Hi guys.. haven't had a graded inspection yet.. am beginning to feel nervous as to what I should expect and what needs to be in place... I've already done a lot.. have just spent time today retyping my emergency contact stuff and parental consent forms so they are more specific.. I some times feel like I'm going over old ground.. anyway..

I just wondered what 3 things did you feel were the most important for you during your inspection.. and how do you cope if the kids are all grumps... now normally my childs are great but ya never know :laughing: ...

any advice would be great! thanks for reading.x

i think one of the most important things is just be yourself and spend the morning of your inspection like any other! when i had mine i didn't constantly play with the children or act any different than i usually did, the inspector picked up on this and said that it was nice to see a childminder that didn't put on an act, they can always tell!

Hope yours goes well:)

i agree with what has been said but she was very hot on child protection ( safeguarding) and wanted to know everything i had in place to protect the children
front door locked,
gates secure in the garden
fire safety etc etc

crossing the road and going out generally.

she also wanted to see my risk assessments in detail too

My portfolio with all the evidence linked to the welfare requirements this saved the Inspector asking me lots of questions

Cx

1. THIS FORUM

2. THIS FORUM

3. Being relaxed about the inspection knowing things were correct after checking things others had highlighted on THIS FORUM!:laughing: :laughing:

I made a wishlist of all the things which I havn't got but what I aim to get in the future and put why too.

Portfolio and pack of info which I give to parents

Ensure you get everything out to show ofsted, however minor. I piled all my files, reference documents, multicultural and disability awareness toys and stuff I just keep in the lounge for her to sit and look through.

A detailed SEF. I spent at least 10hrs on it and it really paid off.Also the fact that I was 100% honest in it, talking about when I temporarily misplaced a mindee on a pre school run and what measures I put in place to avoid it happening again.

Putting all my paperwork out on the table (and insisting she read it all :laughing: )

The slideshow I put on the tv in the background. It gave her a good insight into what we get up to and the kids loved talking to her about it.

Can I add a 4th?

Feedback form from the children as well as the parents.

I agree with others about the SEF. Do as much work on it as you can and really think about what you are writing. Give loads of evidence to back up what you are saying.

Have a full SEF will reduce the amount of time they need to spend with you and will elliminate a lot of questions too.

Having a SEF in place so she didn't ask many questions.

Sticking with our normal routine.

Having the planning in place so kids knew what we were doing and so did I! (instead of my mind going blank!)

A detailed SEF. I spent at least 10hrs on it and it really paid off.Also the fact that I was 100% honest in it, talking about when I temporarily misplaced a mindee on a pre school run and what measures I put in place to avoid it happening again.

Putting all my paperwork out on the table (and insisting she read it all :laughing: )

The slideshow I put on the tv in the background. It gave her a good insight into what we get up to and the kids loved talking to her about it.

Can I add a 4th?

Feedback form from the children as well as the parents.


I like the idea of the slide show on the tv that's really good:thumbsup:

I like the idea of the slide show on the tv that's really good:thumbsup:

I did that too:thumbsup:
Kept the kids entertained too.

my last inspection one of my mindees took the inspector to one side and went through every scrap book we had and talked about every picture and who was in it and where and what we did,, it took about 45mins and i got an outstanding for enjoying and achieving and a good for positive contribution.

so i would say paperwork on table,
certificates on wall
all safery in place kitchen / stair gates etc
and let the children talk to the inspector as much as possible,

ask the children oh would you like to tell/show mrs ofsted where your personal towel is ,,, our pet corner,,, where we wash our hands, the fire escape etc etc etc

good luck x