Enjoying a rare opportunity for a leisurely breakfast with my children before taking them to school this morning, I received the phone call I had been anxiously anticipating for weeks: 'Kathryn ... Ofsted are here!'
Newly recruited to the nursery six months ago, I was aware they were due for their routine inspection before long. But in a nursery with so much potential, opportunity for development and untapped ambition, it was never going to feel like quite long enough.
As a manager of a constantly evolving and improving nursery there will always be areas as yet untackled and that overwhelming feeling of 'If only I'd had one more month'. I began to think about these things as I drove in but then remembered everything that had been put in place to demonstrate and orchestrate these continual developments.
At the nursery I met an atmosphere of nervous anticipation and the slightly manic 'Ofsted smile'. I took the time to speak with every member of staff and reassure them.
Meeting with the inspectors through the day, they were very impressed with the herculean task that was the SEF. Every minute spent writing it felt worth it, as its content was continuously referred to. Written at a less stressful time, you can think clearly of all the enriched activities and measures to meet the needs of the children.
I had spent a lot of time identifying areas of development required and getting everyone involved. The garden is screaming out for investment in money, time and inspiration, but we do have a foyer festooned with ideas, drawings, photos and wish-lists of the staff, parents and children. In the office is a laminated display board showing ideas and projects as they spring up together with This Month's Focus, and the week's breakdown of tasks to achieve.
What really impressed the inspectors was the work that had gone into identifying these areas and planning for their improvements in a way that real change was being realised.
Even after today I am thinking of more things I could mention, so SEF, here I come!
