SEF prompt list

**sarah707** · 26-09-2013, 02:19 PM

This is a list of suggestions for different things you can talk about to answer the questions in your Ofsted Self Evaluation Form (SEF).

I hope you find it useful!

Updated link - Guidance for the new SEF 2015

**Mrs Scrubbit** · 26-09-2013, 03:39 PM

Thank you so much Sarah, you must have mind reading powers to add to your list of many talents, I've never done the Ofsted SEF but have just logged on today to make a start........I will do it.....I will do it... I WILL NOW WITH YOUR HELP!

xxx

**AgentTink** · 26-09-2013, 05:48 PM

Thanks for this document Sarah. Even though i dont do the actually SEF i do do my own self evaluation and these things will help me collate my thoughts together on my documents

**eddie** · 26-09-2013, 06:51 PM

Thank you Sarah! Every little helps in my mission to complete my well out of date SEF

**Daisy1956** · 26-09-2013, 07:56 PM

Thanks Sarah. I use your fantastic books to help me do my own self evaluation. I will look at this to make sure I haven't missed anything.

**cherry** · 26-09-2013, 09:04 PM

Thank you Sarah

Simona · 27-09-2013, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by AgentTink

Thanks for this document Sarah. Even though i dont do the actually SEF i do do my own self evaluation and these things will help me collate my thoughts together on my documents

Although the SEF is not compulsory we have heard many stories of inspectors turning up and saying they want to see it and won't accept anything else...
If you follow #ofstedbigconversation you will know that they want to engage with childminders....I am sure this topic will be on the agenda for clarification

**loocyloo** · 27-09-2013, 07:21 AM

thank you!

my SEF is on my list of 'TO DO' ... getting near the top!

**poppy321** · 30-01-2015, 07:46 PM

Omg.I have finally submitted my sef. It has taken me ages. I thought I just needed to add to it and do the last 2 sections today. I started at 8 am,took a cup of tea and my laptop back to bed and finally finished it at 5.45pm.boy do I need my glasses of red wine tonight!
Does it take everyone else so long too? The questionnaire that followed actually asked did it take 2,4,6 hours or longer(something like that)to complete? funny 3 full days wasn't on the list! I feel that after not having an inspection for nearly 5 years,I am so scared of an inspector arriving,judging me,the nervous wreck!!!,that I should put in as much relevant detail as I can. The post box answer style has nearly sent me cross eyed. I am tired of just looking at it.when I got to q6 I felt that I'd answered it already in the previous questions. Do ofsted actually mark the sef or is it just to give a picture?. My paperwork always seems to take me twice as long as I thought it would but this to me was more of a challenge than looking after 3, 2yr olds on a Monday morning! I suppose my fear in all this is that in a couple of hours an inspector could find one or maybe two or three things that I need to address and hey,there goes my reputation. My parents all think I do a great job and I know they would still love me regardless but what about self pride? I try so hard and think all in all I do provide a good service but it's all getting to me!who wants to read unsatisfactory next to their name,after working every blooming weekend to get up to date with everything? So sorry to rant.I'm so fed up!

**BallyH** · 28-11-2015, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by poppy321

Omg.I have finally submitted my sef. It has taken me ages. I thought I just needed to add to it and do the last 2 sections today. I started at 8 am,took a cup of tea and my laptop back to bed and finally finished it at 5.45pm.boy do I need my glasses of red wine tonight!
Does it take everyone else so long too? The questionnaire that followed actually asked did it take 2,4,6 hours or longer(something like that)to complete? funny 3 full days wasn't on the list! I feel that after not having an inspection for nearly 5 years,I am so scared of an inspector arriving,judging me,the nervous wreck!!!,that I should put in as much relevant detail as I can. The post box answer style has nearly sent me cross eyed. I am tired of just looking at it.when I got to q6 I felt that I'd answered it already in the previous questions. Do ofsted actually mark the sef or is it just to give a picture?. My paperwork always seems to take me twice as long as I thought it would but this to me was more of a challenge than looking after 3, 2yr olds on a Monday morning! I suppose my fear in all this is that in a couple of hours an inspector could find one or maybe two or three things that I need to address and hey,there goes my reputation. My parents all think I do a great job and I know they would still love me regardless but what about self pride? I try so hard and think all in all I do provide a good service but it's all getting to me!who wants to read unsatisfactory next to their name,after working every blooming weekend to get up to date with everything? So sorry to rant.I'm so fed up!

I think completing the sef is very important. I'm also nearly 5 years since my last inspection and I am very nervous about what may or may not happen on the day. There are so many boxes to tick that I'm hoping my sef will answer them without me having to stop to chat to the inspector. I'm always 'adding' bits to it but I must say I read it recently and it didn't read too well. So am concerned. Mine got highly rated in my last inspection but this time I'm not sure. I feel the bar is forever rising!

**leah.kyranidis** · 26-09-2013, 09:32 PM

I am unable to open this document as comes up as an error x

**sarah707** · 27-09-2013, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by leah.kyranidis

I am unable to open this document as comes up as an error x

You might need to update your copy of Adobe Reader - it is free from here

Adobe - Adobe Reader download - All versions

**cathtee** · 27-09-2013, 04:32 PM

Thanks Sarah, it's on my to do list too.

**Bluebell** · 27-09-2013, 08:07 PM

wow sarah - mine is way overdue as i haven't done it since they updated the system. It is on my to-do list!!

However, having read this - I think I can safely say I have probably approached it in the past completely wrong!

You say to update it every 6 months - is it wise to delete previous information or keep it as an ongoing record that the SEF has been updated?

Many thanks for sharing.

**shortstuff** · 28-09-2013, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Bluelion

wow sarah - mine is way overdue as i haven't done it since they updated the system. It is on my to-do list!!

However, having read this - I think I can safely say I have probably approached it in the past completely wrong!

You say to update it every 6 months - is it wise to delete previous information or keep it as an ongoing record that the SEF has been updated?

Many thanks for sharing.

I got advised to keep all old info and start any new input with the date to show you change what/how you do things.

**sarah707** · 28-09-2013, 08:50 AM

I have my SEF ... then I add information to the end of each section with a date and what I have done.

When I tackle a job on my action plan I write it up and again add a date... when I go on training or do some CPD I evaluate it and add it with a date - so the SEF is always growing.

Every 6 months I put my updates online, keeping them on my computer as well just in case.

I hope that makes sense!

**Bluebell** · 28-09-2013, 09:09 AM

lovely - I just created a cpd folder for myself so everything will be to hand when I add it - I have done a LOT of CPD in the last 12 months!!

Simona · 04-10-2013, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Gail Tracey

I got advised to keep all old info and start any new input with the date to show you change what/how you do things.

That sounds like good advice as the new inspection framework looks at a provider's 'history'...I assume we will have to retain some of the past practice in the SEF and show how we update it and drive standards up?