Do you feel that inspections in Early Years settings are necessary and help to shape good practice?

Ofsted aims to achieve excellence in the care of children and in education and skills for learners of all ages. Registered childcare can be varied and parents and carers need reassurance in the effectiveness of each individual setting.

  1. 21% said Yes, the inspection process is a supportive framework.
  2. 24% said No, regulation of Early Years providers is not consistent.
  3. 55% said Maybe, recognition of good practice is always welcome, but sometimes the whole process makes practitioners nervous.

Comments

Anonymous said on 16 April 2011

WHY IS IT THAT EALRY YEARS PROVIDERS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO GET NO NOTICE? SURELY EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE SAM TREATMENT FROM OFSTED?

Anonymous said on 16 April 2011

We all want the best for the children in our care

rhearn said on 14 April 2011

impossible for one size fits all approach when provision is so diverse

Faye Bowden said on 14 April 2011

The new inspection process is not long enough for example when we had ofsted they came in at 8.10am and finished by lunchtime!!! That means they didn't have enough time to get a view of the setting.

Anon said on 10 April 2011

I think that it's important that a national inspection system for early years is maintained to ensure that standards are being maintained - both safety and education. All settings should be inspected with no notice given. I've noticed that some schools, work into the night to ensure that everything is in order after the phone call is received.

jane linley said on 3 April 2011

Judgements made can be subjective and the grades awarded may vary from Inspector to Inspector especially between good and outstanding. Much seems to depend on the particular interest of the individual inspector. There appears to be no consistant criteria of what constitutes 'outstanding'.

LovelyruthieEYP said on 2 April 2011

Our CC is due for it's OfSTED inspection & we are about to go through a mock inspection by our neighbouring CC. It's a process that promotes good practice, encourages staff to do their very best & is an opportunity to get recognition for all the good work the setting does. I might possibly be one of the few practitioners out there that *enjoys* inspections :)