This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22184434
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Nurseries and childminders to face tougher inspections | Nurseries and childminders to face tougher inspections |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nurseries and childminders in England will face tougher inspections under proposals announced by Ofsted. | |
| Under the plans, childcare providers currently classed as "satisfactory" will be dubbed "requiring improvement" and undergo extra inspections. | Under the plans, childcare providers currently classed as "satisfactory" will be dubbed "requiring improvement" and undergo extra inspections. |
| The move follows concerns that nurseries are not improving fast enough, particularly in deprived areas. | |
| The Pre-School Learning Alliance warned that real improvements would require better funding for childcare. | The Pre-School Learning Alliance warned that real improvements would require better funding for childcare. |
| The Chief Inspector of Education Sir Michael Wilshaw announced a consultation on the proposals in a speech to an invited audience in London. | |
| Similar changes were made to school inspection ratings last year. | |
| 'Raising expectations' | 'Raising expectations' |
| Ofsted says that evidence from its inspections shows that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are not improving fast enough between inspections, particularly in poorer areas. | Ofsted says that evidence from its inspections shows that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are not improving fast enough between inspections, particularly in poorer areas. |
| The latest Ofsted figures show that in 2012 the majority of England's nurseries and childminders were judged "good" (62%) or "outstanding" (12%) by inspectors - but 25% were judged "satisfactory" with 1% classed as "inadequate". | The latest Ofsted figures show that in 2012 the majority of England's nurseries and childminders were judged "good" (62%) or "outstanding" (12%) by inspectors - but 25% were judged "satisfactory" with 1% classed as "inadequate". |
| Under the proposed changes from September only "good" or better will be deemed acceptable by Ofsted. | Under the proposed changes from September only "good" or better will be deemed acceptable by Ofsted. |
| The watchdog says the proposals "will raise expectations and tackle weaker settings". | The watchdog says the proposals "will raise expectations and tackle weaker settings". |
| Nurseries and pre-schools "requiring improvement" will undergo more frequent inspections and will have a maximum of four years to achieve a "good" rating. | Nurseries and pre-schools "requiring improvement" will undergo more frequent inspections and will have a maximum of four years to achieve a "good" rating. |
| Those which fail to do this are likely to be then judged "inadequate" and may face having their registration cancelled. | Those which fail to do this are likely to be then judged "inadequate" and may face having their registration cancelled. |
| "We all know from the research that children's early years are a period of rapid development and vital for building a secure foundation for future personal and academic success," Sir Michael said. | |
| "Parents, whatever their circumstances, want their children to access good quality childcare and get a good early education that sets them up well for statutory schooling. | "Parents, whatever their circumstances, want their children to access good quality childcare and get a good early education that sets them up well for statutory schooling. |
| "Yet too many providers are not good enough, particularly in the most deprived areas. We must be tougher on weak settings. From September 2013, nurseries and pre-schools judged less than good will need to improve rapidly." | "Yet too many providers are not good enough, particularly in the most deprived areas. We must be tougher on weak settings. From September 2013, nurseries and pre-schools judged less than good will need to improve rapidly." |
| Sir Michael added that Ofsted would encourage good or outstanding childcare providers to support weaker ones. | Sir Michael added that Ofsted would encourage good or outstanding childcare providers to support weaker ones. |
| Ofsted's most recent report on early years providers said that despite an overall improvement, many children were not well prepared for school, particularly in poor areas. | Ofsted's most recent report on early years providers said that despite an overall improvement, many children were not well prepared for school, particularly in poor areas. |
| The report, analysing inspection reports from 2011-12, said: "It is a concern that 34% of children are not working securely in communication, language and literacy by the end of the early years foundation stage. | The report, analysing inspection reports from 2011-12, said: "It is a concern that 34% of children are not working securely in communication, language and literacy by the end of the early years foundation stage. |
| "It is also worse in deprived areas where 41% of children are not working securely in communication, language and literacy as a whole," it adds. | "It is also worse in deprived areas where 41% of children are not working securely in communication, language and literacy as a whole," it adds. |
| Mixed reactions | Mixed reactions |
| Sir Michael said that inspections would also include a focus on qualifications held by early years staff. Earlier this year the ministers announced a series of measures designed to improve the quality of early years education and and cut costs. | Sir Michael said that inspections would also include a focus on qualifications held by early years staff. Earlier this year the ministers announced a series of measures designed to improve the quality of early years education and and cut costs. |
| These included allowing nurseries and childminders to look after more children, but only if there is a qualified graduate present. | These included allowing nurseries and childminders to look after more children, but only if there is a qualified graduate present. |
| Ministers also said it was not acceptable that childcare professionals are not required to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and maths. | Ministers also said it was not acceptable that childcare professionals are not required to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and maths. |
| Commenting on Ofsted's announcement, the Education and Childcare Minister Elizabeth Truss said: "I want to see more teacher-led nursery classes where children are learning so that they arrive at school ready to progress." | Commenting on Ofsted's announcement, the Education and Childcare Minister Elizabeth Truss said: "I want to see more teacher-led nursery classes where children are learning so that they arrive at school ready to progress." |
| Groups representing childcare providers had a mixed reaction to the plans, broadly welcoming the focus on improvement. | Groups representing childcare providers had a mixed reaction to the plans, broadly welcoming the focus on improvement. |
| But Neil Leitch of the Pre-school Learning Alliance warned that the term "requires improvement" may mean little to parents: "Any setting, regardless of Ofsted rating, should always be looking to improve. | But Neil Leitch of the Pre-school Learning Alliance warned that the term "requires improvement" may mean little to parents: "Any setting, regardless of Ofsted rating, should always be looking to improve. |
| "While we welcome the aspiration of high-quality childcare, without a rethink on policy and adequate funding from government, we struggle to see how a real improvement will be made." | "While we welcome the aspiration of high-quality childcare, without a rethink on policy and adequate funding from government, we struggle to see how a real improvement will be made." |
| Purnima Tanuku, of the National Day Nurseries Association, urged the government "to make sure that there are sufficient support mechanisms in place to help weaker settings get better". | Purnima Tanuku, of the National Day Nurseries Association, urged the government "to make sure that there are sufficient support mechanisms in place to help weaker settings get better". |
| She warned that local authority cuts had reduced the amount of local improvement work and free training for staff. | She warned that local authority cuts had reduced the amount of local improvement work and free training for staff. |
| Anand Shukla, of the Daycare Trust, added: "We are particularly concerned by the suggestion that Ofsted will be the sole arbiter of quality in the early years. Ofsted is ultimately a regulator with a limited remit and is not resourced to enable it to influence providers in all parts of England. | Anand Shukla, of the Daycare Trust, added: "We are particularly concerned by the suggestion that Ofsted will be the sole arbiter of quality in the early years. Ofsted is ultimately a regulator with a limited remit and is not resourced to enable it to influence providers in all parts of England. |
| "Local authorities tend to have local intelligence and are closest to providers." | "Local authorities tend to have local intelligence and are closest to providers." |