Hi

Had OFSTED here for 5 hours today!! Of course didn't just have Inspector, she was being inspected as well so had two of them!! Went ok and were both really nice but still recommended a couple of points that I feel I already do really well. She said that when a child first starts I didn't have enough evidence of where their learning is at. I pointed out the Learning Journal form and where I have dated each section but she said it is not enough to do that and that I must link it to more details such as maybe a photo showing proof of how that child has met that area as they start with me... does that make sense? I argued my point because I think I have done that and have lots of photos linked to eyfs and the developments but not specifically linked to that form, but there you go. Another area got actioned on was that my husband, my assistant, doesn't have paediatric first aid (he has aquatic first aid which covers children but not as much as paediatric). I have parents permission to leave him in sole charge for up to 30 mins but they said if I am to do that he must have first aid qualification. It never mentioned that in the application but suppose it makes sense. Anyway will prob not do it cause he is only my assistant for one hour a week and would only leave if say child asleep and popping to nursery or something, will just have to wake them up!

Apparently not allowed to divulge grading until comes through in post.

Shelley

Hi

Had OFSTED here for 5 hours today!! Of course didn't just have Inspector, she was being inspected as well so had two of them!! Went ok and were both really nice but still recommended a couple of points that I feel I already do really well. She said that when a child first starts I didn't have enough evidence of where their learning is at. I pointed out the Learning Journal form and where I have dated each section but she said it is not enough to do that and that I must link it to more details such as maybe a photo showing proof of how that child has met that area as they start with me... does that make sense? I argued my point because I think I have done that and have lots of photos linked to eyfs and the developments but not specifically linked to that form, but there you go. Another area got actioned on was that my husband, my assistant, doesn't have paediatric first aid (he has aquatic first aid which covers children but not as much as paediatric). I have parents permission to leave him in sole charge for up to 30 mins but they said if I am to do that he must have first aid qualification. It never mentioned that in the application but suppose it makes sense. Anyway will prob not do it cause he is only my assistant for one hour a week and would only leave if say child asleep and popping to nursery or something, will just have to wake them up!

Apparently not allowed to divulge grading until comes through in post.

Shelley

well done (by no divulgeing normally means outstanding;) )

Have heard what you said about hubby tbh was not surprised reading it

I did have a huge link obs from when children started and was told I was doing far to much:rolleyes:

Hi

No didn't get outstanding, would have liked but sadly no :(

Did give lots of positives but still feel a little disappointed, maybe I didn't sell myself well enough. Also had filled in SEF which she said was very comprehensive but certainly didn't cut down inspection.

Hi

No didn't get outstanding, would have liked but sadly no :(

Did give lots of positives but still feel a little disappointed, maybe I didn't sell myself well enough. Also had filled in SEF which she said was very comprehensive but certainly didn't cut down inspection.

I didn't do my SEF and was 4 1/2 hours long, then this mon I had a phone call because there was some stuff she didn;t ask:eek:

don;t feel down hun, but I do know how you feel, deflated after it all I guess

I had mine mon 5 hours also but I had nursery run in middle so she sat in her car then came in when back , I also got good but was also deflated when she left as she critised(sp) some of my work which I thought was good. My friends though never got checked on those things ether, all inspecters do it different ways.

Just wanted to say well done and to be perfectly honest it doesn't really matter what Ofsted think, it is your parents and mindees opinions that count as it is them paying for your care and if they keep coming back everyday I would say you deserve an outstanding!!!!
Well done and give yourself a big glass of wine to celebrate!

Yes thanks all, i know parents (and kids) really happy which as you say is what counts ... and on second glass of wine, but can't help feel a little deflated, prob feel okay tomorrow. Mine too sat in car whilst I went to nursery for 20 mins, didn''t want to come home!

well done hun x

It sounds harsh if they were saying you needed to do more on things you are already doing... at least you know you're not doing anything wrong.

Well done you! :clapping:

Gosh it must have been difficult with the inspector being inspected as well! She was probably more likely to nit pick more than usual.
Well done, you did really well!

