Knutsford Childminding
Sarah Neville - Registered Childminder
Outstanding Ofsted Registered Childminder
A certificate from Cheshire :)
See my report here
My last Childminding inspection was over 3 years ago, before the new Ofsted grading structure was introduced. I knew this inspection would be different, not just because of the gradings, but also because so many things seem to have changed over the years
The inspector arrived early one morning and stayed for 3 ½ hours – at the time, it seemed like forever! On the doorstep, I checked her ID and as she came in, I asked her to sign my Visitors book. I told her she could keep her shoes on today as I didn’t have any crawling babies, then offered a drink, which I served in a lidded cup. She asked me lots of questions about how I comply with each of the National Standards (I sort of plonked my Portfolio, laid out in the 5 areas of Every Child Matters, in front of her and went to carry on playing with the train track) and took copious notes. It was only during the feedback session at the end that I realised just how much I actually do, most of which is just, for me, everyday routine
The inspector commented on the poster and photographs in the toilet, encouraging children to wash their hands and the menu I have produced, to share my healthy eating ethos with parents. She was impressed by my daily checks to ensure children’s safety and the cleanliness of my setting, both inside and out and the daily diary for sharing children’s activities with their parents
On the notice boards, I saw her examining the fire practice sheet (she asked a little one about fire practices as well), this month’s theme information for parents, my monthly newsletter, my certificates and the various photographs of the children, which I display to help them feel at home and valued. She commented on how the behaviour goals were positive and accessible to the children and I explained how we write and decorate them together so children take ownership of their behaviour. She liked the daily planning and observations, linked to Birth to 3 Matters and the Foundation Stage framework, which take into account each child’s interests and look forward to their next steps and she spent a lot of time looking at the children’s individual files, which show their progression during their time with me and in which I store all their private personal and medical details (she even watched me unlock the cupboard!)
As she looked around the setting, the inspector commented on the range of multicultural and disability toys, books, dressing up clothes, instruments and images which are ‘just there’, along with everything else – she said this was so much more valuable for children than a tokenistic black doll. She examined the range of toys, books and games, available for children from 0 to 16 years of age, all on open shelving for easy access and she commented on how the children were confident in their selection of activities and in asking for more
It was only after she’d gone I remembered I’d forgotten to show her the risk assessment file I’m developing for the EYFS, the problem solving paperwork I’ve been putting together, the song and dance book I’ve made with the children, the ‘Children’s Behaviour’ book I’m writing and the children’s photograph album which they’ve made and decorated – or maybe she saw them when she was browsing….
I didn’t expect outstanding – I don’t think anyone does and the inspector made it quite clear I wasn’t to get complacent. I think, however, that if you do that little bit extra, you should be rewarded for it – and that’s what I try to do. I wear the t-shirt, have designed the website to promote the business, attend the courses in my own time to further my professional development, do the paperwork in evenings and at weekends and feel proud to tell people that I have chosen Childminding as a profession
Sarah