Hi All,

We've just added childminder Ofsted inspections to our website Watchsted (http://www.watchsted.com)

On the home page you can quickly see the last 100 inspections or switch to "By Local Authority" and see all the inspections for childminders in the LA.

Would be interested to hear your feedback on our free site.

John

I like your website and have been having a look. I have recommended it to others too.

A couple of things-

Just tried searching for CMers by LA but it comes up with an odd spiral of arrows with lines like a star on the map, in just one bit of our LA. The CMer 'arrow dots', when searched this way, are not accurate geographically, it seems- so why place them on a map?

Another annoyance-
I zoom in to my area to see, say, CMers. I then switch 'Establishment type' to look at Nurseries, for example, and it automatically zooms out to the whole UK map. So I have to zoom in again. Would be nice to be able to stay zoomed in and switch to each type of Establishment without re-zooming.

I like your website and have been having a look. I have recommended it to others too.

A couple of things-

Just tried searching for CMers by LA but it comes up with an odd spiral of arrows with lines like a star on the map, in just one bit of our LA. The CMer 'arrow dots', when searched this way, are not accurate geographically, it seems- so why place them on a map?

Another annoyance-
I zoom in to my area to see, say, CMers. I then switch 'Establishment type' to look at Nurseries, for example, and it automatically zooms out to the whole UK map. So I have to zoom in again. Would be nice to be able to stay zoomed in and switch to each type of Establishment without re-zooming.

I like the website too ... But had the same annoyances as moggy. Plus I had a couple of childminders that looked local ... But when I looked them up they were really about 50 miles away!

Thanks Loocyloo and Moggy, glad you liked the site and thanks for the feedback too.

Ofsted needs consent before it can publish the name and address of a childminders Ofsted inspection. This means that Watchsted does not collect the postcodes of childminders. However we do know which local authority these providers are associated with. So we show childminder inspections at one point within each local authority in a pie chart. Clicking on a pie chart will explode the pie to reveal all the inspections associated to the LA in a spiral. If there is only one inspection associated to the local authority then it will be shown as a pin rather than an exploding pie.

Will pass your feedback on to our team.

Hi John.


I think I have found an error . It's in the about watchsted section. Under the childminder heading the first sentence talks about schools.

I like the website too ... But had the same annoyances as moggy. Plus I had a couple of childminders that looked local ... But when I looked them up they were really about 50 miles away!

Thanks John .... This particular minder would have been in a different LA to me and the area I was looking at! And was the only one in that area.

Thanks Loocyloo and Moggy, glad you liked the site and thanks for the feedback too.

Ofsted needs consent before it can publish the name and address of a childminders Ofsted inspection. This means that Watchsted does not collect the postcodes of childminders. However we do know which local authority these providers are associated with. So we show childminder inspections at one point within each local authority in a pie chart. Clicking on a pie chart will explode the pie to reveal all the inspections associated to the LA in a spiral. If there is only one inspection associated to the local authority then it will be shown as a pin rather than an exploding pie.

Will pass your feedback on to our team.

Hi John :waving:

Will you please clarify your organisation's position on consent?

My understanding is that individual childminders give specific consent to Ofsted to publish their names and addresses in relation to their inspection reports. I think some will be concerned that your organisation may have reproduced this personal data on the back of consent given specifically to Ofsted. I for one have no recollection of giving Watchsted any such consent.

Will you please also expand upon the nature of your organisation? I have checked the "About" section of your website. There is a lot of mention of "we" on there, but it takes quite a while before you get round to mentioning that "we" is a private for-profit company, and there is no indication of any mission statement or similar.

Thanks.

Thanks Loocyloo and Moggy, glad you liked the site and thanks for the feedback too.

Ofsted needs consent before it can publish the name and address of a childminders Ofsted inspection. This means that Watchsted does not collect the postcodes of childminders. However we do know which local authority these providers are associated with. So we show childminder inspections at one point within each local authority in a pie chart. Clicking on a pie chart will explode the pie to reveal all the inspections associated to the LA in a spiral. If there is only one inspection associated to the local authority then it will be shown as a pin rather than an exploding pie.

Will pass your feedback on to our team.

