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View Full Version : Major panic...Ofsted inspection next week!!



JCrakers
01-10-2015, 12:04 PM
Ofsted just called :panic::panic::panic::panic::panic:

Now I have to get questionnaires out to parents, SEF done, make sure all the changes are up to date. Check everything and I'm now in a panic...lol

Help me :laughing:

BallyH
01-10-2015, 12:13 PM
Breathe. Read through the recent Early Years Handbook. Imagine what Inspection day will be like mindess attending and plan your activities. And on the day 'it's showtime!. Believe in yourself!

Can I ask, how long is it since your last inspection? And did the inspector today say 'keep the next 5 working days free?'

Best of luck

JCrakers
01-10-2015, 12:25 PM
Thanks MOH.
My last inspection was March 2012 and the inspector sounded lovely on the phone just now.

She told me that she would be here by 10am and if she isn't then I can go out. And it will be Mon-Thurs next week

shortstuff
01-10-2015, 12:43 PM
You will be amazing xx

moggy
01-10-2015, 12:46 PM
I wouldn't do the Ofsted online SEF from scratch unless you really have some time to spare!
A note book of things you have improved and the outcomes of those, things you are working on now and things you want to buy/do/change in the future, a log of training courses and other CDP and how they have effected your practice, is all our local inspector said she wanted to see.
I have done my online SEF but it took literally hours and hours- a few whole evenings. If you have other things to prepare you might want to prioritize carefully.

My priority would be guiding parents to writing a letter each addressed to the inspector for me to hand over on the day, and suggesting things they might like to write about (!) like settling in process, how I share progress, how I suggest things for home learning, how I communicate with them etc.

Good luck!

Ripeberry
01-10-2015, 01:01 PM
Good luck. :thumbsup:

BallyH
01-10-2015, 01:04 PM
Very good advice given. On the advice of a list of things you want to buy it may be worth asking the mindess and writing their imput onto the list also.

I love the idea of the letter from parents. But, I already know that I would have to really really stress the importance of the feedback as some of my families don't even open daily diaries, never mind write a page of compliments.

FloraDora
01-10-2015, 01:16 PM
Oh my goodness, I feel for you...I think it is normal to go through the initial panic..., you have plenty of time to get it all done, so just spend tonight evaluating what you are ok with and what you need to update....a quick one.....then you have a clear plan rather than the panic things that keep popping in to your head, that probably aren't really that important in the great scheme of things.
When It was mine I planned the days I would be possible inspected first...outdoor and indoor as I didn't know the weather forecast...with the children's next steps as my lead in....what they see on the day is a big priority now so it is an important part and a priority.and then If I needed to buy extra resources I had plenty of time to do so...then set about getting paperwork in an order to be presented..updating if necessary as I went along.
I would look at the children's progress to show how much they have made with you..and practise presenting it to the inspector ....and link your planning to the children specifically.

I am sure you will be fine once the butterflies and knots sort themselves out.
Good luck

lollipop kid
01-10-2015, 02:34 PM
I wouldn't do the Ofsted online SEF from scratch unless you really have some time to spare!
A note book of things you have improved and the outcomes of those, things you are working on now and things you want to buy/do/change in the future, a log of training courses and other CDP and how they have effected your practice, is all our local inspector said she wanted to see.
I have done my online SEF but it took literally hours and hours- a few whole evenings. If you have other things to prepare you might want to prioritize carefully.

My priority would be guiding parents to writing a letter each addressed to the inspector for me to hand over on the day, and suggesting things they might like to write about (!) like settling in process, how I share progress, how I suggest things for home learning, how I communicate with them etc.

Good luck!

Moggy, that's great advice! I'm taking note of that for my next inspection.

FloraDora - please will you adopt me? I love your posts. :blush:

JCrakers - you'll be fantastic, I have no doubts whatsoever. Follow the above, do whatever else you think you should, then go for it.

Here's an example of an activity that I did with my two almost two year olds yesterday, if it helps. I have a narrow-necked plastic bottle filled with dry pasta. I gave each of them a shallow dish, some large tweezers, some toy foxes (Schleich ones), and set them to work to shake the pasta out to 'feed' to the foxes using the tweezers. They showed great teamwork, and loved this exercise as we've been doing Autumn this week, which involved lots of stories featuring foxes, hedgehogs etc. "A year in Percy's Park" really inspired them, as did collecting conkers from the real trees! They showed fantastic problem-solving skills, teamwork, and one even shook the bottle and said: "Thunder!".

I hope it helps.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

LK

Mouse
01-10-2015, 02:46 PM
Oooh, good luck!

