Ofsted outsources inspections
NCMA Press Office (15/03/2010)
Ofsted has confirmed that
inspections of early years settings is to be outsourced in
England.
The regulator has
appointed two companies to undertake day to day inspection
and registration visits.
Tribal Group Plc has been appointed to cover the
contract area for the South region and Prospects Services Ltd has
been appointed to cover the work in the North and
Midlands. Both companies have
signed a five year contract and will take effect from 1 September
2010.
All childminders will be
written to in the summer by Ofsted with more information about the
transfer of inspections and NCMA will work closely with Ofsted,
Tribal Group and Prospect Services to ensure all inspectors are
fully aware of the unique nature of childminding settings.
Ofsted does not
expect providers to be impacted by the change - the
contracts make provision
for Ofsted’s early years inspectors and support staff to transfer
to the new contractors to enable
consistency.
NCMA has highlighted
the importance of ensuring both that childminders
receive consistent inspections and that all inspectors should have knowledge,
understanding and experience of home-based
childcare.