Updated inspection handbook
**UPDATED FROM Ofsted**
The Early Years Inspection handbook has been updated (3rd April 2018), mostly to confirm that Ofsted have now withdrawn their self-evaluation form (SEF).
Inspecting registered early years providers: guidance for inspectors - GOV.UK
Updates / changes as follows:
• Paragraph 4 – updated to reflect current inspection cycle.
• Paragraphs 37 & 59 – amended for the removal of the Ofsted self-evaluation form (SEF) and confirming there is no requirement for self-evaluation to be written.
• Paragraph 109 – clarification that it is an offence to fail to notify Ofsted of a significant event or fail to comply with a condition of registration, ‘without good reason’.
• Paragraph 113 – deleted final sentence to remove duplication.
• Paragraph 107 – provides guidance of when an inspector should contact ARC about an inadequate judgement.
• Paragraph 121 – further clarification to confirm that we do not make the judgement on ‘outcomes for children’ for providers who provide care exclusively before or after school for younger than Reception aged children.
• Paragraph 134 – inspection managers added to those who may undertake quality assurance of inspections.
• Paragraphs 148 & 170 – references to ‘narrowing gaps’ amended to ‘reduce any differences’.
• Paragraph 153 – minor amendment to the final bullet in good grade descriptors for effectiveness of leadership and management to more accurately reflect descriptors for overall effectiveness. Deleted ‘the setting meets the statutory safeguarding requirements’.
Updates to the Ofsted myths document (16th March 2018):
• Ofsted updated myths 4, 8 and 9 which cover self-evaluation and risk assessment.
The Early Years Inspection handbook is very good reading for your self-evaluation and action planning and useful to check through if you are due an inspection. It tells you what will happen and how your setting will be judged by Ofsted.
You can read more about how I will be self-evaluating and planning for the future in this blog - Self-evaluation and action planning - the future.
The myths document is useful for dispelling some of the legends that have grown up around inspection over the years and is part of Ofsted’s commitment to work more closely with providers.
I have written 4 blogs about early years myths which are linked from here - http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fo...-too-much.html.
Sarah :D
