Alliance comments on new Common Inspection Framework

15th June 2015

Commenting on the new Common Inspection Framework, published today by Ofsted, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“We welcome the publication of the common inspection framework, which will help early years providers prepare for this new approach to early years inspections in advance of its implementation in September.

“Clearly, the success of the new framework will hinge on how it is practically applied by inspectors - it is vital they do not take a one-size-fits-all approach, and ensure that inspection judgements are made with the understanding that that the early years is a unique stage of education.

“We also welcome news of plans for a new ‘scrutiny committee’ to help improve the complaints process. The Alliance has long called for better support for providers who have made a complaint about an inspector or inspection, and this is a positive step in the right direction. We look forward to hearing more details about the committee in due course.”

Under the common framework, schools (including maintained nursery schools), academies, and further education and skills providers judged as at least ‘good’ at their previous inspections will be subject to short inspections every three years to confirm that the previous grade was accurate. Neil said:

“Given that the aim of the new framework was to ensure greater consistency of approach across all inspections, it seems odd that nursery schools, but not PVI providers, should be able to undergo short inspections. This may well cause confusion for parents trying to compare different provider types, and so we would be keen to better understand from Ofsted what prompted them to make this distinction.”

For further information or to interview, Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance please contact:
Shannon Hawthorne
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2503
E: Shannon Hawthorne

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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