Ofsted publishes new inspection framework
Katy Morton
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Ofsted inspections are to place a greater focus on the progress children make in their learning and less on paperwork, under changes set out in its new early years framework, published yesterday.
As of this month, Ofsted inspections of nurseries and childminders will focus more on children’s education and their personal and emotional development.
As before, early years providers will be given a judgement on their overall effectiveness. Inspections will take into account the effectiveness of provision to meet the needs of the range of children who attend, how well nurseries and childminders identify any particular needs children may have and arrange appropriate help, the contribution practitioners make to the well-being of children, and the effectiveness of leadership and management.
Under changes to the framework, Ofsted will consider the extent to which children are supported to acquire the skills and capacity to develop and learn effectively and be ready for the next stages in their learning.
Early years providers will also have more flexibility in managing their own service as Ofsted will no longer be routinely issuing restrictions or conditions on regulations, such as the number of children settings can care for. Instead, providers will be directed to the relevant legal requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Other changes to the framework include the way Ofsted registers early years providers. Childminders will now be expected to apply for registration only when they are confident that they know and understand everything they need to do to meet requirements, including completing all their training.
In order to improve the information provided to parents, Ofsted will be making inspection reports more user-friendly. The new reports will include a front page summary, recommendations for good practice and any further actions required of providers.
The way Ofsted investigates concerns is also changing. Rather than simply investigating an issue raised, a full inspection of a setting will be carried and the report published on Ofsted’s website.
Ofsted’s national director of education Susan Gregory said, ‘It is crucial that children’s earliest experiences give them the best start in life. Through better inspection Ofsted wants to help ensure that every child has the best possible support in their learning and development, whilst ensuring that they are safe and well cared for. That’s why inspections are going to focus even more on interactions with children, and less on paperwork.’
As before, early years providers will be given a judgement on their overall effectiveness. Inspections will take into account the effectiveness of provision to meet the needs of the range of children who attend, how well nurseries and childminders identify any particular needs children may have and arrange appropriate help, the contribution practitioners make to the well-being of children, and the effectiveness of leadership and management.
Under changes to the framework, Ofsted will consider the extent to which children are supported to acquire the skills and capacity to develop and learn effectively and be ready for the next stages in their learning.
Early years providers will also have more flexibility in managing their own service as Ofsted will no longer be routinely issuing restrictions or conditions on regulations, such as the number of children settings can care for. Instead, providers will be directed to the relevant legal requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Other changes to the framework include the way Ofsted registers early years providers. Childminders will now be expected to apply for registration only when they are confident that they know and understand everything they need to do to meet requirements, including completing all their training.
In order to improve the information provided to parents, Ofsted will be making inspection reports more user-friendly. The new reports will include a front page summary, recommendations for good practice and any further actions required of providers.
The way Ofsted investigates concerns is also changing. Rather than simply investigating an issue raised, a full inspection of a setting will be carried and the report published on Ofsted’s website.
Ofsted’s national director of education Susan Gregory said, ‘It is crucial that children’s earliest experiences give them the best start in life. Through better inspection Ofsted wants to help ensure that every child has the best possible support in their learning and development, whilst ensuring that they are safe and well cared for. That’s why inspections are going to focus even more on interactions with children, and less on paperwork.’
