The need to develop a more constructive relationship in the future between early years providers and the inspectorate was the subject of a series of events held across England last weekend attended by more than 600 people.
The Ofsted Big Conversation campaign saw childminders, nursery providers, early years associations and representatives from local authorities come together to discuss their concerns about the regulator’s new tougher approach to inspections, which has seen significant numbers of nurseries downgraded over recent months.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation who spearheaded the initiative, said event attendees debated topics including the training of inspectors, inspection feedback and Ofsted’s complaints and appeals procedures.
O’Sullivan, who led a meeting in London, said: “Generally it was a grown-up and good discussion. We don’t need any more evidence – we know about Ofsted not sticking to their own guidance, poor feedback on them not sticking to their own timelines on appeals and about access to information, which is very hard to get.
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