Inspection Skills
Training
Early Years - Inspection Skills Training
Etio's Early Years Inspection Skills Training course provides educational leaders with the skills and competencies of a high quality lead inspector, enabling them to further their careers as leaders and/or effective inspectors of early childhood provision.
The distinct phases of inspection and the use of an inspection framework are explored in detail so that participants can apply this knowledge in different contexts. There is also a strong emphasis on how inspectors/ reviewers gather, record and summarise first-hand evidence which leaders can also use to strengthen self-evaluation in their own settings.
Detailed Course Information:
The course runs from 09:00 – 17:00 daily UAE time.
Currently available course dates:
- A future date coming soon
There will be four sessions per day and each one will run for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes over the four days of training. The length of sessions are approximate and may vary, depending on the level of dialogue and the needs and understanding of participants as the training unfolds.
Applicants must commit to four full days of training (in two blocks of two days) and includes opportunities for directed personal study. Throughout the course, participants’ will undertake tasks and activities under the guidance of the course tutor, and this provide opportunities for participants to check their understanding and progress. At the conclusion of the course, participants will receive a course completion certificate.
Participants should maintain their own ‘Learning Log’ throughout the training and participants will receive a wealth of support material, in addition to course activities, as part of a course workbook. To maximise participants’ learning and enjoyment of the course, every opportunity has been built into the online training for discussion and debate, as well as interaction in practical activities.
The training aims to provide participants with the knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies required to make robust evaluations and inspect effectively in a wide range of early years settings.
By the end of the training participants will be able to:
- Understand the process and procedures to conduct an early childhood inspection.
- Effectively evaluate the quality of provision in a setting using an early childhood framework.
- Have a clear understanding of the expectations for high quality early childhood provision.
- Apply knowledge and skills to gather an accurate and robust evidence base using early childhood framework standards.
- Summarise, triangulate, and draw together a wide range of evidence to report overall findings.
- Provide informative, factual, and supportive feedback.
- Adhere to the principles and protocols of the Inspectors Code of Conduct.
The distinct phases of inspection and the use of an inspection framework are explored in detail so that participants can apply this knowledge in a wide range of different early childhood contexts. There is also a strong emphasis on how inspectors/ reviewers gather, record and summarise first-hand evidence which leaders can also use to strengthen self-evaluation in their own early years settings.
Day 1: Early Childhood in the UAE – Understanding inspection and recognising the features of high-quality provision for early childhood
| Session | Time | Overview |
| 1 | 08:30-10:15 | The UAE’s journey of improvement for early childhood settings Introductions, Our values, Course objectives, Early childhood provision in the UAE, Compliance and regulation requirements in the UAE, The purpose of early childhood inspections |
| 2 | 10:30-12:15 | The role of an Early Childhood Inspector (ECI) Skills and competencies required for an ECI, Responsibilities of a Lead Early Childhood Inspector, Following the code of conduct. |
| 3 | 12:45-14:30 | Introduction to early childhood evaluation frameworks Comparison of frameworks to inspect early childhood, Understanding inspection framework methodologies |
| 4 | 14:45-16:30 | The features of a high-quality early childhood setting How children learn effectively What to expect in a high-quality early childhood setting, The importance of play in the early years, The value and significance of developing language and communication skills, Supportive learning environments, Evaluating the learning environment, Review of the day, Pre-reading Tasks – Knowing the frameworks |
Day 2: Preparation for inspection
| Session | Time | Overview |
| 5 | 08:30-10:15 | Pre-inspection priorities Identifying sources of evidence for pre-inspection analysis, Preparing for the inspection: responsibilities of the EC inspector, Role of the Early Childhood Inspector (ECI), Assessment principles and methods across frameworks |
