Hi,

I was wondering if everybody that registers gets a FSA visit, and if so did you get a Rating sent to you, I did but I thought they were only for restaurants?

Emma.

It depends on your Local Authority.

Ours had started doing visits to childminders, but that seems to have stopped now. The ones who were visited didn't get a rating though, just an acknowledgement that everything was OK. Some LAs just seem to phone childminders, some email them a questionnaire to complete and some do a rating visit. It all seems a bit hit & miss :rolleyes:

When I first started I had a visit and a rating, next visit 3 years later, I had a visit but was told we are no longer given a rating.

I know childminders who have had visits, others how have had calls and others who have had questionnaires.
I have never had a visit, but always found the calls or questionnaires easy and stress free.

Thanks everybody. I was shocked to receive this green rating sticker to put on the door, I just assumed it was only for restaurants, still after the stress of having this lady go through my kitchen with a fine tooth comb, I am rather proud to display my score of '5' sticker, looks great for parents, and a nice reward in what sometimes feel like the worlds hardest job!

How strange that this process can differ so much by area, I wonder why they don't just do the same everywhere, after all it is Ofsted that are registering us as a food business.

Emma :)

...

How strange that this process can differ so much by area, I wonder why they don't just do the same everywhere, after all it is Ofsted that are registering us as a food business.

Emma :)

No, Ofsted only do the job of contacting your LA and handing over your details. It is your LA Env.Health Dept who register you under their own procedures. Ofsted are just saving us the job of contacting Env.Health ourselves (it was introduced a little while back as part of their efforts to 'reduce the burden of paperwork' on CMers)

No, Ofsted only do the job of contacting your LA and handing over your details. It is your LA Env.Health Dept who register you under their own procedures. Ofsted are just saving us the job of contacting Env.Health ourselves (it was introduced a little while back as part of their efforts to 'reduce the burden of paperwork' on CMers)

Ah, yes of course, makes sense now :rolleyes: thats why its so random!

Thanks everybody. I was shocked to receive this green rating sticker to put on the door, I just assumed it was only for restaurants, still after the stress of having this lady go through my kitchen with a fine tooth comb, I am rather proud to display my score of '5' sticker, looks great for parents, and a nice reward in what sometimes feel like the worlds hardest job!

How strange that this process can differ so much by area, I wonder why they don't just do the same everywhere, after all it is Ofsted that are registering us as a food business.

Emma :)

You don't have to put the sticker on your door. You are not open to the public.

Stupid question alert!!!

What exactly do they look for? is it just the cleanliness of the kitchen or do you have to cook or show how you prepare food etc?

Stupid question alert!!!

What exactly do they look for? is it just the cleanliness of the kitchen or do you have to cook or show how you prepare food etc?

It's everything you would expect from somewhere that offers food
Cleanliness, food preparation, food storage, fridge temp and layout (cooked and uncooked foods), knowing how germs spread, etc
There's a booklet you can go through: https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/multimedia/pdfs/publication/sfbb-tagd-childminders-fullcol-pack0513.pdf

Stupid question alert!!!

What exactly do they look for? is it just the cleanliness of the kitchen or do you have to cook or show how you prepare food etc?

Sez1980, do you know if they definitely visit in your area? Mine don't. I have to fill out a yearly questionnaire.

I've had two visits over the years but they were very relaxed. The only thing I had to do was buy a food thermometer. They also told me to monitor and write down the temp of the fridge every morning but after about a year the writing down of the temp fizzled out. Now I just make sure I check the fridge temp when I go in it.

This year I just got a questionnaire in the post , I filled it in and sent it back., so no visit :D

Thinking of kitchen safety. This is a terrible photo I took of a recall notice on the window of lidl last week. It shows a 'gloria' fire blanket.
Anyone who has a blanket from lidl might want to double check their website.