Omg im due my inspection in nexxt couple of weeks and im dreading it even more now lol. i so hope there not here for 5 hours :eek: il cry and knowing my luck there will be 2 of them. Well done hun :) What did they mean about observations when children first start? im worried now :panic:

I think I was just unlucky really. My friend got inspected on Monday and was doing the same things as me and was told that was exactly right I got told not enough, just different inspectors. In fact there were some things she wasn't doing that I am and that didn't even get picked up on. Also Inspector only there 2 hours not 5! Still feel quite annoyed though, I really wish they all worked the same, I don't think it is fair. In fact although the inspectors were both really lovely the more I think about it the more I feel i might have to write and say how inconsistent I think the whole process is .... I know it has all been said before by others but I don't see how they can grade people if not all inspected the same. Sorry, just moaning, know I should be happy they have been etc but keep thinking back over the negatives, like you do after they have gone! :angry:

Just wanted to say well done and to be perfectly honest it doesn't really matter what Ofsted think, it is your parents and mindees opinions that count as it is them paying for your care and if they keep coming back everyday I would say you deserve an outstanding!!!!
Well done and give yourself a big glass of wine to celebrate!

This is the main point and I quite agree - I got a good on Tuesday but my parent wrote in M's diary this morning " well done on doing really well and getting a good - but we think you are outstanding"

So although I was p*&^%d off at Ofsted this made my day this morning and its their opinion that counts for me.

Well done you. It's all over now you can sit back and relax. It would be nice if the inspectors were more consistent but I guess it's keeping us all on our toes.

Hi

Had OFSTED here for 5 hours today!! Of course didn't just have Inspector, she was being inspected as well so had two of them!! Went ok and were both really nice but still recommended a couple of points that I feel I already do really well. She said that when a child first starts I didn't have enough evidence of where their learning is at. I pointed out the Learning Journal form and where I have dated each section but she said it is not enough to do that and that I must link it to more details such as maybe a photo showing proof of how that child has met that area as they start with me... does that make sense? I argued my point because I think I have done that and have lots of photos linked to eyfs and the developments but not specifically linked to that form, but there you go. Another area got actioned on was that my husband, my assistant, doesn't have paediatric first aid (he has aquatic first aid which covers children but not as much as paediatric). I have parents permission to leave him in sole charge for up to 30 mins but they said if I am to do that he must have first aid qualification. It never mentioned that in the application but suppose it makes sense. Anyway will prob not do it cause he is only my assistant for one hour a week and would only leave if say child asleep and popping to nursery or something, will just have to wake them up!

Apparently not allowed to divulge grading until comes through in post.

Shelley

How are we supposed to know where new starters level of learning is at? And how are we supposed to gain evidence of it?!

My mindee is only 2 and when he first came to me he labelled all colours as "blue". Yesteday I had him and he was saying the names of more colours. Is this OK as evidence if I write it down in his Learning journey? What are they expecting of us?? We're childminders, not ****** teachers!!!! Grrrr:angry:

HI

I had my inspection on Tuesday and she was really hard on me in comparison to other miders in my area that I have compared with. She made a huge thing about me needing to find out the L&D start points when I take new children on, from the parents. I had done my learning journeys with loads of obs and pictures and was very honest about where I had yet to focus (I have been minding 4 months and have taken on 8 children over that time - part timers obviosuly!) but she said I wasnt working in partnership with my parents as I hadnt asked them where they thought their children were educationally.

I have to say I dont think my parents would know. I have settling in forms all about the children although not about their L&D and have questionnaires from them all saying how great they think I am and how happy their children are. I honestly dont believe they would want to tell me or know where there children are - I would struggle with my daughter!

I felt this was really unfair and she said that although I got goods in every other area I would get saitsfactory because of this. I am sure there must be other bits too but I have lost what they are in my frustrated blur. To be honest I feel like chucking it all in and going back to my £50k a year boring job I used to do - this is so much harder (but so much more enjoyable) yet with so little financial reward (which I knew about and accepteed) with this sort of discouragement I feel like I have been kicked in the teeth.

I could rant on but have to go pick up, so thanks anyway, my first post, will be back!

What the heck is going on here, my inspector arrived at 9.30 she had left the premises by 11.20........

I reckon all the inspectors have just been told that they have to find out about this. I really am dreading my inspection now! I feel sick just thinking about it!:(

HI

She made a huge thing about me needing to find out the L&D start points when I take new children on, from the parents. I had done my learning journeys with loads of obs and pictures and was very honest about where I had yet to focus.

I have to say I dont think my parents would know. I have settling in forms all about the children although not about their L&D.