| 6 | 10:30-12:15 | Purpose of the pre-inspection briefing (PIB) Structure and analysis of a PIB, Analysis of samples of a self-evaluation form (SEF), Write a summary of key points for the PIB using a section of the SEF, Recognising the features of a high-quality SEF and PIB. |
| 7 | 12:45-14:30 | Guidance for writing effective lines of enquiry Understanding the purpose of lines of enquiry, Writing lines of enquiry for the PIB |
| 8 | 14:45-16:30 | Planning for the inspection Comparing primary and early childhood teaching and learning approaches, The daily routine in an early childhood provision. Early childhood daily routine in action, What to do and when- drafting g a timetable of activities ready for the inspection, Review of the day. |
Day 3: During the inspection (leadership and management)
| Session | Time | Overview |
| 9 | 08:30-10:15 | Understanding framework inspection criteria Using framework criteria to reach a judgement, ECI activities during inspection, Identifying sources of evidence, Gathering robust evidence to support evaluations. |
| 10 | 10:30-12:15 | Conducting teaching and learning observations Identifying what is required to complete evidence recording forms (ERF), Understanding how to complete an ERF, Extracting and synthesising information from an ERF, Understanding the importance of work sampling |
| 11 | 12:45-14:30 | Inspection writing skills Identifying the features of an evaluative statement, Writing evaluative statements, Considering the evidence required to write an ERF, Using an ERF to write a lesson observation, Summarising findings to make a judgement |
| 12 | 14:45-16:30 | Inspecting the learning environment Learning walk, meetings, work sampling - triangulating evidence, What to look for on a learning walk, Writing an informative ERF for a learning walk, Review of the day |
Day 4: Finalising the inspection
| Session | Time | Overview |
| 13 | 08:30-10:15 | Conducting meetings The rationale for arranging meetings, Planning and preparing for meetings, Conducting professional conversations |
| 14 | 10:30-12:15 | Report writing features and skills Common errors in report writing, Report writing analysis, Collating and writing summaries of evidence using evaluative language for the final report |
| 15 | 12:45-14:30 | Writing a report Evaluating summary reports, Writing a EC report, Sharing final feedback |
| 16 | 14:45-16:30 | Complaints and concerns Managing complaints and concerns during an inspection, Consolidation and review of the early childhood inspection process |
The course will be run through Microsoft Teams. The system will allow for the training to as far as possible replicate a face to face event and facilitate:
- Presenter webcam + content view
- Video streaming (e.g. Tribal videos)
- Private and group chat
- Hand raising
- Breakout groups
- Delegate presenting back to the group
- Interactive whiteboard
The technology will allow the trainer to switch from overall presenter to separate group tasks and then bring the whole group back together, thus replicating a normal training session. A flag system will allow participants to make contributions, share feedback on whiteboards and ask questions. In addition, the system will enable group activity outcomes to be saved and stored.
The training will be delivered using Microsoft Teams – it is strongly advised you download the desktop application in order to participate in all the elements of the course.
Microsoft Teams works on any device and can be downloaded here.
To ensure you will be able to access all elements of the course on the day, we will host a 30minute Technical Run-through the week before the training is due to commence. This will involve a number of checks to make sure you can see and access the relevant documents, and are able to join the various breakout groups that will run throughout the training.
Please note: We can only offer this support if you have attended the Technical Run-through session.
Asma Hafeez is an experienced School Inspector and School Improvement Adviser. She has supported schools in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve the quality of teaching and learning to raise standards. She has held senior positions in UK primary schools and taught across the age ranges from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to upper primary. Her subject specialism is English, and she is an Early Childhood expert – she has considerable experience and knowledge of the UK EYFS and international early childhood curricula.
The cost of the course is AED 6,500.
Your place on the course will be confirmed upon receipt of payment.
Please note: Each course has a maximum of 15 participants. To register your interest for one of the forthcoming courses, please complete the form opposite. A member of the Inspection Skills Training team will contact you to confirm your place and the next steps.
Successful completion of the course is not a guarantee of future work with Etio Inspections.