32 replies to this topic

[Helen]

If you are an established setting, with well-qualified and experienced staff, have had a successful Ofsted in the past, and are full with a waiting list, what are the advantages of going through the expense and disruption of an accreditation scheme? Hearing other people talk about them, it seems to me that you have to reorganise your documents (eg long term planning) to fit in with the scheme rather than to best serve your setting. Feel free to tell me I'm completely wrong about this, but I have yet to be persuaded to go through the process!!

[Nicola Gray]

Dear Helen,
I am just about to get ready for my accreditation. Part of it was for me to ensure that I was carrying out "best practice" and review all my areas which I probably wouldn't have done if it had not been for the long term objective of achieving my accreditation. Having done this and cross referenced, I have revisited many areas and reviewed and updated them. It has also focussed the staff as well. However, I do agree that it does seem to double up with a successful Ofsted inspection.

In my area, Surrey, they have set a target for 70% of groups to be accredited by I think 2004 and they are not on target for this as yet. They do however, fund the accreditation process. I also feel that it will make my group stand out and the resultant publicity etc.(hopefully) which can only be beneficial. I also attended a meeting given by a very senior director of the EYPCD where he intimated, that the Government may well look at this in the future when they are offering NEG funding!! So with this in mind I thought I might as well do it. There are I think several accreditation schemes although I know different councils seem to favour different schemes.

The only thing that worries me is your comment on long term planning - can you expand on this because I have not changed the way in which I am doing this?

So on the one hand I agree, on the other, I think it has made me review my practices so hopefully when I am Ofsted'd, there will nothing new to look at and I will also have had a inspection by a qualified iinspector who hopefully (or not) will bring up any areas that need further review. If there are any Ofsted inspectors out there - does an accreditation have any bearing on how they look at the group?
Regards
Nikki

[Helen]

Hi Nicola,
Sorry, didn't mean to panic you about the long term planning reference
It was just that Hali mentioned in another conversation that she had had to change her long term planning whilst going through the accreditation procedures. I'll contact her and invite her to tell us more! :)

[hali]

Hi Helen

We are going for our accreditation to promote our pre school and in our area we are getting funded for it so its only time not money being taken up.
as Nikki says it does make you go over all your polices and procedures and update things that need doing.
Our planning and keyworker groups i felt were not up to scratch anyway so have just updated them by putting more info into our long term planning (including aspects) and making up our own childrens playplans which cover the ELGS for thier keyworker files.
I feel that although it is more work in the short termit will just make our pre school more focused and make sure we keep up to date with things - and im a gluten for punishment!!!!
Hope this helps.

[janice]

Hi there -
I'm very interested in what is said on the Accreditation process- as I told our committee at the AGM that's it's something the Pre-school would move forward to do during the next year !!! (What on earth made me say that !!!!)

Firstly I agree with Helen, and then secondly I agree with Nikki - and I still havn't made up my mind !

In our area there is only £150 funding, so there's a big chunk to find - a sizeable chunk that could buy some pretty good equip. The EYDCP's have set targets to achieve and I feel that by saying the funding may depend on it, is some sort of arm twisting to help them reach their targets. On the other hand I agree with Nikki that it raises the profile of the Pre-school. Whose scheme are you doing Nikki and Hali and how are you finding it ??? I would opt for the PLA one but I can see that I'm going to drag my heels on this one.

I don't ever reckon it will be fully funded here, but there are such definate inconsistencies in the funding available in different areas , I just wish I could say this to whoever dreamt this little idea up !
As Nicola said, I too would be interested to read any comments on this from an Ofsted inpsector.

Right then, I'm getting off my soapbox now, (sorry for going on so long!) but you've gone and hit a really sore point with me !!!
Byeeeeee

Janice

[hali]

Hi Janice
we are doing the pla accreditation scheme - its very similar to doing the standards as set by ofsted
- apart from going through policies etc you are just collating evidence into a file for the accrediors

[Alison]

Hi

I took over my group 6 years ago and in that time so much has happened

having just registered for nursery grant, the teacher mentor is already talking about accreditation like it is going to be compulsary soon and it states in the guidelines that we should be working towards accreditation.

I feel that although it is helpful for pre-schools to look constructivly at their setting and how it runs, I wonder if accreditation is a back door way of getting preschools to pay for inspections?

why do we need both OFSTED inspections and accreditations? are the goverment planning something? for instance will it be introduced that groups who are accredited wont need to be inspected as often and so thats less inspections for the government to fund..... ?

