Pre-school Education: Standards
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Ofsted’s early years inspection framework in distinguishing between isolated management failures and serious failings when determining inspection outcomes.
Answered by Department for Education
The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. It is committed to ensuring that all children receive high-quality early education in safe and nurturing settings. As an independent, non-ministerial government department led by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Ofsted is responsible for developing, maintaining and evaluating its inspection frameworks and approaches.
The government is supporting a strengthened improvement and accountability system, including through more frequent inspections, strengthened quality assurance, enhanced inspector training and additional safeguarding activity. We are providing over £4.5 million in funding this financial year, and at least £8 million across future years, including for an additional 3,000 unannounced visits a year, more inspectors for larger or more complex settings and a strengthened registration process.
These measures are intended to support consistent, evidence-based inspection outcomes and provide parents with up-to-date information about the quality and safety of early years provision.
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