Speaking at the recent debate on early years in Westminster Hall (see above), Charlotte Atkins MP said that in Staffordshire, where her constituency is, nearly 1,300 new full daycare places had been created since April 1999. However, there was 'one cloud on the horizon - delays caused by Ofsted'.
Ms Atkins said, 'Since it took over on 1 September, no new facilities have been registered. That situation might persist until March and could result in the loss of many potential providers, because those people will not be able to wait for very long.'
She asked whether the school standards minister, Stephen Timms, was aware of these problems, and what he was doing to tackle them. 'Although I recognise the value of registration - we must ensure the quality is right - it is important to be aware that in a very low-income area such as Staffordshire, provision cannot wait for six months on no income for registration.'
Jonathan Shaw MP raised another concern about the new regime - that inspectors are now working in isolation. Under the Early Years Directorate, inspectors work from home, although they come together for team meetings. Mr Shaw said he felt this had removed an 'important informal network' that was important for child protection.
Ofsted's role in inspecting education in reception classes and its impact on children was also raised in the debate. Valerie Davey MP said Ofsted was examining not only the literacy hour in year 1, but the development of the formal stage of education in the reception year. She said the education and skills committee's report on early years included 'some very careful words' from people at Ofsted and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 'who tried almost to fudge the fact that the curriculum stretches back into the reception year and can be judged by Ofsted in terms of curriculum'.
Ms Davey said, 'I want the Reggio concept of the creative spirit and the creative nurturing of the child to develop through the reception year into year 1 and as far up the system as possible... I want to underline the report's view that we need to ensure a less formal approach in the foundation year and into year 1. We should question Ofsted about being too strict in its observance through year 1.'
* See Special Report, pages 10-11
