hectors house
14-11-2014, 04:52 PM
Have just received my written confirmation that "I am Outstanding" - had my inspection on 5th November, inspector was lovely, sat tapping away on her laptop and I just got on with our day and almost forgot she was there. The children self registered and helped with the calendar and weather chart, we had a chat about fireworks in circle time and I read a story about fire safety and we all sang "Hurry, hurry fire engine song" with the children shaking bells for the "Ding Ding ding" part.
Then the children chose from photographs of the resources what they wanted to play with and we fetched them from the converted garage toy store (inspector came too), she commented on the lovely photos of children taking part in Autumn outings and craft on the display board in porch where I also have certificates and parent info. While the children played with their chosen toys I showed the inspector all my paperwork laid out on dining room table for her to help herself and said she could ask if she couldn't find anything.
Then the children washed hands, she didn't comment on the fact that they all shared same bowl or water and she liked that each child has their own coloured towel (not paper towels), children then helped prepared snack by peeling satsumas, peeling and chopping banana and chopping strawberries and shared them out on each other's plates. While they were eating I showed them a youtube clip of a firework display, when they got down we did Jolly Phonics from youtube as I already did this but it has been recommended for one child who has speech pronunciation difficulties - I explained that we would normally do this after lunch but that she would be gone by then.
Then children asked to play outside, I was pleased to show the inspector my new undercovered play area that my husband built in Sept, children played in sandpit, helped feed hens and collect eggs, drew firework pictures on blackboards.
Then it was lunch time, children washed hands again, helped lay table, pour own drinks - were well behaved eating lunch and then helped dry up their bowls, cups, cutlery. Inspector only asked a few questions about Safeguarding, my behaviour policy - I jokingly said I use the cupboard under the stairs! then said that I had looked after all the children since they were babies, they had grown up with my rules and way of doing things and that I had high expectations and that I was confident in taking them anywhere and everywhere with me. She commented on how well behaved they were (they were a little more lively than normal because of having an audience I think).
I nearly forgot to show her my learning journals as I now use Tapestry on-line - I took the precaution of saving all journals to PDF and putting on memory stick in case the internet or Tapestry site went down. She was impressed on how instant it is for parents to see new observations, to add their own and to add comments and how I have engaged Nursery settings to do the same.
She was also pleased to see that I have put into place things I have learnt on training courses eg: signing, outdoor play activities. Think she stayed about 3 1/2 hours - nearly hugged her when she told me my grading and haven't managed to keep it a secret from my childminding friends in town as they could see from my face what I had got.
I did use Sarah Neville's SEF e-book for ideas and although I thought I had got carried away with too many details (it was about 20 pages long), inspector said it was great for giving her a full picture of what I offer and do with the children. My advice would be for everyone to keep their SEF up to date - I didn't and it took me hours to complete, also I researched the inspector in advance and found out what she was "picky" on and made sure that I had all those points covered.
Pleased that I can finally share my grade, hope the feedback is useful.
Then the children chose from photographs of the resources what they wanted to play with and we fetched them from the converted garage toy store (inspector came too), she commented on the lovely photos of children taking part in Autumn outings and craft on the display board in porch where I also have certificates and parent info. While the children played with their chosen toys I showed the inspector all my paperwork laid out on dining room table for her to help herself and said she could ask if she couldn't find anything.
Then the children washed hands, she didn't comment on the fact that they all shared same bowl or water and she liked that each child has their own coloured towel (not paper towels), children then helped prepared snack by peeling satsumas, peeling and chopping banana and chopping strawberries and shared them out on each other's plates. While they were eating I showed them a youtube clip of a firework display, when they got down we did Jolly Phonics from youtube as I already did this but it has been recommended for one child who has speech pronunciation difficulties - I explained that we would normally do this after lunch but that she would be gone by then.
Then children asked to play outside, I was pleased to show the inspector my new undercovered play area that my husband built in Sept, children played in sandpit, helped feed hens and collect eggs, drew firework pictures on blackboards.
Then it was lunch time, children washed hands again, helped lay table, pour own drinks - were well behaved eating lunch and then helped dry up their bowls, cups, cutlery. Inspector only asked a few questions about Safeguarding, my behaviour policy - I jokingly said I use the cupboard under the stairs! then said that I had looked after all the children since they were babies, they had grown up with my rules and way of doing things and that I had high expectations and that I was confident in taking them anywhere and everywhere with me. She commented on how well behaved they were (they were a little more lively than normal because of having an audience I think).
I nearly forgot to show her my learning journals as I now use Tapestry on-line - I took the precaution of saving all journals to PDF and putting on memory stick in case the internet or Tapestry site went down. She was impressed on how instant it is for parents to see new observations, to add their own and to add comments and how I have engaged Nursery settings to do the same.
She was also pleased to see that I have put into place things I have learnt on training courses eg: signing, outdoor play activities. Think she stayed about 3 1/2 hours - nearly hugged her when she told me my grading and haven't managed to keep it a secret from my childminding friends in town as they could see from my face what I had got.
I did use Sarah Neville's SEF e-book for ideas and although I thought I had got carried away with too many details (it was about 20 pages long), inspector said it was great for giving her a full picture of what I offer and do with the children. My advice would be for everyone to keep their SEF up to date - I didn't and it took me hours to complete, also I researched the inspector in advance and found out what she was "picky" on and made sure that I had all those points covered.
Pleased that I can finally share my grade, hope the feedback is useful.