OFSTED inspector is coming back on Tuesday to do the second half of my inspection. But im too sure what to do with mindee when shes here. Shes a after schooler anyway and the inspector said last week that she knows usually it would be more play, teatime and rest when i have her after school. But as its the holiday i dont know weather just to have play time or something a bit more structured. The theme this month is Food, which we do when shes here after school. Just dont want her to think all i do is play, even though when we do just play i always incorporate leanring (counting, colours, shapes, aplphabet etc).

Just confused at what inspector will be looking for, all my paperwork has been checked, its just gonna be her observing me with mindee ??

You don't say how old the mindee is.

If your theme is food:

Have your play food and picnic set, kitchen.

Could you do some cooking? make a pizza for lunch, some scones forr tea, cut up different fruts for a fruit salad for snack or pudding - link into the 5 a day

Print out pictures of foods from different parts of the world use recipe books - if you haven't got them go to the library.

Buy a few different foods what about Kosher from the super market or for special diets gluten free, diabetic chocolate, see if you could get Kendel Mint Cake from a sports shop or lake land, Australian licorice.

Hope this gives you some inspiration. :)

Oh you could practice pancake making early for pancake day the next week.

Can I just add though that there is nothing wrong with just play. Play is an essential and powerful learning tool - although the kids don't realise that. Play is when learning is at its height - even for adults. If you can make anything into play then you have got your best planning for learning.

:)

Ricksmiths has some great ideas there, can't really add much else.

Good luck.

x

OFSTED inspector is coming back on Tuesday to do the second half of my inspection. But im too sure what to do with mindee when shes here. Shes a after schooler anyway and the inspector said last week that she knows usually it would be more play, teatime and rest when i have her after school. But as its the holiday i dont know weather just to have play time or something a bit more structured. The theme this month is Food, which we do when shes here after school. Just dont want her to think all i do is play, even though when we do just play i always incorporate leanring (counting, colours, shapes, aplphabet etc).

Just confused at what inspector will be looking for, all my paperwork has been checked, its just gonna be her observing me with mindee ??

i would not plan anything, just let the child choose their own things to play with. I didnt plan anything, the child i had at the time just got the fire station out, i just sat and played with her and the inspector just looked at my paper work.

Tammy

I know theres nothing wrong with playing, its what i always do, but always incorporate learning into all the activities i do.

Just worried that playing isnt going to satisfy the inspector thats all. But then it is half term, and as mindee is 4 i suppose its good for her to have a break from structured learning.

Think ill just let them choose what they want to do and spare 5 minutes for them to look at the carrot tops were growing and update the photos of them to show how they grow.

Have you got a daily plan? If you have you could follow that. Maybe it could be freeplay for an hour and then you could give them the choice of playdoh, painting, threading (something creative) Give them lots of choices, ofsted like that.
Then after a while of creative work, you could have circle time where you read them a story.
I fond having a plan of the day helps you work out what to do next
Good luck, you will be fine xx

Have you got a daily plan? If you have you could follow that. Maybe it could be freeplay for an hour and then you could give them the choice of playdoh, painting, threading (something creative) Give them lots of choices, ofsted like that.
Then after a while of creative work, you could have circle time where you read them a story.
I fond having a plan of the day helps you work out what to do next
Good luck, you will be fine xx

I dont have a daily plan at the moment as i only have mindee afterschool 3 times a week. So by the time we get home its teatime, a story, a bit of play, abit of our theme of the month, them mum comes.

OFSTED inspector is only coming to observe me with the mindee as all my paperwork has been checked. The worse thing is im not even supposed to have my mindee this week as Mum has taken the week off work, but iv had to ask her to bring mindee for a couple of hours at the inspectors request just so she can observe me.

This is my only mindee aswell, so its not as if i have an abundance of kids for her to observe me with.

Ill be ok. Thanx for your help ladies x

I'm sure the inspector just wants to see you interact with the child so you will cover that if you're playing with her.

If your topic is food what about making a placemat - cutting out pictures of (healthy) food she likes and sticking it to an A4 piece of card you can laminate later - lots of opportunities for discussion there.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine and the worst is already over :)

Miffy xx

I'm sure the inspector just wants to see you interact with the child so you will cover that if you're playing with her.

If your topic is food what about making a placemat - cutting out pictures of (healthy) food she likes and sticking it to an A4 piece of card you can laminate later - lots of opportunities for discussion there.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine and the worst is already over :)

Miffy xx

Ohhhhhhhh i like that. Shes always making a mess of my table aswell. I think this is the activity, my little girl whos 2 will love this aswell.

Thanks Miffy, your a star ! xx

You're welcome (my inspector loved this too!)

Miffy xx

You could stick lots of cut out paper food on plates fruit on one, veg on another one. Get mags from asda, somerfield, aldi etc and let child glue away.

Good Luck

Carol xx

I'd probably do cooking if your mindee liked that as then the inspector will be seeing things like health and safety, hygiene (handwashing etc), PSRN, CLL (if your mindee can read a recipe), CD. You could make lunch or tea and then it'll also be tying in with your routine. When i was inspected my daughter and mindee played with the toys in the playroom where the inspector was sat and she was happy with what she saw. I'm sure everything will be fine, i always just try to remember the children are happy and safe and the parents are happy too. Good luck

making a healthy eating placemat ... nice one

oh yeah good luck witht he second hald of your inspection, the hard bit is over now enjoy and have fun

Great ideas to keep you busy from everyone

just wanted to say good luck

Angel xx