Hi I have been reading all of your wonderful hints and tips but never posted before. I have been a registered childminder since August 2008 and am finally having my first grading inspection on Thursday. Getting myself all worked up as I am unsure what to expect I only mind after school and am fully booked and all parents extremely happy. Have all of my policies contracts permissions risk assesments record forms and attendance sheets etc filled in and signed. My concerns are planning I was doing this on a white board for each week and then rubbing it off. Explained this to the inspector when she rang and she said 'they are only after schools so wouldn't worry too much'. I have record books that myself parents and school can write in but parents and school don't really co-operate too much with writing things down as I speak to them everyday anyway. Just wondering if anyone has had an after school only inspection and how much paper work I should have? The children I mind attend breakfast club then a full school day then some have clubs ect so by the time we have had dinner there isn't loads of time . We do lots of activities playdough sticking cooking etc but I am now realising that I should record things better! Sorry for long post panicking and its giving me insomnia!!

Good luck with your inspection. I haven't had an after school only one I'm afraid. I will be next time though, as I am cutting back for a while in September so am interested in how yours goes. Can you please post up after you have had it.
Sorry I couldn't help. If you are worried about not having any written records though you could maybe think back and write down maybe a months worth or so of records...maybe.

Don't worry - you'll be fine.

Do you have any photographs of the children's artwork (or any on display) to show the inspector the sorts of things you are doing with them. Or any feedback from parents to show they are happy with your service.

The inspector may ask the children questions about what they like doing at your house and will talk to any parents who come to collect whilst she's there.

Try and relax, don't do anything differently to usual and good luck

Miffy xx

I had my inspection last week and she said I didn't need any planning or observations for my after schooler as he wasn't under 5 ,but I did have his artwork ect on walls to show he joined in with others when he came home,but she was only interested in my 2&3 yr olds.:)

Best tip I have been given is to tell your parents that you are being inspected soon and ask them if they would like to write a letter for Ofsted and seal it in an envelope for you to give Ofsted on the day.
As other had said have some artwork up and if possible photos of what the children have been doing.
If you have lots of photos why not print them out on normal paper, stick them onto coloured card then laminate and make a booklet out of them?
I find that having a diary is best as you can write in it what you want to do each day and if anything changes you can scribble it out and put something else.
But the important thing is that Ofsted can see that you are adaptable to the needs of the children.
Good luck with your inspection :thumbsup:

Thank you for your advice I do not look after any under fives but 3 of mine are still in the EYFS until end of August as they are in reception class at school. I know I do loads of stuff with them have lots of photos on my mobile but struggling to find the lead to transfer them off. I can think of so many activities that we have done its just trying to record them all. Think I am just worrying myself silly though as I told her this on the phone and she didnt seem too bothered. Fingers crossed and I am praying they don't all decide to have an off day at the same time next week!!

Hi there! My first and only inspection was when I only had after schoiol children.

I got Outstanding and all I did was show how I would do Learning Journeys, scrapbooks for picture, how I woiuld record obsrvations etc ... I had all this in folders to show my inspector.

I had my policies etc with a sheet to sign.

I think so long as you are able to tell her or even better show her how you have everything in practice and how you will be doing things for EYFS etc... you should do okay.

My planning was a daily diary which I record what we did each day and planning was on a sheet of paper, nothing formal at all ... I changed it at the end of each week.

To show what activities you have already done, could you get a few photos to display somewhere?
Do you have a website? Tell the inspector ...

Complete some of the SEF and explain how you wil do things.

Good luck and let us know how you do :)

good luck with your inspection :)

Hi Libby

i'm in the same same situation as you!! I have one after school, my inspection will be due soon so have been visiting this site for plenty of great tips/advice :laughing:

Please let us know how you get on!

GGOD LUCK ;)

Good Luck Libby :thumbsup: