zigzag Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Welcome tinkywinky1. I cannot believe that an inspector has that opinion and knocked you down two grades. How awful for you and your team. I hope you can pick yourselves up and continue to provide a learning through play environment for your children. It just beggars belief that an inspector is able to get away with this. If this is the way its going, then I will be going!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Wow! I go away for a few days and there's so much support and kind words when I get back! I decided not to appeal because I only had 10 days and I had 4 actions to do within that time frame too. In fact, the inspector didn't even manage to get some of the factual details right in her report, for example - wrong amount of staff, wrong qualifications and wrong type of sessions we offer. When that goes wrong, you know it's not good! Anyway, to cut a long story short, I wrote a long letter, highlighting her points, included two supporting parent letters and sent them to all to the House of Commons - 1) the minister for education - Nicky Morgan 2) minister for early years - Sam Gyimah 3) head of Ofsted - Sir Michael Wilshaw. I've had a couple of replies back - neither interested in looking into the matter. Thanks all for your support!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Poor you TinkyWinky1........ Did you appeal? That just does not seem right. MegaMum, no appeal I'm afraid. We also have one of the highest rates of SEN in early years in South Oxfordshire and work really closely with the EYSENIT team, social workers and the 2YE team. The inspector said that targets set by myself, a child's parent, the EYSENIT and a specialised provision teacher - were "inadequate, that I know all about autism and you don't know what you're doing". I explained that we had been involved in trialling out last year's new SEND reforms because we have so much experience and qualifications and that 'Aspirations' from parents and the child were totally the way forward as per the reforms. She said, and I quote "No. It's about focus and targets!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouseketeer Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think I'd be lodging a complaint on the grounds of 'attitude' gggrrrrr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 MegaMum, no appeal I'm afraid. We also have one of the highest rates of SEN in early years in South Oxfordshire and work really closely with the EYSENIT team, social workers and the 2YE team. The inspector said that targets set by myself, a child's parent, the EYSENIT and a specialised provision teacher - were "inadequate, that I know all about autism and you don't know what you're doing". I explained that we had been involved in trialling out last year's new SEND reforms because we have so much experience and qualifications and that 'Aspirations' from parents and the child were totally the way forward as per the reforms. She said, and I quote "No. It's about focus and targets!" I'm lost for words 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panders Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think the inspectors must have had orders from above - I was Ofsteded a couple of days before you and we have virtually no SEN children - however, our Inspector said we had too much child initiated play (even though we obviously scaffold etc. alongside them etc.) and that there needed to be more adult led focus. I obviously thanked her for her observations :1b 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Grrrrrrr Oh doesn't it make you want to scream. Until Ofsted inspectors inspect settings with the same descriptors I don't see how this is ever going to change. Keep your spirits up, hugs Fx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think the inspectors must have had orders from above - I was Ofsteded a couple of days before you and we have virtually no SEN children - however, our Inspector said we had too much child initiated play (even though we obviously scaffold etc. alongside them etc.) and that there needed to be more adult led focus. I obviously thanked her for her observations :1b I think you might be right (Ofsted)! It's lovely when the inspectors are so observant... There seems to be a huge shift on progress, adult-led activities and targets. I'd like to tell the inspector a thing or two about 'enabling children' and helping them to develop in the three prime areas initially - rather than the 'maths' that she continually talked about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think I'd be lodging a complaint on the grounds of 'attitude' gggrrrrr Attitude, ignorance, disrespect.... oh the list is endless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildflowers Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 But what about this, from Ofsted's document about teaching and learning?: "The significance of play in allowing children to learn and develop across such a broad range of developmental areas has long been understood. Its fundamental value is recognised in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child7 and the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Play provides the natural, imaginative and motivating contexts for children to learn about themselves, one another and the world around them. A single moment of sustained play can afford children many developmental experiences at once, covering multiple areas of learning and reinforcing the characteristics of effective learning. When learning for our very youngest children looks so different to elsewhere in the education system, a fixed, traditional view of teaching will not suffice." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Hi tinkywinky1, and welcome. I think I would have to take this further. I cant do links - but if you want a bit of further encouragement read the Narnia thread about her Ofsted experience :1b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyfs1966 Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Hi tinkywinky1, and welcome. I think I would have to take this further. I cant do links - but if you want a bit of further encouragement read the Narnia thread about her Ofsted experience :1b Totally endorse what Louby Loo says. If we donn't challenge Ofsted then tehy simply get away with poor inspectors/inspections. Given the current importance of Ofsted gradings, I would not be willing to take such criticism without putting in a hefty complaint... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperrabbit Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 rather than the 'maths' that she continually talked about. Yes I've noticed lots of recent reports stating 'Maths' as an issue Is anyone else having a problem with replying to posts??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mundia Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Maths is coming up a lot in inspections, and as someone who does have a 'maths' hat, I do tend to find that the maths provision is often weaker than language and literacy provision, and I think across all ages, maths is often seen as the 'poor' relation. Of course, it isn't a prime area, but I do find that practitioner understanding of how children learn maths and how they can support mathematical understanding often lags behind their knowledge of eg supporting early reading or writing. I say often, not always because of course there is some really great maths happening too, just as a 'general' feeling, so it isn't any surprise to me that it features more highly in inspection reports. Thumper, what difficulties are you having, all seems Ok here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperrabbit Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Mundia - I can just add a reply but when I click on 'Quote' the box comes up but it is empty and I can't type anything into the box either? I'm not sure where I post problems like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouseketeer Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Mundia - I can just add a reply but when I click on 'Quote' the box comes up but it is empty and I can't type anything into the box either? I'm not sure where I post problems like this? Mine is ok ....shout MATTTTTTTT very loudly ;-p 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Matt's on hols at the moment - back soon :1b 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperrabbit Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I've changed browser and all seems to be ok now - 'Microsoft Edge' browser is what was causing the problem (according to techy hubby!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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