We are currently exploring a new approach to supporting childcare and play settings to improve our existing inspection methodology.
This project will focus on how we can do more to support settings to drive improvement and will consider new arrangements for interim assurance activity between inspections, based on the quality of provision in each individual setting.
Our aims
- to do more to promote improvement in the sector, whilst also providing assurance about the quality and safety of settings.
- to encourage innovation by promoting and sharing examples of excellent quality childcare and play provision.
What we are doing
We have been working closely with a range of stakeholders to develop a new type of meeting with providers between their inspections, called Improvement Meetings.
The aim of these meetings is to allow providers the opportunity to let us know about any improvements they have made since the last inspection, including how they have responded to any non-compliance or recommendations; any other improvements they have identified as part of their own self-evaluation; and what they have done to implement these improvements.
We would also like to hear about any planned future improvements and will signpost providers to other sources of advice and support which may be of assistance to them.
Improvement meetings – Pilot project
During February 2023, we asked for volunteers from the childcare and play sector to take part in a pilot of our new improvement meetings. We were delighted that 90 providers offered their time to take part in the pilot that began in April 2023, and we are now able to share with you the results of the evaluation.
We will keep you updated on how we plan to roll-out the improvement meetings to all childcare and play providers later in 2024.