Hi all just like to tell you ive had my Ofsted inspection.The inspecter phoned last week and asked me if I was available during the school holidays and since I have had holiday inspections before I said yes(oops).I did warn her though that I had a group of older children(11-14) and she said fine.Well the day came first day of the holidays,9 children present including3 teenagers,4 hours of inspection during which all the children were fed and watered and I was told I know you are an outstanding childminder who is dedicated but I cant give you outstanding because the older children impacted.......what.........The inspecter said the older children behaved just like a family and she was impressed but she had to go with what she saw on the day.I was told that I had good with outstanding aspects .....did I let myself down accepting the holiday inspection::mad:

oh no! I'm really sorry for you! i can't understand why she said she was impressed but that she couldn't give you outstanding just because of the older children! surely that will put minders off having older children and then where will the families go?

well done on being so great though! i think you were extremely brave accepting a holiday inspection and that you've done yourself proud!

they do pick up on the oddest things sometimes......when will they realise that ofsted being present is going to have an impact any way.....congratulations on still getting such a good grade, it was very brave of you to have your inspection with that number of children:)

I was wondering about inspections during school hols ..........

see in school hols I have maily over 8s with one in EYFS but I concentrate more on activities for the older children and younger one joins in where as during term time i concerntate more on EYFS and ofterschoolers have to fit in around the younger children.

To me school hols should be fun for all and relaxed so no EYFS to do .... I know this is wrong as EYFS is constant but after reading your post I've realised that I slack off more than I thought during the school hols

time to re-evaluate my system.

Sorry but I don't understand why she couldn't give you outstanding if she thought you were.

Could you explain a bit more please........... I just don't get it!

Miffy xx

I was wondering about inspections during school hols ..........

see in school hols I have maily over 8s with one in EYFS but I concentrate more on activities for the older children and younger one joins in where as during term time i concerntate more on EYFS and ofterschoolers have to fit in around the younger children.

To me school hols should be fun for all and relaxed so no EYFS to do .... I know this is wrong as EYFS is constant but after reading your post I've realised that I slack off more than I thought during the school hols

time to re-evaluate my system.


I agree with you! I don't have any over 8s, a 5 year old is my oldest, but during holidays everything is much more laid back & easy going. A child in a school nursery wouldn't be doing EYFS during holidays, so what's the difference?

Elliemay, you were brave to have your inspection during the holiday. I've only done it once (and the older children were my own), but never again. When I had my inspection at the beginning of the year, my 10 year old was off school ill & I sent him to his granny's so he wouldn't be here :blush: :laughing:
I know there is no limit on the number of over 8s you can have as long as it doesn't impact on the care of the under 8s. I'd have asked her how she felt it was having a negative impact. It does seem a bit harsh.

I have just read some of your replies and would like to say I am not trying to confuse anyone.I managed to stay calm throughout the inspection and asked lots of questions,the inspector was extremely nice and was happy to give me replies.The reason why she felt that she could not give the overall outstanding on this occasion was because it was an eyfs inspection ie she was looking for evidence of what I was doing with the younger children (under 2 and 9 months)to promote their development and learning etc and the older children were using the same space and needing my attention this meant I was not presenting my best on the eyfs side and she knew that I had more to show.I had anticipated this and had prepared displays and photographs to show what I do in the eyfs with the younger children but the inspection has to be what is evidenced on the day.

I think i would be pretty miffed, it will be interesting to read the detail in the report, if the older ones behaved and didn't constantly divert your attention from the younger ones then i think it sounds unreasonable and would be tempted to query how with ofsted that they impacted exactly!

Little ones can benefit from being around well behaved older children, and they like to be included in their games (appropriate ones) and enjoy the interaction of being played with by older children, and i have found that when i have older children around the little ones like to be with them more than relying on me, they sense and like to be with friendly older children who are a novelty and interested in them.

Sounds harsh, but in reality i don't think this will impact on what sounds like you are doing a fantastic job and not something that will worry current or prospective parents in the slightest.

I have good when some of my friends have outstanding but the reality and choices made by parents has not reflected this, so unless your ofsted report is really unfair and inaccurate i would hold my head high for a job well and bravely done!

I have just read some of your replies and would like to say I am not trying to confuse anyone.I managed to stay calm throughout the inspection and asked lots of questions,the inspector was extremely nice and was happy to give me replies.The reason why she felt that she could not give the overall outstanding on this occasion was because it was an eyfs inspection ie she was looking for evidence of what I was doing with the younger children (under 2 and 9 months)to promote their development and learning etc and the older children were using the same space and needing my attention this meant I was not presenting my best on the eyfs side and she knew that I had more to show.I had anticipated this and had prepared displays and photographs to show what I do in the eyfs with the younger children but the inspection has to be what is evidenced on the day.


