Well I was under the impression that Ofsted did not check contracts or child record forms as these were confidential?? No worried if they do - it is just i didnt think they did :blush:

my inspector (last week) did check contracts & child records even asked to see the childrens records that weren't in that day.

so guess its just up to the inspector you get on the day, they all sing from different sheets in my experience

I have had mine checked too, even though when I did my ICP we were told they wouldnt. I think its best to make sure they are accessable and up to date

yes hun ofsted check all paperwork unless a parent has said that they do not give permission for then to do so and they need a good reason to do that
xx

Ofsted can see any paperwork they wish

Yes they check contracts & records forms - a lot of info we are required to have by law under EYFS is collected in them. The ONLY paperwork they don't look at is your accounts as these are between you & HMRC!:D

I also thought they didn't look at contracts as what is written on there is between you & the parent, but did check child record forms as thet has all the information that is required.
As far as I was aware contracts are not a legal requirement (I have got them) but I know someone who hasn't got them as a few year ago someone I know took a parent to court and although she used NCMA contracts the court threw it out so now she doesn't use them because as far as she is concerned they are not worth the paper they are written on in a court of law

I may be wrong!

Ofsted have a legal right to see any paperwork which relates to your childminding business.

They can come and see it at any time, with or without advance notice.

Like Blaze says they do not need to see your accounts.

Hth :D

That helps alot thanks x

yes we thought that but it seems wrong we have to show any paperwork we hold about our childiminding bisness to ofsted and it's illegal to refuse that .confidentiality policy is for other people not a child's parent or ofsted

I can't understand why they need to see contracts (have got mine) as I would have thought that was a financial agreement between you and the parents :rolleyes: I can understand having to make sure the child record forms are completed so that you have correct info about the child, but I wouldn't have thought contracts were anything to do with Ofsted

mine looked at everything apart from my accounts, i double up on most permission forms but outings etc i rely on the contract permission they also like to check they're signed dated x

My inspector checked record forms but not contracts. And we ended up having a very lengthy discussion about how different parents fill forms in differently - ie: one parent had written an essay of likes/dislikes, allergies, disabilities etc and the other parent had written almost nothing.

Ofsted can see any paperwork they wish

Not strictly true. They are not permitted to see any of your accounting info, prices, what you charge for anything to do with money. So with contracts, page 2 that details the money is none of their business. All they are allowed to see is evidence that you are registed with the Tax Office as Self Employed.

All they need to know is that you have a contract in place and that you have addresses, contact numbers and emergency contacts, allergy info or details of any special needs of the child which is on the child info form, as per EYFS Sat Requirements.

I keep the contracts in plastic wallet so only the first page is visable.

I also thought they didn't look at contracts as what is written on there is between you & the parent, but did check child record forms as thet has all the information that is required.
As far as I was aware contracts are not a legal requirement (I have got them) but I know someone who hasn't got them as a few year ago someone I know took a parent to court and although she used NCMA contracts the court threw it out so now she doesn't use them because as far as she is concerned they are not worth the paper they are written on in a court of law

I may be wrong!
However gut wrenching loosing a Court case is I would have though your friend needs to be careful with this because without even her own contracts in palce she will probably find her Public Liability Insurance is not vaild and working without insurance is braking the terms of your Registration with Ofsted.