Common Inspection Framework: Part 3 - Delving into the detail

Since the last article in this series was published, Ofsted's new Common Inspection Framework (CIF) has come into force. Settings are now being inspected on new evaluation schedules (which set out the key judgements made by inspectors) and have to reconsider what evidence they will collect to demonstrate they are meeting the new requirements.

To prepare for an inspection, managers and practitioners must ensure they are making reference to the correct inspection handbook (Early Years Inspection Handbook for private, voluntary and independent (PVI) group provision and childminders; School Inspection Handbook for nursery schools and nursery classes in schools). The CIF continues Ofsted's helpful practice of providing very detailed information about the criteria against which each aspect of provision will be assessed, the sources of evidence inspectors will look for and the grade descriptors that will be used to evaluate that evidence. Not only does Ofsted outline the questions it will ask of providers but it also provides details of what answers to give and how those answers can be backed up by evidence.