Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that early-years providers have an opportunity to demonstrate rapid improvement following an Ofsted inspection.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Ofsted report cards provide much greater transparency and insight, offering education professionals the information needed to drive improvement across the education system. Ofsted’s renewed Education Inspection Framework will clearly identify areas of strength and where a setting needs to improve.

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​Where Ofsted identifies that a setting or childminder has areas to improve, Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs provide targeted, diagnostic-led support through Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers. These Advisers offer bespoke, one-to-one coaching and professional guidance, including observing practice, supporting self-evaluation, developing clear and actionable improvement plans and advising on evidence-informed approaches to strengthen quality and sustain long-term improvement.

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​Early years providers receiving a below-expected-standard judgement will be reinspected on an accelerated timetable to ensure providers are given the opportunity to demonstrate rapid improvement to Ofsted, typically within 12 months for ‘needs attention’ and 6 months for ‘urgent improvement’.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ofsted’s inspection framework on the wellbeing of early-years staff.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

​​The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. Ofsted is an independent non-ministerial government department, and as the regulator for early years provision, holds responsibility for inspection and operational impact. We recognise concerns raised by the sector regarding wellbeing and know there is still more to be done. We know that children thrive when they are cared for by confident, well-trained educators who feel valued. This means attracting, training and keeping great staff, and making sure they are valued and supported throughout their careers, with more support from day one.

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​We have developed the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which sets out commitments from the department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to protect and promote staff wellbeing. The charter can be used to inform a whole school or college approach to wellbeing. Over 4,300 schools and colleges have signed up.

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​The department also signposts to mental health and wellbeing resources for education staff, this includes Education Support’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for staff working in education

The Committee is exploring how the education system should adapt to prepare young people to be active and informed citizens in preparation for the introduction of votes at 16. This includes the role of schools and colleges in supporting pupils to engage with challenging political issues, and in tackling misinformation and disinformation, whilst ensuring impartiality and avoiding bias.