"Satisfactory " and gutted!!

**loopy lou** · 31-03-2008, 04:10 PM

Hi.

Well Ofsted have been and gone!

Stayed for just over 3 hours.

Arrived 15 minutes before the said time, i kind of knew that would happen.
The whole morning went very well. Asked if I had any toys that promote strong images, said i had puzzles of people with disabilities etc but "No" not any toys, said I hadn't really seen any! Inspector was very complementary about the way I answered Mindee's questions and how I talked to them etc.

Asked me why I didn't wear gloves to change bab's nappy, I said I have never in all the 20 so years of looking after kids, wash my hands thoroughly with an anti bacterial soap before and after! Asked why i didn't have an antibacterial soap for the mindees, i said I use the Johnsons pump soap and thought the antbacterial stuff would be too harsh for children!?

She mentioned about my drain not having a cover on, i said i had ordered one, that you cut,as have 3 pipes leading into it, thought this would be ok as there is a bin infront of it anyhow?

The outcome, Protectting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe: GOOD.

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do : GOOD
The other 2 got a Satisfactory, and inspector said i got a "satisfactory" overall!

So yes am GUTTED!

Loopy Lou

**Minnie Minx** · 31-03-2008, 04:13 PM

oh hunny i'm sorry to hear you're gutted. I don't know what to say.

Big hugs to you

xxx

**littlestar** · 31-03-2008, 04:14 PM

why are you gutted? sounds as though you did very well very professinol well done chin up you done exellent

**flora** · 31-03-2008, 04:23 PM

oh Hun, what a bummer!
I got satisfactory overall, even though I got good for all but one thing. Some inspectors are hard to please.
It sounds like you did a professional job during the inspection and if the kids parents are happy. One of by mums is a teacher, when I had had my inspection she asked how it went and I told her.
Her answer was " oh well, who gives a s**t what OFSTED think we all know they are a bunch of silly b*****s!"
May be you should follow my "parents" lead.

**wendywu** · 31-03-2008, 04:29 PM

Sorry you feel so down Lou. But satisfactory does mean you are meeting all the standards. But i know you feel as if all your hard work has been for nothing. It is not fair as it so depends on who you get.

But at least it is out of the way now. I know it wont make you feel any better but Twinkles who has had an outstanding from last Oct (i think) says it has not made a blind bit of difference to her filling her places. Chin up.

I think the only reason i am always full is i live within walking distance of two local schools, and walking distance from 2 train stations with main lines through to London and Croydon. Also i am not at the top end of the price range for this area.

**crazybones** · 31-03-2008, 04:38 PM

I dont know what to say to you apart from I am sorry you are gutted. As has been said before some inspectors are a lot more picky than others. I know of people who have been given good and I think What!!!???

**Noodles** · 31-03-2008, 04:43 PM

As others have said you got a satisfactory which means you are doing everything right.
At the end of the day its what the parents think of you and not what impression OFSTED get in the few hours they are with you.
So dont be gutted you done well

**angeldelight** · 31-03-2008, 04:52 PM

I agree with everyone else

Do not be so hard on yourself

I do not wear gloves either

I would imagine after 20 years experience there is a thing or two you could tell Ofsted

Big hugs to you

Angel xx

**ajs** · 31-03-2008, 04:54 PM

i don't blame you for feeling gutted but you really shouldn't
she was picking you up on the silliest things

i don't wear gloves and don't intend to start now so don't worry and now thanks to manin white coat i don't use antibac soap either

you are an outstanding childminder to us and your parents don't take any notice of that silly ofsted inspector what would she know xxxx

**charleyfarley** · 31-03-2008, 05:01 PM

I agree with everything everyone else has already said

You know you are doing everything right and so do your parents so why get upset over some woman who doesn't really know you.

You are a damn good childminder just remember that.

A big hug is sent

Carol xx

**sarah707** · 31-03-2008, 05:06 PM

What a picky inspector...

I think you've done incredibly well to get 2 goods from someone like that...

well done you!

Pipsqueak · 31-03-2008, 05:11 PM

Don't feel bad about your grading - you have passed and to be honest you know in your heart of hearts that you are a brilliant childminder.
To be honest the gradings are wrong wrong wrong and need to be changed to better reflect childminders and their acheivements.
Many parents don't have a clue about Ofsted and what it takes to get certain gradings all that matters to them (parents) is if their children are safe, well and happy (I know that a lot goes into doing this!)

I too have stopped using anti-bac things, I have never used gloves (can't get away with them) and don't think I'll be starting now either.

Don't be too tough on yourself - some inspectors work to their own agenda (I am sure) and set the standards as they go along.

No - be proud of yourself and congratulations with your inspection

**loopy lou** · 31-03-2008, 05:25 PM

Ahh. Thanks alot guys.Really mean that.

You know it's funny though have only been looking after the 2 mindees for about 5 weeks now, only 2 days a week, the older mindee is so protective really. Obviously her mum must of said something, but when asked if i had any toys that promote strong images, mindee piped up, we have that doll from Africa, and then went on to talk about the lack of water in the country and children getting sick!! I was so proud of her!! When asked by the inspector why we wash our hands, mindee with a very much matter of fact look answered,"cos they are dirty", as if to say , " you silly fool".

Feel much better. At the end of the day I really enjoy what I do and the kids in my care are happy. I told the mum about the outcome she said that as far as she was concerned that have great care and are very happy going to my home.

Thanks again chaps.

Loopy Lou

**angeldelight** · 31-03-2008, 05:28 PM

Your children love you and the parents think you are great

you have fun with the kids

That is much more important to me than any ofsted grading

You are a smashing childminder so just remember that

Well done Lou

Angel xx

**wendywu** · 31-03-2008, 06:02 PM

Well we all know what we think about Ofsted on this forum, i would not let them choose my childminder for me if i needed one. Not one word about hugs and cuddles and love and care, just PAPERWORK. What a load of old TOSH

**Trouble** · 31-03-2008, 06:06 PM

you have been doing it for 20 years what the hell do they know

well done you for sticking to it

you do an excellent job stuff them

**loopy lou** · 31-03-2008, 06:27 PM

Do you know though she didn't really look at the paperwork!! I stated in one of my policies about organic gardening, growing veg, teaching children about where food comes from, not buying processed foods, making everything from scratch, and i got "satisfactory " for keeping children healthy!!

sorry don't mean to sound off, but she asked if she could have copies to read of the policies at home, i told her that i have copies on file, which are on the computer, she said never mind! Obviously didn't read much did she?

Loopy Lou

**ruby** · 31-03-2008, 06:31 PM

sorry you are upset about your grading but what do Ofsted know

you must be doing something right otherwise you would not have been doing it for 20yrs
as long as the people who matter thing you a great childminder ie parents and children which they obviously do otherwise they would not leave their children with you

then i wouldn't worry what your inspector says.
in our eyes you are a great childminder

cathy

**Spangles** · 31-03-2008, 06:33 PM

I'm sorry you are feeling down about your grading.

I can completely understand how you are feeling though as I would be the same.

What everyone else has said is right though so try not to let it bother you too much - easier said than done I know!

xxxx

**katickles** · 31-03-2008, 06:39 PM

Just wanted to say keep your chin up - sounds like she was very very harsh in her grading & i wouldn't worry about it to much. Well done on the inspection going so smoothly & your mindees sound like they think alot of you!