Guest Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Hi Has anyone out there got a Qaulity Assurance scheme that does not incorporate huge great folders and loads of paperwork. Our Lea have racommended either the NDNA or the PSLA schemes, and all i can see is huge folders showing what we need to show for evidence. I completed last year the Investors inPeople award and it was done on a small amount of avidence but mostly verbal assessments. it was brilliant to do, and really nice to talk to an adult about something that wasn't foundation stage and stepping stone orientated. I have been on the DFES site and looked at some of the other schemes available, but the only ones that aren't Borough led all seem to cost a fortune. if any one has any hints i would welcome them. also the thought of years and years and years of doing an accreditation i think i would retire early :wacko: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Bunny Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 HI The NDNA scheme requires a maximum of 2 A4 ringbinders of evidence, depending on the sections you have to complete (there are 4 optional sections - babies, out of school, school escort and students that you don't complete if you don't offer that service) THe timescale is a maximum of 2 years to complete, so you can either work through section by section or delegate sections to key staff i.e management complete staff and management sections, child protection officer completes CP section, SENCO completes SEN section etc. THe idea is that the whole staff team works together and it isn't the manager who sits in the office compliling all the work. If you have already completed IiP, you will have a lot of evidence for the management and staff sections, so you would just copy and put that it the portfolio, checking that it meets the required criteria for whichever level you are aiming for. The gist of the QA schemes is not for you to reinvent the wheel, but to identify what you currently do well, what criteria you are trying to meet and what changes/developments need to be made to existing practice in order to meet that criteria. I hope this helps (I could go on for hours about what it entails!) as it is part of my job role! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 The High/Scope one doesn't, but you have to have lots of your staff High/Scope trained and it takes the best part of a year to complete the HIC round here, anyway. The standards overall are very exacting, too. We haven't done it but are looking at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I'm, or should I say "we" are doing the Kent one, there is quite a bit of paperwork butI or should I say "we" are finding it very beneficial, total reflection on all that we do. The bonus and I will repeat that in capitals the "BONUS" for me ( or should I say us) is that it is FREE. Seriously, whichever one you choose it will take quite some organisation and a lot of work, it is whether your attitude at the beginning is " am I doing this to improve practice?" or "am I doing this to prove what I already do?" will effect it's success. unfortunately most QA schemes use the same methods ie: written and not verbal evidence (unlike your experience with IiP) Any development or improvement = more work, commitment etc etc. only do a QA scheme if you feel it is right for your setting now, and if it will be of benefit to you and your team. motivation to do, keep at it and complete is entirely influenced by why you started it in the first place. good luck. Peggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Dear Steph, We have just undertaken the PSLA one (February) which was very manageable. However, I know that in my area they are now reviewing all the accreditation schemes in line with recent consultations and I don't know which one my LEA will recommend. It may mean that we have to undertake yet another scheme. Before embarking on this - have you checked with your LEA to find out which one they recommend or which ones they are reviewing - I have a feeling that I may need to do another in order to be acrredited under their terms. You also need to bear in mind whether you want to do a group one and a personal one -I know a friend of mine is undertaking a group and a personal one - the personal one will give her 60 credits towards her MA - it's very child orientated - nearly a years worth of observations and assessments - so it's worth reviewing the accreditation process in light of what you personally want to achieve and what the LEA's are currently considering in light of the recent consultations. Not much help I know - but if you haven't started it may be worth looking at all the options available to you. Nikki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 hi we did the PLA one most of the file was photocopied from our standards file with a bit extra, it wasnt hard work, just took some organising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Thanks everybody for your replies. the ones recommended by our LEA are the NDNA or PSLA, but unfortunately in our area they have not gone down well most people have had problems. i don't know if its because of our mentors or because we get very little support when doing them. I don't know I have looked into the High Scope one and have asked our SureStart Partnership to look into it. I have also spoken to the Dfes and its not uncommon for groups to moan about the paperwork. they are looking into other forms of Quality Assurance, like the ISO9000 that is used in other businesses. we will have to see what the future brings I expect thanks again to all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Who did you do IIP with cos I'm supposed to be organising it in school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 we did ours with business link, it was straight forward, simple and a pleasure to do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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