lollipop kid
26-03-2013, 07:51 PM
Hello all,
I promised to post an update once my inspection had happened, so here goes:
Firstly, I had the same inspector that I had last time round, so I was really nervous, as last time I accidentally knocked a cup of tea into her laptop just after she'd given me a satisfactory grade. Total accident (her cup was in front of the cupboard where I keep my nappy cream, with laptop below - accident waiting to happen, really!)
Anyway, she came and was absolutely lovely. It was quite nice that she had done my last inspection, as she could see first hand how much effort I had put in since last time round. (I didn't make her a cup of tea this time, though! I was so nervous that I forgot completely, and feel quite bad, now.)
Anyway, the little boy (age 26 months) that I had with me was an absolute angel (he usually is). Once the nerves were out of the way, I just relaxed and got on with interacting with my mindee, and we had a great time in the garden looking at icicles, and playing in what's left of the snow with a toy lawnmower, while the inspector sat with her back to us at her laptop. I didn't think she would have been able to pick up on anything we were doing, but she did, so that was great.
She asked to see what resources I have for showing different cultures - e.g. wok, chopsticks (I have both and the chopsticks are child-friendly ones, so big tick there); map and images of other cultures - I got mine from a Google search of "Indian culture for kids"; "African culture for kids"; and "Mexican culture for kids" last night: (only print the first page if you use these). I just stuck the whole A4 page onto the relevant side of my map and that was great. I put a globe on a low table that you can fly (bit of ICT), so it may have helped.
I was also able to show images that counter gender stereotyping - I used "Cops and Robbers", as it shows a female policewoman. Then I showed her a little book called "Building Site", which shows a female joiner and painter. So that ticked those boxes.
She also liked the fact that I have a book about washing hands; and one called "I can flush" to help with toilet training.
Towards the end of my inspection, she asked if I had any resources to show positive images of disability. I couldn't honestly think of any, so I said No - then 5 minutes after she left, I found a book on my shelf called "Hospital - Talking it through", which might have been perfect as it shows lots of ill children in a very positive way. (E.g. a little boy who is recovering after having Chemotherapy, who is looking forward to going home soon as he's feeling much better.) I did have a book about the Paralympics, but tidied that away ages ago - doh! - so couldn't put my hands on it when I needed it.
Another improvement point was to include information about activities using paint or dough for mark-making. The little boy I have can't be persuaded to go to the craft table at playgroup. I have one photo of him sticking and getting messy, but I couldn't find it. I'm putting these on here just in case anyone else has an inspection coming up so they don't get caught out with these ones!
She read the two year review that I've done for my mindee, and she said that she really felt that she knew him from reading it, so that was brilliant. She also loved the fact that I had references from parents (thanks to all at the forum for suggesting this!); questionnaires from parents plus a well-maintained attendance register (all parent signatures present and correct). She also said that she would be shocked if I don't get Outstanding at my next inspection, as I'm so close to it now - but I'm happy with Good and can't wait to see the report now.
I told my parents and they were all really pleased.
Thanks for reading - hope my experience helps. I had thought of everything apart from the "Politically Correct" stuff (I've always been a bit rubbish at that), so if your inspection is coming up, have something up your sleeves for these bits.
Now very relieved that I can change my "Satisfactory" to "Good"
.:laughing:
L
I promised to post an update once my inspection had happened, so here goes:
Firstly, I had the same inspector that I had last time round, so I was really nervous, as last time I accidentally knocked a cup of tea into her laptop just after she'd given me a satisfactory grade. Total accident (her cup was in front of the cupboard where I keep my nappy cream, with laptop below - accident waiting to happen, really!)
Anyway, she came and was absolutely lovely. It was quite nice that she had done my last inspection, as she could see first hand how much effort I had put in since last time round. (I didn't make her a cup of tea this time, though! I was so nervous that I forgot completely, and feel quite bad, now.)
Anyway, the little boy (age 26 months) that I had with me was an absolute angel (he usually is). Once the nerves were out of the way, I just relaxed and got on with interacting with my mindee, and we had a great time in the garden looking at icicles, and playing in what's left of the snow with a toy lawnmower, while the inspector sat with her back to us at her laptop. I didn't think she would have been able to pick up on anything we were doing, but she did, so that was great.
She asked to see what resources I have for showing different cultures - e.g. wok, chopsticks (I have both and the chopsticks are child-friendly ones, so big tick there); map and images of other cultures - I got mine from a Google search of "Indian culture for kids"; "African culture for kids"; and "Mexican culture for kids" last night: (only print the first page if you use these). I just stuck the whole A4 page onto the relevant side of my map and that was great. I put a globe on a low table that you can fly (bit of ICT), so it may have helped.
I was also able to show images that counter gender stereotyping - I used "Cops and Robbers", as it shows a female policewoman. Then I showed her a little book called "Building Site", which shows a female joiner and painter. So that ticked those boxes.
She also liked the fact that I have a book about washing hands; and one called "I can flush" to help with toilet training.
Towards the end of my inspection, she asked if I had any resources to show positive images of disability. I couldn't honestly think of any, so I said No - then 5 minutes after she left, I found a book on my shelf called "Hospital - Talking it through", which might have been perfect as it shows lots of ill children in a very positive way. (E.g. a little boy who is recovering after having Chemotherapy, who is looking forward to going home soon as he's feeling much better.) I did have a book about the Paralympics, but tidied that away ages ago - doh! - so couldn't put my hands on it when I needed it.
Another improvement point was to include information about activities using paint or dough for mark-making. The little boy I have can't be persuaded to go to the craft table at playgroup. I have one photo of him sticking and getting messy, but I couldn't find it. I'm putting these on here just in case anyone else has an inspection coming up so they don't get caught out with these ones!
She read the two year review that I've done for my mindee, and she said that she really felt that she knew him from reading it, so that was brilliant. She also loved the fact that I had references from parents (thanks to all at the forum for suggesting this!); questionnaires from parents plus a well-maintained attendance register (all parent signatures present and correct). She also said that she would be shocked if I don't get Outstanding at my next inspection, as I'm so close to it now - but I'm happy with Good and can't wait to see the report now.
I told my parents and they were all really pleased.
Thanks for reading - hope my experience helps. I had thought of everything apart from the "Politically Correct" stuff (I've always been a bit rubbish at that), so if your inspection is coming up, have something up your sleeves for these bits.
Now very relieved that I can change my "Satisfactory" to "Good"
.:laughing:
L