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Post by vik3000 on Nov 13, 2007 14:34:53 GMT
It just goes to show by having people you can talk to and talk things through with how invaluable it (this forum, people you can trust, your network etc) is.
The knowledge and the experience gained alone through this forum and listening, learning, adapting ideas and resources just learnt through this forum has helped so many of us.
It would be interesting to see what the overall/average inspection grades are amongst us. Can we do a poll (even in a secret?) or something similar?
My Grade was Good (first ever inspection) and I put 90% of it down to what I learnt on this site
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Post by lisaurry on Nov 13, 2007 18:08:25 GMT
I had my first inspection this year (July) and got Good on everything - very chuffed!
Lisa x
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Post by miffy on Nov 13, 2007 18:10:04 GMT
My last inspection was in July 2004 under the old grading system and i got good.
So am expecting an inspection any time now - that is if they can catch me, I find it best not to answer the phone on a Friday which is when they tend to ring.
Miffy x
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Post by carolinel on Nov 13, 2007 21:18:24 GMT
that is very true Vik.
I didn't really have much of a clue when I started out, but got "good" on my first inspection.
i know there are quite a few minders on here with Outstanding.
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Post by tasha on Nov 13, 2007 21:48:51 GMT
I got outstanding (first inspection - March this year). I know there are also a few others on here as well. If it existed I think the average on here would be a very high good.(Outstanding/good in all areas I suppose is the closest)! Tasha  |
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Post by raggydolls on Nov 14, 2007 9:27:16 GMT
any hints and tips for getting outstanding :-D
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Post by vik3000 on Nov 14, 2007 9:54:25 GMT
I do think that the grading system is too simple though. I don't think parents understand that there is only 4 levels (unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good or Outstanding) and the level of acheivement involved with the higher grades. Perhaps OFSTED need to rethink.
I think we all should be so proud of ourselves for what we do acheive and each and every one of us on here should give ourselves a pat on the back for the massive input to our practices. Like I say without this forum (and all you motley crew lol) I am pretty convinced I would not have acheived my Good grade.
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Post by tasha on Nov 14, 2007 11:22:26 GMT
Vik , I agree totally! OFSTED need a better grading system ith clearer guidelines! I know I've done well, but I'm not complacent...I could quite easily be downgraded for my next inspection! Tasha |
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Post by lorraine2767 on Nov 14, 2007 11:34:06 GMT
Hi
I got Good in my inspection last September which I was really pleased about but miffed about it as she was with me for 6 hours. My friend a month later had her inpsection and they were only there 55 minutes and she also got Good which I am not saying she doesn't deserve but from 6 hours to 55 minutes.
Do think they need to rethink the grading.
Lorraine
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Post by miffy on Nov 14, 2007 11:56:01 GMT
Six hours!!!!!!!!! Poor you.
Mine was 2 1/2 hrs and she told me it was a quick inspection because I had so much written down - I didn't think it was quick at all!
But six hours - what on earth was she doing??
Maybe we should have another thread about the length of our inspections.
Miffy
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Post by manjay on Nov 14, 2007 12:45:52 GMT
We don't use the same grading system in Wales so we don't have outstanding, good etc!!
Haven't had one yet so not completely sure. I just know my first one will be an unannounced vistit in three months time!
Amanda xx
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Post by tasha on Nov 14, 2007 13:00:54 GMT
Mine was 5 hours! Tasha |
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Post by buildingblocks on Nov 15, 2007 13:20:54 GMT
I received a good under the old system and a good last August under the new.
I belonged to a couple of other forums (sorrryyyy) that to be honest are the reason I know I got a good with all the help and support from them (and now this one that I have been active on since a couple of months ago).
I try to share my knowledge with others and to be honest find most of them don't seem to want to know. Some are happy just to take the knowledge I learn on these sites and not do the hard work themselves (so now I am very loathe to share with them). I joined a local network thinking it would be different to what it was and found I got more help and support from the forums I go on. I have decided the accredted route is not for me for a variety of reasons at the moment and have since left the network.
I could not leave this group and if push came to shove and i could only have one then this is the one I would choose.
But on the other hand a friend of mine has just been awarded Outstanding (Susan you will meet her tomorrow night) and she belongs no internet groups but she works very hard herself to keep her knowledge up to date and is just finishing the Foundation Degree. I also think she is the first in our region to gain an Outstanding
lov eKate
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Post by vik3000 on Nov 15, 2007 13:36:39 GMT
We don't use the same grading system in Wales so we don't have outstanding, good etc!! Haven't had one yet so not completely sure. I just know my first one will be an unannounced vistit in three months time! Amanda xx What grading system do you have in Wales? 6 hours!!!!! *!?!*^ OOOO Mine was 2 hours and I was a nervous wreck after that! Did you make her lunch and dinner too? lol |
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Post by manjay on Nov 15, 2007 14:05:45 GMT
My only experience is from reading Jane's (member Lizzy) and I could not see anywhere that you got outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate. I may be wrong so perhaps Jane or Holly will be along to correct me!!
