Settings well organised while QA boosts ratings
Catherine Gaunt
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ofsted's third and final review from the three-year cycle of inspections focuses on how early years and childcare providers organise, lead and manage settings to promote positive outcomes for children.
The report, and a new website, give examples of good practice from thethree-year cycle of inspections.
Nearly all settings (97 per cent) were found satisfactory or better inorganisation, and more than half (54 per cent) good or outstanding.
The report said, 'In the best settings, adults organise the day to focuson the needs of each child. The providers promote an ethos wherechildren are welcomed warmly and adults show how they value each childas uniquely special.'
In one example given from a children's centre, an inspector said,'Parents complete an "all about me" booklet which shows where childrenare in their development so key staff can tailor activities to meetchildren's individual needs.'
Although Ofsted does not inspect quality assurance (QA) schemes, thereport said inspections showed that settings that are part of a QAscheme generally provide higher-quality early education and childcare,and this was particularly true of childminders.
For example, 85 per cent of childminders taking part in a QA scheme wererated good or outstanding in childcare compared with 59 per cent ofthose who were not.
Among daycare settings, 74 per cent of those in a QA scheme providedgood or outstanding early education, compared with 62 per cent of thosewho were not.
FURTHER INFORMATION
'Leading to excellence: a review of childcare and early educationprovision 2005-08 with a focus on organisation, leadership andmanagement' is at www.ofsted.gov.uk/leadingtoexcellence.
