Getting organised!

[Memina]

Hi all, I'm back lol. Was feeling too overwhelmed with the Facebook page that I've been putting off getting organised and now I'm too far down and feeling in a horrible situation with no way out.

Help!!!! I need a huge overhall of paperwork, policy's and everything.

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction of a somewhat logical list to get started. Thanks x

[FloraDora]

Hi all, I'm back lol. Was feeling too overwhelmed with the Facebook page that I've been putting off getting organised and now I'm too far down and feeling in a horrible situation with no way out.

Help!!!! I need a huge overhall of paperwork, policy's and everything.

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction of a somewhat logical list to get started. Thanks x

It can be so overwhelming at times, you are not on your own in feeling like this.

Have you thought about using an online system? If you started it would give you an incentive to start anew which might help. The one I use has policies, LJ, progress, planning, next steps, SEF and more if you just choose one area at a time to look at you would soon be up to date and then momentum of a task I feel comes with satisfaction of completion of smaller broken down tasks.
Just the headings help you work your way through - but the one I use costs 11.99 a month, well worth it I feel but there are some that cost less or nothing at all.
The resources section on here also has lots of help.

[Simona]

Hi all, I'm back lol. Was feeling too overwhelmed with the Facebook page that I've been putting off getting organised and now I'm too far down and feeling in a horrible situation with no way out.

Help!!!! I need a huge overhall of paperwork, policy's and everything.

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction of a somewhat logical list to get started. Thanks x

Not sure about which FB page you are referring to as many do not access FB...there are a few cms FB pages
In truth nothing has changed
The EYFS 2014 is still current and that is your bible
You will have to tweak a few policies such as SEND and update safeguarding to the current publication

The rest is very much the same...until the framework is reviewed which is due out soon....do what is required and the rest is up to your judgement...too many cms do too much unnecessary paperwork

Look at the Common Inspection Framework...that concentrates on your teaching
If you access Ofsted power point that tells you how they judge you now

For observations, assessment all remains the same...ongoing obs and a brief assessment of the children's learning in any format you like
2 year olds Check is the one that needs to be done as before
You can still use DM or EYO or whatever suits you in child development

Have you seen What to expect when? This is now new...use it with parents...look at the Foundation Yeras website for the new publication

If you do funding there is a new form on the EYPP...how to evidence the money is making an impact on children

That is it more or less it unless others can add anything missing...as Flora Dora says it can be overwhelming but keep to the requirements...I have not added any paperwork so far just updated the ones I have
Good luck

[Simona]

Uh...I will try, here we go and maybe someone else will come to your aid as well

The question is in part focussed on schools or those who employ 'staff'...if you don't have an assistant it may not be easy to answer.

the first part asks for anything that may prevent you 'managing your setting'...so linked to Leadership and Management

I can think of working in partnership with parents and other providers...has any training helped you to improve this partnership? if so what have you changed and why and is it working?

have you tried to improve communication but failed...or succeeded?
what about parents?...or other providers...are they working with you? are there any barriers or anything that needs improving

those are my thoughts ...hope they help!

[loocyloo]

Welcome back.

Simona has made a good list, and floradoras idea of starting an online system, so you can start 'afresh' is also a good idea.

If it was me I would make a list and see what needed no or little changes, and slowly work through it. I have just blocked a couple of days and slogged through my list to get up to date. Just got my sef to do and that's the job for next weeks 'day off'.

[Simona]

I did forget an important bit...or 2 maybe
British Values which are embedded in PSED... And Preventing radicalisation which would be covered in Safeguarding!

[alex__17]

I'm following this thread, I know the feeling, as things like send and prevent have come out I've not had time to look into it and uodate everything as there's the constant learning journeys and general day to day stuff to try and stay on top of too plus my own 3 year old who takes up any days off from minding I might have!
I have an hour off Thursday afternoon so my task then will be to make my list using the info below, I find having a list on paper so much easier as then I can do bits in a free 5 minutes and I love crossing things off a list!
Glad I'm not the only one that feels so far behind I don't know where to start, and thanks to those that are obviously very up to date for the info!

[Simona]

Alex_17

Sorry to ask and you do not have to answer if you do not want to....or maybe someone else can clarify my questions?

You say there are the constant LJs to do...maybe I have the wrong end of the stick but what do you mean by regularly?
Do you update them every day...or weekly or monthly? ...or maybe every few weeks or so when it is time to do a short summary of learning?
I assume you observe....do you put all obs in your LJ?

I get the feeling that those who use online LJs seem to go to them every day...is that so?

Flora Dora...you say that by using an online journal it will be like starting anew...is there a reason or do you feel the online systems are better?
I have my own system and it is also online but having looked at one system In particular I found it very prescriptive and I felt it would have taken me 3 times longer to complete.

Thanks

[alex__17]

I was doing all my obs for the learning journeys on paper so printing off photos and writing the obs and linking to areas of learning, and it took so long getting photos off phone to comp I only used to do it every month to 6 weeks.
I've recently moved to tapestry and find I can do it much more often, the reason I feel it is constant is I have 6 part time early years children all with me one or two days per week and I think because I don't see them as often I notice them doing new things every week so take a pic and they mount up quickly!
I agree with starting the online thing, after getting up to date on paper at the end of Nov I signed up to tapestry and have kept up to date with it since starting it, I find it easier as I can do it on my phone eg while I'm lying down while my son falls asleep at night! Don't need to switch computers on!

