ofsted looming

[carolinel]

Hi everyone,

Ofsted have been sniffing around and checking out if I am working and what hours/days i do - presumably to arrange my 6th month inspection. Loads of things I am stressing over, like what activities to do with the children on the day and what to feed them. I usually cook a dinner at lunchtime and the children are quite happy to play in the playroom or lounge, where I can still easily hear them and keep checking on them but I don't want the inspector to pull me up on anything. What did everyone else do? Still need to get my head around birth to three (or is it birth to five now) and need to clarify exactly what to do if I suspect a child is being abused. Different literature says different things. We had this discussion at my DHC class last week, and still no-one is quite sure what to do. HELP!

[angeldelight]

Hi Caroline

Don't panic !!!

How old are the children you will be looking after when Ofsted come out ?

Why don't you involve the children in helping you prepare lunch / dinner?
You then have an activity and you are there to supervise them

Do some pizza
I prepared everything early that morning before the children arrived. Grated cheese, and sliced veg and mushroom, put them all in small bowels and kept them in the fridge till we were ready to use them.
I got some muffins sliced them in half
Put the cheese and veg on the table and tomato puree
Then I let the children just use their imagination and just gave them a guide along the way " it is nice if you put the puree on first " " do not use too much cheese you must make sure there is enough for everyone " etc

Then grill them for 5 min whilst the children help you tidy up

Then eat.

I am sure Pauline and some of the others will help you with this too

Have a practice fire drill with the children and then do it again when the Ofsted visitor is there

I will answer this some more tomorrow

Angel xx

[Pauline]

Hi Caroline,

Great idea from Angel.

Also make sure you let the inspector see/hear what you are doing.

If you decide to do the dinner and leave the children in the other room make sure she understands you are aware of safety by saying "excuse me I'm just going to check on the children" rather than just check and not know if she noticed.

When the children wash their hands before lunch, talk to them saying they are very good to wash their hands and that germs can cause tummy ache etc.

Again this is so that the inspector knows for sure what you are doing rather than hoping she has noticed.

You need to 'sell' yourself, point out the things you do and be proud. If the inspector doesn't know about it then she can't grade you on it. Its often not in our nature to promote ourselves but that is just what you have to do.

If you set up an activity, say why - "I believe this activity promotes communication (or whatever) and it's important for the children to learn to share"

What to do if you suspect a child is being abused - this is all covered in the "Safeguarding Children Booklet" and the green ACPC card (you should also have had an update to the green card recently) you need to show that you have contact numbers available. Social Services/Ofsted etc.

[angeldelight]

Did you hear from Ofsted yet about your inspection or have you had it ?

Angel xx

[son77]

Good look with the inspection Caroline.
Making pizza sounds like a great idea.
Let us know how you get on.

[carolinel]

Ofsted called again this week and wanted to do inspection in Easter Holidays. Have said I am not working so they have agreed to do it after. They will ring in couple weeks to arrange a day.

[angeldelight]

Are you not working over the Easter holiday then? Lucky you

I have the bank holiday Monday off , what about everyone else ?

Angel xx

[carolinel]

Shhhh don't tell ofsted but I am working over easter, just couldn't face inspection just yet and with eldest at home too!
hope they don't come on here and read this!

[angeldelight]

haha don't worry about it I have done the same myself in the past

Angel xx