Today was the day

[mumofone]

Today my inspector arrived just after 9.30am, glad she didn't keep me waiting all week. She stayed for nearly 4 hrs but I have kept my current grade which I am happy with. Once she was settled inside I gave her all my folders and paperwork, I use an online learning journey system which I offered to set up when she was ready. We had a quick tour around the setting, she checked that I had my Ofsted certificate on display, then while she looked through the paperwork I carried on playing with the only child who was there, she spoke to the parents of the other 2 children who arrived. While she was asking general questions about numbers of children on roll, ages and who were funded etc I set up a planned activity as this is a favourite with the children and I could talk to her at the same time. We moved on to snack which today was crackers and cheese so a good example of independence buttering own crackers.We spent quite a bit of time out in the garden, the children were all happily engaged in free play. Before lunch we did some singing. used musical instruments and had a story then while the children had lunch I was asked about British values and prevent. She then went through the learning journeys talking about starting points and next steps etc. one little one talked her through her learning journey, telling her about all the things we do. She asked me to evaluate the planned activity and the singing as well as to explain what learning the children got from the activity. We talked about my own professional development which she was very impressed with. Asked some very general safeguarding questions. We talked about my SEF and she said it was accurate and matched what she saw in practice. I hadn't updated it yet to the new one but I do update it regularly. I think the only recommendation links to improving links with other settings as I have 2 that go to other places, both have recently just started second settings so this is something I am working on anyway. one setting is really good we have a communication book the other is not so positive, I did say there is only so much I can do from my side but if the others aren't wiling, she said as long as I have evidence to say I am trying and that I keep trying. Hope that makes sense to everyone my head is spinning with all the info.

Hi pixie dust, well done on your inspection! :-)
What aged children did you have on the day?
Can I ask what the inspector asked you about british values and prevent?
Thanks :-) x

[Pixie dust]

Hi pixie dust, well done on your inspection! :-)
What aged children did you have on the day?
Can I ask what the inspector asked you about british values and prevent?
Thanks :-) x

I had 2 x 3 year olds and a 4 year old so she talked to them quite a bit too, I had told the inspector about the vegetables/fruit we had grown in the summer she then asked the children about it luckily the ones I have are sociable and happy to talk so they said about the fruit they had picked etc.

As far as Prevent goes I had done the online training so we just talked very briefly about it and British Values she asked what did I think it meant ? We had a lovely chat about it as it is what we do already, please/thank you, sharing, respecting each other etc it's not about having a big red London bus and pictures of the Queen which seems to be lots of peoples opinions.

[mumofone]

I had 2 x 3 year olds and a 4 year old so she talked to them quite a bit too, I had told the inspector about the vegetables/fruit we had grown in the summer she then asked the children about it luckily the ones I have are sociable and happy to talk so they said about the fruit they had picked etc. As far as Prevent goes I had done the online training so we just talked very briefly about it and British Values she asked what did I think it meant ? We had a lovely chat about it as it is what we do already, please/thank you, sharing, respecting each other etc it's not about having a big red London bus and pictures of the Queen which seems to be lots of peoples opinions.

Thanks pixie :-) :-) xx

[Simona]

I had 2 x 3 year olds and a 4 year old so she talked to them quite a bit too, I had told the inspector about the vegetables/fruit we had grown in the summer she then asked the children about it luckily the ones I have are sociable and happy to talk so they said about the fruit they had picked etc.

As far as Prevent goes I had done the online training so we just talked very briefly about it and British Values she asked what did I think it meant ? We had a lovely chat about it as it is what we do already, please/thank you, sharing, respecting each other etc it's not about having a big red London bus and pictures of the Queen which seems to be lots of peoples opinions.

Thank you for your feedback Pixiedust

On Saturday I bumped into a cm who has just been inspected...got a good grade... and she said she was 'grilled' ...'my emphasis'...over Prevent and associated topics.
it beggars belief that some inspectors seem very keen on Prevent and BV while others not so.

Good to hear about the nonsense of having a bus or HM pictures to represent BV!!!...looks like that myth has been busted.

One other issue that seems to pop up is that of evidence of what an inspectors sees...or not.... on the day.
Considering the huge numbers of opportunities we offer children ....some activities may not be seen on the day if a child decides on other choices.

Let's look at 'mark making' as an example.
The message is: make sure we have photos in our folder or online that we can show when an inspector comes out with '''you do not give children opportunities for so and so'''

Sorry for the deviation ...your comment triggered my memory on this!

[mumofone]

Thank you for your feedback Pixiedust On Saturday I bumped into a cm who has just been inspected...got a good grade... and she said she was 'grilled' ...'my emphasis'...over Prevent and associated topics. it beggars belief that some inspectors seem very keen on Prevent and BV while others not so. Good to hear about the nonsense of having a bus or HM pictures to represent BV!!!...looks like that myth has been busted. One other issue that seems to pop up is that of evidence of what an inspectors sees...or not.... on the day. Considering the huge numbers of opportunities we offer children ....some activities may not be seen on the day if a child decides on other choices. Let's look at 'mark making' as an example. The message is: make sure we have photos in our folder or online that we can show when an inspector comes out with '''you do not give children opportunities for so and so''' Sorry for the deviation ...your comment triggered my memory on this!

I agree :-) I think photos are the best way to ensure a successful inspection as it would be so tough to showcase what we do on one single morning alone x