Well had my 1st Inspection on monday.

It was the same inspector that did my intial one when i first became a childminder last year.

I was soo dissapointed. SHe came in sat down with her laptop and asked to see my paperwork. I then showed her my policies etc and a couple of pics of the kids doing activities. She then spoke to the 1 mindee i had.

We then went into the living room and she mainly just wrote things and asked me a couple more questions.

She then said she has awarded me satisfactory in everything and good in child protecton and safeguarding children. SHe said to get this on my 1st inspection was really good and I wouldnt have another inspection for 3 years.

She was only here an hour and didnt check anything. Didnt ask me about 1st aid or even check if I have a first aid box. she didnt check the toys playroom or anything

Is this normal????

Hello.
First of all you shouldn't feel disappointed with your grade. It's excellent :clapping:
Like you I have been childminding since May 08 and was inspected in Sept 08 receiving satisfactory overall and good in Being Healthy and Positive Contribution. I had 2 inspectors and they were here nearly 4 hours!!
Every inspector/inspection is very different as I have found out from reading posts on here and also talking to my network friends.
I do understand how you feel. I felt very deflated after my inspection and became obsessed with paperwork and EYFS now I'm much more happy and go with the flow at lot more.
Debs
x

This sound just like my inspection Sarah, so it's not just you. :(

I got good for one thing and all the rest were satisfactory.

I have worked really hard changing alot of things since my last inpspection, putting new things in place and in my opinion improving things.

Compared to my last inspector she actually dropped me from good to sat on 2 things :(

Needless to say I was and am still quite gutted. I was gonna appeal, but tbh.

I can't face having another inspection hanging over me so I am ashamed to say I thought " sodit" and left it.

There are days when I wish I hadn't but there you go :blush:

Thanks guys

Its not just me then

To be honest it was as if she didnt want to check anything or give me a higher grade as she kept saying what i got was really good for my 1st one. I was totally honest and said im lost with EYFS and need to learn more on it which she agreed but that was the only recommendation she said really.

I did want to show her all the arts and crafts bits i have and the drawings the kids had done etc.

To be honest if I was a parent I dont think i would be happy to place my child somewhere that only got an hours check.

Ohh well hopefully the next one in 3 years will be better:)

Dont be disappointed, your result was good and you should be proud you are meeting all the requirements.

TBH I think they tend to give most new minders satisfactory on their first inspection. Time and experience certainly help to improve your grade I think. Thats just my experience though and I may be talking codswallop :laughing:

As for wanting to show her stuff, then I advise anyone who has stuff they want to show to shove it under the inspectors nose regardless of what the inspector wants. Thats what I did yesterday and she was sick of looking at stuff by the end of the morning :blush: :laughing: You have such a short window to sell yourself at an inspection that you have to be forceful and make sure you get everything you want to across.

Congratulations on your grade :clapping: Im sure you'll get the grade you want and deserve next time as you seem very dedicated and committed :)

I totally agree with Miss Mopple, Well done!! Satisfactory is a good outcome for your first inspection. Sit back and enjoy the children without the stress of an inspection looming.:thumbsup:

Satisfactory is great for your first one at least you dont need to worry for another 3 yrs just enjoy :)

An hours inspection? Gosh, that was quick.
If you feel strongly about it, then appeal against her decision
But well done anyway, hun:clapping:

You did great to get goods! Well done! :clapping:

Next time you will have more confidence to shove stuff in her face.

I think I overwhelmed mine... kept asking if she wanted to see anything else, taking her to see things, asking if she wanted to follow me ... :laughing:

that is really good it means you are doing what you should be doing

that is what my inspector said to.
she explain all the grades to me and basicaly
satisfatury is like getting a c in your g.c.s.es
good is like a b
and outstanding is a+
so if you get sat you are doing your job right.
be proud of yourself

Well done be pleased with yourself.

I had an inspection last year and my inspector was lovely she asked a few questions observed me, looked at my paperwork and quickly checked the rooms and that was it, she didnt even check any safety aspects.
she was in and out within the hour :thumbsup: and i was sooo pleased it was over.

Dont be disappointed you done well. :)

I agree with everyone else, well done :)

My local council childminder developmental team told me in no uncertain terms that all NEW childminders will only get satisfactory as they have to have a starting point.#
At least you now have 3yrs to get everything perfect for an outstanding! :)

thats everyone your all right maybe i was looking into it a bit much.

I will start working towards a higher grade for next time:o

Well done Sarah

I agree with everyone else

You will get more confident next time around - I still think they should all work the same though one hour is not long when some spend hours and hours in a setting

But never mind you did really well and thats what you should concentrate on

Angel xx

Don't beat yourself up about it. The childrens parents will realise for themselves all the stuff you do with the kids. Well done.

you've done great for a first inspection, now relax for 3 years and enjoy your work:clapping:

Hello.
First of all you shouldn't feel disappointed with your grade. It's excellent :clapping:
Like you I have been childminding since May 08 and was inspected in Sept 08 receiving satisfactory overall and good in Being Healthy and Positive Contribution. I had 2 inspectors and they were here nearly 4 hours!!Every inspector/inspection is very different as I have found out from reading posts on here and also talking to my network friends.
I do understand how you feel. I felt very deflated after my inspection and became obsessed with paperwork and EYFS now I'm much more happy and go with the flow at lot more.
Debs
x

Ive been childminding since april , and I too got satisfactory, and I also had 2 inspectors, they were here for 4 hours, not fair :panic:
And I also think its wrong that they can all think so diffrently, I personaly think they should have the same criteria all the way thro..

dont be disheartened the other way happened to me I got Outstanding in all but one which she gave me good so my overall grade was good. It didnt seem fair as others who had 5 goods...got good too. Wish it was marked some other way just doesnt seem fair at all. At the end of the day you did get satisfactory and you wont have another inspection for 3 years so chin up:)

Carol xx