Inspection frequency
When will the inspector call?
Ofsted will inspect the setting shortly after registration, and
then inspections will be approximately every three years. An
inspection will take place sooner than this if:
- the last inspection recorded significant areas of weakness in
the provision
- the childminder has moved home
- Ofsted receives a complaint about the provision.
The Ofsted inspector will telephone the childminder a few days
before the inspection to check whether there are any days on which
the childminder is unavailable. It is important that the daily
routine is as normal as possible during the inspection so the
inspector can get an accurate picture of what it’s like for a child
in the setting. It's also important to keep your self-evaluation
form (SEF) up to date so that when submitted to Ofsted, it can help
inform the inspector's views of your setting.
What happens during an inspection?
The inspector will observe what the children are doing with
their childminder, and talk to them, and possibly their parents,
about the setting. They will check the safety and suitability of
the premises and consider how they meet the needs of the children.
They will also check the childminder’s record-keeping, policies and
procedures. The inspector will also go through the SEF with the
childminder and discuss the grades they have given themselves.
Throughout the inspection the inspector will make notes – probably
on a laptop computer.
After the inspection, there will be chance for a discussion with
the inspector during which they will let the childminder know the
outcome of the inspection.
How long will it take?
Childminders’ inspections usually take a couple of hours.
Inspections for childminders providing early years education or
working in a childminding network may take a little longer.