Ofsted inspection framework: sector response

However, some early years concerns remain, primarily around the lack of clarity around the definition of ‘cultural capital’, which settings will now be inspected on.

The framework’s publication follows a three-month consultation with the sector on the framework, which comes into force in September, and accompanying inspection handbooks.

Ofsted said it had made some changes following feedback from 15,000 respondents to the public consultation.

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) said that it was pleased to see that many of the key points made in its submission to the consultation had been taken on board by Ofsted, notably concerning the discrepancy between the schools and early years handbooks.

PACEY chief executive Liz Bayram said, ‘PACEY, like many others in the sector, is supportive of the new Education Inspection Framework (EIF), and its renewed focus on quality of education. We hope its reduced focus on outcomes and data will give early years practitioners more time to do what they do best – give children the best start in life – by reducing unnecessary paperwork.’

She added that when implemented the EIF had to be supportive of a wide range of flexible approaches to planning, leading and reviewing and settings would need advice on how to cut down on their tracking and assessment, and how to feel confident in communicating their expertise around effective curriculum planning, design and implementation to inspectors. ‘This has simply not been a focus of their training to date.’

The Early Years Alliance particularly welcomed the acknowledgement of the impact of workload on early years practitioners and how leaders and managers can support that.

The Alliance is currently carrying out work in partnership with Ofsted and the Department for Education to identify what paperwork and administration causes the most stress in the sector.

Chief executive Neil Leitch said, ‘We welcome the evolution of the early years inspection framework and the strong focus on outcomes. Releasing the draft frameworks as part of the consultation enabled the sector to give considered feedback, which Ofsted has recognised in the final documents.