Ofsted Big Converstaion...London 11 April 2014 (Feedback)

[Simona]

This twitter feed will give some ideas on the discussion
Woman in the picture...in black..is Debbie Jones Director for London
On her left was Jane Weatherspoon, Ofsted National lead for EYFS
Hidden was John Kennedy...who I think is part of the QA
https://storify.com/leyfonline/ofste...sm=sfy.co_pTAS

I asked 2 questions
1. Why are cms not part of the 'getting good seminars' that have been trialled and do not appear in any future plans?
Reply: Ofsted intended to focus on nurseries and preschools and cms were not targeted because they focussed on childcare on non domestic premises
Asked again why.... they said that was their decision
Asked again why...there was no real answer but concerns raised from cms in attendance at being excluded
These seminars are run for Requires Improvement providers where they can discuss their action plan with the Inspector in attendance

Read more about the 'getting good seminars' here
Ofsted | Early years: April 2014

2. Individual interpretations by inspectors about 'variations' in EYFS 2012 and EYFS 2014
why are inspectors interpreting the variations differently and why are some cms being downgraded for continuity of care?
Why are inspectors saying there is no such thing as 4 under 5s?
Why has overlap not been dealt with?
Why is the ratio for cms in 3 paragraphs compared to pages and pages for others?

It was acknowledged by Jane Weatherspoon that it will be part of the training for inspectors

Other topics
Compensation for providers was raised
Ofsted are devising a 'Regulator's Code'
Neil Leitch reported that 86% of complaints are from parents who owe money to settings
Inspection reports should be ready within 15 days...why are they taking up to 4 months?
When appeals are in progress reports should not be published
Need for properly trained inspectors
What is Oftsed expecting of us when looking at teaching
The Ofsted panel asked if there was any 'positive' feedback...a handful were reported
They also asked if anyone is having problems with the Token/SEF access

Some suggested Ofsted need to look at their 'clunky' website and portal
I suggested simplifying the SEF and use of it especially when you save and the script goes back to the beginning

There was lots more but this is a summary for you.

I forgot to add that Ofsted replied that the EYFS is written by the DfE...our response was that inspectors are the ones who interpret it...that is probably why better training must be the focus

I did get the impression that Ofsted need to have problems reported to them so they can act...so we must try to do so more often