Yesterday (9 September) Ofsted published updates to the Early years inspection handbook – GOV.UK
- There are changes throughout clarifying references to funded places and what should be considered on inspection.
- Wording has been amended to reflect how the inspector will consider the context of the setting, including where relevant the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
- Wording has been updated to align with part 2 and part 3 of the inspection handbook.
- The Good grade descriptor for Quality of Education has amendments regarding an ambitious curriculum for all children.
- The Inadequate grade descriptor for Quality of Education has amendments regarding disadvantaged children.
We can expect further, more significant changes following the outcome of Ofsted’s Big Listen published last week; in which Ofsted state
“The Big Listen feedback told us to adapt our regulation and inspection practices to be bespoke and proportional to the size of settings and the number of hours they care for children. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework is what all early years providers must follow, by law. It sets the expected minimum standards for all providers. The EYFS is the basis for our inspection practice: we make sure all providers follow it. We will build on all the positive aspects of our current approach by introducing a new early years inspection framework, built on our current strong principles but more flexible to apply to different types of setting.”
