Operational plan

[pickles37]

Hello,

 

Do any of you know if it is still best practice to have an operational plan in place??

 

What do you have instead?

 

Thanks

[Rea]

We dont have one anymore, I think it went by the wayside a few years ago.

To be honest I cant remember what was in it, except for info about us and our activities and the policies.

Ofsted didnt ask for it one when they cam and our various EY advisers havent mentioned it in ages!

 

Its all more stuff to think about isnt it?

[pickles37]

So, would it be ok if we didn't have one??? What was the purpose of it - I can't even remember!??!?!

[Panders]

Like most of these things invented to make sure we were "teaching" ourselves all the 'stuff' it takes to run a pre school something for your LEA Early Years team to view and know that you were prepared for all eventualities and as far as ofsted concerned to show that if you dropped down dead tomorrow everyone would be able to carry on as if you hadn't

 

Mine was only ever one sheet of A4 explaining how many staff we had per child and how they were deployed, description of activities i.e. adult led, child led etc. Some settings had complete folders of every known piece of paper going which was their operational plan.

[louby loo]

Mine was A4 sheet too. All I had on it was where to find the relevant things.

 

For Example; Anything planning related - Blue folder

First Aiders - Display Board.

 

I looked at as a crib sheet should Ofsted turn up when I wasn't around.

[Inge]

In all the years I ran a setting I never had one... was never asked for it or about it.. so long as all the needed documents were in one place it was never an issue..

[Panders]

.

 

For Example; Anything planning related - Blue folder

First Aiders - Display Board.

 

I looked at as a crib sheet should Ofsted turn up when I wasn't around.

Today Louby Loo, my county calls it an Audit! We have an audit for Inclusion provision and an Audit for Standards &Welfare Reqs.- if we have them in place/or not and where to find related items - as long as nobody moves them!!!!!

[Stargrower]

I was one of the settings with a big, fat ringbinder. I was also one of the settings who was never asked to show it to anyone! ::1a

[sunnyday]

I was one of the settings with a big, fat ringbinder. I was also one of the settings who was never asked to show it to anyone! ::1a

Me too :lol:

[FSFRebecca]

.... I do find it useful to have a folder to hold during the Leadership and Management meeting for Ofsted - just so that when ones mind turns to mush you know where it was you put the vital bit of paper that you need to show Mrs O. Actually, I have two - one for the purpose mentioned above, in case I'm not there when Mrs O knocks and then I have another one for my manager or deputy reminding them what we do in the event of .... a power cut, a water leak, a fire ... sudden violent sickness etc. I think as an aide memoire they are invaluable - I do it for my own purposes not for the LA and not to show anyone.

[sunnyday]

.... I do find it useful to have a folder to hold during the Leadership and Management meeting for Ofsted - just so that when ones mind turns to mush you know where it was you put the vital bit of paper that you need to show Mrs O. Actually, I have two - one for the purpose mentioned above, in case I'm not there when Mrs O knocks and then I have another one for my manager or deputy reminding them what we do in the event of .... a power cut, a water leak, a fire ... sudden violent sickness etc. I think as an aide memoire they are invaluable - I do it for my own purposes not for the LA and not to show anyone.

Hmmm - I do have a SEF folder - similar sort of thing really

[FSFRebecca]

Great minds .... actually I also have a SEF folder1

[lsp]

I have an operational plan / SEF shelf - does that count?? Everything in named folders all within arms reach.

[thumperrabbit]

No operational plan here either - virually everything to run the place is within the policy folder!

[Rea]

I've never seen a SEF, so if I were to create a folder of stuff, what would be in it?

 

Our manager is on long term sick so after reading this I thought it might be a good idea to get something together for the staff for September.

We've had Ofsted this year but the LA advisor will still be hovering around I expect.

[FSFRebecca]

I used the evaluation schedule from the Inspection Handbook and scribbled all over it and made notes of what I would show the inspector or tell the inspector in response to each statement - so in terms of my self-evaluation for my setting I made myself a note - 'show action plans / dev. plans' talk about staff discussions at staff meetings, parents questionnaires, children's opinions using photos etc

[Rea]

Not really what I had in mind Rebecca...I think I'm just thinking of a way to indicate to everyone where all the stuff is and why tehy might need it....probably looking for work...... :lol:

[FSFRebecca]

If you've got a temp manager in place I def think about recording what you do / what you have that meets the evaluation descriptors for leadership and management

[Rea]

Temporary manager is me because nobody else wants to be it...I'm chair and as I used to manage the place I'm easy to rope back in...but I've let slip on a lot of day to day stuff so this is for me as much for anyone.

 

I'll start getting stuff together.

 

 

 

I use the word 'stuff' to indicate 'very important' :rolleyes:

[sunnyday]

SEF FOLDER KCC.doc

 

This might be helpful Rea.......

[Rea]

Oh that's nice....

 

 

Honestly! That's nice! Truely mad, its summer holidays and I'm looking for work and measuring paperwork by its 'niceness'!

[pickles37]

All really interesting and very helpful. I really like your document Sunnyday - very clear and easy to understand for all involved.

 

Surprising how many things change over the years, I have had a major overhaul of our office and all paperwork inside it. Such a massive load of shredding to get through.