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Post by 2kidsunder5 on Aug 11, 2007 23:04:07 GMT
I got the call on Friday afternoon. She seemed OK and I explained that the children I have on Monday and Friday afternoons are on holidays for the next 2 weeks. The girls that I have on Tuesday have changed to Wednesday and Thursday next week and who knows what days the week after, however I will still have the baby on Weds and Thurs - BUT!!!!! Next Thurs when I have the baby and the girls we have group booked with other childminders to go to Catalyst in Widness. Did you get all that, basically there is only Wednesday next when I have kids and we are in So, she said it wasn't normal procedure but as she was on holiday for the 2 weeks following next she would come on Wednesday. I have no idea what time, anytime between 8am and 6pm I am absolutely petrified!!!!!!! HELP PLEASE. What do I need to do, this is my first inspection and I have only had these children for 3 weeks, we are still getting to know each and they are still getting to know my house rules and my boundaries. The Inspector said she will observe me with the children. Well, if I have a day like last Thursday she will observe me trying to comfort a baby who cried non stop all day and leaving the others to do what they please (my own 2 are 5 and 7 and the 2 I mind are 5 and 7) Since I have been looking after these children we have been lucky to have days or part days out. I am dreading spending most of the day inside with 4 kids and a baby Sorry, it's late and I am waffling. Love Diane x
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Post by allykidz on Aug 12, 2007 6:49:38 GMT
HI Diane Firstly good luck with Wednesday and relax, you will be fine. Make sure you have got lots of activities thought out througout the day so the children don't get bored, particularly if your younger one does start playing up with the crying. Things like gluing, colouring can help keep their minds occupied. Make sure you have all your documents to hand, any bit of paperwork that you can think of. when my inspector came I had it all ready at the side of the chair, plonked her down with it all and told her to come find me when she needed me Do you have a fire procedure in place, and complaints book?? Is your accident book up to date esp. with medicines that have been given. All your contracts and parent forms need to be in a locked file. I know it is difficult to relax in the lead up to your inspection (I spend many a sleepless night in the run up to mine 2 weeks ago) but the time will fly when she is there. Good luck Alison x
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Post by angela234 on Aug 12, 2007 8:38:04 GMT
Try not to worry i've had 2 inspections both times as soon as i opened the door to them i was nervous ask for id .i have a glass door and as she walked towards it i could see her pull her id out of her pocket and put it back in again.
Once she came in i felt at ease they have both been lovely, just be yourself, make sure your childrens register is up to date.
I sat her down and had all my paper work on the table introduced the children to her.
Carry on with your activities have a selection so the children are kept busy maybe set up a home area hospital camp ect so they can play together something like this will give you time to spend with younger ones (did you say you had a baby) so they can see you organise play for older ones so enabling to give quality time with younger ones
Try to do your normal day
Mine have always come before 9 am
Angela
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Post by sarahnev707 on Aug 12, 2007 11:31:45 GMT
MIne promised she would come before 9.30 so i could still go out in afternoon - but wouldn't give a day so you're lucky really!! You know by weds lunchtime it'll all be over!! Plenty of good advice already given - ask for ID, get her to sign in, ask her to take her shoes off on mat if that's your rule, offer a drink (give in lidded cup and put high up til cooler), give her your files and then get on with your day with the children - it's her job to fit around you!! don't panic... you'll be ok! I forgot to wash child's hands before preparing snack, thought to myself 'that's it, i've failed' relaxed and carried on.... and it was all fine in the end!! Sarahx
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Post by lorri on Aug 12, 2007 11:57:05 GMT
Hi Sarah
Have you got lidded cups? Where do you get them from? I don't think I've ever seem them. I've done a quick search on the net but can't find anything.
