In a letter from the Secretary of State to Ofsted's chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, Mr Gove suggests that changes to inspection are just the start of a planned move towards further reductions to regulation of the early years and childcare sector.
The letter published on the DfE's website last week sets out changes to requirements for early years education and childcare inspections.
Ofsted's new inspection framework, which has yet to be published, comes into force in September.
The DfE has recently revoked the regulations relating to inspection of early years provision within the Childcare (Inspections) Regulations 2008. These have been replaced by the letter from the education secretary to the head of Ofsted, which sets out the necessary inspection requirements.
Mr Gove says, 'These changes, together with the reforms we have already made to the EYFS, are the first phase of deregulation for the early years sector. Together, from September we will strike a better balance between keeping children safe and supporting their development.'
The letter also hints that there are likely to be changes to the registration requirements for childcarers, including childminders caring for children from five to eight years old who are required to register on the Ofsted Childcare Register.
'Unnecessary requirements'
Ministers are currently considering making changes to the way that registered childminders in England are regulated and inspected. Mr Gove says that revoking the regulations 'will remove a number of requirements currently placed upon Ofsted and forms part of our plan to remove unnecessary regulation and burdens. The few remaining regulations relating to registered later years provision will need to remain for the time being, although, as you know, we are committed to seeking every opportunity to remove unnecessary or contradictory requirements on providers.'
Such a move would tie in with the work of the Childcare Commission, set up in June, which is considering ways to increase provision of out-of-school and holiday childcare for parents.
A spokesperson for the DfE, said, 'We have an ongoing commitment to look at ways in which the framework of regulation can be improved. Progress has already been made, with the introduction next month of a slimmed-down Early Years Foundation Stage, which has been widely welcomed.
'When we launched the revised EYFS, back in March, we made clear we would look to do more to reduce burdens. We will, of course, build on this as part of the Childcare Commission work, which is (among other things) looking at wraparound and holiday childcare. Work to consider different options is ongoing, with the Childcare Commission due to report to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the autumn.'
