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Original poster

as a new preschool chairperson have you had an ofsted interview??

16 replies

brimfull · 26/01/2007 17:47

Currently going through the enhanced crb check and ofsted phoned this morning to ask for an interview.
Apparently every new chair should be interviewed.It will take 1.5-2hrs and I should be reading up on the national standards booklet.I can't even find it The interview is on monday morning!
What should I expect?
btw the preschool was ofsted checked in july.Everything went well ,but I wasn't chai then.

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LizP · 26/01/2007 18:40

This must be new - I wasn't interviewed.
Good luck.

What if you couldn't be interviewed on Monday - due to work or just other stuff - would they have set a time to suit you?

peanutbutterkid · 26/01/2007 19:27

This is nuts, the preschools I know have 2-3 changs of chairperson a year. Don't the people at Ofsted have anything better to do with their time?

NorksBride · 26/01/2007 19:35

I took over as Chair in September. Ofsted came in Monday & Tuesday of this week - she was lovely, I introduced myself and asked if she needed to speak to me and she didn't - but we had a bit of a chat anyway, more as a parent than Guv'nor though! Apparently they mostly speak to the children now. She was very good with them btw. (and we got 2nd highest rating).

I haven't heard anything about having a separate interview. Is the National Standards Book like the Red Book - from the EYDC?

Please let us know what happens!!

Original poster
brimfull · 26/01/2007 19:43

I think it has to do with the crb check.Ofsted do a seperate interview that tallies with the crb form and a health check that the gp has to sign ,and I have to pay for!
I asked her if it was a new thing as our last two chairs hadn't been interviewed(slightly paranoid now).She assured me that it should be done for every new chair and the reason it isn't is because a lot of preschool committees fail to inform ofsted of changes in the committee.Well we have done everything to the letter and this is a first for us.
I have tracked down the national standards booklet,the supervisor had it,she's dropping it off tonight for me to revise...great,can't wait!

She offered me monday or friday next week ,so have given up my gym session for this.

OP posts:
peanutbutterkid · 26/01/2007 20:29

Are committees supposed to inform Ofsted about every change in committee membership, or just the Chair, or just the committee officers...?

Original poster
brimfull · 26/01/2007 20:42

Presumably any change as each committee member will need a crb check which in turn ofsted will need to check .

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peanutbutterkid · 27/01/2007 09:09

But... do you need to write Ofsted separately to inform them of the Chairperson change? Friend became Chair last December and am pretty sure she did not get an interview, but she was CRB checked as ordinary commtee member not long previously, so she wouldn't expect to need a new CRB check or Ofsted to consequently review that.

Anyway, think I will mention it to her, that maybe she needs to formally inform Ofsted -- yet more paperwork .

Original poster
brimfull · 27/01/2007 09:26

well if she's already been through the crb check I wouldn't bother informing ofsted.I think you need to inform the PLA ,in fact just call them and ask .

OP posts:
redshoes · 27/01/2007 17:27

You are supposed to inform Ofsted every time you get a new Committee or staff member (or lose one). I have not been interviewed yet but expect to be. It is nothing to do with the CRB check, but rather that as the Chair you are the 'registered person' responsible for the setting - same as eg the owner of a private nursery. You will need to know the National Standards backwards. HTH

Original poster
brimfull · 27/01/2007 21:01

What happens if I don't know eveything,do I get fired >>>

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redshoes · 28/01/2007 12:23

Maybe...dunno. It is a huge responsibility, isn't it

catesmum · 28/01/2007 15:45

it's weird how it varies!!! I became chair in Sept, informed Ofsted had CRB and DC2 checks, and then got a nice letter saying it was all fine and I can be chair.

We've also had Ofsted in a couple of weeks ago. Was grilled for 2 days over National Standards and all paperwork and practices involved...and she didn't speak to a single child or parent (and only to the leader and no other member of staff)

Original poster
brimfull · 28/01/2007 18:21

Have read through the national standards (yawn) complete gobbledigook in official wanky speak.Tbh I really can't be arsed doing anything else .I have spent all afternoon doing letters to businesses for raffle bloody prizes and have had enough now.Roll on ofsted woman and give me your worst!

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redshoes · 29/01/2007 13:32

Good luck ggirl - let us know how it goes

orderleysmile · 18/03/2007 17:49

I had a two hour ofsted suitable persons check for when I became deputy. the lady was lovely. She asked me about the 14 standards in great detail. Its all about your knowledge and understanding to do the job at hand. Good luck

Original poster
brimfull · 18/03/2007 18:00

I had this done in january I think,all went well...I passed.
First question she asked was what would you do if someone turned up for work drunk?>>

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