I can understand that, but if that's the case she shouldn't have come through the holidays. If she wanted to do a purely EYFS inspection, she should have done it at a time when you only had EYFS children.
It seems as if you've been penalised for her coming at the wrong time.

Hi mouse thats exactly how I feel especially as I explained the older children would be present she did suggest that maybe the other children should have been in the garden a good suggestion except for supervision and the fact that the other children wanted to be involved in the inspection.

I think Ofsted have been really unfair to you!!!!!!!!

I know the EYFS is really important but the tendancy to dismiss the older children is in my view wrong. A older child needs our attention and help just as much surely it part of inclusion!!!

Well done you I think you should be proud of yourself. The fact you still have teenagers and she saw they were part of family should be very rewarding to you:)

I have one word for your "appeal". If you really think this is unfair and it certainly sounds like it, then appeal and they will send another inspector.

OFSTED are so full of inconsistancies, depends on who you get on the day!

Can they come and re-inspect you on a day when you do have EYFS kiddies? I would be really angry if I was you.

Hi I agree its sounds unfair. After stating that she would be inspecting next week, I was asked the question 'Do you have under 5s children present everyday?' I said 'I don't have any children present that Friday, but do Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs.' 'Thats fine, I wont be there Friday' she said. I think she should have said she will come on a week when you have under 5s. It sounds as if you are doing an excellent job anyway. The most important people are happy - The children and their parents. Thats what really matters. Good Luck if you decide to appeal. People do if they think they are unfairly treated.
Star:)

If you feel that it is unfair then I would appeal/complain.

All I can say is well done, don't feel sad you know you are great and the children and parents are what count!

There's no way I would want them coming in the hols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If she wanted to do a purely EYFS inspection, she should have done it at a time when you only had EYFS children.
It seems as if you've been penalised for her coming at the wrong time.

I agree and as you explained about the children you would be looking after and she still chose to come I think you've got grounds for appeal.

It might be worth just phoning the inspector and telling her how you feel. She might agree to come back and see you work with the younger children and review her decision. It's worth a try.

Miffy xx

I have one word for your "appeal". If you really think this is unfair and it certainly sounds like it, then appeal and they will send another inspector.

Debbie is right! I read your post and immediately thought no way would I accept that, I can't believe what some of these ofsted officers are getting away with. These people are only human beings not Gods :angry:
Please appeal! We have to make a stand other wise Childminders will continue to be walked over.

I agree and as you explained about the children you would be looking after and she still chose to come I think you've got grounds for appeal.

It might be worth just phoning the inspector and telling her how you feel. She might agree to come back and see you work with the younger children and review her decision. It's worth a try.

Miffy xx

Thanks Miffy I did explain to the inspector how I felt throughout and she did realize that I wouldnt like the decision. the older children were asking for the outcome before she left and she told me to tell them outstanding aspects ,eyfs is new to everyone isnt it even experienced inspectors.The older children have all said that they enjoyed the experience which is nice to know.

I think if her descision isn't resting easily with you then contact her again. You may feel short changed about it and resentful for a long time if you don't give it a try. Maybe the inspector will even expect you to contact her, especially if she kept saying you won't like her descision... You had to prioritise in a situation like that, if you ignored the older children to do EYFS would have neglected them, risking their health and safety. You sound like you are doing an amazing job - having all-round happy customers, well done!!

I can understand that, but if that's the case she shouldn't have come through the holidays. If she wanted to do a purely EYFS inspection, she should have done it at a time when you only had EYFS children.
It seems as if you've been penalised for her coming at the wrong time.

I completely agree with you. You should be very proud of your good grade but I would still feel a bit annoyed tbh. I would maybe say something. You sound like a fab CM!

OFSTED are so full of inconsistancies, depends on who you get on the day!

That is so correct!!! I thin kyou should appeal if you feel so very strongly against it. I would. Espcailly after she said she would give you all outstandings if it weren't for the older children.

Were the older children impacting your care of the little ones? Was the fact you were looking after over 5's putting the other children in danger? Nope, I bet.
I feel very sorry for you, the reason being, that your inspector told you that you would have been outstanding, and told you the reason why and the reason why was not fair at all!

Besides, you must have done exceptionally well to get a good with outstandings parts. Well done you!!

(lately I have noticed a lot of members are disappointed with receiving a "good" and I can't fathom it - a "good" is a very high grade to get. Let's not forget it)

I would appeal if I was you, how can she comment you are outstanding and not give it?


Ofsted need more training and more understanding of the real world


Allie