Early years organisations and practitioners have broadly welcomed Ofsted's plans for minimal notice inspections, a new grading system and greater reliance on self-evaluation and quality assurance schemes.
But the inspection service has been warned that successful implementation of its proposals, outlined in the consultation The Future of Early Years Inspections, will require effective communication and close partnership with childcare organisations.
June O'Sullivan, chief executive of the Westminster Children's Society, said she felt heartened to see that Ofsted had proposed adding a new category of 'excellent'. Under the current regime, settings are graded from 'good' to 'unsatisfactory'.
She said, 'We complained to Ofsted that it was rather demotivating to be graded "good". During our last inspection we tried to persuade them to put something in about excellent practice, especially where there is something original being developed by a setting.'
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