by: newsetting - 24-10-05 09:13
Hi everyone,
I have my OFSTED registration visit for my new day nursery next Monday. Can someone tell me what the inspector will do or exactly what they are looking for? Also, anyone who has experienced this before-what format does the inspection take?
Thanks
by: sallyQ
I opened a pre-school three and a half years ago so my experience isn`t as up to date as others may be. However two inspectrors came and looked around the building (an empty hall!) and talked to us about the set up and our qualifications and experience. It was all pretty informal and relaxed. My epereicenc of OFSTED since then has not changed. They are of little help when it comes to actually running a setting and are usless for info. We never had a proper registration certificate for example and this was not picked up untill our first inspection 3 years later. I would advise you to join the PSLA (Pre-School Learning Alliance) they have been the best help I have found.
Just have your national standards and ensure you comply with all of them. I sat down and went through them producing a document stating how we cover all of them. I found this the best way to ensure you have covered everything and are ready for any questions.
Good Luck.
Registration Visit - 26-10-05 11:07Hi newsetting,
First of all good luck on your new venture. I agree you should be looking to advisory bodies to help you in the early days and answer any queries you may have. The NDNA and your local authority development officers would probably be your best bet, but other people may post more sources for you.
I would like to clarify for you that Ofsted are NOT an advisory body and DO NOT give advice. There seems to be a lot of confusion on this website regarding this issue. Ofsted are a regulatory body, so do not expect them to 'give you help in running your setting and give you information' as sallyQ seemed to expect.
You are expected to provide them with evidence of how you intend to meet the 14 national standards and how you will meet the outcomes for children that are set out in law: Helping children to be healthy, Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe, Helping children enjoy and achieve, Helping children make a positive contribution to the provision and the wider community and also how you organise your setting.
The registration visit will be as successful as you make it. If you can meet the national standards you won't have a problem. If you can't meet them, don't be surprised if your registration is refused.
Registration Visit - 07-11-05 22:02by: newsetting
Thanks for the advice. We have been registered to care for 30 children and given the go ahead to open on Monday 21st November. Eeek!
Registration Visit - 21-11-05 19:39by: newsetting
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to post an update. We opened today! We had an open day on Saturday and had nearly 200 people turn up to have a look at our new nursery. It was so great! At one point, people were queueing up round the corner to enrol their children! We had a really good day today-teething problems obviously (at one point three children in Tots Room wet themselves and we ran out of spare clothes and I had to zoom off to the charity shop to stock up on clothing!) but all in all it was great. Thanks to those of you who mailed me to say good luck! Hard work starts now! love Sian x x
