Where to start?
A 'few' changes have taken place and some will happen in the near future....and there have been new publications recently....keep looking at Ofsted and 4 Children newsletters...it will help you.
We now have a new inspection framework...the Common Inspection Framework...which focusses on teaching NOT paperwork but you may have heard of that
Ofsted will return to inspecting EY settings next year in April 2017...at times Ofsted do listen to the sector
Ofsted have had their budget cut like everyone else...we don't as yet know how that will reflect on us
DfE has announced ALL registration fees will be reviewed...finally we can raise the discussion again and scotch all rumours!!
Ofsted Big Conversation has resulted in positive actions especially in setting up Scrutiny Panels for Complaints...they will include CMs.
Latest Ofsted statistics have shown an increase in the good/outstanding grades at inspection...including Cms who Ofsted have 'praised' for the rise in standards...but no apology from HMCI bashing of cms in the past
...uh! Sir Michael Wilshaw is retiring in December...a new head is being hunted for Ofsted and DfE has started looking in the US I hear
a few new Ofsted guidance publications were out recently so you will need to look at to bring yourself up to speed...especially the one Cms can now work 50% from home and the rest running an after school club.
If you employ an assistant beware of the new National Living Wage and pension schemes you have to pay for your employee
EYFS remains the same...in some sections it is really out of date ...but eh! the DfE does not care at all...just follow it if you can
too many providers still do too much paperwork but you can reflect on your own system...do not ever do it for Ofsted's 'just in case'...do as required but no surplus!!
Cms Agencies...9 are now registered and you can find them on the Ofsted website
there is still a little veil of secrecy but they are being promoted again by 4Children...one agency in particular has well over 10 Cms ...or 17 I think...on their books so we await the agency first ever inspection .now that Ofsted has published how they will be inspected...and no grading for agencies!
Cms think there is little going on....some beg to differ....Cms are not joining in droves and there are constant calls for the govt to rethink agencies...but this govt is suffering from severe 'listening problems' and everything is as clear as mud!
Latest Ofsted statistics show another drop in Cms....now that they are needed so much for the 30 hours many are packing up and saying goodbye!...who can blame them?
There have been changes to Tax Credits for Cms like everyone else it is harder to claim so you have to work harder
Have you heard of the 30 hours childcare?.... another last minute Tory policy to attract voters ...policy still 'under construction' with some LA taking part in the trials from Sept 2016...and providers starting to lose patience!
at the moment no one knows what future funding will be as we await another consultation...so you will need to continue subsidising childcare if you do 15 hrs funding until Ministers decide
The Tax Free Childcare has had another small set back and has been delayed a wee bit...childcare vouchers have been extended....lots to look out for there!
Following on the 30 hours there are various conferences and endless discussions about how this will work ...how...and who needs to work together ('working together' is the new buzzword) in EY at present...but you will soon hear about this...be prepared!
DfE has encouraged providers to be 'grateful' for the money invested in childcare and Gyimah...remember him?....has asked sector to be more positive and not stir up trouble which has got on some people's nose...don't blame them.
The EY pot is constantly on simmer...there is a lot going on and we need to be patient and vocal in opposing some of the rubbish policies the DfE spews out
I am sure you have heard of all schools being forced to become academies?...2 petitions are out if you want to sign and joint he 100,000s who have signed...some worry about the implications for the EY sector.
Teachers are fighting against the Baseline Assessment which is being reported on tv at their conference...brave people they are.
Did you take part in the DfE consultation on funding a while back? if you did the DfE has no records of our response...which some spent hours arriving at.... because another company did the consultation...Deloitte and the records belong to them so the FOI cannot be followed.
Deloitte was commissioned by the DfE but looks like DfE never asked for records?...it's a mad world
Don't feel too overwhelmed...keep informed and good luck
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