I might be paranoid? but I cannt see the point of both inspections and accreditation without an hidden agenda for the future? <_<

[Linda McDowell]

I went to a meeting yesterday with a view to setting up a Quality Assurance scheme in Stockport. I am now on the steering group for this and hope we can have our own home grwon sheme in place soon.
I feel that QA is a step beyond an OFSTED inspection-that extra mile so to speak. So that if you have passed an OFSTED inspection what can you do to improve on that? Like-all staff have a level 3 qualification, policies in place that are over and above the ones expected at an OFSTED inspection.
Linda

[Nicola Gray]

Hi all,
I don't think that Alison is being paranoid at all! I agree with those thought processes as well with regard to Accreditations - especially as it seems to me that virtually all the local councils have been set targets for groups to be accredited. So where has this been generated from? Yes, from the DFES itself, so just what is the thinking behind having two inspection processes? Does it make Ofsted's life easier, or is it a case of left hand/right hand. Once again wouldn't it be nice if more money could be put into ground level rather than doubling up on work - or as Alison says - is this paving the way for a change perhaps in the fee structure and ragularity of inspections - those who have gained accreditation and those who have not! I don't know but I certainly believe there are other issues here. We already know that Ofsted are struggling to meet and make all the combined inspections. However, there are many groups seeking their accreditation including my own so does this take some of the pressure off Ofsted? Who knows?
Nikki

[Steve]

Good for you Linda! No reason why local groups shouldn't set up their own quality schemes. :D

And Nikki, I think you have a good point. It seems to me that if local councils are going to bring pressure on settings to achieve a higher accreditation, there is little point once you hold that accreditation in having to go through an Ofsted inspection as well - which presumably will be regarded as a baseline from which to move up. Ofsted isn't currently free anyway - if you have to pay a fee for Ofsted, why pay two fees?

I think some joined up thinking is called for on this...

[Linda McDowell]

I am not advocating QA schemes. I agree that they could be the back door way of getting inspections done by people other than oFSTED.
But, as far as I am aware, it is not compulsory to go for QA. We are only looking at it at the moment. I wanted to be part of the steering group so that I knew what was going into it etc. and had some influence on it.
Quite a few people at the meeting asked the question why go for it? I think the simple answer to that is, if you don't want to then don't.
Linda

[sue zubair]

As far as I am aware to embark on an accreditation scheme you have to have had a successful Ofsted report. You also need to show how you have implemented an action plan for any recommendations that were made. My setting is currently undergoing accreditation with Birmingham EYDCP Quality Framework. It is above and beyond the Ofsted requirements. It is free to those settings in Birmingham. The team has found it a useful tool for self-evaluation and it has enabled us to make further progress.

[kim]

I am 3/4 of the way through my accreditation, we were lucky that the council have paid for it, it is a lot of hard work, and you need a strong team behind you, but i do belive it is a good evaluation of our group, and helps you see where your weaknesses are.

kim :D

[mobbsters]

Hi,
I've just been reading all the info re accreditation and thought I'd add my penny worth.

We are awaiting the assessor to come and assess our portfolio and our group. It's been tough going and hard work, but if you already have most of the policies and paperwork in place (which all good groups these days should have) then it is just bringing it all together in one file.

We were lucky, our local Partnership were funding groups who wanted to go for it, and we went for it. Why? Because although we are Ofsteded we still have to have an Operational Plan in place for them, and this Accreditation portfolio becomes that. Also, for applying for grants they ask the question and if you want a grant you have to do it. Also eventually there isn't going to be money available for us, and I would not pay £700 from my group funds to do it.

You do need everyone, and I mean everyone, to be involved, it is not a one person job, but just think of the satisfaction when they say you have achieved it. Like Ofsted, it will have all been worthwhile in the end.

Mobbster

[TraciJ2]

Hi ppl.......

i've just re-visited this site after not having access to a computer for a few months, (God i was lonely!).

i start a new job in a weeks time. its called "Kitemark Mentor". my role is to mentor nurseries and childminders in gaining their QA.
up until i applied for the job (which luckily fell into my lap one day) i didnt know this post existed. i'm dead excited and really looking forward to the new role.

my reason for replying to this stream is that in the near future, i may need to call upon the persons here present (hehehehe <- got married a few weeks ago!) to help me out with any difficulties i may have.

anyway...best be off to read the rest of the posts

take care

Traci xx
:D