麻花影视raises concerns about latest early years guidance for inspectors
21st March 2014
While the 麻花影视supports some detail in the letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw to early years inspectors dated 17 March 鈥 particularly the call for inspectors to focus on what makes teaching and assessment effective, rather than style 鈥 the focus on preparation for statutory learning is less positive.
麻花影视chief executive Neil Leitch commented:
鈥淲e find it fairly ironic that Ofsted is delivering further guidance for inspectors when early years practitioner guidance is being stripped back. More concerning, however, is that this latest guidance appears to focus on teaching and learning with no mention of the EYFS.
鈥淎 child鈥檚 early learning is broad, complex and varied and any inspection process should reflect this; however, the content in the letter could be interpreted as a move towards seriously undermining the intent of the EYFS. It is not the role of the inspectorate to redefine the framework, and we are concerned that this could potentially result in an increase in distorted inspection outcomes.
鈥淭he letter also raises concerns about the perceived lack of confidence Sir Michael has in his own inspectorate and does little to reassure practitioners who believe every inspector should have the relevant competencies and skills to make these judgements, including being able to confidently interpret what they observe in settings against the inspection criteria.
To paraphrase Ofsted themselves: 鈥淭oo many inspectors have been 鈥榖umping along the bottom鈥 when it comes to their knowledge of early years.鈥 The fact that Sir Michael felt the need to write this letter in the first place says a lot about the state of the inspectorate at the moment.
鈥淭he sector has the right to expect high standards of inspection and to be confident that Ofsted鈥檚 own 鈥極nly 鈥榞ood鈥 is good enough鈥 approach is being applied to their own inspection process as well.鈥
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Notes for editors
- 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,