Hi there,

I am really worried as I have been sent my SEF so expect my Ofsted inspection will be soon. I have only been child minding for 4 months (but registered earlier) and have been doing a diary for the 1 year old I have, but not done anything for the 3 after schoolers I have in the week. I have just started doing my own daily diary and planning and have not done any obs yet. A lot of my risk assessments etc.... were done but not documented and I am sooo behind on it all. I am not too worried as have started doing my planning and obs now and am catching up on everything but will that look terrible for my inspection or will they appreciate that I was getting use to child minding and am now getting everything in place ?
Not much I can do really, as long as I have everything in place it should be ok I hope, thanks from a worried lady ! :)

i hadnt got everything in place from day 1 , but am almost there now. im hoping that when O arrive they will see that i have made changes and improved my practice as i have learned to juggle minding , and family life. Some of the things i have worked back so it appears i have done them longer , for example its only since mid jan that i realised i wasnt signing them in/out for nursery , so i amended that from the beginning of the year. Other things they can see ive only recently introduced- and isnt progression and self evaluation one of the things they look for? dont worry - ( yeah right!) im trying to convince myself that the first inspection is to check we are on the right track - and it sounds like you are!

Just one quick Q though - what did you mean about sending you your sef? if its the letter with the gateway code on then i got mine just after registering , not a sign of an imminent inspection.

dont panic!

write up a things to do list to include updating R/As
maybe state get on an EYFS training course

if your afterschoolers are over 5 which they will be (duh me) then you do not need to observe/write diaries etc

I scrapped my afterschool weekly plans and told the inspector that we make no plans as I do what the children would like to do so dry days park, or cooking if they want or craft and toys too, childrens own choice.

You are now doing planning and obs for your under 5 .. well done, and remember he is new with you, settling in sessions, getting to know him, contact with parents via the diary so you have been doing it all and now starting to make notes as he is now settled.

write down courses you would like to do and a date you plan to get booked in on them by

decide on new equipment, when you plan to buy them

SAFETY was a big thing for me, make sure your fire drill is up to date and you do perform it too, inspector may ask the older children if they know what to do in emergancies but hopefully she will be gone before you do school runs as they are really only interested in EYFS children.

I think you are doing great and to have an SEF completed after only working for 4 months is awsome!

Thanks both !

To mama2three - I have been sent a letter saying notification of an inspection and they sent me the self asessment form to fill in, I have literally only just started it though so have loads to do !

Thanks for all the advice as well huggableshelly, my SEF is not completed but am sure I will get it done soon, luckily my currents kids are term time only so I have a week off, phew ! If they ring to inspect me I can say there is no point coming until after that hee hee ! I will say the same as you for the after schoolers, as they just like to relax and get out games etc.... so there is no point planning, I will just put down free time for them.

Thanks again :) x

sarahs e- book on sefs is well worth the small expense. highly recommended !
I am planning on being completely ready over half term - house shiny , paperwork up to date , files sorted etc. mind i did say that over the xmas hols as well , but could get a call at any time so need to get my bum into gear! cant find my driving licence anywhere either , hope its not a problem.

Yes that is my plan too over half term, but easier said than done ! :) x

Mel 09, Sounds like you are doing well :) I've been registered since Jan last year :eek: but only started minding in September, I've got obs and planning for my two EYFS children, but they are all loose and not put into a book as such, just into a folder.
My mindees are term-time only as well and I'm going to make the most of the time to finish off my SEF (half-way through), put the obs and planning and photos in order and tidy up the garden, as I'm in the middle of doing a sensory garden with gravel, soft grasses, herbs, some logs to sit on, outdoor chalking boards and some plastic guttering that can be moved around the space and water can be poured down them or 'ball pit balls'
Eventualy, it will also be a space for children to grow their own carrots and salad crops.
But, yes, paperwork is the worst bit of this :(

Wow you sound organised and your garden sounds fab !