Rea Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 A lovely lady from Ofsted went to playgroup today, she arrived about 10.30 I got there about 1pm. She chatted about everything, her elderly mother, childrens GCSE choices and early years. She used to run a pack away setting How fab was that? She was so happy with everything she saw, didnt ask me anything to do with committee side of things and I'd taken just about eveything that would fit inside a big bag and a massive folder, and she didnt ask the playleader much either. I left before feedback but it was all really positive. Well done to all the staff, I'm sure a good in all areas wouldnt be too much to expect when the report comes. Quote
Guest Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 oh, how fabulous - well done! Bet you can't wait to see the full report Nona Quote
Inge Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 well done to all .. makes it worthwhile when you get someone who actually understands the way it all works.. and they work with you rather than against.. now you can all relax - until they change it all again!! Quote
Panders Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Very pleased for you and your group Rea. Quote
HappyMaz Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Congratulations to you and your staff! What a great feeling - and how fantastic to have an inspector that understands real life! Quote
Rea Posted January 20, 2011 Author Posted January 20, 2011 Thanks everyone. After the problems we had with the Charity Commission last year it was great to get some lovely feedback. She understood how hard it is to get parents involved seeing they just want to drop and run for the most part. She understood about sharing a rented hall, having a landlord, no letter box, no outside area of our own..She was utterly on our side. The staff have been great getting things in order that the previous deputy said she'd done and hadnt. They have a lovely shared vision of where they want to go next and really know the children they have. A couple of parents spoke to her, giving lovely comments, they are both new to the committee, so they see how much work the staff do. I'd like to treat them to something, they didnt get a treat at Christmas with funds being so low and I really feel they should have something in the way of a thank you for your efforts. Any ideas? Quote
Guest Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 congatulations Rea for you and your team im just waiting 4 ours HATE THE WAITING GAME!!!!!! Quote
Fredbear Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Hi Rea congratulations and fingers crossed to you and your team, how lovely to hear of a inspector who really understands a packaway setting and the many challenges it may bring. As for a little gift for your two mums/committee members, have found in the past a card acknowledging all their efforts and support goes down well or a small bunch of flowers.[ remember its the thought that counts]. Quote
dublinbay Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Lovely to hear your news Rea..........that's how it should be............inspectors experienced in early years and all that entails. It's so much easier and relaxing to show off your setting when the inspectors understand where you're coming from. I agree with Bridger about the card and something simple like flowers to thank staff for their efforts. Congratulations again! Quote
eyfs1966 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Well done Rea, a nice end to a fairly toough few months for you!! Don't forget to post back again when the rport comes in. Would love to hear what the inspector says. Sounds like you had a REAL inspector, unlike some of the box tickers that i've met! Quote
Guest Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Fab news, Rea - well done! It's YOU who deserves the thank you card and flowers!! Please can you tell her there is a lovely little packaway setting in Somerset that would love such a friendly and understanding inspector. Quote
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Please can you tell her there is a lovely little packaway setting in Somerset that would love such a friendly and understanding inspector. Well I was hoping she might pop down to sunny Kent! No, seriously now, I'm so pleased for you Rea - fantastic news! Quote
Fredbear Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Excuse me i'm first in the queue ha ha, they need to come to me pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Quote
Guest Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 What's going on, we are all begging for Ofsted. I feel like we have been 10 months pregnant since last May when our 'due date' was! Our EYT just offered us a 'pre-ofsted' visit, do you think they know something we don't!? Quote
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 bridger please remove your elbow from my ribs.......you are most certainly NOT first......Suzie is and then me! Suzie - well I suppose they might know something you don't - kinda doubt it though! Rea - can you give us any info. on 'hot topics' - obviously safeguarding........anything else? Quote
Guest Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 She's down the pub celebrating if she's got any sense Sunny Hic! Quote
suebear Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Our EYT just offered us a 'pre-ofsted' visit, do you think they know something we don't! When I was at school the Local Authority knew which schools were being visited that term as our area SENCO once let it slip that we weren't on a list.... Quote
Fredbear Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Ha Ha Ha sunnyday thats funny,i can't believe that we are begging for them to come. Quote
Guest Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Great news Rea, Wouldn't it be great if the person spec to become an Ofsted Inspector was to have had first hand experience of a preschool setting. Like in your experience, these people know and understand about all the 'hidden agenda's' that staff, children and parents deal with on a daily basis which impacts on quality and ethos. As for thank you's how about? A bunch of flowers for each member of staff and committee, a bottle of vino or perfume for you, a nice new piece of equipment for the children and a postcard posted to all parents with a hand written note thanking them for their support and contribution to the success of the preschool. Happy celebrations and congratulations. Peggy Quote
Rea Posted January 22, 2011 Author Posted January 22, 2011 Rea - can you give us any info. on 'hot topics' - obviously safeguarding........anything else? Sorry, cant really help. I spoke to her for about an hour about how the elderly are cared for, how grammer and speaking skills are missing from our teenagers and how lovely and friendly everyone at playgroup are. She didnt ask the playleader about safeguarding, she spoke a bit about planning for SEN children and suggested they have a rolling snack bar. But really that was about it. She was given various folders and she was on her own in the setting for about half an hour over lunch so probably had a good snoop round. She told us she gets a feel within about 10 mins if a place is right or not. As Chair I thought she would ask management type things, employment of staff, CRB's, confidentiality maybe, I didnt know what to expect from a committee point of view but I wasnt asked anything. Hope you all get your visits soon and they all go as well or better than ours. But lets stop the squabbles please, its not kind or funny to dig people in the ribs. We must wait until its our turn, shall I get the timer to help you wait? Quote
Panders Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 she sounds a delightful inspector Rea, what a shame mine isn't quite like that. Will be doing a Responsible Person interview in a few weeks for my new Deputy - I expect the same inspector will turn up again which will be her 4th outing to us - I don't seem to be able to strike up any kind of rapport with her, although she is always efficient and polite etc. but I don't like the way she does her questioning, or how she phrases it, just doesn't know how to put one at ease I suppose - no bedside manner so to speak, just efficient at what she does! Well done Rea, that's a huge tick off of the to do list for a little while Quote
Buttercup Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks everyone. After the problems we had with the Charity Commission last year it was great to get some lovely feedback. She understood how hard it is to get parents involved seeing they just want to drop and run for the most part. She understood about sharing a rented hall, having a landlord, no letter box, no outside area of our own..She was utterly on our side. The staff have been great getting things in order that the previous deputy said she'd done and hadnt. They have a lovely shared vision of where they want to go next and really know the children they have. A couple of parents spoke to her, giving lovely comments, they are both new to the committee, so they see how much work the staff do. I'd like to treat them to something, they didnt get a treat at Christmas with funds being so low and I really feel they should have something in the way of a thank you for your efforts. Any ideas? After our fab ofsted I wrote each member of staff a card then put a gift card in it from the post office (lots of different places to use). I did this so deputy got more than assistant playleaders and part time playleaders got less again. I felt fairest way than same flowers for every one. buttercup Quote
Guest Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Well Done - Great News. have a good weekend. x Quote
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