Hi All

I have seen over the last 2 weeks a lot of threads about a letter that Ofsted have been sending out setting our the conditions and regulations for the certificates starting on 1st September 2008.

I only got mine today and was very confused over a couple of regulations mentioned and so I queried them with the helpline of Ofsted. The lady I spoke to was very helpful and extremely informative and this is what I was told:

With relations to the letter which states that children are still on the Early Years Register until the 31st August after their 5th Birthday:

this was explained to me that this referenced to our care and policies and planning for EYFS only and that the age ratio's are still the same as now. i.e. a 4 or 5 year old going to school for 10 sessions is classed as 5, comes in the >5 ratio's but must still be included in the <8 ratios.

It was also suggested that as schools were covering EYFS then it shouldn't be repeated or continued in a school manner after school. I was advised to confirm with school that the EYFS was being followed and record this in my book. This left other non curriculum areas to be catered for after school; i.e. play....

The next item Ofsted did not have an immediate answer for and are looking it up and coming back to me tomorrow.

I have a 16 year old who is registered as an assistant (CRB checked etc) and Ofsted know that he is covering me when I go to school and he also takes out older ones (including <8's) to the park. However, the new regulations state that an assistant under 18 must be supervised by an over 18 at all times.

I will let you know the outcome of this when I have it.

I know that all this is confusing but Ofsted helpline certainly are efficient and friendly and if you need to know anything, give them a call. If they don't know the answer they will come back to you.

Enough rambling.

Debbie :clapping:

Thank you for this Debbie, I have too received the letter and I have been reading the relevant threads on the forum about the rising 5's. The letter is very confusing to read.

Thank you for clarifying this Debbie :D

Thanks Debbie
it is all a tad confusing
Linxx

Thanks Debbie

Angel xx

why do they make it all so confusing

I recieved this letter this morning and am still trying to understand some of the requirements.
This one for instance: CR4.2

Childminders must have successfully completed a qualification at a minimum of level 2 in an area of work relevent to childcare.

So what is a level 2 ?

regarding my above post I have now been on the phone to Ofsted and there is a mis-print.
requirement number CR4.2 should read;

Childminders must have completed a :
> qualification at a minimum of level 2 in an area of work relevent to childcare
OR
> training in the core skills as set out in the document `common care of skills and knowledge for the childcare workforce`.

they missed the OR out and it only applies to voluntary part of register ONLY.
So those of us who have always been registered it does not apply to as we have the CORE SKILLS.It is only applicable to those going on the voluntary register.

Confusing or what.

Thank you Debbie x

Ofsted sure have created at lot of work from themselves over the wording of things.

Surely they can't possibly want all these extra calls & e-mails, so you'd think someone high up earning mega bucks would use their brain, and word it how it's meant to sound!!!

Kelly x

Thank you very much for this. I too received the letter today and was very confused, but this has answered all my queries.

Cheers Debbie :thumbsup:

Miffy xx