2. Use other professionals to validate your findings
Use external views to validate your findings so you can see if you are accurate in your own diagnosis.
- Peer observations/mentoring helps to assess and improve individual practice
- Critical assessment by a supportive individual or organisation or an inspection helps to assess your whole setting
- Observe other settings – if you don’t have a local network, think about forming one yourself. It’s mutually beneficial to share ideas and observe different practice.
3. Give each a role in helping to get to your end goal
Break things up into different areas; the learning environment, workforce, management, health and well-being. This will make it easier to start. Share the lead for these to engage staff, encourage personal development and reduce burdens.
Involve everyone in developing a common vision for your setting; parents, children, all staff (not just practitioners) and visitors, like speech therapists.
Give each a role in helping to get to your end goal. This will show everyone that they have a part to play in giving each child the best start in life.
4. ‘Success is a journey not a destination’
The best early years settings never stop improving what they do.
But remember to pause and celebrate your improvements – that way everyone can see the progress you have made on your journey to excellence.
What next?
NDNA Quality Counts is a quality improvement scheme that provides a framework for improvement based on mentoring, self-assessment and independent assessment.
It involves the whole staff team and helps create a culture of continuous improvement.
Find out more about Quality Counts here.