Joining the inspectorate as the new curriculum leads for early education are Nursery World contributor Julian Grenier, who is currently head of Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Newham, and Mireille Macraild, who is currently education services director early years at Herts for Learning Ltd.
Nursery World understands the pair will take up their new roles after Easter.
It follows the move by Ofsted to focus more on an early years setting’s curriculum offer under the Early Years Inspection Framework (EIF).
The news comes after Ofsted’s deputy director for schools and early years, Gill Jones, left the inspectorate in October after working there for more than 15 years. Replacing Jones is Lee Owston, formerly programme director for schools.
An Ofsted spokesperson said, 'As part of our 2022-2027 strategy, we are committed to further developing our knowledge around the importance of early years education. We are delighted to be expanding our curriculum unit which will further strengthen our early years expertise.'
Ofsted has also confirmed to Nursery World it is looking into its complaints process.
At an Ofsted Big Conversation (OBC) in Bolton in January, delegates highlighted a lack of early years representation on the complaints panel. Responding, Ofsted explained that there used to be representation within the Step 3 panel, but due to Covid, the face-to-face meetings had been postponed.
Nursery World understands that Ofsted’s review of its complaints process will include looking at the step 3 panel and provider representation.
An Ofsted spokesperson said, ‘We keep all our processes under review to make inspections as collaborative and transparent as possible. To do this, we listen to the experiences of those we inspect, as well as our inspectors.’
