Clause 59 - Inspections
Childcare Bill
9:00 am
Beverley Hughes (Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families), Department for Education and Skills; Stretford and Urmston, Labour)
The amendments would require all later year child care providers that are required to register with Ofsted to face compulsory inspection at least every three years. I agree that Ofsted plays an important role in assuring parents of the continuing quality of child care. However, we intend to make regulations requiring providers to demonstrate annually that they meet the requirements of the Ofsted child care register, and we think that that will ensure that safety and suitability standards continue to be met.
We are trying to strike the appropriate balance between safety, security and quality on the one hand, and a proportionate, risk-based inspection regime on the other. We have reviewed the role of inspection in delivering the best outcome for children. Ofsted will be able to inspect any providers who are on its child care register at any time, and will do so where there is concern or a complaint has been received, rather than on an automatic cycle.