**Are you overdue? The last cycle was August 2016 - August 2021 but Ofsted shut down for Covid in April 2020 and have been catching up ever since. If you have not been inspected between those dates or since they re-started... if you are over 30 months for a new registration... if you were graded inadequate and have not had a full inspection because of Covid-19... then yes, you are overdue.
Note: Ofsted can come any time, with or without warning, so it's best to work every day as if they are round the corner.
**Before they come, you might want to ask parents for letters you can share but bear in mind some inspectors won’t read them and other inspectors will corner parents on the drive, so you might want to prepare them.
**Read through the EYFS (2021) and the Ofsted early years inspection handbook (2021) – they tell you most of what your inspector will want to see. If you care for children over 5, you must also comply with the Childcare Register (2021).
EYFS – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974907/EYFS_framework_-_March_2021.pdf
Ofsted handbook - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-handbook-eif
Childcare Register –
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childminders-and-childcare-providers-register-with-ofsted/registration-requirements
**You should get a phone call giving you a few days’ notice. Make the most of this time – don’t make any changes, just tidy, clean, prepare the children and parents and centre yourself.
***Have all your certificates handy in a file – registration certificate, Ofsted poster (latest one from 2020) and anything from your Local Authority safeguarding partners - for example, reporting phone numbers - must be displayed (if parents don’t come in, think about how you share them); if you are an employer, you must display insurance.
**When your inspector arrives, welcome them, tell them where they can put their bag and coat (out of reach of children), introduce them to the children and ask them if they want a cuppa.
**The learning walk / sit will probably flow into the inspection straight away, so show them round and talk about what you do where in the house and garden. Now is the time to start selling yourself and the amazing things you do every day.
Note: you might find children are worried about the visitor, so involve them where you can (age dependent of course).
**Your inspector might want to talk to parents – prepare them by reminding them how you update them about their child’s progress regularly and support home learning. When did you last share information with them about online safety? Make sure they know where your posters are displayed and how to contact Ofsted if they want to make a complaint.
**As you go along, show you know the children – their starting points and individual interests, their learning and progress. Your inspector will focus on children with SEND, children who receive extra funding, children learning English as an additional language etc so talk about how you spend funding to support their needs and work with parents to support progress.
**Your inspector should mostly watch and listen and ask questions at quiet times – if you are busy with a child, say so and ask them to wait a moment. If you don’t understand the question, ask them to re-phrase.
**The statutory policies are safeguarding / child protection and complaints – have these ready in case your inspector asks to read them; the statutory record keeping for learning and development is the Progress Check at 2 – make sure you can find them in the children’s files.
**If you have been asked to set up an activity for your inspector to observe, keep to something you know all the children enjoy and make sure babies are engaged elsewhere if they don’t usually join in. Be ready to explain why it’s not developmentally appropriate for the baby to sit still while you read a book or do a tray activity.
**Be prepared to talk about your intent (curriculum), implementation (teaching) and impact (assessment) before, during and after the activity – Ofsted say it should flow through like a ‘golden thread’.
Note: if you don’t normally set up activities, tell your inspector during the initial phone call so you can set your stall out about how you usually work in advance.
**One of the worst things you can do, during inspection, is let your nerves get the better of you and ask your inspector, ‘Should I have told Ofsted about...?’ so try to avoid this one if possible.
Note: don’t shoot yourself in the foot with your replies. For example, we all have nurseries which are tricky to work with and harder to reach parents, but I am sure you can find something positive to say about partnership working.
**Your inspector should ask you safeguarding and professional development type questions while the children are busy or asleep – so make sure you set up some activities for them that hold their interest. You will need to focus to answer these questions and they are better asked when children are not on your wing.
**Set up some movement play outside, again keeping to what you know the children know and enjoy. You might want to include risky play but make sure you can supervise. Outside is also good for painting, sand etc – make it easy for yourself by organising brushes, cloths, towels, wipes and putting them where they will be needed.
**Don’t forget to let the daily routine flow through the day – some childminders find it best to prepare food the night before so they are not under stress; wash hands regularly and always after nappy changes; if babies sleep upstairs be ready to talk about what would happen in a fire. Make sure the children are not waiting for long periods of time during transitions – keep them busy with music and movement at nappy change or finger rhymes while friends are putting on coats.
Every inspection will be different – all inspectors ask their own set of questions – the most important thing is to stay focused. Key points – know the children – know safeguarding – know you are amazing!
If you have any questions, there is support available on the Independent Childminders Facebook group.
Chat soon, Sarah.