Ofsted Update | Early Years Inspection Arrangements

This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Interim Senior Advisory Teacher EYFS & EYFS Moderation Manager Sharon Rose on behalf of Ofsted, for the attention of the Early Years sector.

On the 12th November 2020, Ofsted announced their new policy paper; Inspection of early years register providers: requirements for Ofsted.

This paper sets out the Early Years inspection arrangements  for when Ofsted resumes full inspections routine post COVID-19.

The new arrangements include:

  • Prioritising providers rated less than good
  • Schedule early years inspections based on the most current risk assessment of the provision from its work as a regulator, including each provider’s previous judgement
  • Inspect providers on the early years register - within 6 years from the date of their last inspection
  • Prioritise the first inspection of providers on the early years register, aiming to still inspect all new childcare providers within 30 months of registrations where possible.
  • Childcare providers judged to require improvement will be inspected within a year and inadequate childcare provision will be inspected within 6 months.

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