[Simona]

I was doing all my obs for the learning journeys on paper so printing off photos and writing the obs and linking to areas of learning, and it took so long getting photos off phone to comp I only used to do it every month to 6 weeks.
I've recently moved to tapestry and find I can do it much more often, the reason I feel it is constant is I have 6 part time early years children all with me one or two days per week and I think because I don't see them as often I notice them doing new things every week so take a pic and they mount up quickly!
I agree with starting the online thing, after getting up to date on paper at the end of Nov I signed up to tapestry and have kept up to date with it since starting it, I find it easier as I can do it on my phone eg while I'm lying down while my son falls asleep at night! Don't need to switch computers on!

Thank you for your reply...much appreciated.

[Memina]

Hi all, thanks so much for your pointers. I joined an online system and tried to change the LJ from paper to online which is fine it's just finding the time to do it. Again 3 kids of my own (9,6,2.5) so any spare time has been spent doing home work, reading and taking to and from various extra curriculum activities.

I start work at 7.30 and most evening I haven't finished housework, clearing up etc until 9ish by which time I'm only good for bed lol. So yeah I've let it slip somewhat.

When I started childminding our local support personnel gave me a list of policies and risk assessments etc that needed to be done, then a list of things that where recommended but not must dos. But when I've gone back to it it's all out of date because of the registers.

I like the list idea and I can then priorities what needs doing first etc.

But where to start lol? If you where advising a new childminder on what they needed to have in place as a minimum what would you include?

Mine so far is....
Policies - which ones
Risk assessments - yearly, monthly, daily
Registers
Accident and incident books
Complaints and compliments
Learning journals - starting points & trackers.
Planning - group and individual and next steps.

Thanks again x

[Simona]

Hi all, thanks so much for your pointers. I joined an online system and tried to change the LJ from paper to online which is fine it's just finding the time to do it. Again 3 kids of my own (9,6,2.5) so any spare time has been spent doing home work, reading and taking to and from various extra curriculum activities.

I start work at 7.30 and most evening I haven't finished housework, clearing up etc until 9ish by which time I'm only good for bed lol. So yeah I've let it slip somewhat.

When I started childminding our local support personnel gave me a list of policies and risk assessments etc that needed to be done, then a list of things that where recommended but not must dos. But when I've gone back to it it's all out of date because of the registers.

I like the list idea and I can then priorities what needs doing first etc.

But where to start lol? If you where advising a new childminder on what they needed to have in place as a minimum what would you include?

Mine so far is....
Policies - which ones
Risk assessments - yearly, monthly, daily
Registers
Accident and incident books
Complaints and compliments
Learning journals - starting points & trackers.
Planning - group and individual and next steps.

Thanks again x

If you have a copy of the EYFS start with their Welfare Requirements
1 L&D
2 safeguarding and so on and on
In each section it will mention what policy you need and what else is required

Your policies may need updating but no need to rewrite them all...date them when you have done so

Many cms do online journals...however...those who have their own still do them online by putting them in a Word document which you can email to parents and they email back with comments etc
Online journals cost money....your own does not but it is your choice entirely

That should keep you going for a while...good luck!
If you are due an inspection bear in mind the cycle ends 31 July 2016

[Memina]

Thanks Simona

I'll work through the printout and see how I get on lol. My online LJ are on the pc but not online iykwim. I just print or pdf and send to parents.

My last inspection was January 2011 so not sure what cycle that is lol. Is it likely to be done before July? If so best get cracking.

Thanks
x

[loocyloo]

Oh my God now I'm totally panicking. Ofsted just called. Help!!!!!

Good luck, I echo what Simona said and let us know if we can help x

[Simona]

Good luck, I echo what Simona said and let us know if we can help x

Have you been inspected yet?....I keep looking for the announcement Ofsted have remembered you!

[Memina]

Good evening all,

So im doing my SEF as i figured it was a good place to start. but im stuck on this question.....

A1-11 outline any specific issues that aid or prevent the smooth running of your setting, such as: recent training attended/qualifications gained; difficulties in recruiting/retaining staff ; recent/impending reorganisation or change of staff.

what sorts of things do you think should go in here?

Thanks

Wendy

[loocyloo]

Have you been inspected yet?....I keep looking for the announcement Ofsted have remembered you!

Nope! 7 yrs and 3 mths!

Had I still been where I used to live, the baby mindee who started a month after my inspection, would now be out of my ratios! :-)

[loocyloo]

Uh...I will try, here we go and maybe someone else will come to your aid as well

The question is in part focussed on schools or those who employ 'staff'...if you don't have an assistant it may not be easy to answer.

the first part asks for anything that may prevent you 'managing your setting'...so linked to Leadership and Management

I can think of working in partnership with parents and other providers...has any training helped you to improve this partnership? if so what have you changed and why and is it working?

have you tried to improve communication but failed...or succeeded?
what about parents?...or other providers...are they working with you? are there any barriers or anything that needs improving

those are my thoughts ...hope they help!

:-) that's pretty much what I waffled on about in mine! Emphasis on variety of ways I try to get parents involved/responding! (And lack of success even though they all say they will!)

[Memina]

Awsome thanks. I'm working my way through the SEF quite well. Hopefully I'll have it done by tonight/tomorrow to email over.

There was another question I was stuck on which I will post in a while. Just stopped for lunch and will be back to it.

Thank goodness for lazy Fridays. The children have been busy playing and being really good and they now all go to sleep so I will have at least 1hr Un interrupted. Thanks again. X

[BallyH]

Awsome thanks. I'm working my way through the SEF quite well. Hopefully I'll have it done by tonight/tomorrow to email over.

There was another question I was stuck on which I will post in a while. Just stopped for lunch and will be back to it.

Thank goodness for lazy Fridays. The children have been busy playing and being really good and they now all go to sleep so I will have at least 1hr Un interrupted. Thanks again. X

Memina you sent them to me! They phoned today and are coming next week. Gulp. But, lucky you she has already 'taken' my sef as she mentioned it on the phone so I can't update it.