Nursery World - ‘Unacceptable’ that changes to Ofsted inspections only apply to schools and not early years

The sector has expressed its frustration at Ofsted for failing to recognise the impact of inspections on early years providers with the majority of its reforms applying to only schools.

The sector has accused Ofsted of ignoring the early years as the majority of its reforms only apply to schools, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

Today the inspectorate announced a number of reforms to inspections, however just one, changes to its complaints process, applies to both early years settings and schools. The proposed changes are currently out for consultation

Other measures being introduced include - re-inspecting schools judged inadequate and ineffective for safeguarding sooner, giving schools more of an idea when they will be inspected and expanding the reach of the Department for Education funded programme to provide mental health support to headteachers.

The Early Years Alliance accused Ofsted of ‘completely underestimating the negative impact of inspections on the early years workforce.’

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