Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 Ofsted apparently rang today and spoke to our deputy to say they were coming on the 17th of November to look at planning??? They said it is not an inspection I was surprised when I was told this as I had not heard of that hapening before. So everyone has gone into a flap panicking about the planning etc, especially as ours is kind of going through an overhaul at the mo!!! Anybody had ofsted visit for something similar?
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 Maybe a bit of confusion, I am from Kent and I am having the Early Years something something ( sorry so many departments and titles ) coming in after half term to do an 'Early Years Audit'. They are from the advisory teachers, I have two people coming, they will observe all morning, looking at how the planning is done, implimented and how the environment supports learning, adult interaction etc, then I will get feedback, then an appointed advisor will work with me and the staff on any developments identified. A bit like the schools development advisory service. If this is the case and not Ofsted you should get a conformation letter prior to the visit, in fact you should have received a letter about this 'audit'. Hope I haven't got it all wrong and confused the issue further. Peggy
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 I'm the same as Peggy I've got to Advisory teachers coming in on friday to do what we call a link visit!!!! they look at planning everthing on the "school" side do a mini Ofsted and then we go through it for improvements. I also have the Auditors coming from the Borough looking at the finanacial side in the next month so have a complete overhaul being done. would have thought that Ofsted don't usually give you a phone call to let you know they are coming these days especially telling you what they want to look at???
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 Hi Trisha, Have you had a recent Ofsted Inspection? If so what was your outcome for education? I can't really see why Ofsted would just come to look at your planning if you got satisfactory or above . .
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 We are actually due an inspection any time now It was put to me that it was ofsted coming, but I am being 'filled in' so to speak tomorrow. I did say, I was confused about that as I had never heard of it before. So I guess I will have to find out more tomorrow. It's odd!!!!!
Sue R Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 My guess it could be similar to Peggy's,and all the others' whatever!! Sue
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 I think I would treat every OFSTED visit as an inspection!
Guest Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 Our EYAT spoke to me about this, its not something to get overly worried about, its too have as a tool, they will have a tick chart and just see where you could imbelish on, such as more IT equipment etc
Guest Posted October 19, 2006 Posted October 19, 2006 So is it actually Ofsted that does this tick list?
Guest Posted October 20, 2006 Posted October 20, 2006 Got a phone call today from our early years advisor, we have a visitation on the 14th November
Guest Posted October 21, 2006 Posted October 21, 2006 LOL Theres been a bit of confusion. It is early years audit coming out!!!!!! After all that Oh well!
Guest Posted October 22, 2006 Posted October 22, 2006 I think this is a 'Kent' thing, part of the 'code of practice' for receiving the NEG. As Kent people are aware the COP is under review. These audits are not compulsory and I do know of some settings who have declined from 'accepting' the auditors to attend their settings. However, i see it as a positive, if I was in any other kind of business and wanted an external audit of my 'productivity' or my 'quality' it would cost me a lot of money, again if I wanted to recruit an advisor to look at an aspect of my business from an external perspective, this would also cost a lot. I do have a slight anxiety, as we all do when being 'judged' and I will ask about; 1/ more information on the criteria on which I am being judged. 2/ the confidentiality of the auditors, and who will have access to the 'judgement' made on my provision, and 3/ what systems are in place if I do not agree with the judgement. I have received a letter stating that the audit criteria is from the Early Childhood Environment rating scale ( ECERS) Apperently these scales were used in the EPPE project to measure the quality of provision for 3-5 yr olds, and they will show a clear link between quality as measured by the scales and childrens educational and social development. Off to do some internet research........ Peggy Peggy
Running Bunny Posted October 23, 2006 Posted October 23, 2006 The visiting teacher team in our early years service is currently carrying out an audit and focusing on Communication, Language and Literacy and then using this to inform the planning for training needs for January to March for all maintained and PVI providers. The plan is that each term will have a different training focus so that every two years, each of the ELGs will be covered in detail. Other training will continue at the same time, but this will be the priority each term. Our VTs also do a termly support visit with each setting to look at Ofsted matters relating to the Foundation Stage and it's delivery. (If only we could do the same for the care side of things.... )
Guest Posted October 23, 2006 Posted October 23, 2006 I think this is a nationwide thing- I have 2 nurseries in Tyne and Wear and in order to keep receiving grant funding we must have these visits from the advisory teachers. Must say I have found them excellent support
Guest Posted October 23, 2006 Posted October 23, 2006 We've always had visits from the advisory teachers, once a term. What is new is this audit. I've looked up the info on ECERS, which were produced in America. There are 43 items organized into 7 subscales. Not sure if all are including in our audit Peggy Overview_of_the_Subscales_and_Items_of_the_ECERS.doc
beth1 Posted October 23, 2006 Posted October 23, 2006 Peggy that looks very good, had a quick glance. It looks usefully for managers to know where they are at in their nurseries/playgroups. Beth
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