Lorri x
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Post by janet on Aug 12, 2007 12:50:22 GMT
i have only given an inspector a drink when we are all sat down at lunch time so i didnt need a lidded cup, i just basically let her follow me around every where and if she asked me a question which i wasnt quick enough to think of i got distracted by the children. i am not really good at thinking on the spot but they understand that. just relax and carry on with what you would normally do, i had to take one of mine to nursery and was bothered that she would come with me ( dont know why i was bothered but i was ) well anyway told her i would have to leave for nursery and she went and sat in her car , i am sure it will be fine good luck xxxxxx
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Post by lorri on Aug 12, 2007 12:56:59 GMT
I could do with a lidded cup myself! ;D I'm very accident prone and I drink black tea which is probably the worst!
So far we have three huge black tea stains on our lounge carpet which are now hidden by a rug! Hubby is not best pleased with me! When we move out of our army housing we will have to pay for a whole new carpet! Whoops!
Whenever I take a cup of tea into the lounge (when Benjamin is in bed) I walk really, really slowly and place it in the middle of the floor on a big tray! What a loon!
Lorri x
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Post by charleyfarley on Aug 12, 2007 14:35:01 GMT
I know what you mean, paying for carpets in army quarters. We actually escaped being billed for our carpet as my hubby drew on the orange stain (sons fizzy orange) with green felt tip pen. It worked. The only lidded cups I know are the metal ones my hubby uses them alot being a trucker now. I'm sure I've seen them in woolies if they are the right ones. I just put the cup out of the way, high up of course. You could always give her an anyway up cup and see what she thinks of that, no perhaps not My inspector told me the day and time she was coming as she didn't like traveling late so wouldn't come after school, so had to come during holidays. Good luck for Wednesday, I know it's hard but try and relax. Carol x
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Post by smartypants on Aug 12, 2007 16:14:21 GMT
Want to say Goodluck hun and just be yourself I know its hard but the ladies are only doing there job just like you !!! You have had some good advice and cant think off anything else. I didnt give my inspector a lidded cup??? I didnt know you had to now .. I just moved her cup when she had put it to close to the edge lol Goodluck hun im sure you will be fine xx Let us know how it goes Kate xx
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Post by carolinel on Aug 12, 2007 16:51:55 GMT
good luck for wednesday, you're lucky to know exactly when she's coming, not knowing when just adds to the nerves!
I offered a drink to the inspector but told her if she wanted a hot drink she would have to drink it in the kitchen as everywhere else is a hot drink exclusion zone. she was impressed with this!
as already suggested have lots of activities planned, if the children are all 5 and 7 you shouldn't have the same problem i did, when they decided to throw all the spangles, glitter, and feathers all over the playroom!
good luck, and if you need anymore help just ask.
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Post by angeldelight on Aug 12, 2007 19:12:51 GMT
Good luck Diane
Who said you have to stay in doors with the children ?
The weather is lovely take the children in the garden and do some activities outside and let them have a run around it will do you and them good and you will not feel so stressed
Everyone has given you good advice and I am sure you will find more if you look around the forum but you know where we all are if you need any more help
Good luck
Angel xx
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Post by sarahnev707 on Aug 12, 2007 20:40:55 GMT
I got my lidded cups from Superdrug but I also saw them recently in Poundstretcher - £1.50 each
they have a little slit you drink out of.... but they keep the drink really hot so you have to watch for burnt lips!
Sarahx
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Post by lorri on Aug 12, 2007 21:04:37 GMT
Thanks Sarah, I'll have a look. They sound like a good idea for a person like me! Ha ha!
Lorri x
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Post by smartypants on Aug 12, 2007 21:05:20 GMT
Thank Sarah I thought you meant the ones you give to toddlers lol OMG i would laughed so much watching an inspector drink out of one of those
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Post by lorri on Aug 12, 2007 21:07:06 GMT
Oh, wouldn't that be funny! Would anyone dare give them a cup like that with a straight face! Oh no, I'm going to be picturing it now and giggling to myself all evening!
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Post by smartypants on Aug 12, 2007 21:12:28 GMT
ha ha still laughing!!!!!!
Im so easily pleased lol........................
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Post by tasha on Aug 12, 2007 21:24:54 GMT
Just wanted to dsay good luck! Tasha
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Post by donnagwynne on Aug 13, 2007 12:54:10 GMT
Good luck on Wednesday Diane, and DON'T FORGET TO KEEP THE FRONT DOOR LOCKED!!! Your inspector may well try the handle before she rings the doorbell!
