This snapshot, taken on
04/05/2010
, shows web content acquired for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search may not work in archived websites and contact details are likely to be out of date.
 
 
The UK Government Web Archive does not use cookies but some may be left in your browser from archived websites.
A range of images of children and adults

Key findings

  • Almost all settings (97%) are satisfactory or better in the way they are organised to promote positive outcomes for children; over half the registered early years and childcare settings (54%) are good or outstanding.
  • The proportion of day-care providers inspected with good or outstanding organisation has risen from 44% in 2005–06 to 58% in 2007–08. The proportion of childminding judged good or outstanding has changed very little from 57% to 56%.
  • Almost all settings (98%) providing government-funded early education are satisfactory or better in their leadership and management of early education; 64% are good or outstanding.
  • A few settings (3%) are inadequate in their organisation and do not provide acceptable support for children; 2% of those offering government-funded early years education are inadequate in their leadership and management. However, almost all improve quickly: 95% of provision judged inadequate and reinspected was satisfactory or better in its organisation by the end of March 2008.
  • Settings that are part of a quality assurance scheme generally provide higher quality early education and childcare.
  • In the best settings:
    • children are at the heart of all that happens
    • adults have a robust approach to keeping children safe
    • inspiring environments enable children to thrive, well supported by knowledgeable adults who keep close watch over children’s development and monitor progress
    • adults are continually improving their already outstanding practice.
A girl creating art with the help of a teacher

During our celebration of outstanding provider events across the country, we asked providers what contributed most to their success. Annex A outlines what they told us. From these findings we have developed questions to help providers and local authorities think about ways to improve.

Continue to Organisation