Amanda xx
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Post by tasha on Nov 15, 2007 14:09:19 GMT
I received a good under the old system and a good last August under the new. I belonged to a couple of other forums (sorrryyyy) that to be honest are the reason I know I got a good with all the help and support from them (and now this one that I have been active on since a couple of months ago). I try to share my knowledge with others and to be honest find most of them don't seem to want to know. Some are happy just to take the knowledge I learn on these sites and not do the hard work themselves (so now I am very loathe to share with them). I joined a local network thinking it would be different to what it was and found I got more help and support from the forums I go on. I have decided the accredted route is not for me for a variety of reasons at the moment and have since left the network. I could not leave this group and if push came to shove and i could only have one then this is the one I would choose. But on the other hand a friend of mine has just been awarded Outstanding (Susan you will meet her tomorrow night) and she belongs no internet groups but she works very hard herself to keep her knowledge up to date and is just finishing the Foundation Degree. I also think she is the first in our region to gain an Outstanding lov eKate I only found the forum after my inspection & I know that thanks to you guys my life is now easier...I used to spend hours on end doing research & always had that panicky feeling that I'd missed something really important! Now i just spend hours on here which is much more fun!!!!  Tasha ;D |
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Post by rubybubbles on Nov 16, 2007 14:52:59 GMT
Agree with you there Tasha much more fun ;D I got a good for my inspection in Dec 05 and was very pleased as I didn't really have anyone to ask for help (ie here) I was on another site but it was more people moaning so left lol I know my next inspection will be easier (as in not so much pressure) as I'm more confident as a childminder and will have a NVQ 3 and also 4 years of minding behind me. But then again I'm due Dec 08 will Ofsted be ready with the new EYFS lol!!!  |
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Post by linda on Nov 16, 2007 17:54:52 GMT
Hi to ruby bubbles i too had my last ofsted inspection in december 05 and am due in december 08 when eyfs will be in force, i mind with an assistant though and always feel that i am treated like a nursery.
I will look forward to seeing how you get on in 13 months.
Lindaxx
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lisat
Silver Member
Life is for living, not for looking at.
Posts: 30
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Post by lisat on Nov 16, 2007 19:33:27 GMT
I got a really nice inspector when I had mine in July this year. I was graded 'Good' because my garden is unsafe (park accross the road!) and we are currently renovating the house! Yet under the previous strategy I would have got 'satisfactory'!
The inspector told me that to get outstanding, there can't be ANY recommendations made to improve/change things.
She was with me for about 2 hours.
Lisa x
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Post by rubybubbles on Nov 17, 2007 18:26:37 GMT
Hi to ruby bubbles i too had my last ofsted inspection in december 05 and am due in december 08 when eyfs will be in force, i mind with an assistant though and always feel that i am treated like a nursery. I will look forward to seeing how you get on in 13 months. Lindaxx  for next Dec then x |
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Post by niecynoo on Nov 17, 2007 23:48:16 GMT
I got outstanding in May this year she was with me for 3hrs
I dont agree with grading I think the majority of us work dam hard at what we do, I've no problem being checked out and visited and observed but graded !!!!!! Makes me sooo angry
Denise xxx
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Post by banana on Nov 18, 2007 9:40:53 GMT
I was inspected in April this year (first inspection) and received a good grade.
The inspector was here for 1hour 45 minutes. I was surprised at how quick it was. She said it was because all my paperwork was clear that she didnt have to bother me much so she could just get on with what she needed to do.
That was all thanks to the advice given on the forum!!
xxxxxxxx
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Post by june on Nov 18, 2007 21:29:44 GMT
I just don't like the wording of the grading. GOOD does not sound that fantastic, but INADEQUATE what an awful word.
Not sure how it should be worded but it needs changing.
My son says it should be graded in stars (like Hotels) or even smiley faces !!!! Cant see Ofsted agreeing to that one can you?
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Post by rubybubbles on Nov 24, 2007 16:53:07 GMT
I just don't like the wording of the grading. GOOD does not sound that fantastic, but INADEQUATE what an awful word. Not sure how it should be worded but it needs changing. My son says it should be graded in stars (like Hotels) or even smiley faces !!!! Cant see Ofsted agreeing to that one can you? stars sounds like a great idea!! or smiles ;D |
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Post by polly2 on Nov 30, 2007 14:55:00 GMT
Hiya
I had my first inspection in Sept.
I'm in Wales so like Amanda said we don't get grades, we just get recomendations for improvement.
I had no recommendations and she made some lovely comments about my practise nothing negative whatsoever so I guess that must be good. She also commented on things I had improved since my pre-reg inspection.
We had to send out parent questionaires (provided by CSSIW) and there were some nice quotes from parents which were included in my report as well.
I like not having any grades I think it is fairer on all involved.
This site has been fab for ideas though - don't know what I would have done without you guys ;D
Love Holly
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Post by smartimartie on Nov 30, 2007 22:42:30 GMT
I've read in Who Minds Mag that at the NCMA Conference they will be asking for your votes to 'Clarity of Ofsted Gradings' the NCMA are hoping to lobby Ofsted to make the overall grading system more transparent and fair.
Cast your votes !!
A real shame minders who get 4 outstandings and 1 good get an overall grade of Good!!
However if you get 2 satisfactory grades and 3 goods your overall grade is still Good!!
CRAZY !!!
See you there !!
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Post by deeb66 on Dec 1, 2007 15:50:10 GMT
I've read in Who Minds Mag that at the NCMA Conference they will be asking for your votes to 'Clarity of Ofsted Gradings' the NCMA are hoping to lobby Ofsted to make the overall grading system more transparent and fair. Cast your votes !! A real shame minders who get 4 outstandings and 1 good get an overall grade of Good!! However if you get 2 satisfactory grades and 3 goods your overall grade is still Good!! CRAZY !!! [glow=red,2,300]See you there [/glow]!! Sorry I am a little confused (not hard to do I know ) - see you where? Dee |
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