a little confused?

[littlesprogs]

people keep mentioning lots of different things we need to put together like policies, portfolios, welcome packs etc. well so far i have done all my policies and procedures and permission forms.

But what is the difference between a portfolio and a parents/welcome pack? i thought they were the same but after reading threads i'm guessing there not? and if they are different what is the difference and what goes in which etc?

thanks in advance i feel so dumb lol

[sarahnev707]

1. You're not dumb!

2. It's all too blooming complicated

3. A welcome pack is what you use to wow parents

4. A portfolio is what you use to wow ofsted

Have a browse through the old posts and have a look at my portfolio contents here.....

www.silkysteps.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2811

Sarahx

[littlesprogs]

so thats everything that is in your portfolio? so its basically showing ofsted how you acheive all the standards and then having proof that you actually do those things and your not just saying that you do?

do you put in your certificates and stuff from courses that you have done aswell?

basically everything that doesnt have a place anywhere else goes there?

[lorri]

Please don't worry about this Littlesprogs, I worried about it loads and it's really simple but remember it's your business so you can have what paperwork you like (to a degree!) and call it what you like.

My portfolio is a big old file with all of my policies and procedures in, my mission statement, introduction to myself and my setting, certificates, fire escape plan, I will put references/thank you cards in there if I ever get any!, menu, routine and activities info - basically everything a parent and Ofsted need to see.

My welcome pack is just a short book with my mission statement, intro to myself and setting, fees and hours, about 5 or 6 main policies in short form to give an idea of the business, short paragraph about Ofsted inspections and reports, copy of routine and activities and menu. It's only a few pages long.

Had an NCMA visit today regarding the quality framework and she said it was all really good so I'm happy with what I've got.

I also have a three-fold A4 leaflet that I give to people with the welcome pack plus a business card so they always have my number! I give these to parents to take away on their first visit, if they come back and sign contracts I will then give them copies of all the policies upon start of the contract which they have to sign for to say they've read and understood.

You don't have to have a welcome pack, leaflet, etc. it's entirely up to you.

Have I just made it sound even worse?

If you want any extra info then feel free to pm me as I know this all really worried me too to start with!

Lorri x

[littlesprogs]

no i understand that thanks ever so much, what do you put in your mission statement?

[buildingblocks]

To confuse you even more I have my outcome folders which is one for each outcome and put in it everything that covers the outcomes.. I have a welcome folder that I give to parents when they sign the contract with lots of bits and pieces in it including copies of myhandbook and policies in.

My friend has what she calls a porfolio and this is what she sits paretns down with when they come to look around. This contains bits about her and her family, her certificates, references, etc in it.


lov eKate

[littlesprogs]

an outcome folder? outcomes of what? sorry i dont understand what you mean?

Also what is a mission statement? is that like 'my mission is to give your child good quality care etc'?

[lorri]

Hi Littlesprogs

Yes, that's basically what a mission statement is.

It's just a paragraph or so where you write about the aims of your business i.e. providing stimulation for children in your care, keeping them safe and promoting health and exercise, equality, bla bla bla.

Lorri x

[littlesprogs]

thanks lorri you've been a great help ;D

[sarahnev707]

Mine is laminated and displayed on parents notice board... Sarahx

Mission Statement
As an Ofsted Registered Childminder, I work in partnership with parents to provide all the children in my care with a safe, caring, home-from-home environment, where everyone feels respected, worthwhile, secure and valued and where the needs of the children always come first
Respect towards self, others and the environment will always be emphasised and each child will be treated as an individual and be offered the opportunities and resources to develop physically, socially and emotionally
I believe strongly that all children should have access to a coordinated and integrated structure of learning which is inclusive and accessible to every child, culturally appropriate and designed to meet the needs of all children
I work with parents to develop children’s independence and I offer a wealth of real-life learning opportunities, both structured and flexible, in a culture of high expectations. I provide a safe and happy place for children, where they can grow and where their well being is paramount. By offering a gentle and stable home-from-home environment for children of all ages, they will receive a firm foundation for their future learning while being encouraged to achieve their personal goals, follow their dreams and have fun!

[littlesprogs]

thanks sarah thats given me some ideas of what to write too

[buildingblocks]

i used to have a Standards Folder which had a section for each of the standards. In it I put how i covered that standard and what I was going to do to extend how I covered it.

When Every Child Matters came in I put each of the Standards under the Five Outcomes eg Being Safe, Being Healthy, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution, and Organization. In these I put how i covered each standard and what I was going to do to extend how I covered it.

hope that helps

love Kate