Self Evaluation and Leadership
Most of us are already aware that there is a direct link in business between leadership and business success, and it’s great to see that this link has been identified through the self-evaluation process.
Part B, section 5 on the SEF asks managers to assess how well the leadership and management of the setting promotes children’s overall welfare, learning and development. This self-assessment process can be challenging and appraising your own management and leadership style in this section requires managers to take a step back, reflect, analyse your existing practice and identify what the setting does well and what needs improving.
In conjunction with Leap, an early years training and development organisation, we have put together our top 5 tips for managers who are evaluating their setting.
- Be familiar with EYFS and other documents like Firm Foundations, Safe and Sound and Every Child Matters
- Understand how to assess and evaluate your setting and practice. What skills do people require in order to reflect and why is this process critical to improving practice.
- Base your answers on evidence and give examples of what you do to support your rating
- Ask yourself high quality, searching questions e.g. What is it really like for a child here? How effective are you…….? What do you currently do? How do you know you are successful in achieving the outcomes?
- Remember, even if you have scored yourself as outstanding there is always room for improvement, so what else could you possibly do to improve practice and quality?
