WIGAN QUALITY STANDARD

INTRODUCTION
The Wigan Quality Standard is a locally developed package of audits, based on indicators of good practice. Self-evaluation is recognised as a powerful tool in the development of provision. The strength of the Wigan Quality Standard is the structured support and the promotion of networking where all participants are seeking the same goal - excellence in the provision for children in the early years.
The Wigan Quality Standard has been developed from the Early Years Good Practice Project, which was introduced in the Leigh Education Action Zone during 2000. The Good Practice Project runs concurrently with the Wigan Quality Standard and practitioners are offered the opportunity to transfer their work and seek accreditation.
Through a process of audit, action and review the Wigan Quality Standard will scaffold the pathway to improved provision.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD PRACTICE
Purpose
The purpose of Wigan Quality Standard is to engage practitioners in self-evaluation, leading to continual improvement in provision for all children in the early years.

Principles

• Each setting has strengths upon which the quality standard will build
• Quality is evident amongst a diverse range of settings
• We can all improve, regardless of our starting point
• The process of involvement will have a significant impact on the outcome
• Settings that choose to be involved in the process accept the responsibilities that go with it
• The indicators of good practice reflect relevant legislation and take account of research in the field
• Each setting is supported according to need, by appropriately qualified mentors
• Flexible support for accreditation enables the needs of each sector to be met
• The Wigan Quality Standard is recognised as a mark of quality within the area of Wigan and the departments of the Council

THE PROCESS

Introduction to the process
Settings are invited to become involved on an annual basis. Local presentations provide an overview of the scheme and how it leads to accreditation under the Wigan Quality Standard. Once involved, it is up to individual settings to map out their pathway and allocate a timescale which best meets their needs.

Support
Support for the process is provided in the following ways:

• Training sessions and support are provided as half-day courses.
• Each half day training session is followed by a Support Surgery to provide help for practitioners in developing their action plans and evidence
• Mentor support from the WQS Area Mentor
• Support from the Early Years Qulaity and Inclusion Team

Signing Up

• Settings complete Form QS1, which activates the process
• Up to 4 practitioners from each setting will be allocated a place on a full-day course entitled, 'Quality Through Self-evaluation'. Lunch and materials are provided but the costs of staff cover must be met by individual settings.
• On receipt of Form QS1 the Early Years Quality and Incluson Team validates the setting as included in the project and issues a certificate to display

Cost
The cost of involvement has been kept to a minimum. On registration a charge of £25 is payable, followed by an annual registration fee of £25 in each year prior to accreditation. This entitles each setting to a copy of the Handbook in year one, access to all training and mentor support at no additional cost, together with the relevant documentation.
An Assessment Fee of £50 is payable when the setting applies for Initial Assessment

Annual Registration/Evaluation Reports
At the start of the process and subsequently each year, each setting must complete and evaluation report.
At the start of the first year, the report (Form QS2) identifies the perceived strengths of the provision and its current identified areas for development. In addition, practitioners are asked to set out what they hope they will gain from involvement.
In subsequent years the report (Form QS3) identifies the settings' major successes in the year. It sets out the audit areas covered, the main action points identified and progress towards these.

Assessment and Accreditation
The accreditation process is a two-stage process

Stage 1 Initial Assessment When settings think they are ready to be accredited they complete Form QS4 and their mentor makes an initial assessment.
The Assessment Fee of £50 is charged at this time.
Stage 2 Final Assessment Settings request a final assessment visit by completing Form QS5 when they are satisfied that they meet the standards.
Accreditation
Some settings will move from Stage 1 to Stage 2 very quickly. For others, the mentor may have suggested things that need attention before moving on to Stage 2.

