http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/early-years-november-2013
The document says that ‘Inspectors should be aware that Development Matters has been replaced by Early Years Outcomes’ - available from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-outcomes.
We have not been told this and...
· Development Matters is still on the www.foundationyears.org.uk/eyfs website
· Early Education still has an article on its website saying that Development Matters is current - http://www.early-education.org.uk/news-and-events/article/1733
· Early Years Outcomes is the ‘unique child’ column of Development Matters with a few very small changes.
Personally, I do not like Early Years Outcomes - the layout is not great - the changed wording does not support the learning and development of babies and younger children - it does not contain all the good practice information that is within Development Matters - it does not inform providers about the Characteristics of Effective Learning (and they are an important part of inspection)...
However, this statement in Ofsted News tells us what inspectors will be looking for... so I don’t think we have a lot of choice. I think we all need to make a decision - when do you change all your Development Matters references to Early Years Outcomes? Do you re-print the document for children’s files now or wait until you take on new children? How will you justify your continued use of Development Matters (in light of this announcement in Ofsted News) if you have an inspection tomorrow?
Future Ofsted inspections
Ofsted News also says that tougher inspections are coming...
· Satisfactory grade is now not good enough - it is ‘requires improvement’.
· Inadequate providers will be re-inspected within 6 months (not 12) and, if still inadequate, they will be shut down.
· Your previous history (eg complaints made against you) will be taken into account during your inspection - not just your performance on the day. This might mean that some providers who are offering an outstanding service at inspection will be graded lower than outstanding because of their past history.
· DBS records will be checked for everyone over 16 living or working on the premises. If you do not have a DBS (formerly CRB) check in the process of being done for a newly moved in partner or a 16 year old child they will be classed as unsuitable. Note that evidence for DBS checks is now much harder to provide for 16 year olds and we strongly recommend you check the requirements early and make sure they have a bank account, birth certificate, provision licence, passport etc to ease the process of applying for a DBS check. More information here - https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/documents-the-applicant-must-provide-.
· If you have staff their qualifications and supervision, performance, CPD will be checked to make sure it is having a positive impact on the children. The EYFS has all the wording you need - your record keeping must be robust.
· Inspectors will evaluate how well you are teaching the children. Childminders must not panic when they read this - it is what we do every day when we support, help, advise, encourage, challenge, plan for, observe, assess, discuss learning with parents etc... it is just a new way of looking at what we already do.
Childminder agencies
Ofsted News says that a regulation and enforcement system for childminder agencies is currently being developed. There will be a consultation coming soon. We need to be ready to respond to this consultation - the Childminding Forum and our Independent Childminders Facebook group will help you with this -
· Childminding Forum - www.childmindingforum.co.uk
· Independent Childminders Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentchildminders/.
New / updated Ofsted documents -
· Evaluation schedule for inspections of early years registered provision - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120086
· Conducting early years inspections - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120087
· Early years inspections report template with guidance - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120354
· SEF and guidance - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/080104
· Framework for the regulation of provision on the Early Years Register - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120288
· Guidance on writing complaint and compliance action summaries - www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/100162
There will be more updated documents to follow... for example, we note that the accident reporting, risk assessment and medication factsheets have disappeared from the Ofsted website (10.11.2013). We advise that if any childminder is unsure about what to report or record (during this transitional period) they should ring and ask rather than using the old documents.
We will update you as new information filters through. If you spot any new documents please let us know. Thank you.