Changes to the children’s centre
inspection framework from April 2013
Rachael Flesher HMI
28 June 2013
The case for change (1):

access to good quality early childhood services
helps children get the start they deserve

every family using children’s centres deserves
services that are at least good

a shared commitment to give local areas greater
autonomy and flexibility

significant changes in how local authorities
organise children’s centres, including centres that
share services

revised statutory guidance; payment by results
trials.
The case for change (2):
Children's centres perform best when they:
 have a detailed understanding of their local
community
 reach a high proportion of their target
population
 involve centre users in shaping and delivering
services
 have strong accountability and performance
management systems
 have high quality evidence - compelling
information about the impact of the centre’s
actions on children and families.
Overview of key changes:



reduced set of judgements (from 20 to four)

larger inspection teams and longer inspections
for some types of inspection events


retention of an optional self-evaluation form

re-inspection of centres judged to ‘require
improvement’.
introduction of a ‘requires improvement’ grade
mixed remit teams on every inspection to
ensure coverage of centre provision
retention of up to three days notice of
inspection
For the purposes of inspection :

a single inspection and report for a group of
centres where they share leadership and
management and integrated services


inspection of single centres
wherever possible and appropriate inspections
will take place simultaneously across a locality
where local authorities or partner
organisations deliver integrated services
collaboratively.
Key term: simultaneous inspection events
A simultaneous inspection event may
consist of:


one or more children’s centre groups

any combination of these depending
on local authority arrangements.
up to six or seven single centres ( may
be a collaborative arrangement)
Increased emphasis on:

the role of the local authority as the responsible
body for children's centres and increased local
authority engagement during inspections

centre leader’s role and inclusion throughout the
inspection process




on-site preparation and planning for the inspection
joint observations
case tracking
performance management - including staff
supervision.
Four grades for judgements




Outstanding
Good
Requires Improvement
Inadequate
The four judgements
 Access to services by young
children and their families.
 The quality and impact of practice
and services.
 The effectiveness of leadership,
governance and management.
 Overall effectiveness.
Overall Effectiveness
Inspectors will consider:

whether the centre is meeting its legal
requirements to make sufficient early childhood
services available

the difference the centre makes to the young
children and families in the local area

arrangements for targeted families to access
services

the quality of universal and targeted services
and the impact they have on outcomes for
targeted young children and their families
Overall Effectiveness

the effectiveness of governance, leadership and
management in monitoring performance and
making sufficient resources available to meet
the needs of young children and families in the
area.
Planning for inspection




importance of accurate
information from local authorities
SureStart_On
end of ‘inspection amnesty’
fewer deferrals.
Contacts
Inspection queries
[email protected]
Children’s centres delivery model
[email protected]
SureStart_on queries
[email protected]
Check your information on ECHarris Surestart_on
http://www.surestart-echarris.com/welcome.aspx
Further information on inspection
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/early-years-andchildcare/for-early-years-and-childcareproviders/childrens-centres/childrens-centres