Ofsted rates early years services inadequate
Jess Brown
Monday, June 6, 2016
Young children living in the most deprived areas of Wiltshire are not getting the support they need, it has emerged.
Wiltshire Council is not providing good enough support and development for early years provision in disadvantaged areas, according to an Ofsted outcome letter published today. This makes it the third worst local authority in south west England.
Out of eight inspections in early years settings in Wiltshire, carried out in March, half were rated inadequate or ‘requires improvement’. Only 36 per cent of children achieved a good level of development, and many have made insufficient progress due to ineffective teaching, Ofsted reports.
The inspections, which also included telephone surveys with a further 11 early years settings, came after a review of data that revealed a gap in learning and development outcomes for children in deprived areas compared to their peers.
But inspectors did see some improvements, and praised the council’s 'clear' strategy to improve early childhood provision. Ofsted also reports that the council’s recent focus on supporting disadvantaged communities by increasing provision for two-year-olds is ‘well directed’.
Ofsted is recommending that Wiltshire council:
- Targets high quality support to weaker providers, ensuring children from deprived areas access the best provision
- Support and develop staff in settings to improve their early years knowledge and skills, and improve methods used to evaluate impact of this training
- Strengthen providers’ monitoring of teaching and the progress made by children to give a clear idea of what needs to improve
Bradley Simmons, Ofsted Director for the South West, says the council has begun taking positive steps, but that much still needs to improve.
“It cannot be right that over 300 young children living in these areas are not able to master basic skills such as being able to hold a pencil, count to 20, listen to a story or express themselves.
“Good learning and development is vital if children are to grasp the basics skills before they start primary school. It is important that the council take swift action so that these children are able to catch up with their peers and have the best possible start in life.”
