In its response to the Education Select Committee’s report into the role and performance of Ofsted, the Government said that it did not agree with the committee’s view that Ofsted should be split into two new inspectorates.
The committee’s report in April had concluded that Ofsted had become too unwieldy to be effective.
‘Structural change is costly (in terms of time, as well as money) and disruptive. Prioritising it would divert attention and resources from the more critical and urgent task of pursuing and securing the inspection reforms we consider to be vital,’ the Government response said.
‘As the committee has recognised in setting out its evidence, there remain arguments, supported by key stakeholders, for continuing with a single inspectorate. The current system in England is built around single points of accountability in local authorities, under the control of directors of children’s services and the Government has no current plans to change this.’
However, the Government said it agreed with the need for different inspection approaches for different sectors.
Ministers have asked Ofsted to propose new arrangements for inspecting local authority children’s services and early years and childcare settings. ‘Ofsted is developing its proposals and will consult on them later this summer. Once the new arrangements are confirmed Ofsted will publish its new inspections frameworks,’ the response said.
Inspectors' experience
The MPs’ report had highlighted a lack of relevant and recent experience among inspectors.
But the Government report said that the ‘selection, training and monitoring’ of inspectors came under the remit of the chief inspector, and said that in surveys, 90 per cent of settings had said their inspections were of a high standard.
However, the Government said that plans for a secondment programme to ensure that inspectors had ‘recent frontline experience’ were worth considering.
However, the Government agreed with the MPs’ report that the Voluntary Childcare Register should be reformed.
‘This is just one aspect of early years and childcare inspection and regulation that is currently under review, as part of our overall inspection reforms.’
Following the Tickell review of the EYFS, officials are working with Ofsted ‘on a range of regulation and inspection issues relating to early years and childcare.'
The department is planning a statement on the Government’s policy for the Foundation Years later this summer and proposals for reforming the VCR will be considered in light of this, the Government said.
The National Day Nurseries Association said the Government was right not to split Ofsted in two and with the decision to keep a single inspectorate.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, ‘The suggestion of separate inspections for nurseries who provide both care and early learning was concerning, especially as under the EYFS it is not appropriate to split the two elements.
'We believe continuing with a single inspectorate is the best way to continue to raise standards and ensure that the wider public understands Ofsted’s role. NDNA is pleased that this response recognises the need to focus inspection on the providers who need it most, and that Government will be taking steps to reduce bureaucracy and unnecessary administration.’
Ms Tanuku added that it was not clear whether early years providers would need to continue with the self-evaluation form, which some NDNA members found to be ‘time consuming’.
Making reports clearer for parents
She also said, ‘This response raises some interesting points around reports and their accessibility for parents. It is crucial that there is a fair process in place that balances the need for the report being published with nurseries being able to respond to any areas of concern. While the Government intends to work with Ofsted to look at how reports can be improved, we would also stress the importance of supporting parents’ understanding that an inspection report should form only one part of their decision making process.’
However, Ms Tanuku said she was disappointed that no-notice inspections for all providers, including schools would not be introduced.
‘The sector will be disappointed that the long-standing discrepancies in early years inspection notice have not been addressed so that all parents benefit from a no-notice inspection approach,’ she said.