My inspection must be soon and I know I will go into a complete flap when I get the call. I have been expecting it for a while and was fully prepared for it, but I have got a lot going on at the moment with family & health and could really do without it for another month or so. What's the betting I get the call now?

sarah707
01-10-2015, 07:58 PM
You'll be amazing! don't forget to show off and let them see what you have done in the last few years!!

There are lots of tips here - Ofsted Information and Ofsted Inspections (http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/ofsted-information-ofsted-inspections/).

let us know how you get on xx

mumofone
01-10-2015, 08:31 PM
Ofsted just called :panic::panic::panic::panic::panic: Now I have to get questionnaires out to parents, SEF done, make sure all the changes are up to date. Check everything and I'm now in a panic...lol Help me :laughing:

Good luck, you'll be great, let us know how it goes :-) x

Maza
01-10-2015, 08:40 PM
Good luck. xxx

blue bear
02-10-2015, 06:09 AM
Feel for you have been expecting the call for months and am dreading it, the longer it goes on the more convinced I am it will all go wrong. Lol
Think the most important thing is knowing your children inside out and from friends feed back working in partnership is a hot topic around here.

Dragonfly
02-10-2015, 06:35 AM
To be honest we should all be ready for an inspection any time shouldn't we? a weeks notice is very good notice. Mine was 4.15 the day before they came( first thing in the morning) so wouldn't of had chance to update/ change things.Do what you usually do and you'll be fine. Good luck:thumbsup:

loocyloo
02-10-2015, 07:48 AM
I too, am expecting the call at any moment.

I did a training course on the new inspections a few days ago, and it seems that knowing where your children were and are and are going is what they are really keen on, and on you showing how you have helped/improved outcomes for each individual child. plus working with parents.

good luck, you will be great.

xxx

rollypolly
02-10-2015, 11:43 AM
Just wanted to say, good luck, sure you will be fine. Had mine in June, after 4 years, and even thou I was up to date on paperwork, I still went in to melt down, panic mode after the call! Don't think i will ever change! Big hug for next week, Let us know how it goes :) x

Dragonfly
02-10-2015, 02:18 PM
Think we all go into melt down when ofsted call lol doesn't matter how prepared we are .

lollipop kid
02-10-2015, 04:08 PM
Think we all go into melt down when ofsted call lol doesn't matter how prepared we are .

I totally agree.

And it doesn't help that they keep changing everything - :censored:

:thumbsup:

LK

hectors house
05-10-2015, 01:32 PM
Sorry missed this post last week - just wanted to add my "Good luck" message and hope that she came today so you can relax :thumbsup:

JCrakers
05-10-2015, 03:33 PM
Well she didn't turn up today...I spent 9.15am-10am on edge, everytime a car went down the road I was at the window...lol

Then she rang at lunchtime to say she would be here tomorrow....which was nice of her. So at least I know she'll be here in the morning between 9.15am-9.30am :D

lozzy23
05-10-2015, 03:44 PM
Good luck for tomorrow, I am sure you will be fine and by this time tomorrow it will be over.:thumbsup:

lollipop kid
05-10-2015, 03:46 PM
Well she didn't turn up today...I spent 9.15am-10am on edge, everytime a car went down the road I was at the window...lol

Then she rang at lunchtime to say she would be here tomorrow....which was nice of her. So at least I know she'll be here in the morning between 9.15am-9.30am :D

What a nice lady!

Fingers crossed it all goes brilliantly for you.

You know your stuff. Just make sure that she knows that you do as well.

Roll on this time tomorrow!

:thumbsup:

LK

mumofone
05-10-2015, 03:57 PM
Well she didn't turn up today...I spent 9.15am-10am on edge, everytime a car went down the road I was at the window...lol Then she rang at lunchtime to say she would be here tomorrow....which was nice of her. So at least I know she'll be here in the morning between 9.15am-9.30am :D

Best of luck x

BallyH
05-10-2015, 04:42 PM
Well she didn't turn up today...I spent 9.15am-10am on edge, everytime a car went down the road I was at the window...lol

Then she rang at lunchtime to say she would be here tomorrow....which was nice of her. So at least I know she'll be here in the morning between 9.15am-9.30am :D

She sounds very nice. Best of luck. And , in a way I do envy you, this time tomorrow it'll be over. Woo hoo!

sing-low
05-10-2015, 05:24 PM
Good luck for tomorrow!

mama2three
05-10-2015, 05:50 PM
Good luck j crackers , just be yourself and show her what an outstanding childminder looks like! xx