My nursery was inspected over two days in June. The inspector was intimidating and critical, staff were left in tears and I was called a liar. Parents were badgered to criticise the nursery, staff taken to one side and invited to criticise colleagues. I immediately made a formal complaint to Ofsted about the inspector's conduct.
The Ofsted report was unfair and inaccurate. The inspector did not go into the three- and four-year-olds' room but gave an inadequate rating for our educational provision.
I appealed and Ofsted conducted an investigation, involving a representative coming to the nursery for two days. It was extremely upsetting and stressful. I also had a huge battle to get the damaging report taken from Ofsted's website.
The investigation agreed that there were inaccuracies in the report, and decided it had been 'perverse' for the inspector not to have spent time in our pre-school room. The report was overturned, and we will be re-inspected.
I learned two surprising facts about the appeal process:
- the extent of Ofsted's 'quality assurance' is only to check that there is accuracy between the inspector's notes and comments that end up in the inspection report. Of course, if the notes are wrong, it is no comfort to the nursery that they are then accurately reflected in the final report.
- for a complaint to be upheld, the nursery has to prove their point beyond any doubt. For Ofsted not to uphold a complaint, it is enough for them to say that there is insufficient evidence, or that it is a matter of one word against another. This makes it very hard indeed to have a complaint upheld. No wonder people give up.
This process has had a huge effect on morale and the business. I have not felt able to advertise or to undertake any public relations while this is hanging over us, with the result that we will struggle this autumn.
I am astounded that Ofsted does not record statistical information about complaints or re-inspections. Why not? I think this is an area that Nursery World and readers should get involved in, and share experiences. Taking a stand is the right thing to do.
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