I had a phone call today from an inspector at Ofsted to tell me she was going to be coming out to see me. I'm glad I've had the phone call but she was very short on the phone and sounds like a bit of a dragon - not looking forward to it now!
Also do i have to complete an SEF? I've just printed 1 off and its 30 pages long! I'm not really good at these things - is it worth having a go at completing it?:eek:

have you done quality first or children come first network childminder


i never did my sef but i had just completed my quality first and achived level 3 and as this is all about reflective practice my ofsted lady was happy with this

ive just had my ofsted inspection and i did my SEF at home but inspector say that ofsted want all childminders to do it on line and we had 6mth from sept to have done it! i asked him to note down that he had seen mine considering it took me ages! karen good luck for inspection

Dont be put off, mine wasnt very friendly on the phone but when she turned up she was lovely.

I would recommend doing the SEF, it does help a lot during your inspection.

Good luck :)

Yeah I know its long winded but I filled mine in I felt I waffled a lot but when my inspector finally came she said she thought it was good and she learnt a lot about me from it. So I would recommend having a go . Good Luck xx

ive just had my ofsted inspection and i did my SEF at home but inspector say that ofsted want all childminders to do it on line and we had 6mth from sept to have done it! i asked him to note down that he had seen mine considering it took me ages! karen good luck for inspection

Hang on! I thought the SEF wasn't compulsory so how can he say that?! :panic: Also, it wouldn't be fair on those that don't have computers to say it has to be online. He must have it wrong. :rolleyes:

I'd say make a stab at your Sef... it's all about selling yourself and making yourself look as good as you possibly can.

Good luck! :D

Get sarahs e book on the SEF. Its fantastic and really helped me fill mine out. I couldnt have done it so well without it :thumbsup:

My inspector was over the moon that I had done it in so much detail and I am 100% certain that without it I would have got a lower grade than I did as there was so much info in it and it showed I was truly reflecting on what I do. I was brutaly honest in it, even commenting on how I had re assessed how I do pre school drop offs as I had a child who wandered off for a few seconds while I was handing over a child (he'd slipped into the classroom without me noticing :blush: ). She was pleased that I was so open about it and reflected on how to ensure it didnt happen again.

Most of my inspection was based around what she had read in my SEF, and a lot of my report talks about things I had written in it.

Good luck!

I would suggest you do your SEF. You do not have to submit it as long as you have it done in writing she will be happy with the fact that you have filled it in.

Good luck!!:thumbsup:

I would definately try and do one. It helped with my inspection last week, as I wanted her to visualize my setting and my practice. The inspector didnt ask me as many questions as it was all written down in the SEF and she could see me implementing it. Thats why I think i got outstanding!!!!:) Without it I think I would have got good. I think it really helps you review your practice although it is a pain to do!
E x

I did my SEF and it took about 6 hours. I went through bit by bit and used the guideance notes and put it into word. The then tweaked it here and there and copied and paste into the site.

Word of warning - you may struggle to paste, so just Control V and it will work

Good luck

I am told by quite a few minders that if they have done their SEF then their inspections are about 2 hours or less.

Thank you all for your comments. I will have a go at completing it tomorrow especially if the inspector won't be there as long!!! Will def download the guidance as I'm a bit confused at mo. Will let you know how I get on.:)

Hello all
I know somebody who had inspection and did not do SEF and the isnspector told her that she has to do it and she had since september to do it and put this as her recomendation.

i cant even get the form off ofsted website - it asks for a code and i havnt got one, the lady at ofsted just said register which i have but still cant get into it!!

I have my inspection next week! :eek:
I did my SEF in October and it took me three weeks to complete!:(
Guess I'm not that smart!
I just did a section at a time - it was all that I could face! :)