Opinion: Letters

DISCRIMINATING RULE

I read with dismay and disquiet Dawn Primarolo's column last month (6 August). While stating that good-quality early learning and childcare gives all children a better start in life, she then reaffirms the Government's commitment that only settings judged 'good or outstanding' will be able to provide the Free Entitlement to two-year-olds from September.

My understanding is that the Free Entitlement is precisely that - a universal opportunity for all children entitled to access early education. The delivery by only good or outstanding providers will make it a benefit. The EYFS is delivered equally by law by all settings and the EYFS makes no distinction on who delivers it according to grades achieved at inspection.

It goes without saying that qualified practitioners, at level 3 at least, will offer good quality. However, a setting judged satisfactory is actually 'sound but could be better'.

Furthermore, the vast majority of the 60,000 registered childminders with good or outstanding grades are unable at present to deliver the Free Entitlement, if they wish, because they may not belong to a network.

The present system of networks is unable to cater for all childminders who wish to belong. Until the Government rethinks its position on this issue, the exclusion of 'good and outstanding' childminders is nothing short of discrimination.

Simona McKenzie, registered childminder, Twickenham

UP FROM INADEQUATE

I was disappointed to read the 'Letter of the Week' (20 August) responding to the article 'Underbelly of care in poor areas'. The person didn't have the courage or conviction to place a name to their letter, and it was clear that they were not familiar with the publication of 'Early Years Leading to Excellence' on Ofsted's website, which sets out inspection performance across settings. It states that only 3 per cent of settings were judged inadequate and of those, most went on to improve.

As an early years consultant working with settings in this 3 per cent bracket, I was appalled that a range of assumptions were made about inadequate provision by the author without any factual evidence to support their claim.

The owners of all the settings that have experienced an inadequate judgment and contact me for help are absolutely terrified. They have had strong constructive feedback, but are so overwhelmed that they don't know where to start and are concerned about the children in their care. I have seen an owner drop the nursery occupancy of the nursery and close doors to new children until the situation was resolved. She certainly was not focused on 'financial return' rather than quality of childcare, an assumption by the letter writer.

You cannot simply improve things in 60 days. Often the issues are deep-seated and involve a process of 'change', not easily embraced by a nursery team who already have low esteem due to the inspection.

In some cases, it has taken six months, with a focus at every staff meeting, planning meeting and two days of staff training on the EYFS, to even begin to bed in the fundamental principles of observation, assessment and planning.

There are lots of reasons why a setting may receive an inadequate judgment. In my experience, it is due to poorly trained, demotivated staff who have not had support in their roles. It is also about accountability and responsibility. I never cease to be amazed by the lack of understanding that exists among early years workers that their work with children is a serious matter where they are accountable and responsible. There seems to be a belief that it is only the registered person's responsibility.

Finally, the author states that they are contesting their ninth 'false' Ofsted complaint. This demonstrates that being 'outstanding' doesn't mean you get it right all of the time! I believe an 'outstanding' setting is one that is honest and open and admits 'we get it wrong sometimes'. The fact that most inadequate settings improve demonstrates this open, honest approach with a willingness to do better.

Eileen Blezard, director, Childcare Consultancy Management Services

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