Guest Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Chief Inspector Michael Wilshaw has this week written to all early years inspectors, giving instructions on the focus of future inspections. He criticises current inspection reports, saying, 'Too many reports focus on describing the provision in early years settings rather than on how well children are learning and making progress. In other words, inspectors should focus on evaluating whether children are being adequately prepared for the start of their statutory schooling.' He makes suggestions for the type of things that two year olds can be taught: learn new vocabulary and begin to use it in a meaningful way recognise and sing nursery rhymes and familiar songs enjoy listening to stories and looking at picture books build small towers while counting play bricks make shapes from modelling dough and begin to make marks on paper climb stairs and begin to play with a ball start to get dressed and undressed. He expects inspectors to observe how well children learn and how effectively adults teach children to develop skills, knowledge and understanding. He explains that it may not be possible to observe everything on his suggested list, but inspectors should gather evidence on the following: help children to learn teach children to listen to instructions and be attentive teach children to socialise motivate children to try things for themselves support children to manage their personal needs challenge children to think and find out more encourage children to speculate and test ideas through trial and error provide good models of language develop childrens ability to express their ideas and use their imagination extend childrens vocabulary and teach them to use new words teach children the early stages of mathematics and reading. Finally, the Chief Inspector informs inspectors that they must evaluate and report on whether: staff sufficiently focus on childrens learning staff spend enough time engaging in purposeful dialogue with the children children have sufficient time to practise and reinforce what is being taught staff assess childrens skills, knowledge and abilities accurately and use this information to plan how to improve childrens progress staff have sufficient expertise to teach children basic skills in the three prime areas of learning and in literacy and mathematics the setting has a well organised, regular and effective professional development programme which is improving the quality of teaching. Dont know what anyone else thinks but the chief inspector needs to come out of his office and see what its like for me being 2 years old and in a nursery setting. Where staff spend time taking children to toilet, ensuring they wash their hands, spend time giving comfort to an upset child, referee betweem 2 year olds, making sure that the access snacktime and help them learn to pour a drink without spilling......but no staff havent time to play with me they are too busy watching what I do and writing it down because I have to be accessed instead of enjoying my childhood and having fun with the adults who care so well for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rea Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Thanks Wendy :1b I must admit to feeling a bit patronised when he tells us what two years olds can be taught! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueJ Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Rather than just sitting there saying I want, I want, I want perhaps he could be taught the necessary skills to be a bit proactive. All of this is all very lovely BUT I have yet to see him come up with a realistic pricing structure for the delivery of his model. It's a bit like the "Dine In" offers I want the quality of the M&S Dine In deal but I only want to pay for the 99p Maccy Ds happy meal! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 We focussed our staff meeting on the second part of the list of requirements last month and it brought up some interesting discussions on how well we meet these! :1b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Rather than just sitting there saying I want, I want, I want perhaps he could be taught the necessary skills to be a bit proactive. All of this is all very lovely BUT I have yet to see him come up with a realistic pricing structure for the delivery of his model. It's a bit like the "Dine In" offers I want the quality of the M&S Dine In deal but I only want to pay for the 99p Maccy Ds happy meal! Well said Mrs Dragon Lady! We focussed our staff meeting on the second part of the list of requirements last month and it brought up some interesting discussions on how well we meet these! :1b Yes, I had planned something similar :1b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperrabbit Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 We focussed our staff meeting on the second part of the list of requirements last month and it brought up some interesting discussions on how well we meet these! :1b [quote name="sunnyday" Yes, I had planned something similar :1b I though I'd do something similar too BUT There's that many things to focus on in a staff meeting these days I don't know what to prioritise on, I seem to have so much! I can't prioritise my priorities !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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