So how are we supposed to find this out, this whole childminding lark is turning into a flipping farce!! http://img3.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/confused/confused0068.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-angel-smileys.php)

Now im concerned because i am ringing ofsted again this afternoon to chase up when there coming to do my visit (as i want to put my tree up and enjoy christmas lol) and i have nothing about where the childrens L&D was at when they started? Any help on what i could do would be greatly appreciated? If i get satisfactory after all these years i will quit :eek:

Know how you feel Kate44 its four days since my inspection, still feel flat and cross that she did not see what an outstanding minder i am. My family,my parents and their little ones that i mind all think so and they are the ones that matter, not some stranger who has only spent an 1hr 1/2 with me. So come on lets cheer up and look forward to a EYFS free weekend.:clapping:

Now im concerned because i am ringing ofsted again this afternoon to chase up when there coming to do my visit (as i want to put my tree up and enjoy christmas lol) and i have nothing about where the childrens L&D was at when they started? Any help on what i could do would be greatly appreciated? If i get satisfactory after all these years i will quit :eek:

did you give parents ALL ABOUT ME book to fill with info about their child when they started, or info exchanged during settleing in period. Remember info does not have to be written down,just make sure you remember to tell the inspector.

Yes i haveall about me forms with info including if children can go to the toilet on their own if they are potty training. There likes and dislike. If they can put there own coat, shoes on etc. Who has parenta responsibility and legal contact. Not sure this is enoughon their l&d though :panic:

Yes i haveall about me forms with info including if children can go to the toilet on their own if they are potty training. There likes and dislike. If they can put there own coat, shoes on etc. Who has parenta responsibility and legal contact. Not sure this is enoughon their l&d though :panic:

use info to plan next steps and link to eyfs

I do that so hopefully that will beok. Thanks x

I had all info from parents about childs likes dislikes abilities etc, some was advised verbally and some written down. Had lots of pics of children from day they started and had filled in Learning Journal and dated but was not enough! Said it was all very well saying I knew they had reached these levels of ability etc but she needed proof I had seen either in photos or more detail written down. Still don't really understand what she was getting at. To be honest she only told me this when going through gradings at the end and she had not seen my learning journal in the back of each childs book but even when I showed her it said wasn't enough. When I think back I gave her all the folders with all info in etc etc and waited for her to ask questions because I was really busy with 1 and 2 year old and I had spent a lot of time filling in sef (which she herself said was very comprehensive), however I think I should have told her more info directly, feel there was so much that maybe she missed .... It is so hard when you are working isn't it to think of all you do because you are so busy trying to look after children and not neglect them .... Anyway good luck with your inspection I just think some of us are a tad unlucky.

thankyou very much. what i do when i fill in the child's learning journey is i link it to a photo observation or a small observationwith the date. so hopefully this will be enough evidence. x

I shouldn't worry. You seem very organized. I think you should stop reading these reports now as you seem to have everything in order. It all depends on the inspector on the day and also how you and the children perform...because on the day it is just a performance..they see you for such a short time and you have to sell yourself. A relative of mine got good the other week..the inspector stayed for just 1 and 1/2 hours she didn't leave her seat and spent most of the time chatting about her family and the childminder hadn't done a sef either...there is no consistency at all.:panic:
Mary

Thankyou, i just rang ofsted back and asked if il be inspected before christmas and they said they really dont know, il have to just wait for an inspector to ring me with a few days notice :angry: So now i cant put my tree up or enjoy the build upto christmas and my son has to miss out :angry: I hope ofsted are pleased with themselves :mad: im not bitter at all Lmao :laughing:

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why can't you put your tree up?
Don't Ofsted like Christmas either?!

Sally xx

Hi ofsted would just love grilling me on risk assessments to do with the tree and decorations etc. But i have gave in and put it up regardless of if they come out this week or in 2 months time. Bum to them :)

Now im concerned because i am ringing ofsted again this afternoon to chase up when there coming to do my visit (as i want to put my tree up and enjoy christmas lol) and i have nothing about where the childrens L&D was at when they started? Any help on what i could do would be greatly appreciated? If i get satisfactory after all these years i will quit :eek:

Hi, i got outstanding and she did pick up on that with me, finding out where the childs at in terms of their development from the parents, i have other forms but need to focus on what the child can do. i havent taken on any new children since Sept but just going to do a basic form for different age groups. Just want to tell everyone that they now have to do recomendations on your report even if you get OUTSTANDING. So dont worry and just tell her everything that you do. My inspection lasted 4 and half hours.
Anyway good luck
Tammy ( derby city)

well done tammy, if you would like to share the forms you use for knowing where the children are at when they start with you, im sure it would help lots of minders. Especially me :blush: Lol sorry i am cheeky hehe :)