Nursery World's Ofsted survey findings 'extremely concerning', says sector

Findings from our survey into nurseries and childminders’ experience of Ofsted inspection, published this week, reveal nursery owners, managers and childminders feel ‘on edge’, stressed and anxious in the run-up to an inspection, with many experiencing sleepless nights and some suffering from panic attacks and depression.

A total of 3,066 people took part in our online survey, which ran from 29 March to 5 April. Of these, 1,941 users completed the survey in full, while 1,125 provided a partial response.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said it was 'extremely concerning' that such a high number of professionals are reporting stress, anxiety and sleepless nights ahead of inspection.

'While it is of course vital to monitor the quality of all education provision, inspections should be a collaborative, positive and constructive process. Instead, in an increasing number of cases, it is leaving educators exhausted, distressed and demotivated at a time when many are already faced with shoestring budgets, sky-high workloads and severe staffing challenges.'

‘The sector should feel supported and encouraged to deliver the best possible education and care, yet as Nursery World’s research shows, inspections have become a burden that is leaving many at the end of their tether.’

National Day Nurseries’ (NDNA) director of quality and training, Stella Ziolkowski, said that the findings 'need to be taken on board by Ofsted and their inspectors when they are contacting and visiting settings.'

She went on to highlight the 'major concern' for providers – the potential for inspection gradings to lead to a loss of local authority funding, which she said ‘disrupts working families and leads to an unsettling lack of continuity of care for children if they have to move settings.'

Both organisations, along with software provider Famly, reiterated the need for a ‘wholesale review’ of the current inspection system, as well as an overhaul of the complaints system.

Last week, in a statement, Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman promised change, including looking again at its complaints process, which the inspectorate confirmed to Nursery World applied to both schools and early years settings.

Leitch said, ‘It’s clear that not only a wholesale review of the current inspection system – including Ofsted’s one-word judgement approach – is urgently needed, but it is absolutely crucial that early years providers, alongside schools and other education settings, play a central role in this.’

Ziolkowski added, ‘Although the majority of respondents to this survey thought their latest inspection outcome was fair, a third think it was unfair. This shows how crucial it is for there to be a robust and fair appeals process that providers can trust.’

Their thoughts were echoed by Matt Arnerich, director of brand and communications at Famly, who told Nursery World, ‘While the numbers tell a story, it’s the words of those leaders left anxious by these inspections that have left a lasting impression.

'It’s clear that we need a system that problem solves together with settings – along with a complaints process that is fair and calm for panicked leaders worried they’ll fall on the wrong side of a one-word judgement.

‘We must have a regulator who makes sure children are safe and well cared for in the early years. But in an age where parents are more connected to their child’s play than ever before, and online reviews force transparency for settings, it’s becoming increasingly unclear why the quality of education should make up such a large part of the judgement.’