This is an accessible and highly practical handbook for all childminders striving to achieve and offer a higher quality of childcare service. Since Ofsted introduced its new graded system in April 2005, there has been more and more pressure on childminders to prove that they are running an 'outstanding' business. Childminders have been caring for children successfully for many years however parents are now, quite rightly, demanding a much higher quality childcare service for their offspring, and in many cases the Ofsted grading awarded to individual childminders is the only way of initially showing the adequacy of the childcare provision.Indeed many parents admit that they would not even consider a childminder who has not at least achieved a 'good' grading and are prepared to pay more money and travel further to secure a place with an 'outstanding provider'. More than two years have passed since the introduction of the new grading system by Ofsted and still it is seen by many as being an exceptionally difficult feat to achieve the highest grading. This book, written by a practising childminder who has herself achieved an outstanding grade for her childcare service, shows how it is possible to show the Ofsted inspector that you too are worthy of the highest award for your childminding service.