CYP Now - Early years inspections during Covid

Ofsted analysis highlights the ways childcare providers have adapted how they support children’s language and communication development during the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Jo Stephenson.

Settings have reported success in using technology to communicate with parents and are keen to continue. Picture: Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock

Routine inspections for early years providers are on hold for the time being but Ofsted has continued to keep a close eye on how settings are faring amid the Covid-19 pandemic, explains Her Majesty’s Inspector and principal officer for early education Wendy Ratcliff.

Face-to-face visits got under way again in the autumn. In the period from 1 September up to 13 November, inspectors visited 416 early years providers across England.

Those prioritised for “interim” visits – which do not result in an inspection judgment – were providers judged “requires improvement” or “inadequate” at their last inspection who were asked to take action to meet safeguarding and welfare requirements and whose inspection was overdue.

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