Editor’s view - Bubble Benefits

Ofsted has, of course, been unable to carry out its usual schedule of full inspections across the early years sector during the pandemic, but it has produced its Covid-19 series of briefings, which have proved really illuminating.

The latest set of these were published in mid-December as I write (see news story on our website) and the early years report paints a vivid picture of life in settings from childminders to PVI providers to maintained nursery schools during the most challenging of times.

There were plenty of concerns about children’s development and safety, business viability and staff well-being, but also successes and joys found in new ways of working, which might have happened by necessity, but which could prove durable and beneficial.

Providers have had to think carefully what they want children to learn and remember in adapting the activities and experiences they offer.

It is fascinating to find that grouping children in smaller ‘bubbles’ improved staff knowledge about what each child could do, enabling them to plan more focused teaching, while children played more co-operatively with one another. And that having limited resources could result in children getting more out of each activity.

Some providers said that they had been able to develop staff with more training on SEND, communication and language, and mental health.

Set against all this, of course, are the negative impacts on PSED, physical development and behaviour, as well as safeguarding. And Ofsted points out the severe financial problems for settings, especially with fewer children on roll - why won’t the government also listen and take action?

Finally, with vaccination beginning, could Ofsted look at take-up among staff and families and whether settings have promoted this, to support us all getting back to ‘normal’.