More nursery classes in schools could tackle inequality

Only a third of children from low income backgrounds reach what is considered a good level of development at the early years stage, and once behind will struggle to catch up with their peers, Ofsted will say in its first Early Years Annual Report, published today.

Sir Michael, who is the chief inspector of schools, will say “there is nothing inevitable about the link between poverty and failure. Indeed we have to ask ourselves why, if this is being done well in some places, it isn’t being done everywhere else?

“We have to ask ourselves, if there is a political consensus on the importance of a sure start in life for all, if so much money is being spent on it, why on earth has so little changed?”

‘More core skills’

He is expected to say that in some areas of the country, notably London, most children do well and the gap between advantage and disadvantaged is closing: “what children facing serious disadvantage need is high-quality, early education from the age of two delivered by skilled practitioners with degrees in a setting that parents can recognise and access easily. These already exist. They are called schools”.

Why, if this is being done well in some places, it isn’t being done everywhere else? Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools

Sir Michael said this part of a child’s school career was “absolutely critical” and that Ofsted wanted a greater emphasis on teaching children core skills – “how to hold a pen… the ability to count, to recognise words, to communicate well with each other and their teachers”.

He denied that play and creativity would be sacrificed for learning, saying that children face pressure when they are forced to catch up later on.

‘Level playing field’

Purnima Tanuku, head of the National Day Nurseries Association, rejected any suggestion that nurseries were failing children and challenged Sir Michael over the quality of Ofsted’s inspection regime.

More than 80 per cent of private and voluntary day nurseries are actually delivering good or outstanding quality Purnima Tanuku, National Day Nurseries Association

“You are missing the most important point here,” she told him on BBC Radio 4’s Today.

“Your own report suggests that more than 80 per cent of private and voluntary day nurseries are actually delivering good or outstanding quality.

“What is important is how we can invest in high quality and how can we create a level playing field.

“Most importantly, we should really be focusing on how to deliver quality inspections because there is a lot to be desired in the inspection processes.”

She said there were only 335 schools accepting two-year-olds, “whereas 18,500 nurseries have been doing this and doing it extremely well”.

“What Sir Michael seems to be saying is actually condemning the sector based on a very small minority.

“I’m not sure when (was) the last time Sir Michael set foot into a private or voluntary nursery, as opposed to a nursery school. He would see the high quality of play-based learning and a very suitable environment.”

Last month Sir Michael wrote to Ofsted’s early years inspectors, saying “I want to know how well settings help children to catch up when they enter with skills that are lower than those typical for their age.”

While the number of “frameworks” setting out the principles and processes of inspections will be simplified, the inspection regime will become tougher for early years provision, with the aim of ensuring that children are not only properly cared for, but adequately prepared for school.