NDNA and NCMA welcome Ofsted early years report

Both the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the National Childminding Association (NCMA) praised the report for highlighting the value of quality assurance schemes.

The report said day care settings that take part in quality assurance schemes, like those on offer from both NDNA and NCMA, are more likely to do well in inspection reports.

Liz Bayram, chief executive of NCMA said she wanted to see more local authorities signing up to childminding quality assurance schemes.

She said: ““We know from our own evidence that quality improvement childminding networks, such as NCMA Children Come First networks deliver considerable benefits. While many local authorities have taken up the scheme the rate of growth has slowed. This trend must be reversed if we are to see consistent quality outcomes for all children in childcare settings.”

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA said: “Quality assurance schemes enable teams to explore and formally develop all aspects of care, which ultimately helps raise the bar in inspections. With the move to self evaluation, we believe these schemes will become even more vital in supporting settings to develop quality.”