Very useful website John...can't imagine why Ofsted themselves could not have come up with something so simple and quick as their website is rather nightmarish

One question...Ofsted have permission to publish CMs names and addresses for those Cms who have switched to that system recently
Many have opted to remain anonymous and only have their registration number published when their inspection report goes on the website..is this still current?

It is not accurate as it doesn't show 3 minders who have been inspected in my area in the last 3 weeks.


I do not have my name and address on the Ofsted website. I believe it to be a Child Protection issue and they should never have put cms details on there. We work in our own homes and more often that not on our own, with other people's children in our care some of who are protected by Court Orders or can be on witness protection programmes and there are very good reasons why they should not have their whereabouts publicised.

It has amazed me how many childminders agreed to have their name and address published and indeed how many publish these details on their web sites along with all their holiday dates for the year. I suspect that if they were burgled when they were away on holiday they would find their insurance did not cover them.

It is not accurate as it doesn't show 3 minders who have been inspected in my area in the last 3 weeks.

...

It will only show when the report has been published- so 6+ weeks after inspection date.

Our family information service has now added the link for our reports at the end of our entry. People here, who have noticed are unhappy

It is not accurate as it doesn't show 3 minders who have been inspected in my area in the last 3 weeks.


I do not have my name and address on the Ofsted website. I believe it to be a Child Protection issue and they should never have put cms details on there. We work in our own homes and more often that not on our own, with other people's children in our care some of who are protected by Court Orders or can be on witness protection programmes and there are very good reasons why they should not have their whereabouts publicised.

It has amazed me how many childminders agreed to have their name and address published and indeed how many publish these details on their web sites along with all their holiday dates for the year. I suspect that if they were burgled when they were away on holiday they would find their insurance did not cover them.

I agree with you point regarding confidentiality and Data protection for CMs when we had our names omitted from the reports once they went live on the Ofsted website
Cms fought very hard to keep some privacy but then came the age when all is revealed online and so bye bye personal protection.

That was a very special deal to protect CMs ...but many objected as they said it was unfair in terms of advertising their business and vacancies
I voted against the move but it went ahead anyhow and I still think it was a bad move....just because some CMs like to tell the world ALL details about themselves, their families and their business

It is still possible to keep your name and other details concealed from the report ...as long as you have opted not to become public to Ofsted and CMs have signed the appropriate form....that is why I posted the question to John who I am hopeful will come back with an answer....if he doesn't I can tweet to Watchsted anyway

The question of the insurance not covering us is not something we should worry about...they do insure nurseries who close 6pm to 8am when they too could be burgled when the property is empty...if you know what I mean?

Most FIS put a link to our Inspection report so parent can read it online as it would be a nightmare to find...once published the report is public property but your name will be there with your full name, address and full post code ....ONLY if you have opted to have them published

I can't figure out what it's actually for :huh:

I can't figure out what it's actually for :huh:

Must admit I'm thinking that myself

Looks like a good idea and very easy to use as long as addresses aren't published.
Nothing in my area at all though


Although very surprising how many Inadequate establishment are out there

Must admit I'm thinking that myself

For being nosey about recent inspections and who got what grade etc, seeing trends in grades across areas/setting types etc.
If you are not interested in Ofsted reports then it is of no use to you!

I cant even find myself!
if I search by postcode it tells me there are no childminders within 5 miles .
Im not sure that its easy enough to navigate and find the information that parents will be looking for ( ie finding all the good or outstanding local minders )..or maybe its just me that's not using it correctly.

I cant even find myself!
if I search by postcode it tells me there are no childminders within 5 miles .
Im not sure that its easy enough to navigate and find the information that parents will be looking for ( ie finding all the good or outstanding local minders )..or maybe its just me that's not using it correctly.

It is ONLY the latest 100 reports published, not a complete guide to the nations'childcare. So it changes daily.

For being nosey about recent inspections and who got what grade etc, seeing trends in grades across areas/setting types etc.
If you are not interested in Ofsted reports then it is of no use to you!

Seems a bit much to set up a website just to have a nose at what grades other settings got :p

I am interested in Ofsted reports, but use the Ofsted website. I was wondering what this site could give me that the Ofsted site doesn't.

It is ONLY the latest 100 reports published, not a complete guide to the nations'childcare. So it changes daily.

