News

A closer look

Childcare providers are fighting back against inexperienced Ofsted inspectors, says Mary Evans Ofsted is sending its early years inspectors back to school for a three-day training course on recent changes to the inspection system. Their training will include how to judge the quality of early years care and how to assess effective use of the Birth to Three Matters framework.

Ofsted is sending its early years inspectors back to school for a three-day training course on recent changes to the inspection system. Their training will include how to judge the quality of early years care and how to assess effective use of the Birth to Three Matters framework.

This latest move by Ofsted will be welcomed by early years experts, who say recent inspections produced findings that bore little relation to reality and demands for changes that bordered on the farcical.

However, although reforms to the inspection regime - including new grades, unannounced visits for day nurseries and an element of self-evaluation - were introduced this month, they fail to address the commonest complaint: inspectors with no background or understanding of early years are placing their own interpretations on official guidance.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here