Evaluating success
Earlier this month, the new, single framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage was launched. This framework applies to all providers, including schools, who provide services for children from birth to the 31 
August following their fifth birthday. We believe our new approach to inspection will contribute to improving the quality of provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
In previous issues we have kept you updated with news as the Early Years Foundation Stage approached, including the revised inspection in schools, the results of our consultation on the new inspection framework and details of the new registers. This time, we take you into a nursery to see the Early Years Foundation Stage in practice.
August following their fifth birthday. We believe our new approach to inspection will contribute to improving the quality of provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.First hand experience
This June, Trish Wetwood from Huggies Day Nursery in Newcastle took the stage at the National Day Nurseries Association conference and spoke enthusiastically about her positive experience of participating in the pilot inspections of the Early Years Foundation Stage and completing the self-evaluation form. She also gave tips on how to use the form as a learning tool and said it’s important for all staff to be, ‘as aware as their managers regarding forms, regulations and guidelines’. She even offered to share the Huggies self-evaluation form with those who were interested, and unsurprisingly was inundated with requests.
Huggies was one of 100 providers around the country invited to take part in pilot inspections of the Early Years Foundation Stage which started in January 2008. After the pilot inspection in 
March 2008, the inspector was pleased to see all the staff at Huggies were very familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage and, importantly, all participated in completing the nursery’s self-evaluation form.
Why should I complete my self-evaluation form?
Completing the form will help you to consider how best to develop, maintain and improve your setting so it meets the highest standard and offers the best experience for young children. The self-evaluation form is a good way to summarise the outcomes of your self-evaluation. It provides some key questions for you to ask as you reflect on and improve your provision in relation to the requirements and good practice guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Putting it into practice
Huggies provided in-house training for its entire staff (full time, part time, volunteers and apprentices) and used the self-evaluation form to reflect on practice within the nursery. This helped the staff to establish what was working well and what areas could be improved. The resulting information was combined into one evaluation document and sent to the inspector in advance of their pilot inspection in March 2008.
Huggies found the form a valuable tool. Staff said they felt more confident and relaxed as a result of using it, and crucially, it meant they were well prepared for the pilot inspection. To ensure continuing improvement, staff at Huggies will use the form every three months to structure their review of progress.
Involving parents
There are over 400 parents with children who attend Huggies, so rather than send the form to them individually it's displayed on the nursery notice boards. In addition, a special parents’ evening was organised during the pilot scheme to explain what the Early Years Foundation Stage meant for their children. Overall parents thought it was a good idea.
A final word
Staff at Huggies are now so well versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (thanks in part to the self-evaluation form) that they're viewing their next inspection as an easier process. To those providers reading this who may feel daunted by the new framework, Trish has some encouraging words. ‘Have confidence. You know if you are doing a good job the inspection is really just a celebration of what you are already doing well.’
More information on the Early Years Foundation Stage can be found at the following links:
Official web page for the Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage booklet
The early years self-evaluation form
The Early Years Foundation Stage poster
Department for Children, Schools and Families standards site
Every Child Matters Early Years Foundation Stage parents and providers leaflet
