The work of early years providers has been praised in a new report by Ofsted which found that all types of childcare provider can, and do, deliver the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage well.
The report, The impact of the Early Years Foundation Stage: A good start, examines the work of early years providers across the sector, from large primary schools to childminders working alone with one or two children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the statutory framework against which providers of early education are judged, and includes requirements for the provision of young children’s learning and development, and welfare. The report focuses particularly on two areas of learning: personal, social and emotional development, and communication, language and literacy skills.
Children’s Minister Sarah Teather charged Dame Clare Tickell with carrying out a review of the Early Years Foundation Stage in July 2010, and Ofsted’s report is intended to inform that review.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert said: “Childcare in England has improved since the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our evidence shows that all kinds of provider, from schools to childminders, can deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage well and that children are enjoying their time, whatever type of provision they attend.”
The report found that, in the best provision, providers of childcare operate successful routines, they have a good understanding of children’s learning requirements and they maintain high expectations of children’s behaviour. Nine out of the twelve childminders ranked as outstanding who were visited during the survey had qualifications above the minimum level required, and ten of the twelve were members of local childminding networks.
The percentage of providers ranked as outstanding by Ofsted had increased from 59 per cent in August 2008 to 68 per cent in August 2010.
The report, The impact of the Early Years Foundation Stage: A good start, can be found at: www.ofsted.gov.uk
