Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Our little primary school was inspected on Thursday - and I am a little confused about some of the comments that were made about my planning. I should add that my little Early Years class did very well but could have done 'outstandingly' better if I had not altered my planning. I hadn't changed it because Ofsted were coming simply because I was leading from the interests of the children on the previous day - when I handed over my planning I was told I had not done myself any favours by changing the planning - in fact I was told that if I had written plans I should have stuck to it. I know I am very new to the Early Years, but have always thought that planning should be lead from the interests of the children. Has anyone had any similar experiences? Have I been planning incorrectly? Nicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 (edited) Have I been planning incorrectly? Did you receive any more detailed feedback about this at all? I would have thought that the way you plan is exactly what the EYFS is all about and I am at a loss to know why any inspector would say this was not appropriate. That said, I work in pre-school and am not conversant with how the EYFS is or should be delivered in a school setting - but I don't see how you can cater for the needs of the unique child (and therefore one of the underpinning principles of the EYFS) by sticking ridigly to your planning rather than following the children's lead. Will be interested to hear what teachers have to say about this - but in the meantime I am so sorry that you have had to question yourself in this way - and I hope that on reflection you will decide to follow your instincts and continue to put the children first! Maz Edited March 7, 2009 by HappyMaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trekker Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Im also in preschool...but yes this is definitely the way the EYFS says to plan...being flexible and changing as required according to the needs and interests of the children! So if you'd planned to do some spring activites - exploring baby animals, and plants or whatever and it happened to snow you'd be expected to stick with that and ignore the childrens interest in the snow? I don't think so! I find this very odd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catma Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I think that is a ridiculous judgement by the inspector. And would tell any of my supported schools to do exactly what you had done. If you have an early years advisory team then contact them and ask if they can pass this onto their regional advisor. You can't change the comment and I doubt it will feature in the final report but the national strategies Early years people are interested in this kind of Ofsted incident. (Personally I would have referred her to the bit in the EYFS re a frosty day and spiders in buckets.....) Cx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Hi, Im a foundation stage co-ordinator in school. Just wanted to say I had a visit from our FS advisor from the authority on Thursday and I asked if she would look over my planning as I had made some changes since she had last visited. She commented that it was good to have medium term plans in place that were literally brainstormed ideas from practitioners, children and parents but she was delighted that these plans took a backseat if the childrens interests took planning in a different direction! She said that an OFSTED inspector would be looking to see that the children's interests led the planning wherever possible. I would also agree with the person above and would pass these comments on to someone who can advise you constructively! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I wou;d say that you did exactly the right thing provided you could back your childrens interests either by obs or evaluation on the plan it was right I would write a letter to Ofsted re theis point and they should consider what you have said and the judgement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Did you have an early years specialist inspect you or just someone from the Inspection Team. This makes a huge difference or used to when I was the Early Years Governor in a school. Maybe things have changed but it doesn't sound as though they had a thorough working knowledge of the EYFS document. As already mentioned I would query it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 thank you all for your great advice and support - I feel relieved to know that I am doing it right! and I am going to continue to plan from the interests of the children. I am off to visit my local AST on Tuesday and I am definately going to mention it to her and will follow your advice and inform the relevant people. Many thanks everyone Nicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_Pickering Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I agree entirely with the previous comments, keep up the good work. This is exactly what the EYFS is about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I am a childminder and I do all of my planning retrospectively. I follow the children's interests through the day and then review what we have covered to ensure that what has been on offer covered a wide selection of the EYFS. I was all ready to defend my practice at my last inspection but the inspector was perfectly happy and said my methods were completely in tune with the EYFS. Surely what you have done was exactly the same. It feels like inspections are just a lottery which you win or lose dependent on the opinion of the inspector you get. I would definitley appeal. I know they say they can't change your inspection outcomes but they can - it has happened to me twice. Keep up the good work - the children are lucky to have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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