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by Jess Gibson

Single-word Ofsted judgements will be scrapped for schools "with immediate effect" to “boost school standards and increase transparency for parents”, the government has announced today. 

The announcement states that the removal of headline judgements for other settings inspected by Ofsted – including early years providers – is set to follow, saying: "The removal of single headline grades for other settings inspected by Ofsted – namely independent schools, early years settings, colleges, children’s social care providers, and initial teacher training – will follow." 

Though it has not yet been confirmed when this change will be extended to the early years, the Department for Education (DfE) says: "The DfE and Ofsted will work in partnership with the sector over the next year to develop alternative inspection and regulation arrangements that maintain a strong focus on quality and standards, whilst responding to feedback on what needs to change. New arrangements will take account of the unique characteristics of the sector but will broadly reflect the report card approach that is being taken for schools." 

The DfE also highlighted that, as it stands, settings' ability to receive early entitlement funding is linked to their most recent overall effectiveness rating, adding: "We are considering whether any amendment is required to the regulations governing the early education and childcare entitlements and plan to provide further information and guidance by the time any new inspections from September 2024 onwards publish their reports." 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years �������������, said: "We know that Ofsted inspections are the single biggest source of stress for early years providers, with our research showing that the vast majority of settings are in support of the removal of single-word judgements. As such, confirmation that this change will also apply to the early years sector is undoubtedly positive and is likely to be warmly welcomed by providers across the country. 

"That said, it remains disappointing that despite the fact that this policy change will ultimately impact the entirety of the education sector, today's announcement was almost entirely focused on schools. 

"While we recognise that there are additional considerations that must be taken into account for the early years – such as the fact that Ofsted judgements are currently linked to early entitlement funding eligibility – it remains vital that this change is also applied to our sector as soon as possible. 

"As we have said time and time again, education doesn't begin and end with schools. We therefore urge both the Department for Education and Ofsted to ensure that as this process of change begins, early years are treated as a priority."