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Ofsted chief to deliver 'must do better' warning to nurseries Ofsted chief to deliver 'must do better' warning to nurseries
(about 9 hours later)
Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of education, will this week warn childminders and nurseries that they will need to show more evidence to parents that they are preparing young children for the academic rigours of school.Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of education, will this week warn childminders and nurseries that they will need to show more evidence to parents that they are preparing young children for the academic rigours of school.
He will insist that proof be provided to parents that progress is being made in key areas, and is also expected to usher in a new set of standards for providers of early years education. A source close to Ofsted said Wilshaw believed that there were "serious weaknesses in the information provided to parents, meaning it is difficult to hold providers of early education to account". He will insist that parents be given proof of progress in key areas, and is also expected to usher in new standards for providers of early years education. A source close to Ofsted said Wilshaw believed that there were "serious weaknesses in the information provided to parents, meaning it is difficult to hold providers of early education to account".
He wanted parents to be able to easily see that their child was being taught a rich vocabulary, enjoying nursery rhymes, learning to build small towers with blocks, and being given the chance to listen to stories and look at books. In a speech to launch Ofsted's annual report on early years providers, he will say that he wants parents to be able to see their child is being taught a rich vocabulary, enjoying nursery rhymes, learning to build small towers with blocks, and being given the chance to listen to stories and look at books.
It is understood that Wilshaw is particularly concerned that children in the country's most disadvantaged areas are being badly let down by staff who do little more than supervise.It is understood that Wilshaw is particularly concerned that children in the country's most disadvantaged areas are being badly let down by staff who do little more than supervise.
Last year, Wilshaw said, tens of thousands of young children were being cared for in substandard preschools and nurseries. Some 157,778 under-fives were at facilities considered by Ofsted either inadequate or in need of improvement.Last year, Wilshaw said, tens of thousands of young children were being cared for in substandard preschools and nurseries. Some 157,778 under-fives were at facilities considered by Ofsted either inadequate or in need of improvement.
An Ofsted source said: "Beyond the Ofsted reports, there is nothing to show how a childminder or provider of childcare is performing on a general basis to prepare a child for school. An Ofsted source said: "Beyond the Ofsted reports, there is nothing to show how a childminder or provider of childcare is performing on a general basis to prepare a child for school. We are not talking about tying children to desks to learn times tables, but they should be counting, learning numbers, and doing things to earn rewards.
"We are not talking about tying children to desks to learn times tables, but they should be counting, learning numbers, and doing things to earn rewards. "At the heart of all of this is that we need to focus on getting those children from disadvantaged backgrounds the help that they need. If the gap isn't closed by the age of five, the chances of overcoming that disadvantage are very slim for a lot of children."
"At the heart of all of this is that we need to focus on getting those children from disadvantaged backgrounds the help that they need. If the gap isn't closed by the age of five, the chances of overcoming that disadvantage is very slim for a lot of children." Scientists have found that the more mental stimulation a child gets at about the age of four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in years ahead.
Scientists have found that the more mental stimulation a child gets at around the age of four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in the decades ahead.
Wilshaw has already written to Ofsted's early years inspectors urging them to focus on checking that the provision they see is offering children the right stimulation. In the letter, he reminds inspectors that they should "focus on evaluating whether children are being adequately prepared for the start of their statutory schooling".Wilshaw has already written to Ofsted's early years inspectors urging them to focus on checking that the provision they see is offering children the right stimulation. In the letter, he reminds inspectors that they should "focus on evaluating whether children are being adequately prepared for the start of their statutory schooling".
However, it is understood that there is unhappiness among some in the sector at Wilshaw's directions. Many believe that his priorities stand in contradiction to their play-based approach to early years care.However, it is understood that there is unhappiness among some in the sector at Wilshaw's directions. Many believe that his priorities stand in contradiction to their play-based approach to early years care.
The Observer understands that Wilshaw is also expected to call for more information for new parents about what childcare options are available should they wish to return to work. A source close to the education regulator said that the system was confusing to parents.The Observer understands that Wilshaw is also expected to call for more information for new parents about what childcare options are available should they wish to return to work. A source close to the education regulator said that the system was confusing to parents.
"There is such a vast array of options for childcare, from nurseries, to children's centres, playschools, nannies and the rest. For parents, working out what is available and what is most appropriate is very difficult. We want to make that more simple." "There is such a vast array of options for childcare, from nurseries to children's centres, playschools, nannies and the rest. For parents, working out what is available and what is most appropriate is very difficult. We want to make that more simple."
Last year, Ofsted introduced tougher inspections for nurseries and pre-schools, and those rated as failing are at risk of closure if they do not rapidly improve. Under the current system, only a rating of good or outstanding is considered acceptable. Those that fail to meet these standards could face having their registration cancelled, which would effectively close them down.Last year, Ofsted introduced tougher inspections for nurseries and pre-schools, and those rated as failing are at risk of closure if they do not rapidly improve. Under the current system, only a rating of good or outstanding is considered acceptable. Those that fail to meet these standards could face having their registration cancelled, which would effectively close them down.