Hi minders!
:eek: Got my first inspection any day now. I've had my call to update their records and they say they'll be in touch about a visit in next week or two.
I'm terrified. I can't sleep! Just wondering if there are any pointers (apart from the obvious have paper work at hand etc) any of you can give me? I get really nervous about things like this and tend to do stupid things when under pressure (like leave gas on and doors open:rolleyes: ) I've been known to have a glass of wine or two to calm a stressful situation but obviously this isn't an option LOL:blush:

Did anything help you? What did you have the kids doing? AGH! Help

Agh!

Scoot back a few months and I wrote an almost identical post! ( without the wine though:laughing: )
You have a week or 2 to go through all of your paperwork and check everything is in place ..lots of threads have lists you can use as guidelines and Sarahs books help too..
Try and do some of your Sef - it helps you highlight areas where you can improve , and also helps you blow your own trumpet , and dig out the 'evidence' of what you are saying.

On the day just do what you would normally do ...dont try anything new to the children as they will definately drop you in it!

I was so nervous I smashed a lightbulb all over the floor just as she pulled up outside the house..so Mindees sat on settee not moving , and I opened the door , checked ID , and told her shed need to excuse me as I was mid - crisis!

Good Luck! x

Scoot back a few months and I wrote an almost identical post! ( without the wine though:laughing: )
You have a week or 2 to go through all of your paperwork and check everything is in place ..lots of threads have lists you can use as guidelines and Sarahs books help too..
Try and do some of your Sef - it helps you highlight areas where you can improve , and also helps you blow your own trumpet , and dig out the 'evidence' of what you are saying.

On the day just do what you would normally do ...dont try anything new to the children as they will definately drop you in it!

I was so nervous I smashed a lightbulb all over the floor just as she pulled up outside the house..so Mindees sat on settee not moving , and I opened the door , checked ID , and told her shed need to excuse me as I was mid - crisis!

Good Luck! x

My God you sound exactly like me!!!! :laughing:

I've never been so scared about anything! I even sing semi professionally on stage and I can't remember it scaring me this much! I'm waking up about three times a night - usually just after I've dropped off then again about 1 or 2 and again around 4! :yawning: So I'm realy tired too which all created the vicious circle!

Its just the idea of having a stanger come into my house and judge me:panic: I don't have any LOs of my own so can't prove that I've at least managed to keep my own child alive full time LOL!!!! Oh dear. Just want it over :ohdear:

inspectors are well aware of the way we may react under stress but this is what they like to see! Please don't worry!
I get all my folders out on the dining table and let them do whatever.
Carry on as usual, don't change anything, have an idea of what you would like to do with the children present but go with the flow the way the children take you. Your inspector will talk to you and the children and parents if possible.
When I knew my inspection was imminent I made sure I had resources out that children were interested in at that time. I had a lo who was really interested in numbers and counting and I had already started to introduce the concepts of addition and subtraction so made sure I had Number Posters, Counters , Shapes, blocks, loads of things that could be used in this field.
When lo was up close to the number line all I did was ask what she could see, I knew this would grab her and we were away! It led to some fantastic evidence for the inspector as lo introduced other resources into our play to support her interest in Maths.
i have had positive inspections but still feel under pressure and am still stressing about maintaining my grading at the next one and it's not for at least another 18mths!!
I think it's just what happens cos we are so wanting to strive for excellence.
Enjoy the inspection, whatever happens, and open the bottle in the evening!
Carol xx

Oh dear, you sound very stressed!!

I had my first inspection a couple of months ago and you have to believe me when I say i'm probably one of the most nervous people you could ever meet! I stressed about it from the minute I found about it until the inspector turned up at my house! To make it worse, my mother-in-law is a teacher of 30 years and told me horror stories about ofsted inspectors!

All this worry was for nothing. The ofsted inspector that visited me was lovely and after about 10 minutes I felt completely relaxed. She came in and set her laptop up while chatting to me and the child I was looking after. She even joined in with the activities we were doing, and even watched the little girl for me while I cleared up after my cat who decided to be sick all over my kitchen floor!

My advice would be to plan a couple of activities, make sure you have all your relevant paperwork handy, and try to relax. I know its easier said then done, but my inspector just wanted to see that the little girl was happy and my paperwork was complete. And just think, after this visit you will be free from ofsted inspections for 3 years! Hooray!!!:laughing:

seriously hunnie stop panicking. The more you panic the worse you will feel!

Know where all the relevant paperwork is then just carry on as normal. Be yourself, be calm and just have fun as normal.

the only thing I would say don't do is don't 'perform for the day' as your mindees will more than likely drop you in it. My inspector talked to me about loads of minders who just do this and then get let down big time by their mindees. She said she read a fabulous 'fire practice book' and was really impressed until she asked the mindee what happened when there was a fire and the mindee turned around and said "huh?" Turned out the book was a work of fiction, lol!