Anyone here had the SCMA inspection on the new grading system?

Did you get a call before they came out or is it really unannounced and anytime at all?

I had warning on the last inespection and I suppose getting 4 weeks notice is warning enough, but I feel panicky enough with all these risk assessments!!

Please can anyone help, I've had no help at all her for the last year, could only just mnagae to tell you who the co-ordinator is!!

Thankyou

Francesca

i live in north lankshire and it will depend on your officer or officers some get 2 weeks some get no notice and depending on who you have the grades are different there are 6 of us very close with nearly the same paper work but depening on who you have and line mangers it goes between a 4 and a 6 but if you get a 4 and you have no recommendations .how are you ment to improve they may not know the answer.there is a metting for us with the carecommission so because there is so many difference.dont worry you know you job and the bottom line is that it is the kids that you watch which is important not what they say on a bit of paper when they dont know you :)

I had my new grading inspection in May and it really wasn't much different from last year so don't panic. The Care Commission gave me notice of a week or so. I don't know of anyone who has had an unannounced inspection under the new grading system.
Basically have all your paperwork ready for them to go through - diaries, risk assessments, childrens scrapbooks etc. My inspector was only here for a couple of hours and it wasn't bad at all so I'm sure you'll be fine.
Good luck

Thanks, my first wasn't unannounced, a couple of days and thats ok, just gives me time to get organised - and thats not to say the paperwork isn't done, though working on a cleaning rota today.

I sooooo need to calm down, I know the parents are happy and the children are too, Hubby keeps telling me to get a grip lol!!!Made him re paint the hallway yesterday!

I keep a daily dairy but not a scrapbook of the childrens work as they take it all home - and I keep forgetting to take photo's of the activities - will that be an issue?

Many thanks though

Francesca

Thanks, my first wasn't unannounced, a couple of days and thats ok, just gives me time to get organised - and thats not to say the paperwork isn't done, though working on a cleaning rota today.

I sooooo need to calm down, I know the parents are happy and the children are too, Hubby keeps telling me to get a grip lol!!!Made him re paint the hallway yesterday!

I keep a daily dairy but not a scrapbook of the childrens work as they take it all home - and I keep forgetting to take photo's of the activities - will that be an issue?

Many thanks though

Francesca

I had an inspection in March to trial the new grading stuff. You have to evidence everything you say so as long as you have diaries and letters from parents you will be fine - photos are handy but it will take time to build up an album to show them. I think the first time they will just tell us what we need and it will be next year before it is all expected to be in place. I dont have scrapbooks for the same reason but I have photos of the children doing crafts and painting etc as well as being able to show the inspector craft materials.

Basically they need to see that you do what you say you do.

I always look on my inspection as a way to help me get things right - not an exam, it takes the edge off the nerves. Things would have to be really bad before they told you you couldn't work. Do parent and children questionnaires as I think if they know the parents and kids are happy it will help.

Thats what hubby says - its about getting it right.

I gave out questionaires and need to chase up a couple, we have a rota the children devised for activities each day and I do have some photo's just need to get them printed.

Its easy to say I'm doing a good job its the stamp of approval and I would hate to fail lol. My girls have had childminders for a total of 10 years up to 2 years ago and have had great as well as truley awful so I go by what my last child minder would do, she was great!!!

Thanks for the feedback though, I do feel calmer and I am up to date with paperwork.

Francesca

My friend got a phone call to say Inspector be round in half an hour to do her inspection. My friend said that would be fine but she had new mindee coming round with parents for their first visit and felt that it would be a difficult situation for everyone concerned. The Inspector was very understanding & said she would be round the next morning. The inspection was very thorough but all she was interested in was evidence, evidence and more evidence of good practice.

I received a letter saying my inspection would be in four weeks time but I am still waiting & that was in March!!!!

I had to submit my e form at the end of July and still not heard anything about my inspection. I don't know wether to email my inspector or just leave it?!
Rather it was over and done with, but on other hand it gives me longer to settle with my 3 new mindees and get into a proper routine, i still feel a bit all at sea with it and bumble from day to day at the mo - am on 3rd week with them all!

Its the waiting I hate! Not knowing if, as per Care Commissions letter, that all inspections unannounced! I dont mind as I just want it over and done with - I have been ready for them since March! Every car that stops, every knock at the door I think this is it!! There are 12 of us Childminders in my area and none of us have had this years inspections yet!

Thats really the issue isnt it! I'm checking every car and person that passes! Not sure I could wait that long though, thats just plain wrong!

I feel like I have another weekend to make sure I am ready so have got photo's printed for tomorrow morning and will scrap book them but to wait months - think I will go loopy!

Someone else said that it was about they were interested in the evidence that proved you were doing what you said you were doing. Its made me realise I do far more each day that what I think I do.

Just want it over and done with though.

Francesca

hi there ive been waiting for them to turn up since may ,june and still no show i know what you mean watching every car .just look over your stuff ie,photos,check list,fire checks,toys clean ,paper work up to date .parent info sheets,kids imfo sheets ,daily dairy,pet forms,car imfor ready,and anything eles you can think off.let me know how you get on and remb you are selfemployed and being doing the job already and if you got kids and you get on with them thats what is impor .:)

Thanks RoseyBev and all of you - you are right, we are all far more prepared than we think we are!

Francesca