again I ll keep a simple log with no signing