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Post by angela234 on May 15, 2007 18:42:00 GMT
Got a phone call from ofsted today asking if i had any children half term i said i only had my grandchildren so she arranged to come either 21st or 22nd June. (plenty of notice)
i wrote them last week to say my consevatory is now being used (i had permission via phone call)
I was due to be inspected this year.
I'm glad i know now, i am fairly organised,
She did tell me to make sure i do my self evaluation form, this i'm a bit concerned about i'm not very good at self praise. what do you minders think about this?
Angela
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Post by tasha on May 15, 2007 20:32:05 GMT
Hi,
I'm a newbie! Was inspected in March and graded myself between good and outstanding (figured if I didn't think I was outstanding - neither would she, though have to admit felt v. up myself ticking the boxes)! Anyway was graded as outstanding and she specifically said that had I not marked the outstanding box neither would she have!!! So my advice is to go for it!!! I do think a bit unfair though as only went for it after pressure from my husband - I'm not good at self praise either and it could have marked me down, which has nothing to do with my abbilities!!
Good luck
Tasha
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Post by carolinel on May 15, 2007 20:35:20 GMT
well done for getting outstanding Tasha. How long have you been minding?
I had to complete my self evaluation form in front of her and whilst trying to keep control of 3 children so couldn't spend any time delibarating!
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Post by angela234 on May 15, 2007 20:39:25 GMT
Hi well done on your outstanding Tasha. on my last inspection they didn't have the self evaluation form i don't want to knock myself down by not putting a good enough grade.
Angela
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Post by deeb66 on May 16, 2007 6:47:24 GMT
Hi
Angela - You should be fine and sounds like you will be ready
Tasha - well done on getting Outstanding - you should be really proud as not many get it.
Dee
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Post by Pauline on May 16, 2007 7:52:38 GMT
You can download the evaluation form from the Ofsted website click here if you want to be prepared before Ofsted come. I agree that it's hard to sell yourself but it shows that it works if you do. I think if you are going to grade yourself outstanding then you just need to be able to back up WHY you think you are, if you can do that and they don't agree then they will have to explain why Good luck Angela  |
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Post by angeldelight on May 16, 2007 8:18:08 GMT
Good luck Angela hope it goes ok
Well done Tasha for the outstanding - I do not think many minders would give themselves that grade though unless they had a lot of experience and a lot of resources
Also it can sometimes depend on your inspector I have heard that some never give outstanding although how wrong is that !!!
Be happy with a good Angela it is what a lot of childminders get unless you feel you are ready to get a outstanding then go for it of course
Angel xx
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 8:24:51 GMT
Hi,
Thanks everyone!
I had been registered just over 4 months when I was inspected and I've been registered now for just over 6 months. Angela is right you do need to be able to back up why you've chosen a specific grade as they do ask - sorry probably should have said that in the last post!
One tip don't forget to ask/check the inspector's id before you let them in, apparently tis is the most common mark down!
Let us know how it goes - fingers crossed for you.
Tasha
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 8:27:15 GMT
Sorry that read wrong! I meant Pauline is right, Angela!!!
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 8:38:36 GMT
Ps. The inspector that I had said that it was the first time that she had ever given an outstanding on a first inspection. I have to be perfectly honest and say that I would have been happy with a satisfactory. Having said that I have worked sooo hard to "catch up" , so that my services were up to scratch as I was/am new to this. I do think it's a hard position to grade yourself. I think it's hard in general as it's really only someone's opinion. In same ways I wish I had been graded as good, as a lot of local really great more experienced CMs got really off with me because of my grading being higher than theirs. Just re-read the National Standards so that they are fresh and relax - you sound like you'll do really well.  |
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Post by angeldelight on May 16, 2007 8:47:47 GMT
At the end of the day if you worked hard for your grade you should be proud of it and If I was you I would not worry what other childminders said in your area!!!
You say you had to back up why you thought you should get outstanding so what did you say to her?
How many children do you mind and how many have you looked after since being registered ?
I think it is brilliant that you managed to get it all sorted out in so short a time
I still struggle with all the paperwork and I have been minding for 16years
What sort of things did she ask you or expect from you?
Angel xx
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Post by Pauline on May 16, 2007 12:26:09 GMT
Angel I bet you are the same as me, when you were last inspected there was no such thing as 'outstanding' and the best grade was 'good'.
I'm sure you will get an outstanding in some of the areas, or most likely overall, not just because of your experience but because you put so much into your role.
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 15:40:56 GMT
Hi, She said, "why have you marked yourself between good and outstanding?" I replied that there is always room for improvement and went on to list the things that i did diaries , resources etc I said that I was v. organised with paperwork and v. safety conscious and had a seemingly endless list of policies/procedures and I had a great relationship with parents and so on............(just rambled really)! I currently only have 1 mindee and a little girl one day a week for dinner, but I don't really count her! In total have cared for 6/7 but 3 were only short term and the others emergency. Believe me no where near sorted and I must admit that I hadn't realized that there would be so much paperwork!!!!!  Nevermind the kid/s are great! Got to go before I burn dinner!!!! Tasha |
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 15:45:50 GMT
Ps. The inspecter here for nearly 5 hours going through everything and observing me!
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Post by angela234 on May 16, 2007 17:38:40 GMT
On my last inspection i got Good which was the highest grade at the time and no recomendations so i was very pleased with that. my whole area of childminding has improved since then more equipment/rescources new playroom ongoing training and of course hands on experiance. What did i say i don't do self praise!
3 childminders in our town have recently been awarded Outstanding theres only 20 minders here. Presures on.
Thanks for all your comments.
Angela
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Post by son77 on May 16, 2007 17:52:27 GMT
Just going back to checking their ID when they arrive, I've heard that a couple of inspectors have been going round with out of date badges to try & trip you up. Make sure you get a good luck at it!
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Post by angela234 on May 16, 2007 18:01:01 GMT
Thanks for that
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Post by mayberry on May 16, 2007 20:43:16 GMT
Angela, go for it you need to sell yourself, I no its hard to give self praise but go for it, you will regret it if you don’t. good luck Dawn |
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Post by tasha on May 16, 2007 23:25:13 GMT
Go for it ! Will be thinking of you |
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Post by mayberry on May 17, 2007 3:40:57 GMT
Hi Tasha, Well done on your outstanding. Dawn |
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Post by tasha on May 17, 2007 4:38:50 GMT
Thankyou!
What are you doing up at 4:40am?!!!!
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Post by mayberry on May 20, 2007 17:14:58 GMT
Thankyou! What are you doing up at 4:40am?!!!! don't sleep very well, thanks for asking |
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