q & a about ofsted inspections

My name is Julie Campbell. I currently work part time for the local authority as an quality manager and part time as an early years inspector. I have been qualified since 1996 and have worked in a variety of roles in a variety of settings such as

schools, PVI’s and children centres.

Copyright © Early Years Careers. Outstanding Day Nurseries Ltd 2015

A.Safeguarding/parents/transitions/assessment/

progress/ how to support SEN and

Whistleblowing


A.If it is a child's interest then why not? You could have these for children to access if they

wanted to. However I would also give them lots of opportunities to write with a purpose. Ie if they draw a pic, encourage them to write their name on it. Even if it looks nothing like

their name, it does to that child.


A. As all settings are different and have different funding/staffing/building constraints we do not expect every setting to have specific areas that we need to see. Particularly in the under 2's I like to see secure relationships/attachments and of course opportunities to learning across the prime areas. Personally I like natural materials/treasure baskets/sensory play/books/ photos of familiar people/good teaching methods/outdoor play and most of all happy babies.

A. Also remember that a baby will probably be case tracked in a daycare setting...

Q. What do you mean cased tracked?A. Inspectors track a number of children in your setting during

inspection, looking at their assessments/learning docs etc. often a baby is tracked.


A. Yes, unless it poses a risk. No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!


A. From sept you may start getting 1/2 days notice in line with the new framework. You can inform Ofsted that you are term time only and that will

prevent an inspector coming out during the hols. You can have a NCP inspection where you discuss how you meet the requirements, which resulted in a met or not met judgement. We can't give a

normal grade as we are unable to observe teaching and learning.


A. The best advice I can give is be prepared. Look through the conducting ey insp, so you know

what to expect. Practice joint observations. Look at the evaluation schedule and be honest with

your judgment. Do you find in the good category? How can you prove it? Look at some of

you LA most recent inspections and see what recommendations have been made. Are you

covering these?


A. Questions will most likely cover how you can evidence the impact of the funding..


A. Good practice to me would not allow this, for a number of reasons, not only to

safeguard the member of staff, but what would happen if there was an emergency.


A. What were the recs/actions from your last report? Have you established your strengths

and weaknesses through self evaluation? Where do you see yourself in the judgements?

A. Look at the evaluation schedule at the judgments for outstanding and see if you are

doing what it asks.


A. As an inspector I need to see progress made from starting points. There is no legal

requirement for how often you update the LJ's but as a manager my staff updated them

weekly. This ensured progress was documented and next steps followed. It's all

about quality over quantity.


A. Singing number rhymes/songs/books. Items that are in groups so can be compared/counted.

Equip such as role play that an be sorted. Treasure baskets so things can be compared

big/little etc. and the obvious things like large inset puzzles. It's more about how staff support the mathematical learning than the equipment.

A. Bare in mind, main focus will be prime rather than specific areas


A. That is up to you....a good practitioner is a reflective practitioner...

A. Don't forget parents/staff views


A. The req state that if you cannot provide an outdoor space, you need to be taking the

children out as much as possible. As it sounds like you are doing this I cannot see it

being a problem


A. Some settings have no option other than people lone working. I think it's difficult for the staff and the children. I would consider what needed to be done if a child had an

accident etc...risk assess/lone working policy perhaps


A. As all settings are different and have different funding/staffing/building constraints we do not expect every setting to have specific areas that

we need to see. Particularly in the under 2's I like to see secure relationships/attachments and of

course opportunities to learning across the prime areas. Personally I like natural materials/treasure baskets/sensory play/books/ photos of familiar

people/good teaching methods/outdoor play and most of all happy babies.


A. What was your last Rec? What have you done to continually improve. What's the impact on children? The bar has been raised since the last framework and

achieving outstanding is more difficult.

A. New framework out in Sept, I would familiarise yourself with that and continue

doing what you are doing!


A. There has been no specific guidance on this, other than it being closely linked to

emotional well being and resilience. You may want to look at The Luven Scale for Well-

being.


A. Teaching and learning/school

readiness/transitions

progress/assessment/Safeguarding


A. If you look in the conducting early years inspections doc it tells you what we initially look out for. For example we have to evaluate whether

managers understand the EYFS, how they monitor provision, effectiveness of supervision

and parents are an integral factor. All inspectors need to get her the same evidence but as no two settings are the same out inspection trails often

differ due to what evidence is provided.

A. In terms of just working with parents we look out for input into SEF, parental questionnaires,

input into learning etc


A. Relax, you'll be fine


A. No, not downgraded. As long as all children are accounted for it is up to you how you

maintain the register.


A. Again the focus for all inspections will be teaching and learning. Progress made,

particularly in the prime areas, safeguarding, transitions, school readiness. They will also probably focus on a funded child if you have and funded 2 year olds. Also on the 2-3 yr room, speaking from personal experience behaviour can be an issue. And I mean the

children, not the staff!


A. There is no set time for supervision but it must be effective. It would be far better to

write up obs, otherwise you don't have evidence to show.


A. You will have a meeting with the inspectors as a 1-1, see page 8-9 of conducting early

years inspections to see what this could involve.


A. The best advice I can give is be prepared. Look through the conducting ey insp, so you

know what to expect. Practice joint observations. Look at the evaluation schedule

and be honest with your judgment. Do you find in the good category? How can you prove

it? Look at some of you LA most recent inspections and see what recommendations have been made. Are you covering these?


A. Lots of emphasis on teaching and learning now. Monitoring of provision and impact of

training on children. Safeguarding of children will always be included, as will be

working with parents/other providers. Read conducting EY inspection doc to find out what inspectors must report and evaluate


A. Consistency in all practitioners. High expectations of themselves and the children. Precise assessment and intervention where

needed. Happy, motivated, independent children who are displaying the CoEL


A. It depends what method of learning you follow, Steiner has a calm, neutral

background for children to learn in, others don't follow this theory. Ofsted Do not have a preference for theorists. Personally I like to see photos of children busy and their work displayed at their level. I don't like to see

several pictures all looking the same and that an adult has completed them.


A. You will get a normal inspection. Things that will be focused on are teaching and learning/

safeguarding/ monitoring/ assessment/school readiness/parental

involvement/ partnership working.


A. Yes, where possible


A. Yes but to take it even further consider cohorts of children. Are boys progressing well in PD but

not EAD. What can you do about this?


A. No specific format, just ensure learning covers the 7 areas, with particular focus on

the prime. Next steps are followed along with children's interests


q & a about ofsted inspections

Education