Hi,
I've got my ofsted inspection due in a couple of weeks. I've not long gone back to work after my maternity leave (two months) and the children I have I have all had since babies. One child is now 7, siblings now 2 and 5 and my assistants little girl who is 2. Things are very relaxed as I have looked after them a long time and I'm just really getting back into the swing of things and we never did formal contracts. I just wanted to confirm that this is definitely just a business decision and not an ofsted requirement? It's really the only thing I'm worried about now having gone through paperwork with a fine tooth comb. I sort of wonder wether we should just write some just in case!
I also surely don't need a permission form to leave my assistant alone or perform medical treatment on her own daughter right?! We have for everyone else just not her daughter. Again part of me half wants to tell her to sign one just in case hahaha

Hi, I've got my ofsted inspection due in a couple of weeks. I've not long gone back to work after my maternity leave (two months) and the children I have I have all had since babies. One child is now 7, siblings now 2 and 5 and my assistants little girl who is 2. Things are very relaxed as I have looked after them a long time and I'm just really getting back into the swing of things and we never did formal contracts. I just wanted to confirm that this is definitely just a business decision and not an ofsted requirement? It's really the only thing I'm worried about now having gone through paperwork with a fine tooth comb. I sort of wonder wether we should just write some just in case! I also surely don't need a permission form to leave my assistant alone or perform medical treatment on her own daughter right?! We have for everyone else just not her daughter. Again part of me half wants to tell her to sign one just in case hahaha


Good luck with your inspection, let us know how you get on and congrats on the new baby :-)

Inspectors do not routinely look at contracts. I think they can ask to if they want to check contracted hours in case of a concern over ratios, or to check about parental responsibility if there is an issue there.
Have you checked your PLI insurer- I wonder if having a contract is a requirement to show that the child is being 'childminded' and therefore covered by your insurance, rather than just 'a friend coming to play'. I would give them a ring because if you are not meeting your insurer's requirements your insurance would be invalid and that is an issue for Ofsted. This is just something that crossed my mind, I do not know for sure, so worth checking.
Having a simple contract keeps everything clear and above board anyway, I find.