Have fun and don't worry too much. Donna
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Post by lorri on Aug 13, 2007 14:38:24 GMT
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Post by ma7ie on Aug 13, 2007 14:58:35 GMT
Good luck Dianne and thanks Lorri for the Who Minds link. Will come in handy when I have my first inspection. Marie
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Post by lorri on Aug 13, 2007 17:36:26 GMT
I'm just hoping I remember to use it myself when I have my first one - as the registration is taking so long by the time that comes round I'll have forgotten all about it! Lorri x
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Post by rainbowmum on Aug 13, 2007 20:08:03 GMT
Well having been inspected today I can tell you you'll be fine! Currently Ofsted in our area are liking to see free flow of activity & care - This basically means if at all possible let the children go outside as & when they please - if you can be sure your garden is safe then you can let the older children (4+ ish I'd guess) come in & out as they want & you supervise younger children more & check on older ones periodically. They also like to see drinking water made available in the form of jug & cups for the children to help themselves and food available freely too! To do this I got a deep tray, a jug with a lid and some small beakers and put in the middle of the table. I put out a dish of boxes of raisins so children could graze as they wish but explained that I give them non spill cups to have with them at play as they wont stop to drink if they're busy & that we have designated snack time for the social aspect & to enjoy a wider range of healthy fresh snacks! As for hot drinks, I told inspector that I only have hot drinks while children are at table & she was happy with that & very grateful for the coffee lol (get a nice one in!) Another thing they are checking in our area is emergency contacts - she wanted each family to have an emergency contact extra to parents, e.g. neighbour, Grandparent Aunt. She didn't check much of my safety things like locks etc but I have monthly risk assessments which clearly show my awareness of risk & how I deal with them so I dont think she felt the need. Good luck for Wednesday & if you're inspector is as nice as mine you'll be fine xx Oh and if you let her see the children preparing a snack or meal for themselves - the inspectors love that! I had Oatcakes with bananas & honey for snack today (bear theme this week so wanted to have honey for snack somehow!) & I let the children chop their own banana & put on oatcake & squeeze Tesco squeezy honey on top! (My son had strawberries as he hates banana!) She was well impressed! Another way to do this is to let the children assemble their own mini pizzas for lunch - with Muffin, cheese, ham, pepper - I use ketchup for the sauce when I do this. Then you cook it for them - job done! ;D
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Post by smartypants on Aug 13, 2007 21:06:29 GMT
Well done Sharon ;D
Sounds like you had a great inspection
What was your out comes??? Yes im being nosy lol... Please tell.!!!!
Congratulations hun
Kate xxx
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Post by charleyfarley on Aug 13, 2007 21:15:46 GMT
Kate Rainbowmum got good in all areas and outstanding in one. Sorry don't mean to but in, it's in the thread 'PHEW' Carol x
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Post by smartypants on Aug 13, 2007 21:18:14 GMT
Thankyou Carol
I am trying to get though the new post but keep getting new messages come up lol
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Post by charleyfarley on Aug 13, 2007 21:23:35 GMT
Don't worry about it i'm forever writing the wrong thing. Yesterday I put the wrong post on someone's thread, hopefully no-one noticed. My excuse is I'm still new to this. Carol x
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Post by rainbowmum on Aug 14, 2007 21:32:22 GMT
Good luck tomorrow - will be thinking of you x
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Post by 2kidsunder5 on Aug 14, 2007 21:44:30 GMT
Thanks Sharon. Hope I can sleep OK tonight, not had a decent nights sleep since I got the call - keep dreaming of the visit and waking up!!!!!!!
Oh well, can't do any more than I have done. Fingers crossed.
Love Diane
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Post by carolinel on Aug 14, 2007 21:46:39 GMT
good luck tomorrow!
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Post by angeldelight on Aug 14, 2007 21:47:17 GMT
Good luck again
Will be thinking of you
Angel xx
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