Nursery World - Technical hitches mar Ofsted debut

The first months of existence of Ofsted's Early Years Directorate have been plagued by technical hitches with its telephone and computer systems. Some callers to Ofsted's helpline number have been frustrated by problems with the mechanism for re-routing calls to the correct regional office. Meanwhile, Ofsted's childcare inspectors, who are now working from home using laptop computers, have also experienced difficulties with the technology.

Some callers to Ofsted's helpline number have been frustrated by problems with the mechanism for re-routing calls to the correct regional office. Meanwhile, Ofsted's childcare inspectors, who are now working from home using laptop computers, have also experienced difficulties with the technology.

An Ofsted spokeswoman acknowledged the trouble but stressed that solutions were on the way. She said, 'There have been some teething problems, but we are confident that the telephone lines have been sorted out. The phones now seem to be working well.

'We are sorting out the technical problems with the computers. It hasn't stopped inspectors going about their business. Where they need forms we can still send the paper version.'

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