Childiminding Ofsted Visit Advise Needed Please?

Question

I am expecting a visit from ofsted to inspect me & my home.

I am worried about what they will want to know and what to expect. Does any one out there have any pointers for me on how to prepare for this and what will be expected from me.

What sort of things do they look for in your home.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I have been through a lot of OFSTED inspections and you will be fine, some hinters: clean, safe, healthy practices, eg: encouraging the children to wash their hands properly after the tiolet and before eating, a good mix of developmentally appropriate activites, and point the inspectors attention to any resources you have that promote diversity and things like treasure baskets, photos of the children playing indoors and outdoors. They will want to see your registers, information about the children in your care and diaries if you keep them, any info you share with parents, etc: They will ask you about your knowledge of Every child matters and the national standards,BIRTH to three and if appropriate the Foundation stage Guidance but be sure to tell them you are aware of the new Early Years Framework, starts in september, check this on line if you are unsure about it but basically the statutory and practice guidance is now one document for the under fives. Good luck and if you have any questions email me ok.

Answer 2

hey basically denise has it covered.

i had mine just last week, initially they will check your id against your passport/birth certificate, then your address aginast bills, then ask to see your completed crb forms and those of anyone else in the house.

next they will ask things like what would you do if a parent aske you to give medicine, if a child had an accident, what food you are going to serve, how you will promote good hygiene, what learning opportunities you have such as messy play, cooking, music, role play. how you will promote equal ops, what you would do if you had a child with special needs.

are you aware of child protection, have you done a triaing course, what would you do if you suspect a child is being abused? how you would relay information to parents..etc

next they do a quick look around your home to make sure the garden is secure, there are locks on the windows, stair gates where needed, are your sharp knives and first aid kits out of the reach of children.

next they will ask about what documentation you will be keeling such as accident books, medicine book, register, accounts book, child registration documents, insurance certificate etc. i got all this through NCMA its loads easier, all set out ready to go and when you join you get legal advice free if you need it, which i would recommend. they wll also ask about contracts adn information booklets you intend to give parents, so if you have these ready it shows organisation and the fact you are aware of other things such as sickness..what will you do oif a child is sick, you are sick? etc do you have a fire evacuation plan, what would you do with the other children in the event of an emergency etc

you will also need to keep developmental records to show that you are covering all the areas the children need to inorder to develop, at the moment they are in the form of birth to three and learning outcomes, however as denise said they are changing this to the EYFS (early years foundation stage) which is starting in sept (otherwise known as the nappy curriculum)

mine took about 2 hours but she was dead friendly, as long as you can prove you have forseen any problems and know how you are going to solve them they are pretty good, if you want to know anything else drop me a line

Answer 3

A safe clean environment with lots of opportunity for play and learning ,somewhere for the children to eat ,quiet area for them to sleep, evidence of child proofing ( baby gates, socket covers, cupboard locks etc) . Have you done childminding before? if not I was network childminder for 6yrs I don't mind helping.