Excellence in childcare promoted in new report
Many under eights in childcare in Warwickshire are getting an ‘outstanding’ start to life according to a report published by Ofsted last week.
The Ofsted report, ‘Leading to excellence: A review of childcare and early education providers 2005-08’ focuses on how well childcare settings are organised, led and managed to promote positive outcomes for children.
The report, based on evidence from 90,000 inspections of childcare and early education providers across the sector, over a three year period, examined the ways effective childcare and early education support child development.
The round of inspections included 976 in Warwickshire. Of this number, 46 were given the highest Ofsted rating of ‘outstanding’, this evidences highly effective support for children’s welfare, learning and development exceeding national standards.
During this period a small minority of Warwickshire providers were given notice to improve and have been supported to do so with advice and intervention from Warwickshire County Council’s Early Years team.
‘Leading to excellence’ provides a complete picture of how well early years and childcare settings are helping children to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy themselves, achieve and make a positive contribution. It includes examples of how the best settings are organised, led and managed to promote good experiences and outcomes for children.
Ofsted inspections continue to be an important catalyst for improvement. Over the last three, years Ofsted gave 94 per cent of providers inspected at least one recommendation on ways to do better.
Improvement following inspection represents a determination by providers to do better for the children they serve, often supported by local authorities and professional associations.
Parents and carers looking for childcare should contact the County Council’s Family Information Service. The service holds information about all childcare settings in the county and can offer impartial advice about making the right childcare choices to ensure a high standard of care is received. Detailed information about each setting, including recent reports is available to help parents make informed decisions.
Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Childcarers in Warwickshire receive fantastic support from the county council’s Early Years Team. On the whole they are passionate about their roles in shaping futures and take full advantage of training and advice readily available to them.
“Choosing childcare can be a difficult job for parents and carers and concerns about standards should not be taken lightly. Warwickshire families are lucky to have access to the Family Information Service that provides details of local childcarers and offers a wealth of additional support to help parents make informed choices and access advice on a host of family related matters.”
Parents should be assured that the Ofsted inspection process is a rigorous one, investigating 14 national standards of care which relate to all aspects of a child’s welfare. Ofsted and local authorities work with childcarers to consistently improve standards, provide training and offer help and advice to improve.
Leading to excellence: A review of childcare and early education providers 2005-08’ can be viewed or downloaded online at http://www.leadingtoexcellence.ofsted.gov.uk
For more information about the Family Information Service visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis or call the helpline on 0845 090 8044