When will changes be introduced?
Ofsted is making changes to early years inspections from 1 April 2005, following the end of the second full cycle of inspections of childcare.
How will the notice periods change?
Ofsted intends to carry out inspections of daycare with no notice. This has two main benefits. First, it helps safeguard children by allowing inspectors to see a setting as it really is with no special arrangements made for the inspection. Secondly, it reduces the regulatory burden for providers, many of whom feel that they need to produce documents or set in place different arrangements for inspections.
How often will nurseriesbe inspected?
The law states that Ofsted must inspect all registered childcare providers and those who provide funded nursery education at least once in every prescribed period. That period is currently two years for childcare and four years for nursery education.
The Government may decide to change the prescribed period for both inspections to three years. Such a move would help Ofsted to carry out integrated inspections of care and education at the same time, and so produce a more meaningful inspection report for both parents and providers.
It would also help us take a more proportionate approach to inspections, inspecting more frequently those providers about whom we have concerns, while allowing those who provide satisfactory or better childcare to go for a longer period between inspections.
How long will the inspections last?
There is no prescribed length to inspections. The time an inspection takes depends on several factors, such as the size of the setting, whether it provides both childcare and nursery education and how each is organised - for example, whether they take place in one or more rooms. Under the new system, inspections will take about the same amount of time as currently.
How will self-evaluation be incorporated into inspections?
We are asking all providers to complete a simple self-evaluation form and to keep this to show the inspector. It is useful if providers look at this from time to time to make sure the information is still up to date.
The form has two purposes. First, it helps the provider think about the care they offer and to grade themselves against the outcomes for children.
Secondly, it provides a focus for discussions with the inspector. If a provider has not completed the form by the time the inspection takes place, the inspector will ask the manager to complete it during the inspection.
What grading system is going to be introduced and how will it work?
We are introducing a straightforward four-point grading system that will be common across all Ofsted inspections, including schools. This will result in each provider having one of the following grades: l outstanding l good l satisfactory l inadequate.
We will continue to make separate judgements for the quality and standards of care and, where applicable, free nursery education for children aged three and four.
Providers judged as inadequate will fall into one of two categories:
* those with capacity to improve - they will be reinspected within six to 12 months
* those needing enforcement action to make them improve. We will take appropriate action to remedy weaknesses, or in extreme cases cancel registration. Follow-up inspection will take place no more than three to six months after the previous one.
This grading system will provide parents with a straightforward comparison between different types of setting. It will also give reassurance that settings causing the most concern will be reinspected very quickly.
How will approved quality assurance schemes and the Birth to Three Matters framework be incorporated into the system?
Ofsted will make reference in its inspection report to membership of any quality assurance system endorsed by Investors in Children. Where providers are members of such a scheme, this will usually reflect in their practice and is likely to improve the grade they receive from the inspections.
Inspectors will consider any evidence that settings provide during an inspection, and this can include documents arising from membership of such a scheme.
Birth to Three Matters is a good practice guide for those working with children under the age of three. Where registered providers care for children under three, Ofsted will comment on any particular strengths or weaknesses in the care of very young children. Where a setting uses Birth to Three Matters and has good practice, Ofsted will acknowledge the use of the framework.
Where a setting provides satisfactory or inadequate care for children under three and does not use the framework, Ofsted will suggest actions or make recommendations to improve the quality of care and will point providers towards using the framework.
How will the report format be simplified?
The report will focus on answering the question: What is it like for a child in this setting? It will report on what settings do to encourage children to: l enjoy the best possible health l be safe l enjoy what they do and achieve well l make a positive contribution to the setting and to the wider community.
It will also report on how the organisation of the setting promotes the outcomes for children and on improvements made since the last inspection.
It will give parents a history of any complaints made to Ofsted about the provider since the last inspection.
Where registered providers are also on the local authority directory to provide free nursery education for three- and four-year olds, there will be an integrated report for care and nursery education giving clear grades for both. For the first time parents and others with an interest in early years will be able to compare nursery education across the maintained and non-maintained sectors, as reports will give a common judgement on the Foundation Stage.
Further information
www.ofsted.gov.uk
