Summarising the revised inspection framework documents, we include reflective questions and some useful proformas for you to use in evaluating your provision in the light of the new framework.

The day of the inspection part 2

by FSF Rebecca on May 4, 2016

In this article Rebecca talks to Justine about the 'joint observation' and the 'leadership and management' aspects of the inspection.

The day of the inspection part 1

by FSF Rebecca on April 17, 2016

This is the second part of our conversation with inspectors. In this part, Justine explains to us how she begins her inspections. She tells us about she uses observations and documents provided by the setting to secure her inspection judgements.

Taking Charge?

by Anni McTavish on March 29, 2019

Taking on a new leadership role can be both an exciting and daunting prospect. As well as the extra responsibility of, for example, working more closely with parents or tracking children’s progress, relationships with colleagues can also change. Fi…

SSTEW Scale (Sustained Shared Thinking and Emotional Well-being) - in …

by Vicki Smith on March 3, 2017

At this year’s NDNA conference Denise Kingston, co-writer of the SSTEW scale, led a session to explain the scale, how it can be used and how it can positively impact on practice. The scale can be used to assess the quality of interactions between ad…

Shake up! Refresh! How to reflect and move your setting on...

by Jenny Barber on June 7, 2018

Reflective practice is never going to be truly effective unless we are 100% honest with ourselves about what we do, remembering there is a distinct difference between what we might say or think we do and what we actually do. Reflection is like put…

Safeguarding is effective: safe staff

by FSF Rebecca on March 7, 2016

As manager you will most likely be the lead practitioner for Safeguarding’ however, it does not have to be you.

Safeguarding is effective: safe premises

by FSF Rebecca on March 7, 2016

“Safeguarding is effective” In terms of your Ofsted report this is the phrase you need to have. Without it, however good your learning and development is, your setting will be judged at best ‘Requires Improvement’

Safeguarding is effective: day to day safeguarding

by FSF Rebecca on March 10, 2016

In this series of articles, we have so far looked at making sure that your premises are safe for children to use and we have considered the steps you should take to help you ensure that all of your staff are suitable to work with children.

Review of NDNA annual conference 2016

by FSF Rebecca on July 10, 2016

NDNA conference Last week FSF HQ headed up the M1 to attend the NDNA conference in Milton Keynes. We attended a range of talks in the Leadership stream – here are the headlines we picked out …

Recommendations for Leadership and Management

by Helen Edwards on June 2, 2016

Aiming for outstanding? Here are the recommendations from over 100 Ofsted reports to help you on the way!

Recent Ofsted Reports: What have Inspectors Focused On? (Part 4)

by Helen Edwards on December 15, 2010

The final part of our series on recent Ofsted reports. In this article we look at inspectors' recommendations and judgements around the EYFS theme of Learning and Development.

Recent Ofsted Reports: What Have Inspectors Focused On? (Part 3)

by Helen Edwards on December 15, 2010

In our third of four articles looking at recent Ofsted reports, we outline those issues that have appeared frequently over the last three months. Here we examine the recommendations and descriptions of good practice within the EYFS theme of Enabling…

Recent Ofsted Reports: What Have Inspectors Focused On? (Part 2)

by Helen Edwards on December 16, 2010

In our second of four articles looking at recent Ofsted reports, we outline those issues that have appeared frequently over the last three months. Here we examine the recommendations and descriptions of good practice within the EYFS theme of Positiv…

Recent Ofsted reports: What have inspectors focused on? (Part 1)

by Helen Edwards on December 16, 2010

Having studied over 100 Ofsted reports from the last three months, we can see certain recurrent themes. In a series of four articles we outline those issues that have appeared frequently and our first article looks at recommendations and description…

Preparing for inspections, the inspectors' view

by FSF Rebecca on April 8, 2016

Part 1 in a series of articles detailing the inspection process as it is 'in real life'. We have input from current inspectors as well as from recently inspected practitioners and managers. We debunk some myths and put the facts out there for you to …

Peer Observation

by Helen Edwards on December 15, 2010

Peer observation can be such a useful tool in developing the skills of all members of staff, and if introduced correctly, can be instrumental in building a supportive practitioner learning community, striving to improve provision.

One year on: a Q&A with Sue Egersdorff and Liz Ludden from Belong Inte…

by Caroline Vollans on October 16, 2023

Caroline Vollan's reconnects with Sue Egersdorff and Liz Ludden, a year after writing about their intergenerational nursery in the Northwest.

Ofsted complaints procedure

by FSF Rebecca on April 10, 2017

Recently I participated in a Step 3 complaints panel at Ofsted HQ. I had applied for the position a couple of months previously and had to show my credentials as an early years specialist before I was accepted as suitable. It is a voluntary role, how…

Observations of staff (Part 1)

by FSF Rebecca on December 12, 2016

We talk often in early years about developing practitioners’ observation skills. We are attuned to observing children to help us assess progress and plan further developments (Machan 2016). Working with the Development Matters guidance (2012) we can …

New Professionals, New Leaders?

by Carol Aubrey on February 2, 2011

Carol Aubrey, Professor at the Institute of Education, University of Warwick, describes the outcomes of a project with early years leaders, including a discussion on the various styles of leadership they exhibit and suggestions on how best to support…

Managing your People Risks

by Karen Harrison on December 16, 2010

Running or owning a business involves taking responsibility for the staff who work for you - this article describes ways to mitigate the risks associated with this.

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