IT'S OFFICIAL! I'M OUTSTANDING!!

[silvermist]

It’s Official. I’m Outstanding!

I haven’t been on the forum much lately as I’ve had a lot of family stuff going on but I wanted to share this exciting news with you all while the little ones are sleeping.
I registered as a childminder two years ago and last week I had my first graded inspection.

The inspector arrived at 8.30 am after ringing me the day before giving me three days on which they would be here. I asked to see her ID and I made her a coffee in a lidded mug. She was really friendly and made me feel at ease telling me to carry on as normal and she would just observe and go through paperwork etc. I had a two year old and a nine month old in on that day and the nine month old has only been here a month so is still in the settling in stage.

I had planned various activities for that day but let the children lead. The two year old wanted to do painting and we talked about the colours etc.. The baby sat on the floor with me and built towers using the blocks. Throughout the activities the children and I chatted as normal.

I had already laid out all the learning journals, planning, policies, risk assessments, my newsletters, travelling teddy photo albums, parent feedback questionnaires etc on the table prior to her arrival.

The inspector went through all of it with a fine toothcomb. She then asked me some questions, such as, how do I know children are making good progress? Do I know what to do if I had a Safeguarding concern? She also wanted to see all the relevant certificates such as safeguarding, first aid, training, DBS checks an so on. She then told me she had to make a telephone call and left the house to go to her car. To be honest at that moment I thought something was wrong! She then came back in and said she just had to make some more notes.

After about three and a half hours she said she was ready to give me my feedback and we sat in the playroom with the children sitting on my lap, (my security blanket lol)
The first thing she said was that she had had to make a call to Ofsted as she was grading me Outstanding and that they have to ring them.
Her feedback was extremely positive and she particularly commented on my planning and assessments, the good working relationships I have with the parents, she liked the fact that all the toys in the playroom were accessible to all children and clearly labelled, she also commented on the displays I have on the walls. The one recommendation she gave me was to develop the ‘already inspiring’ outdoor area.
I found the whole process really positive and although I was nervous I soon settled down.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all of you on this forum for all the brilliant advice etc over the last two years and must say a special thanks to Sarah707 for her fabulous ebooks which I feel sure have helped me get my paperwork just right.

Any questions, please ask. xx

[Vikki5531]

Congratulations! That is fantastic news! Thank-you for the great feedback

[Mrs Scrubbit]

WOW! thats brilliant, well done youxx

[shortstuff]

That is brilliant news xx well done im sure it was very well deserved xx

Hope your family stuff has sorted itself or at least on the way xx

[loocyloo]

Well done you. That is fantastic x

[silvermist]

That is brilliant news xx well done im sure it was very well deserved xx

Hope your family stuff has sorted itself or at least on the way xx

We're getting there re the family stuff thank you so much xxx

[shortstuff]

We're getting there re the family stuff thank you so much xxx

Even better then x nothing can hold you back now xx

[hectors house]

That's fantastic news - well done, especially when you weren't given much notice, you are obviously more up to date than I am. Thanks for sharing your feedback.

[Mouse]

Brilliant news...well done

[tulip0803]

Congratulations

[amylouise867]

Congratulations to you - wonderful news

[SYLVIA]

great news. Well done

[natlou82]

Well Done, it sounds like you've worked really hard to achieve your grade :-)

[silvermist]

Thank you all so much. Im really pleased xx

[k1rstie]

Well done you. Thanks for sharing your experience with us

[Ripeberry]

Well done! Party time!

[caz3007]

Well done on being outstanding.

Hows your daughter doing now xxx

[sing-low]

Well done, Silvermist! Really thrilled for you.

[Kiddleywinks]

Chuffed to bits for you Silvermist, well done! xx

[silvermist]

Well done on being outstanding.

Hows your daughter doing now xxx

Thank you for asking about my daughter. She is very well and has just completed her first year at college and has been offered a place for next year! She also has an extremely lovely new man in her life so all is well. xxx