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Ofsted finally arrived today!


AnonyMouse_14268

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  • 2 weeks later...

A week later, thinking about the inspection... What bothered me so much was that I couldn't 'hold the space' and be fully present in and sensitive to the children's experiences with the inspector around, which led to a day which wasn't as calm and rich in learning as it usually is. I was preoccupied with making sure that she was informed about everything. Advise to others: Ignore the inspector until the end of the session, when there is time to talk. They want to see how we work, not be told about it.

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After having waited so long for our inspection and with increasing bad nerves and anxiety I think my overwhelming feeling was just pure relief. Only one member of my staff has ever had an Ofsted inspection before, so I was very conscious of making sure they were ok throughout. I totally agree with you Wildflowers but it is really hard to ignore an inspector as they are quite demanding for information and I was so keen to get over as much information in the really short time as I could. I am kicking myself for not doing my usual short circle time when I called the register, we usually discuss the day and the weather etc. But I think I was so aware of being scrutinised I did not do this and I believe this will be one of my recommendations! My advice would be to have complete confidence in yourself and BE yourself. No other part of our practice or routine changed at all.

A week on from ours I have feelings of pure relief that it is over and we can relax and just enjoy the run up to Christmas with the children, but I also feel a sense of anti climax and am unsure why as we got the result that I know we deserved and am really pleased with that. Just really looking forward to our report now. :1b

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[quote name="zigzag" post="399875" timestamp

 

, but I also feel a sense of anti climax and am unsure why as we got the result that I know we deserved and am really pleased with that. Just really looking forward to our report now. :1b

 

I know that feeling......If we were judged 'Outstanding' I'd open a bottle of red and bounce on the bed! Ha! But being judged 'Good' ?

Good is like.........when someone has told you your new, beautiful, much sourced and saved for winter coat is.......NICE (?)

 

I'd much prefer a 'Great' judgement. Great is better than Good - and much better sums up all the hardwork that goes into our settings. With a 'Great' I would bounce into work the next day.....feeling great! : )

 

Well done to you and Wildflowers.........It sounds to me like you were Grrrrreaaaattt!

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Wildflowers. What you said "Advise to others: Ignore the inspector until the end of the session, when there is time to talk. They want tosee how we work, not be told about it." is the complete opposite of what we were told to do when we attended a Getting to Good seminar led by Ofsted inspector and HMI. They said we should follow the inspector around with the Evaluation Schedule in our hand and continually point out what we do to meet the criteria. Do not take for granted that they will see or make assumptions about your practice.

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We too had our long awaited Ofsted inspection last week. I agree so difficult to be a 'normal' day I was aware that I had 3 hrs to show her how good we are! During the morning she mentioned the g**d word so I asked what she needed to see to move us to the next level - she told me and I showed her!

My advice would be have files and Learning Journeys to hand and up to date, Policy and Procedures and staff files plus an operations file with risk assessments. Sell yourself only you know how good you are!

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One of my team was really worried as her obs were all in rough and had not been transferred - the inspector asked her to tell her about her key child without looking at paperwork - she did a great job of explaining how she had settled her and what her likes and strengths were and what they were working on at the moment. The inspector also liked the way we had changed our planning due to lots of little ones starting and it being quite tricky - I must say it wasn't one of out most 'wow' days but the children were very involved in their play and although my feet were paddling like mad and I had an awful taste in my mouth all morning I'm hoping her to her it looked calm and organised!

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