麻花影视comments on concerning鈥 inspection outcomes statistics
4th March 2014
The Pre-school Learning 麻花影视has voiced its concerns about the ongoing lack of adequate support for children鈥檚 centres and early years providers following the publication of the most recent inspection outcome statistics for both sectors.
Commenting the recent children鈥檚 centre inspection outcome statistics, published today, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:
鈥淚t is extremely concerning to see the steep rate of decline in children鈥檚 centre outcomes since the introduction of the new framework. Between April 2013 and October 2013, the percentage of centres judged to be 鈥榠nadequate鈥 has nearly quadrupled compared to the previous reporting period, rising from 3% to 11%, while the proportion rated as 鈥榞ood鈥 or 鈥榦utstanding鈥 has fallen from 64% to 52%.
鈥淚t鈥檚 disappointing that Ofsted has chosen to respond to such alarming statistics simply by arguing that the new framework has 鈥榬aised the bar鈥. Even if this is the cause of this downward trend, it鈥檚 vital that Ofsted recognises that just 鈥榬aising the bar鈥 isn鈥檛 enough 鈥 centres must be supported in meeting these new 鈥榯ougher鈥 standards.鈥
The statistics also reveal that, between April 2013 and October 2013, only 23% of children鈥檚 centre groups were rated as 鈥榞ood鈥 with none judged to be 鈥榦utstanding鈥. In comparison, 61% of single centres were judged to be 鈥榞ood鈥 or 鈥榦utstanding鈥.
Neil said: 鈥淲ith half of all children鈥檚 centres now working in a group arrangement, it鈥檚 very worrying to note such a stark variation in quality between centre groups and single centres. Given the growing financial pressures on this sector, we are very likely to see formation of many more group centres in the near future, and so it鈥檚 vital that Ofsted provides the necessary support for such centres to ensure the families using these provisions are receiving a good quality of service.鈥
Commenting on the latest early years inspection outcomes statistics which show that, of all providers inspected between September 2012 and October 2013, 67% were judged to be 鈥榞ood鈥 or 鈥榦utstanding鈥, 25% 鈥榮atisfactory鈥 and 8% 鈥榠nadequate鈥, Neil said:
鈥淎s these statistics only provide a small update on the data released in December, the figures come as no surprise. However, we remain concerned that Ofsted鈥檚 鈥榯ougher鈥 inspection framework has resulted in such an significant increase in 鈥榠nadequate鈥 judgements, and decrease in 鈥榞ood鈥 and 鈥榦utstanding鈥 grades, compared to previous years.
鈥淎gain, it is not enough to introduce a more rigorous framework without ensuring that providers have access to the necessary support, training and guidance needed to meet these standards. We look forward to the publication of statistics relating to inspections that have taken place since the introduction of the new early years inspection framework, which will provide a more comprehensive picture of the current state of the sector.鈥
For further information, please .
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes for editors
- The latest
- The Pre-school Learning 麻花影视is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
- Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the 麻花影视supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The 麻花影视also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
- For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: