The National Childminding Association is calling for an urgent meeting with Sir Michael Wilshaw, following his comments, which were made at the Education Select Committee on Wednesday.
During an exchange with MP Damian Hinds, who asked what he thought of the EYFS and what should be different, Sir Michael replied, ‘What I hear is where the EYFS is properly applied it works. Where it is not properly applied, it doesn’t work particularly effectively and it is just an issue of care and support and not education. The difference in outcomes between nurseries, children’s centres and childminders is quite stark if you look at the report.
‘My view is that we should really look at the future of how we inspect early years, and particularly childminders, to make sure that the very large numbers of children in childminding settings are given a good delivery.’
He added that while he thought a lot of children’s centres were doing good work in supporting disadvantaged families, ‘I think the issue is for childminders it becomes childminding, care and support, rather than subscribing to the EYFS education goals.’
Sir Michael also hinted that childminders could be taken out of the Ofsted inspection regulation and inspection process and considered separately from other early years settings, because the cost of registering childminders was high.
Sir Michael, (pictured), said, ‘In childminding, the registration process is pretty expensive.We spend a lot of money on it. But we need to thinkabout the future and how we inspect childminding institutions. I don’t think we can carry on doing it as we have been doing. Every time a youngster goes into a childminding setting….two children…that’s unsustainable.
'We need to think how we network childminder institutions with high performing children’s centres and Sure Start and nurseries.’
He added that Ofsted was consulting with the education sectretary on how to make the inspection system more efficient, more effective, and provide greater value for money.
Such a move would have wide-ranging implications for childminders, as well as the Government’s planned expansion for places for disadvantaged two-year-olds, given that many childminders provide childcare for babies and toddlers.
Liz Bayram, joint chief executive of the National Childminding Association, said, ‘We are keen to understand why Sir Michael identified childminders as failing to deliver the EYFS when the vast majority have been graded good or outstanding by Ofsted.
‘Even the minority judged "satisfactory" are deemed fit to deliver the current framework.’
As the professional association for registered childminders the NCMA has 37,000 childminder and nanny members.
Ms Bayram added, ‘Childminding is a thriving part of the childcare sector, in contrast to much nursery provision, currently struggling to remain viable. Childminders have the skills and experience that the DfE can build on given that so many two year-olds are cared for by childminders.
‘The DfE is also planning to ensure quality delivery of the free entitlement by aligning its qualifying criteria with the EYFS inspection process.’
‘NCMA members appreciate that it is essential for their profession, that parents have the reassurance of knowing that childminders deliver the EYFS and are inspected in the same way as nurseries. This equality of status is highly valued by childminders and parents.
‘We believe that any proposed changes to inspection and regulation of childminding need to be very seriously considered. It is essential that children continue to benefit from a safe, high quality experience of care and learning. Any planned changes must continue to maintain the current level playing field with group settings, so that parents continue to be reassured and childminding sustainability is not put at risk.’
An Ofsted spokesperson said, 'Many childminders do a very good job in helping children develop and learn through the EYFS.
'However, as reported in Ofsted’s Annual Report last year, while the sector is improving overall, the difference between the quality provided by childminders and those who provide childcare on non-domestic premises has widened, particularly since the introduction of the EYFS. The Chief Inspector was simply reflecting this evidence.
'We regularly meet with the NCMA to discuss matters around childminding and will discuss these issues and those concerning the future of inspection with them.'
