Make the grade

The arrival of Ofsted as the new inspection body for childminders has proved such a daunting prospect that some have chosen to leave the profession rather than face inspection.

Childminders have been deterred by the Ofsted requirements for unannounced visits, the number of inspectors asking for up to four hours of the childminders' time to go through documentation and the expectation of more records and policies.

Such fears have had a similar impact on potential childminders. Many people interested in childminding did not even attend the local authority briefing session once they heard about the Ofsted registration and inspection.

Others did attend but went no further, and the few who proceeded with their applications for registration were disappointed by the time it took Ofsted to register them.

New childminders completing the Developing Childminding Practice at South Thames College, London, advise, 'Keep ringing Ofsted and eventually you will get a visit' and 'don't worry about the registration visit - it is not so bad. My inspector was friendly. But what really helped was reading the standards and guidelines and doing the Introduction to Childminding course because my tutor had explained the standards to me.'

Interestingly, childminders who had been inspected often found they knew the inspectors and found the experience similar to a local authority inspection.

In fact, Sandy Weller, chair of Wandsworth Childminders Association, says she got as many anxious telephone calls about the LA inspections as she does about Ofsted.

Some behaviour by Ofsted inspectors has raised comment - for example, inspectors requiring lots of new resources at short notice. Ofsted is keen to resolve any problems and recognises that the most effective way of retaining and recruiting childminders is through a meaningful and supportive relationship.

To ensure a successful and stress-free Ofsted registration and inspection, childminders need to understand what is required of them under the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding - Childminding and the accompanying Childminding: Guidance to the National Standards and have the documentation in place to show that they are meeting those standards.

Overleaf is a guide outlining what the standards mean and how childminders can demonstrate to Ofsted inspectors that they are meeting them.

By June O'Sullivan - vice-chair of Wandsworth Childminders Association, London