New inspection tips from this week ( 12 June 13)

[jadavi]

Hi,

This thread's a repeat of one that I wrote in answer to another earlier this week but i thought I should give it its own thread as its turned into my inspection feedback from my recent one this week! What I've done here is to say what I do and how it seems to have worked on two separate inspections.

All the forms I refer to were at the recomm of my DO this month and were met with high approval by the inspector. I am in the process of trying to submit them all to the forum free resources box. (can anyone help? Cant see where you upload it on the box!) These forms are headed:
Long term planning: continuous provision
Individual planning
Learning and development tracker
Schedule of the day (my own form which she liked too and is hanging on my wall)
Basically when you have a free flow provision (like mine) with little structure, other than us choosing which resources or activities are on offer each day, you need to be able to really show the Ofsted inspector that you have planned well and have an organisational scheme in mind - these forms do that with minimal paperwork (in my opinion)

Right here is my feedback-
The number one thing they look for is your good engagement with and knowledge about the children so I would choose really simple activities on the day that you feel very comfortable with that the children love and you can focus on them in the child led activities. Don't do anything new in case it backfires . She will ask you how what are are doing with each child is supporting his learning . Be genuine and don't feel you have to use long words!
Refer to the seven learning and development areas and effective characteristics of the child if you can in your answer... Ie 'she loves putting things inside things and carrying them around so I have put out bags tins and boxes with little objects to collect.'
With another.. 'we are playing in her role playing small world game which she is in charge of and I am supporting. This is her favourite activity and seems to be her chosen way of learning and developing these days. She chatters a lot and answers my questions in her game. She creates difficulties for the characters in her game and helps them sort it out.'
My assistants are young girls who don't know the jargon but are in the loop with understanding the kids and the inspector was impressed with their simple answers and their understanding of how it was bringing on the children in their learning.

Basically we had an elaborate interactive adult led activity worked out to show Mrs O but when she arrived the kids were engaged in free choice activities. I said to Mrs O 'we may as well follow their lead as they are all engrossed right now - is it OK to hold the planned activity till later? This is how we usually do it'. She said fine.
We did get on to the planned activity later which worked well but went an unexpected direction we hadn't planned but we went with it at their initiative and she liked that too. This seems to be absolutely key. Mindees having control and power over their learning and you providing support and resources. They really really do not like you to be too teacher-y.

The second thing is good paperwork.but it can be short - so long as it is relevant.
Make sure you have like a page long 'All about me' description of the child's starting points that you have stuck in the learning journey. I do it from the child's perspective to make it interesting. Mine is an a4 page in paragraphs and covers most of the areas except irrelevant ones (ie no language or maths if its a really young baby) I don't personally specify or name the L and D areas as I think its boring, intimidating and too academic for parents. Instead I say for example: 'I am learning a few words and can already say xxxx. I like banging things and pressing buttons and operating toys. I am friendly to everyone and sometimes go up to other children and give them things. ' I can share an example page if anyone wants.

Transitions and communication with nurseries and schools and home is a big one. Tell them how you settle kids in with you, how you try to keep in touch with other settings even if the settings don't respond , how you keep in touch with parents. Make it clear how well you report back to parents - only my babies need daily diaries re nappies feeds etc - all the others have verbal catch ups but they all had the choice.
Have parents write a quick feedback form:
(ie Are you happy with the care xxx provides? Were you happy with the settling in process? Do you feel involved in and informed about his progress at my setting? Is there any way you feel we could improve on our care? Kind of thing - one page only.) They want recent ones. Even mine from 6 months ago were not of interest to her.

Make sure you have an individual plan for each child (page long) in your planning file or stuck in your learning journey (this plan is good for six weeks) with seven boxes filled in and include a line or two about effective characteristics of learning and unique child. I'll try and upload the one I used which she liked a lot. (Called: Individual Plan)
By the way she only looks at all the paperwork for the child /ren you have on that day. If like me you have some idea when she's coming from her phone call you may be able to make sure those particular children's areas of paperwork are looking good.

I don't do group planning and it wasn't missed or mentioned this week on my inspection. The trouble with group planning (imo) is that often children are sort of coerced into doing something they'd prefer not to.... (this isn't to say its not on offer to groups)

Finally whatever system you are using to record evidence and next steps be ready to explain it - soo believe in it and choose one you like. Mine is just a tracker like the sort Sarah has put in resources here - each area dated when evidence is there. again one page every six weeks. I use 2simple observations (phone app) which include the drop down menu development matters and stick them in the LJ. She loved these 2Simple print outs for the detail . (My d o took this away to share too) I also include fun photos with captions for a scrap book look to the LJ.
I call it XXX's Special Book with Ja xxx' (me) not Learning Journey which always sounded a bit poncy to be honest|!

As I do mainly continual provision and free choice I have written 6 sheets showing how it covers the areas and my resources:
'A space to explore, use my imagination and develop my physical skills'
A space to develop speech and communication skills'
'A space to develop mark making and play writing' etc etc
However you want to divide it. I can share mine if you like. (plan to upload it at request)
I display these in my setting to share with parents. She loved sharing all this stuff and not having it in files.

By the way, The continuous provision sheets, the tracker, and the individual child's planner sheet - I only introduced three weeks ago and filled them all in retrospectively for each child. This was because my d o said she had got them from Ofsted and they were recommended. I also used them because I liked them and they were very concise. I like concise!

