It has certainly been a long waiting game and with the outcome of so many reviews still pending, nurseries can be forgiven for feeling they are in limbo.
However, with the revised EYFS due for publication imminently, there is a sense that things are beginning to get moving. Nurseries can start to anticipate how wider changes - in areas such as qualifications, inspections and the Code of Practice - might impact their business outlook.
It's worth bearing in mind that the move to reducing bureaucracy and 'slimming down' will not necessarily mean less pressure on staff and management when it comes to demonstrating good practice, achieving an impressive Ofsted and winning new customers.
Take the reduction in early learning goals. There may be dramatically fewer of these, but practitioners will have to continue to work as widely and holistically as they do already to support them. With less guidance this potentially poses a greater challenge.
Similarly, proposals to include fewer judgements from Ofsted means that settings will have to show initiative in demonstrating how children's learning and development has progressed and how the overall effectiveness of the setting meets their needs. Only the highest standards of leadership and management will be able to achieve this.
On balance, it has to be good news for all those nurseries which are enterprising, resourceful and highly-skilled. Under the new regime they should have even more scope to take control over what they do and prove their quality credentials.