The last 100 reports nationwide? Perhaps that's why I couldn't find any at all in my area - a large city.

The last 100 reports nationwide? Perhaps that's why I couldn't find any at all in my area - a large city.

None in my city either.

It is ONLY the latest 100 reports published, not a complete guide to the nations'childcare. So it changes daily.

Sorry moggy its not.
You can look at the last 100.
or search by postcode / local authority.
For example 203 results come up if I put in my LA.
But on the cluster diagram theres no way of working out which 'spot' I am without going over tehm all!

Sorry moggy its not.
You can look at the last 100.
or search by postcode / local authority.
For example 203 results come up if I put in my LA.
But on the cluster diagram theres no way of working out which 'spot' I am without going over tehm all!

Ah, I see you can switch between 'Latest 100' and 'by LA' etc. Thanks, I hadn't noticed that.
Yes, they have explained the 'spot' problem, it is because generally we do not publish out addresses but they still put them on a map, not much use if you want to find a particular one!

Even the ones with addresses don't show as local, Im struggling to understand who the users of the website would be. Parents would want to find reports of minders within say 5 miles. They wouldn't trawl through the whole county.
I also wonder how the site has the right to publish my details without specific permission , or maybe its because they are just offering a different way of accessing the information that ofsted already have permission to publish...much like google or bing or whoever can....

Sorry moggy its not.
You can look at the last 100.
or search by postcode / local authority.
For example 203 results come up if I put in my LA.
But on the cluster diagram theres no way of working out which 'spot' I am without going over tehm all!

The spots are colour coded by grade so it's easy to find you!

Miffy xx

I think there is confusion on what Ofsted can publish...once inspected our reports are public and published on the Ofsted website either with our full name, address and post code ...IF we have given permission for them to do so recently ...or...with just our URN and 'Childminder' next to it

Check your letter from Ofsted when you did consent or not to full publication of your details...that letter should be filed away safely 'just in case'

This new website has received positive feedback from providers in the sector ....not here obviously
Ofsted have been warned at OBC meetings that their website is rather unfriendly and difficult to navigate

Hope John comes back with some answers but I would have thought it is easier to navigate your area rather than the entire Ofsted website to search for reports?....but it depends on what info one is looking for and how much time available to sift through the details.

I'm still struggling to see the point of it. I can already use Ofsted's "find an inspection report" page to search for reports based on "distance from your home" and I've had several enquirers who've also done exactly that. DoG knows, if I can do it, how hard can it be? :p

I'd still like to know if the consent given by individual CMs specifically to Ofsted to display their personal data is 'transferable' to the OP's site, and what is the nature of his website. He does seem to have gone silent since I asked these questions 3 days ago.

I hope I'm not being unfair, but I'm left with the impression he joined the forum to post this one thread, grab a little free publicity for his web-business ".....And that, (Said John) Is That...."*


*Credit: Alan Alexander Milne. :)

I agree with others in that I don't really see the point of this site. I have always been able to find inspection details on the Ofsted website regardless how long ago the inspection took place if it's only displaying the most recent inspections it's not really that useful.

I can sort of see a point in that if I was just about to be inspected I might want to see what sorts of things OFSTED had been saying very recently in reports for my area (though I'd be stumped if there were no local inspections in the last 100). I'm not sure what use it would be to parents as they would probably be more interested in who was closest.

Watchsted displays report of inspection and puts the link there for easy reference...not sure why this is being questioned?
They did this before for the rest of the sector...they have now added CMs to it...NWorld did an article on it too.

I also believe the LAs put a link to our inspection report on the FIS for parents to access the 'local' childcare available and not what is on the Ofsted website which is a nightmare to search....if you ask them why they do it they will say the inspection is public property and that is how they tell us how to improve by reading each report and getting the recommendations out?

The matter of personal details on the report is different altogether...make sure you have consented to ALL details being published.

Simona I can only answer the reason that I am questioning it.

Ofsted have my permission to publish my report
FIS have my permission to pblish my details with a link to my report. I continually renew that permission as its in the T and Cs everytime I update my vacancies and details with them.

I have never been asked permission by another website to publish this. I am questioning whether that is right.

