The Pre-School Learning Alliance has met with Ofsted to discuss the rise in nurseries inspection grades being revised.
The Alliance has spoken with the inspectorate about 'pre-determined inspection outcomes' and the appeals procedure.
Speaking at the Capita conference on Wednesday, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance (right), said, ‘The Alliance has met with Ofsted. We have asked for more data on settings that receive an indicative outcome at the time of inspection, only for it to be subsequently downgraded at the quality assurance stage.
‘Alongside providers we will be looking to step up awareness of the right to appeal.
‘If in the cold light of day a provider feels an unjust decision has been made, we will look to assist them with the process.’
He also revealed that the Alliance has asked Ofsted that the appeals panel have a provider representative on board to give ‘real balance and equity’.
In the past, providers have complained that the complaints and appeals process is confusing and guidance conflicting.
Last month, Nursery World reported that there is growing unrest among the sector as a growing number of nurseries report being downgraded by Ofsted. Providers have also complained about inconsistencies within the inspections process.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of London Early Years Foundation (right), who also spoke at the conference, said, ‘Developing the early years workforce’, echoed Mr Leitch’s comments.
In remarks directed at Dee Gasson, Ofsted’s principal officer for early years, Ms O’Sullivan said she had concerns about 'complaint initiated inspections' and settings being subsequently downgraded.
She went on to say that in her experience on the day of an inspection, inspectors are often helpful and give positive feedback, however (inspection) reports come back saying something completely different, with settings being penalised for issues that do not impact on a child.
Ms O’Sullivan told Dee Gason that there appears to be a ‘secret quality assurance programme’, and that a frank and open conversation is needed between the sector and inspectorate.
Ms Gason replied that Ofsted’s website explains about what is required of early years settings and confirmed that judgements are also based on what an inspector knows historically about a setting.
Speaking at the Capita conference on Wednesday, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance (right), said, ‘The Alliance has met with Ofsted. We have asked for more data on settings that receive an indicative outcome at the time of inspection, only for it to be subsequently downgraded at the quality assurance stage.‘Alongside providers we will be looking to step up awareness of the right to appeal.
‘If in the cold light of day a provider feels an unjust decision has been made, we will look to assist them with the process.’
He also revealed that the Alliance has asked Ofsted that the appeals panel have a provider representative on board to give ‘real balance and equity’.
In the past, providers have complained that the complaints and appeals process is confusing and guidance conflicting.
Last month, Nursery World reported that there is growing unrest among the sector as a growing number of nurseries report being downgraded by Ofsted. Providers have also complained about inconsistencies within the inspections process.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of London Early Years Foundation (right), who also spoke at the conference, said, ‘Developing the early years workforce’, echoed Mr Leitch’s comments.In remarks directed at Dee Gasson, Ofsted’s principal officer for early years, Ms O’Sullivan said she had concerns about 'complaint initiated inspections' and settings being subsequently downgraded.
She went on to say that in her experience on the day of an inspection, inspectors are often helpful and give positive feedback, however (inspection) reports come back saying something completely different, with settings being penalised for issues that do not impact on a child.
Ms O’Sullivan told Dee Gason that there appears to be a ‘secret quality assurance programme’, and that a frank and open conversation is needed between the sector and inspectorate.
Ms Gason replied that Ofsted’s website explains about what is required of early years settings and confirmed that judgements are also based on what an inspector knows historically about a setting.
