Hi there, can anyone please help me? How do Ofsted carry out their inspection if you have no children? Are you allowed to look after children before your registration is complete? I'm coming to the end of my CYPOP5 and will be sending my application in as soon as it's complete. My DBS is complete and returned, my paediatric first aid is complete and passed, and my local authority training and test is complete and passed. I know it sounds daft, but how can they inspect you if you have no children?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and hopefully reply.

Hi,

I'm currently awaiting my pre-reg visit.

You are not expected to have any children during this visit, Ofsted are coming round to ensure your premises is suitable and ask you questions regarding the EYFS to ensure you understand this.

Once you are a registered childminder, you should receive your first graded inspection within 6 months, where you will then hopefully have children :)

Good luck with your registration xx

Thanks for your reply, now it's all making sense. I did wonder how it all fell into place.

The first time Ofsted come to see you it is not an 'inspection'.

It is a 'Registration Visit' to see if you are suitable to be a CM and to see if your setting is suitable.
See this document: Ofsted | Childcare registration form - Early Years Register: preparing for your registration visit (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/childcare-registration-form-early-years-register-preparing-for-your-registration-visit)

At that Visit they say 'yes' or 'no' to being a CM.

You then wait for your certificate to come in the post.

THEN you can say you are a registered child minder and care for children.

ETA...

Then, within 6mth after you have your certificate they come out to 'Inspect' you and give you a grade.

How long roughly does it take from member experience between Reg visit and Grading visit?
Thank you