Shared Observation with Ofsted

[RedDragon]

Has anybody gone through this with Ofsted and how was it?

[wellerkaren]

I had to do this in January when we had our inspection, it was not as bad a I thought it would be. We both observed the activity taking place, after we choose what we was looking at. We then afterwards meet and she asked me how I thought the activity went, did it meet the outcomes set and how I thought I could help the practitioner improve the activity. I hope this helps x

[RedDragon]

Thanks so much that does help x

[Guest]

we observed 3 activities and then I chose which one to discuss, it was very informal and actually quite enjoyable

[Fredbear]

We observed two children chosen by the inspector, then the inspector sat with the keyperson to discuss next steps for those childrens learning and development, looking through their LJs too.

Wasn't half as daunting as we thought it might be. Good luck.

[lashes2508]

I suggested the joint ob on their arrival ! So she observed registration which after 5 mins she said she needed to change seats as she was deaf in one ear. Can't honestly say I found it helpful and I doubt she did either !

[RedDragon]

Thank you everybody:)

[Guest youngrisers]

Found peer observation helpful for this one so the staff observe each other and get use to watching other practitioners in the setting. this helped calm down nerves about being observed and made them more resourceful when talking to OFSTED after all they are supposed to be human aren't they????

::1a ::1a

[patterb27]

Does anyone have a template for peer observation?

[Guest colechin]

peer on peer long observation.doc

 

peers obs proforma.doc

 

prompters for observing staff.odt

 

These are my sheets which we use. I'm sure I got the idea from someone on this forum and just tweaked them to fit in with what I needed.

I do hope I have attached them correctly.

[Andreamay]

thankyou so much Colechin they are brilliant! That was my task for Monday to put some together this has given me a wonderful starting point I know what im doing now!! :-)

[Guest sn0wdr0p]

Thank you Colechin. Very timely as it is peer observation and supervision week next week in my setting.

[Helen]

We also have a really good article on this, here :1b

[zigzag]

I really like the prompt sheet, thanks for sharing. I am a manager, work in the setting with children every morning and have ten key children. I am going to hold my hands up and say I am really struggling to find the time to fit these observations in. It's hard enough getting all my obs on my key children, let alone the staff!!!

[Joanne123]

I am going to hold my hands up and say I am really struggling to find the time to fit these observations in. It's hard enough getting all my o0bs on my key children, let alone the staff!!!

Zigzag, I totally agree

Joanne

[playgroup1]

Me too!

[sunnyday]

Me three! :1b

I thought I was doing well having fitted in a Staff meeting and Staff Supervisions within the first two weeks + all the usual 'stuff'.......but really must get these obs going again - I did start last year but didn't quite manage to 'keep it up' :blink:

[lynned55]

Well I will hold my hands up and say that I have never managed to do more then the odd one or two. We only have 5/6 staff per session, work in one room and I am invariably working with the staff most days. They are an excellent idea for those managers that are office based or if it is a large setting and/or operating from different rooms- but if I'm honest find them and staff supervisions mostly a waste of time.

[Guest]

I use a tablet device at the moment to record the practitioner (usually only about 5 minutes long) and then take office time to write up the observation, ask the member of staff to watch herself back and read her strengths and what could have been done to improve then write any comments she may have and sign the observation for her record. Not sure this will work when Ofsted are there especially if it is 20-30 minutes long.

So, do I change they way I do it during inspection, writing quick notes instead of using the tablet? Also as a manager in ratio what do I do if any children need my attention whilst I'm trying to concentrate - would you stand up or sit down, ask the children to find another member of staff or risk engagement with the child (children come first!) and lose the observation?

[sunnyday]

Also as a manager in ratio what do I do if any children need my attention whilst I'm trying to concentrate - would you stand up or sit down, ask the children to find another member of staff or risk engagement with the child (children come first!) and lose the observation?

Don't take this as the 'right' answer - but in that situation i would deal with the needs of the child :1b