Analysis: Ofsted inspections - Why go private?

Just as providers are getting to grips with new-style inspections under the EYFS, more change is on its way. From 1 September this year, Ofsted plans to outsource all of its early years inspections in England, a move that is fuelling anxiety over continuity and expertise of the inspection process.

According to Ofsted, the privatisation route will free it up to focus on quality, bringing greater value for money and flexibility. This move, it says, will enable it to respond to the challenges of 'a changing national agenda while maintaining high standards of inspection'.

It also outlines that over time, the outsourcing of day-to-day management of inspections will create opportunities for strong early years practitioners to train to inspect, and share good practice.

On the vital subject of quality improvement, Ofsted wants to see more settings having input into the process itself.

Jean Humphrys, director of early years development at Ofsted, says, 'We already carry out a survey of providers' views, but from September we are intending to introduce a survey after each inspection.'

Maintaining integrity

More feedback from providers themselves on how inspections should be conducted is certainly something that sector organisations such as the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA) would like to see happening.

At the PLA, director of quality improvement Michael Freeston says, 'From our point of view, what is most important is integrity of inspections, and we have always been focused on the amount of time spent on them. This is particularly key where inspectors are going into settings where there is sessional care.'

Mr Freeston believes that the sector is questioning the skills of the contracted companies. 'We know that the Tribal Group has experience in schools, but little is known of Prospects Services, and many may be surprised by its appointment.'

The fact that Ofsted says the new arrangement will free it up to do more analysis on quality improvement is certainly welcomed.

Mr Freeston says, 'The sector greatly values thematic reports around issues such as leadership and management, and looking at what happens at particular times during the day in the nursery. Feedback on these is genuinely very useful and informative, and more is needed.'

Mr Freeston says the PLA will continue to monitor the inspection process through the National Consultative Forum. 'Through this we receive feedback from settings on the issues raised and general comments, and these get filtered up to the national office,' he says. 'We have found that we have had a constructive relationship with Ofsted and it engages well.'

Job losses

In February, public sector union Unison reported that Ofsted was inviting voluntary redundancies from its early years inspectors, reflecting the drop in numbers of childcare providers. Now, with its move to outsourcing early years inspections, there are fears that more jobs may be lost.

Until the contracts with its private contractors are signed, Ofsted says it cannot confirm the size of its workforce, but says it will match the amount of work to be done.

The need for greater transparency is called for by Jon Richards, Unison national officer for Ofsted. 'We don't know what the model for early years inspections is, because we have not been able to see the proposals made by those who have bid,' he says. 'We would like to know how, as a model, it differs from schools.'

Mr Richards believes that early years inspectors feel they haven't been treated equally to schools inspectors. 'While early years have had a pay freeze for three years, higher-graded HMIs have had pay rises up to 6 per cent,' he says.

At the National Children's Bureau, Dwynwen Stepien, director of the Early Childhood Unit and chair of the National Quality Improvement Network (NQIN), emphasises that Ofsted needs to meet regularly with local authorities to support quality improvement programmes.

Ms Stepien says, 'Historically this has been the case, but this contact has now been withdrawn, and there are currently no routes for Ofsted early years to meet with local authorities. However, a new link HMI role is being developed and recruited to, and the person occupying this will link with the director of children's services and cover all Ofsted issues.'

With NQIN seeking to support the work of local authorities in developing 'reflective practitioners', Ms Stepien feels it is crucial that Ofsted models this essential principle. She also thinks that Ofsted must ensure an effective dialogue with providers about the forthcoming changes.

'It is a worrying time for providers, with continual changes,' she says. 'The local authorities run briefings and provide newsletters to providers, but even this leaves little time to reassure providers whose livelihood and quality ratings depend on one Ofsted visit. How can they be reassured, with so little information available? It is essential that details are provided for local authorities to help inform worried providers.'

Guidance Needed

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA, says, 'Our members' biggest concern will be that they receive a fair, useful and consistent inspection from someone with a credible level of knowledge of the sector.

'As part of this, we hope that Ofsted will issue clear guidance and advice about what nurseries can do if they feel the inspection is not consistent. This should include Ofsted themselves receiving any complaints so they can identify any particular patterns that need to be addressed. NDNA will be monitoring this and gathering feedback to members.'

Ms Tanuku continues to be anxious that each inspector has relevant qualifications, experience and expertise in early years. 'We would be concerned if those who have a background in inspecting schools, for example, were asked to look at nurseries. Ofsted will need to require that outsourced inspectors undergo intensive training and have relevant qualifications and experience.

'It is also vital that the outsourced inspections follow existing reporting procedures. Parents increasingly look at Ofsted reports, so there must be consistency in these and how the inspection has been carried out.'

She adds, 'NDNA would expect Ofsted to look at implementing robust quality assurance processes, including random checks on inspectors and reports.'

With the new contracts due to kick in on 1 September, Ofsted clearly has much to do - and to communicate.

It says that it is already talking to stakeholders about the changes, and all providers will receive a letter explaining how the new regime will work in June or July.

At Unison, Jon Richards says, 'Ofsted is on a very tight timetable - they have less than six months before they hand over to Tribal and Prospects. We will continue to work with them, but with the contractors' documents deemed commercially sensitive, there is a lot we don't know.'

Meanwhile, Ms Humphrys is keen to reassure the sector that they will not see any major upheavals in the inspection process.

'We have experienced inspectors and experienced staff and they will continue to work and inspect in the way they do now,' she says. 'We will listen to the feedback and will use it as we continue to develop and improve inspection.'

She adds, 'In the long term, we want to make inspections stronger, and our key aim is to ensure they are focused on quality so that children can enjoy the best possible care and education.'

Providers have no choice but to wait and see what the transition brings. Meanwhile, they hope Ofsted will be as upfront as it possibly can be in keeping them abreast of developments.

LOOKING AT PROSPECTS AND TRIBAL

Prospects Services currently employs 1,200 staff in 60 locations nationwide, providing a range of services to government departments, the Learning and Skills Council, local authorities, schools, colleges, employers and others.

Prospects manages and delivers Connexions and integrated youth support services for more than 300,000 young people in 20 local authority areas across the country in schools, colleges, Connexions and other sites.

The new service represents a £71m contract and covers 55 per cent of the country, spanning the North of England and the Midlands.

Prospects aims to support inspectors in the field by introducing a bespoke computer system. It says its commitment to partnership working and communication with Ofsted, providers and parents will underpin the way it delivers its service.

The Tribal Group will take over inspections in the south of England, in a contract worth £64m. Tribal has over 2,000 staff and its clients are primarily from the education, health, central and local government sectors. Its operation spans 40 countries.

The five-year contracts are expected to begin on 1 September.