Donkey and Mr Donkey super duper inspection

**Donkey** · 28-03-2013, 01:26 PM

I can't tell you what we officially got but I can say that we did the best we possibly could have.

It was Mr Donkey first inspection and my second and we both got the same grade.

The inspector had messed us around slightly as she had to re-arrange, because she was so insistent on one particular date I was 90% confident of the date she was coming. Then we had snow, and a lot of snow!!!

We tried to contact the inspector the weekend before to double check she was coming, she left us hanging all weekend....

She then called the day of inspection to confirm we were working...

1 DO YOUR SEF!!! and get Sarah707 e-book on writing your SEF. I have written sef's before but Mr. Donkey had not and I was not writing it for him so he thought that Sarah ebook was amazing (as do I) Having both completed SEF we believe this drastically reduced the time she was inspecting us... We were thinking she would be here a good 6 hours. She was here 2 and a 1/4 and she inspected both of us!!!

1A BUY SARAH GUIDE TO INSPECTION WITH BUILD IN CHECKLIST...

2 Check the inspectors ID. I also signed her into our visitors book, I pointed out the emergency exits and also asked the inspector to read the evacuation procedure which is displayed for parents and visitors on my noticeboard. I then informed the inspector that she must not use her mobile phone in the setting and if she needed to make/take a call to ask to be let out

3 I had just got one baby to sleep as she arrived and was cuddling the other as she was feeling the need to be cuddled. DH took the other 3 outside to do water experiments as the children were following their interests in transport so DH was leading an activity on sinking and floating and how ships transport items across the sea. FOLLOWING THE CHILDRENS INTERESTS.... the inspector loved this. We have a huge display board with pictures of what we have been doing and where we have been going. We had been to the airport and trainstation. Parents had contributed photos too

4 HOW WE INVOLVE PARENTS IN THEIR CHILDRENS LEARNING. again another key point for the inspector. She loved what we do...

We send home a sheet at the start of every term asking what the children like at home, their fave book, what they are looking forward to etc etc. this feeds into planning. We also complete a 'home plan' which gives parents activities to do at home over the next term. Yes this takes time, Yes we do this in an evening, but if you want the highest grade you need to go above and beyond... We have 13 Early Years children!!! It takes an extra hour or so once a term per child...

The inspector also loved how we involve parents in meal ideas and that dishes are named after the families that suggest them.

5 TALK THE HIND LEGS OFF A DONKEY!! literally. I talked and talked and explained and talked... The inspector thought I had been in childcare for lots of years... when I have not, Been a cm 4.5 years.

6 IF YOU THINK YOU WILL FORGET SOMETHING MAKE A LIST. I did, I made a list of all the evidence I wanted her to see and where she could find it.. such as parent references, reference from childrens centre co-ordinator, safeguarding audit, childrens statements, etc etc

7 PLAY AND INTERACT WITH THE CHILDREN she loved how responsive the children were to us and that we knew all of our children inside and out...

8 PHOTO ALBUMS, PHOTO ALBUMS, PHOTO ALBUMS, THE INSPECTOR ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES AND WHY WE DID THEM....

she didn't go through policies with a fine tooth comb, she didn't go through our risk assessments in great detail, she didn't nit pick at the learning journals.

PRESENTING YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT GOES A LONG WAY... SELL YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO...

lastly... WHEN THE INSPECTOR ASKS, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW ME??? YOU SAY...

HAVE YOU SEEN EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU MAKE JUDGEMENT, IS THERE ANYTHING AT ALL THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO SEE BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE IT!!!

**marie55** · 28-03-2013, 01:39 PM

Congratulations to you both, you've worked very hard and have given lots of excellent advice and feedback

You can enjoy the holidays now

**Rubybubbles** · 28-03-2013, 01:58 PM

well done Donkey (and Mr Donkey)

**wellybelly** · 28-03-2013, 02:05 PM

Massive congratulations to you both, you obviously do a fantastic job. Thank you so much for the feedback and advice, my inspection is any day now so have noted everything you've kindly shared.

**Nicola Carlyle** · 28-03-2013, 02:06 PM

Huge congratulations. All your hard work has paid off. Well done. Thanks for the great feedback.

**zillervalley** · 28-03-2013, 02:26 PM

congratulations to you both

**lisbet** · 28-03-2013, 04:41 PM

Congratulations to you both!

And thank you for the really helpful feedback

**Zoomie** · 28-03-2013, 05:54 PM

Congratulations to you both

**RuthJ** · 28-03-2013, 06:03 PM

Well done and congratulations

**CLL** · 28-03-2013, 06:12 PM

Congratulations to you both and thanks for sharing, it has been very helpful.

**loocyloo** · 28-03-2013, 06:26 PM

congratulations!

and thank you for the excellent feed back

**MessybutHappy** · 28-03-2013, 06:32 PM

Well done and thank you for the fab tips!!!

**Samcat** · 28-03-2013, 07:37 PM

Fantastic! Well done Mr & Mrs D

**funemnx** · 28-03-2013, 07:41 PM

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Donkey!!!!

**Kirstylob** · 28-03-2013, 08:26 PM

Well done you

!
Thanks for all the detailed feedback, fab tips. I'm going to print them all out so I don't forget them.

**The Juggler** · 28-03-2013, 10:12 PM

very proud of you mr and mrs donkey - here is a massive heeee haaawwww - just for you

**WibbleWobble** · 28-03-2013, 10:19 PM

Well done...you are now officially the donkey's doodahs

Wibble xxxxxxxxxx

**littlemiss60561** · 28-03-2013, 11:53 PM

Welldone to both of you. Fab feedback too.thanks. I especially like the end question... There was lots more i could have shown my inspector. Still.. I'm due anytime so will make a list this time.