NCMA urges Ofsted response

On behalf of all our members, NCMA has written letters to Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw and Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP.

The letters are to request urgent meetings following comments made by Sir Michael at the Education Select Committee on 29 February about ‘childminders not using EYFS properly’ and the future of inspection in the early years, ‘particularly registered childminders’. 

NCMA’s joint chief executive, Liz Bayram, said, "the vast majority of childminders are graded good or outstanding by Ofsted and even the minority graded satisfactory are deemed fit to deliver the current EYFS framework. So we were surprised to hear Sir Michael say this and have asked to meet him so that he can explain."

At the committee meeting, Sir Michael also said that he is consulting with the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, on childminder registration which he described as ‘expensive’. 

"Again," said Liz Bayram, "this was a surprise to us, as the DfE has made clear, childminders are integral to the delivery of the new EYFS framework and of the free entitlement to disadvantaged 2-year-olds."

"NCMA members are well aware that the childminding profession is a thriving part of the childcare sector, which is in contrast to much nursery provision, currently struggling to remain viable. Childminders have the skills and experience that the DfE can build on, given that so many 2-year-olds are cared for by childminders. 

"We emphasised to Sir Michael and Michael Gove that our members appreciate the importance of parents having the reassurance of knowing that childminders deliver EYFS and are inspected in the same way as nurseries. This equality of status is highly valued by childminders and parents. 

"NCMA explained in strong terms the need for very careful consideration to be given to any proposed changes to inspection and regulation of childminding.   The letters explained that it is essential that children continue to benefit from a safe, high quality experience of care and learning and that  there must continue to be a level playing field for childminders and group settings. 

"What we want to emphasise is that as the professional association for registered childminders and nannies, with more than 37,000 members, any developmental thinking by government should be done in conjunction with the insight, knowledge and experience that NCMA brings", concludes Liz.

Update: the uncorrected transcript can be seen here, and Sir Michael Wilshaw's comments about childminders start at question 79.

Page last updated: 3/6/2013