Acombined inspection is one that 'combines' the annual Children Act inspection with an inspection of nursery education for funded three-and four-year-olds. Now that Ofsted has taken over responsibility for both types of inspection, it is possible to bring the two together so that they happen at the same time. This eases the burden for providers.
The purpose of a combined inspection is to evaluate:
* whether the registered person is suitable to continue to provide childcare in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and
* the quality of educational provision for funded three-and four-year-olds.
What is new?
National Standards You will recognise many similarities to your 'old'
annual inspection by the local authority - you may even have the same inspector! The main difference is that we make judgements about your provision against the 14 National Standards, and this will contribute to an overall judgement about whether your registration will continue.
A significant feature of the National Standards and the new inspections is that they are 'outcome' based. You need to show us how you meet each standard, that is how you achieve the outcome. If we identify weaknesses in your provision, you need to demonstrate what you will do to remedy the weakness rather than us telling you how to do this. This allows you more scope to develop your provision in the way in which you want, providing you meet the standards.
Nursery education Again there is a great deal of similarity with previous Ofsted inspections. We still look at the quality of the educational programme and evaluate the progress children make along the stepping stones to the early learning goals. The Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage remains the key document for all providers in receipt of funding for three-and four-year-olds.
Revised scale We are introducing a four-point grading scale for the quality of nursery education, so we can make key comparisons between provision in funded nursery education and maintained schools. The grades are:
* The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years' time.
* The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years' time.
* The provision is acceptable but has some significant areas for improvement. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is limited by some significant weaknesses. The next inspection will take place in one to two years' time.
* The provision is unacceptable. Children are making poor progress towards the early learning goals.
Leadership and management We now make judgements about the quality of leadership and management and its effect on the progress of children receiving funded nursery education. We use the following criteria:
* leadership of the setting;
* the setting's ability to assess its strengths and weaknesses;
* effectiveness of the nursery setting in monitoring and evaluating the provision for nursery education; and
* extent to which the setting is committed to improving care and education for all children.
Revised report format The report for a combined inspection is in three parts:
* characteristics of the setting;
* whether registration will continue, including any actions raised or conditions imposed; and
* judgements about the quality of the nursery education including any key issues for action.
When will I have my combined inspection?
We are carrying out small numbers of these inspections now. A full programme will start in April 2003. You are more likely to have an early inspection if:
* you have never had an inspection of your funded nursery education;
* you are due to be inspected within one to two years.
After your first combined inspection, further ones will take place every four years unless your provision has significant weaknesses in the funded educational programme, in which case they will occur more frequently. In all other years, you will have a 'normal' annual Children Act inspection.
How can I prepare for thecombined inspection?
Read the National Standards and accompanying guidance. The guidance explains what inspectors will look for in relation to each standard. It also tells you what documents you must have, such as an accident book. Make sure that staff working with funded three-and four-year-olds are familiar with the early learning goals in each of the six areas of learning.
Have ready all necessary documents and any other items such as photographs, plans or records that show what you do. It is not necessary to produce extra documents specifically for the inspection.
We will telephone you to explain what we will do and what we need to see and you can talk to us about any aspects that concern you. You can also arrange the best times for discussions with key staff, and any arrangements you want for oral feedback. However, please do not change the normal running of the nursery's day. Provide as normal a day as possible with your normal staff. We will try to keep disruption to a minimum. It would be helpful if you and your staff could make yourselves available to speak to us at times that are convenient to the running of the day.
In many settings, one inspector will carry out the whole inspection. In some large or complex settings, two inspectors may work together.
What will the inspectors do?
We will:
* check whether funded children are still on the register (if they are not, then the combined inspection will not go ahead);
* discuss how we propose to spend our time;
* check what documents are available;
* arrange a convenient time at the end of the inspection to give oral feedback.
We will look for evidence to see:
* whether the 14 National Standards are met;
* the progress that the funded children are making towards the early learning goals in each of the six areas of learning;
* how well they are taught;
* how well the setting is led and managed;
* the effectiveness of the partnership with parents and carers; and
* the improvement since the last inspection of funded nursery education.
We gather evidence by talking to adults and children; observing activities; and checking the accommodation, children's work, displays, re-sources and relevant documents. We make notes throughout the inspection by hand or on a laptop computer.
At the end of the inspection we tell you our findings and the outcome of the inspection. This is called the 'oral feedback'. You may wish to invite other people to the feedback such as staff working with the funded children, your early years development worker and someone to take notes.
When do I get the report?
After the inspection we write a short report outlining whether your registration will continue and the quality of nursery education. This should reflect the judgements given to you during the oral feedback. We also arrange for any other documents to be sent to you, such as a letter outlining any actions you need to take and, if this is your first Ofsted inspection, a new Certificate of Registration. You need to make the report available to all parents of children being looked after and to any new parents.
The report outlines any actions you need to take or conditions you need to comply with. It also gives the key issues for action to improve your nursery education.
What do I do about actions taken as a result of the inspection?
You should return the slip on the actions letter to your Regional Centre stating what you have done. We may want to carry out an announced or unannounced visit to check you have completed the agreed actions. However, if the action can be checked in some other way, such as by seeing a qualification, a follow-up visit will not be necessary.
You also need to produce an action plan for any key issues arising from the inspection of nursery education. This should outline what actions you intend to take to improve the quality of the nursery education. It should be produced within 40 working days of receiving the final report and made available to the parents of all funded three-and four-year-olds. Your EYDCP may also request a copy. The action plan and any improvement arising from its implementation will be considered during your next inspection of funded education.
Liz Elsom is acting head of quality at Ofsted's Early Years Directorate
More information and support
* OFSTED Useful information and forms are available on www.Ofsted.gov.uk
/about/childcare. Calls to the helpline (0845 601 4771) will be directed to your local regional centre.
* Your local authority can provide you with support and advice. For contact details, check your local telephone directory, call the Ofsted helpline (see above) or see the authority website on www.
name of authority. LESS THAN LESS THAN .gov.uk
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/n The National Standards for Under Eights, Day Care and Childminding, available from your local authority or on the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) website, www.dfes.gov.uk.
* Guidance to the National Standards, available from your local authority or on www.Ofsted.gov.uk/about/childcare.
* Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, available from your local authority or the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), tel: 01787 884444 or e-mail qca@prolog.uk.com.
