Ofsted Big Conversation north west meeting with Ofsted - 7.11.2014

The meeting took place at Ofsted head office. In attendance were 2 senior HMIs from Ofsted and a group of early years providers including representatives of nurseries, pre-schools, children's centres and childminders (me).

We discussed a number of issues related to childminders including -

- We want / need our factsheets back especially the ratios one. I also said (very passionately) that we would like the medication and accident reporting factsheets back too. Apparently, Ofsted were audited recently and told that their website was too cluttered so they cleared a lot of factsheets off it... I asked if they could be returned urgently because the information in them was so valuable and inspectors are getting it wrong without the factsheets to guide them.

- We need clearer guidance on notifications - what do we need to notify and how? Ofsted have not followed up on their commitment from our last meeting to put a list together and they are still referring us to the Eyfs and the requirement to notify them about any 'significant event' but accept that this wording is vague. They state that they would rather we email (enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk) or ring them and tell them about anything that happens that might be significant so they can make a decision about whether they need to take action or ask us for further information.

- We need better consistency - this is an ongoing theme and one we will keep repeating until things improve. However, we did say that we feel the overall inspection picture is getting better. We are hearing more positive than negative inspection comments at the moment (no disrespect to members who have had a horrible time) - support is here for you, just ask.

- We need better trained phone people so that the answers they give us are correct - especially around ratios and reporting procedures. We know the right answers because we have them in writing from Ofsted and DfE - their own staff need the correct answers too!

In return Ofsted gave us information about a new tracking system they are putting in place so that they can see what each inspector is doing - and if they are getting lots of complaints - which is really good because they will be able to tell if inspectors are doing their job well or not...

This makes it even more important that providers complain if there is a problem with an inspection / inspector!! I have written a step-by-step procedure for making complaints after an inspection here - http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/ofsted-information-ofsted-inspections/119278-making-complaint-against-ofsted.html. Ofsted cannot make improvements if they don't know there is a problem!!

I am not the only childminder on this group who is working with the Ofsted Big Conversation to try and work towards a better relationship between providers and Ofsted. You can get involved as well - the OBC have a FB group - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ofsted-Big-Conversation/554719594623176?fref=ts and a website - #OfstedBigConversation (http://www.thebigofstedconversation.co.uk/).

Together we can make a difference! :clapping:

Thanks Sarah x

Thanks much appreciated

Thanks for all your work Sarah :thumbsup:

Thank you so much for collating all our feedback, giving up your valuable day off to represent us and to put across our points of views & concerns. Slightly concerned though that they haven't done what they said they would last time regarding making "notifications" clearer - hope they follow through with all they have promised! Thank you once again Sarah, it's very much appreciated. :littleangel:

Thanks Sarah , much appreciated .

In return Ofsted gave us information about a new tracking system they are putting in place so that they can see what each inspector is doing - and if they are getting lots of complaints - which is really good because they will be able to tell if inspectors are doing their job well or not - this I find really shocking , I can believe that there hasn't been a system in place....for goodness sake until recently we even had t do appraisals for our assistants - yet ofsted ( tribal / prospects?)weren't even monitoring their inspectors? No wonder there has been such a vast range of outcomes and differing expectations.

I look forward to reading the meeting minutes when they get uploaded on the OBC website so we know who attended and who the Steering group is....and the full discussion.

As Sarah says...there are CMs involved in OBC and there should a representative for CMs in every OBC region

Hector House ...thank you for mentioning the time they take to attend...collate the concerns and put them to the panel...there is certainly a lot work being done behind the scenes.

Just to clarify to those who are not aware...every OBC group will now have a Steering Group with everyone in the sector represented.
The reason for this is that I recently made the London people aware that CMs were in the past 'under represented' having only one Chair who was a CM
June O'Sullivan immediately responded and formed the Steering Groups in every area..Cms should now be very well represented everywhere.

They groups are now meeting to discuss how to best take OBC forward
London should have another meeting for all soon

As the representative for London I put many questions on the table after reading and listening to CMs concerns

If you have any worries you can always log in to the OBC website and comment there.