Prior to this I did my own system in a daily a4 diary but decided to change to this system. I now use my A4 diary only for a quick plan of the day often filled in after the day's end - (visits, which extra resources used - ie parachute. ) and notes about very informal obs with next steps ideas and finally any general day to day comments from parents.
Three columns: communication with parents and settings / what happened in the day/ possible next steps ideas but all brief and informal..( She liked this as it showed I was in touch with parents daily and also showed my reflective work on a daily basis) I use the weekend pages for my action plan and self evaluation thoughts.(ten points in bullets - short)

I don't do themes at all except festivals and celebrations and even then won't do it if it is of no interest or relevance to the child. I told her and she agreed. I did however have a list of these up on the wall with dates and odd notes.

Do your self evaluation form for Ofsted on Gateway when they ask. Try and give yourself at least good for each category and believe it and describe it in writing. This is not the time for our cultural modesty! Put outstanding if you think you may be. I felt embarrassed putting outstanding for each category this year and last year when i did it but I decided to as I couldn't honestly think how to improve each area.
Needn't be long.

As mentioned already, have an ongoing action plan in a diary and include evaluation of your practise
Points on here could be: change library books, research more sensory resources for xxx, put out posting toys for cxxx , get more arts and crafts ideas for xxxx) think about how to stimulate xxx for mark making....
Call it 'action plan and self evaluation on the heading'!! Again not more than a page - maybe ten points .
I often have this in my head and don't write it down. When I knew an inspection was looming I went back and filled in the weekend pages in retrospect.... sadly a lot of Ofsted stuff is geared for them to see but that's the only way they can assess it - by what you write and say.

I have cut my paperwork down hugely and she was very happy with it. I cannot believe I have finally found a brief method that I also like which is acceptable!

Then be prepared to discuss Safeguarding.
Written permissions for emergency medical care etc and all the permissions and my first aid kit were looked at .
Wash kids hands before a meal.
Change the nappies on the floor. dispose of nappies hygienically and pref take them out. (but we have a large sealed bin)

Try not to let nerves make you clam up. Concentrate all you can on the children and interrupt her talking to you all the time if they need you. Put them before her - she will respect that!

Other people may use totally different approaches and paperwork. Everyone says to do what works for you. Please pm me or write on here what you are doing if you'd like reassurance or help.

What I have done to good effect on my two inspections (both outstanding) were to tell her stuff almost before she asked. Show off what you have, what you know you do well, what you are proud of. Ie Start talking about transitions and partnerships and settling in and next steps etc etc etc before she does. Use then right educational words if you can but don't worry if you don't as long as you say what you mean.

I am quite bold and confident so I yabber away non stop to her when I'm not talking to the kids . It must be much harder for a shy person but if this is the case I''d advise- just believe that you are doing a really good job and focus in your mind on how much you are enjoying working with the child, and why you chose this career - believe in yourself and be yourself and be genuine. Try and let your paperwork show your organisation.

Please feel free to pm me about anything at all. I have pledged to support people on here as I have been so helped and felt just like you at first. Terrified. I hate that Ofsted have this culture of intimidation and am determined to fight it. I cannot believe I have pulled off outstanding twice now since I started two years ago (this second time followed a complaint based on a miscommunication) so I must be doing something right but was probably lucky with the inspector too. Also there is no way in hell I'd have got anywhere close to it without this forum as I have hardly any local support.
xx

[Rick]

Thanks for your feedback and once again well done
We will ask Sarah if she will help in your request to upload to free resources

[Shivvie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of this. It is really helpful to know what Ofsted are currently wanting to see. Well done on your 'outstanding' - it really looks like you thoroughly deserved it!

[Samcat]

Thanks for the feedback. Would love to see your paperwork once you upload it!

[tori4]

Great advice would love to see examples of paperwork particular individual planning many thanks xT

[ajc]

Thanks for sharing, x

[FussyElmo]

Thanks for taking the time to leave the feedback

[marie55]

Thanks for the detailed feedback and congratulations again

[Mrs Scrubbit]

Thanks, very informative and well done on your grading xx

[wellybelly]

Well done on your inspection, I too would love to see your examples of paperwork. I am happy with mine but am always on the look out for examples which may save me more time. thanks for all the tips, I've just made a note of most of them : )

[sarah707]

Outstanding!

Richard can upload documents if you contact him - maybe best to send him a pm and he will give you all the details.

Thank you so much for your feedback

[jadavi]

Thanks still waiting for instructions on how to upload the four forms x

[sarah707]

Thanks still waiting for instructions on how to upload the four forms x

Sent a pm

[lozzy23]

Thanks for the feedback and congratulations on your Outstanding grade

[Optimalstar]

Well done and congratulations. Looking forward to looking at the paperwork I'm not entirely happy with my short term stuff and like you like concise so always on the lookout or something better. X

[MessybutHappy]

Well done, and thank you for the feedback and the ideas!

[wendy latimer]

Well done thank's for the feedback would love to have a look at your paperwork anything that makes life abit more easy is a great help to others. Thanks again must of taken you ages to type all that,would of taken me weeks.

[jadavi]

I'm sending them to Richard today for free resources.
If you pm me an email address I can send direct

[Carol M]

Thank you for your detailed feedback. Awaiting with interest your paperwork system.
Carol x

[blue bear]

Well done,fabuouls feed back, can't wait to see your forms.