The matter of personal details on the report is different altogether...make sure you have consented to ALL details being published. - I have not and will not consent to this. I will give my ey number to those who I wish to access my report , I will give my name and address to those I choose to. I think that publishing names and addresses of childminders is a real risk to the children in our care.

Simona I can only answer the reason that I am questioning it.

Ofsted have my permission to publish my report
FIS have my permission to pblish my details with a link to my report. I continually renew that permission as its in the T and Cs everytime I update my vacancies and details with them.

I have never been asked permission by another website to publish this. I am questioning whether that is right.

The matter of personal details on the report is different altogether...make sure you have consented to ALL details being published. - I have not and will not consent to this. I will give my ey number to those who I wish to access my report , I will give my name and address to those I choose to. I think that publishing names and addresses of childminders is a real risk to the children in our care.

I have only just seen this reply Mama2three
I think you will find that if people wish to look at your Ofsted report they do not have to wait for you to give them consent or get the EY number from you...am I correct?

Your report can be accessed by anyone at any time...this website accesses it in the same way any FIS or EY team do because oncle published by Ofsted our reports are in the public domain.
This is the link
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

Parents often ring CMs up and say: ' I have just read your Ofsted report online and I am looking for childcare' etc etc...they do so without Cms giving them the EY number because if they want to find us they can...I will stand corrected if wrong

Not sure what your message is about then...but this company does collect reports information and ....so far...only in this forum people have questioned them...maybe the reason they have not come back is because what they are doing is perfectly acceptable?

One way to question it further is to call NWorld and ask them about the article they have just done on this subject.
In addition certain of CMs details can only be published if CMs have given Ofsted permission to do by switching the original agreement and keeping that letter as proof.

I think CMs should also be worried about Ofsted possible intention not to publish our data in future...hence the recent petition...that is a real cause for concern which even OBC picked up

My view of course

I have only just seen this reply Mama2three
I think you will find that if people wish to look at your Ofsted report they do not have to wait for you to give them consent or get the EY number from you...am I correct?

Your report can be accessed by anyone at any time...this website accesses it in the same way any FIS or EY team do because oncle published by Ofsted our reports are in the public domain.
This is the link
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

Parents often ring CMs up and say: ' I have just read your Ofsted report online and I am looking for childcare' etc etc...they do so without Cms giving them the EY number because if they want to find us they can...I will stand corrected if wrong

Not sure what your message is about then...but this company does collect reports information and ....people have questioned them...maybe the reason they have not come back is because what they are doing is perfectly acceptable?so far...only in this forum

One way to question it further is to call NWorld and ask them about the article they have just done on this subject.
In addition certain of CMs details can only be published if CMs have given Ofsted permission to do by switching the original agreement and keeping that letter as proof.

I think CMs should also be worried about Ofsted possible intention not to publish our data in future...hence the recent petition...that is a real cause for concern which even OBC picked up

My view of course


If we are the only people to question what the point of this website is then good for us :clapping::clapping::clapping:

If we are the only people to question what the point of this website is then good for us :clapping::clapping::clapping:

I think that you have very clearly misrepresented what I am trying to say?
Questioning is good but it may need to be followed by action....I wonder if anyone will raise it at OBC? so far no one has.

If Cms are concerned about this new way of finding reports there are plenty of ways to get it checked to get reassurance...contacting Ofsted themselves in the 1st place is a start.

My personal view is that Watchsted would not do something that is not proper and legal...hence the reason I said only in this forum cms are not happy...others in the sector have not raised the same issue
However... everyone has the right to get clarification

Good luck.

I think that you have very clearly misrepresented what I am trying to say?
Questioning is good but it may need to be followed by action....I wonder if anyone will raise it at OBC? so far no one has.

If Cms are concerned about this new way of finding reports there are plenty of ways to get it checked to get reassurance...contacting Ofsted themselves in the 1st place is a start.

My personal view is that Watchsted would not do something that is not proper and legal...hence the reason I said only in this forum cms are not happy...others in the sector have not raised the same issue
However... everyone has the right to get clarification

Good luck.

Don't know 'bout anyone else, but I've been waiting 2 weeks for clarification and Mr Winstanley seems only to have slipped in the 2 posts to promote his business then Scapa-ed.

Free speech it may be, but it's hardly what you'd call a major positive contribution to our cheery little community of CMs.