• Settings may go forward for assessment at any point in the year
• - Once a setting has requested Final Assessment, the Early Years Quality and InclusionTeam (EYQ+I) will arrange for an Assessor to visit. Assessors will be existing members of the EYQ+I Team who have had no prior involvement with the setting

• The Assessor will review the supporting evidence, visit the setting, look for evidence that the identified criteria have been met and inform the setting whether they will be recommended for accreditation
• If the Assessor's decision is that the setting has met the standard the evidence is referred to the Wigan Quality Standard Validation Group for ratification
• If in the Assessor's view the setting does not meet the standard; the setting will be advised what it has to do to meet the required standard
• The Internal Verifier who is a senior member of the EYQ+I Team, will visit a proportion of the settings who are recommended by an Assessor for accreditation
• Once the setting has achieved the standard its accreditation is valid for three years
• Accredited settings are awarded a WQS wall plaque and are invited to an award ceremony
• An Assessor's visit is required to reassess whether the setting has maintained the standard and is still worthy of accreditation shortly before the three year period expires
• The fee for re-accreditation is £50. This is payable once a setting confirms that it wishes to reactivate the above accreditation process.

Support for Accreditation
Practitioners are supported throughout the accreditation process by experienced personnel who work in one of the following capacities

• Full-time employees of the Early Years Quality and InclusionTeam - Advisory Teachers
• Quality Assurance and Inclusion Workers
• Seconded Teachers from settings registered with Wigan Sure Start- Community Advisory Teachers
• WQS Mentors

Advisory Teachers and Quality and Inclusion Workers manage the administration, plan and deliver the training programme and train Mentors. They also provide some mentor support and conduct assessments.

PATHWAY TO ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WIGAN QUALITY STANDARD
Step 1 - Attend an Introductory Session for Managers and Practitioners
Step 2 - Complete Form QS1
Step 3 - Attend 1-day course 'Quality Through Self-Evaluation
Step 4 - Complete Form QS2 'Evaluation on Entry'
Step 5 - Attend cluster meetings in your area
Step 6 - Attend half-day training course if you are not able to attend the session in your cluster
Step 7 - Complete Form QS3 at the end of each 12-month period
Step 8 - Apply for Initial Assessment after discussion with your mentor. Complete Form QS4
Step 9 - Provide any additional evidence your mentor suggests is needed
Step 10- Complete Form QS5 to apply for Final Assessment/Accreditation
Step 11- Continue with the audit - action - evaluation cycle whilst you are accredit
Step 12- After 3 years invite the team to re-accredit your setting

AUDIT AREAS AND ACTION PLANS
There are 7 audit areas.

• Foundations of Good Practice
• The Early Years Environment
• Teaching and Learning
• Curriculum and Assessment
• Working in Partnership
• Health and Well-being
• Outdoor Provision

Each audit area sets out a series of Good Practice Indicators. Practitioners measure their settings' practice against each indicator, identifying

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be?
• What will the end result look like?

Practitioners identify key areas for development and complete an action plan which breaks the aspect down into small steps:

• What has got to be done?
• How will it be done?
• When it will be done
• Who will be responsible?
• How much will it cost?
• Who will monitor that it is happening?
• What evidence will be available to see?
• How will it be evaluated?
• How this will influence future practice?

THE TRAINING SCHEDULE

The training schedule begins with a full day’s training. During the day practitioners are introduced to the process of self-evaluation, audit and action plan completion and portfolio building.

Training and support for the audits are provided by attendance at a central venue. During the training session practitioners have the opportunity to begin their audit with mentors on hand to provide advice and support. The opportunity to share ideas between practitioners from various settings has been a powerful tool in supporting practitioners through the process.

How do I become involved?

There is a Launch Evening at the beginning of each academic year to introduce practitioners, managers and head teachers to the whole process. During the evening practitioners have the opportunity to sign up and become involved. Invitations are sent to all eligible settings.

If you require any further information please contact j.challiner@wiganmbc.gov.uk or telephone a member of the Quality and Inclusion Team on 01942 206205

Maintained WQS Accredited Settings

P and V WQS Accredited Settings

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