Consultation: Early years regulations

The Government is proposing further adjustments to the inspection system to bring private and voluntary inspections more in line with those in the maintained sector and to allow Ofsted to vary the frequency of inspections according to the quality of provider. The changes will come into force, subject to normal Parliamentary processes, from October 2005.

Inspection timing

The maximum period between inspections of childcare is now three years, but remains four years for nursery education. The DfES is proposing a three-year cycle based on the school, rather than calendar, year. It also plans for Ofsted to inspect more frequently all providers judged 'inadequate' and settings where quality is a cause for concern. Low-risk providers would be inspected less frequently.

Notification of inspections

Only schools are currently required to notify parents about an inspection.

It is proposed that all providers receiving advanced warning of an inspection should inform parents. Open-access schemes and creches would be exempt.

Distribution of inspection reports

At present, only schools have to ensure that parents receive a copy of their inspection report. The DfES is proposing that this requirement be extended to other providers, with open-access schemes and creches again exempt. Settings would also have to provide a copy of the report to anyone who asks for it, though they could charge a fee. (Parents' copies are free.)

National standards and associated regulations

The DfES proposes to amend the national standards regulations to:

* reflect the new inspection requirements on notification and report distribution

* strengthen the requirements on complaints handling

* incorporate reference to the Birth to Three Matters framework, so inspectors can judge quality by the extent to which providers caring for this age group are operating within the framework.

Early years regulations can be found at www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations. The consultation ends on 24 June 2005.