The new framework, effective from today (4 November), sees the Ofsted rating of ‘satisfactory’ replaced with ‘requires improvement’, bringing early years providers in line with schools.
Settings judged as ‘requires improvement’ will be subject to ‘monitoring’ within six months and re-inspected within a year. They will have two years to achieve an Ofsted grade of good or risk being judged inadequate.
Settings deemed inadequate will be re-inspected within six months rather than the current 12 months.
In August, Sir Michael Wilshaw, HM chief inspector of Ofsted, said that ‘good’ would be the minimum standard expected of nurseries and pre-schools.
The new Ofsted inspection framework also states that inspectors must keep the ‘bigger picture’ in mind and take into account the history of provision, including any concerns, when making their judgement.
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