Join us for a webchat with Ofsted's Chief Inspector of Education Sir Michael Wilshaw – 11.30-12.30, Tuesday 9 September 2014

[VikkiMumsnet]

As the academic year in England, Wales and NI gets underway, we're pleased to welcome Sir Michael Wilshaw into MNHQ for a webchat on Tuesday 8th September, for an hour from 11.30am.

As Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England since 2012, Sir Michael's responsibilities cover every aspect of Ofsted's work, from inspections to exams, reporting on the quality of education and children's services at both local and national level. His former career includes 43 years in teaching, with 26 spent as a head teacher in London secondary schools – most recently as Executive Principal at Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney.

You can catch up with Sir Michael's most recent views on everything from poverty to private schools here.

Post your questions for Sir Michael below, and be sure to join us live on the 8th, from 11.30am.

"Graded". Sorry.

Also. Why can't a parent complain anonymously to OFSTED about a school for a large management type issue (in this case financial )?

I'm sure you understand that no parent with pupils attending said school would want to be named.

Interesting q from brandnewinformation. I wonder too if schools in rural poor areas attract less funding and so have lower standards.

Sit Michael, I have worked long and hard for over 40 years the last 28 AZ a childminder. My last 2 inspection grades have been outstanding. Therefore I am incensed that you feel childminders should not be in receipt of 2 year old funding, and like other political persons make childminders out to bf inadequate carers and educators when many of us have better grades and outcomes for our cared for children than pre schools and nurseries around us! We have taken on the changes that being regulated by Ofsted threw at us and are constantly playing catch up as rules/regulations/legislation seem to change lb sixthly basis

I have a question.

WHY did you make such a disparaging remark about childminders last week regarding 2 year old provision? Your quote: “The Government should try to ensure they go to a school-based nursery, not the local childminder.”

As the head of ofsted I am sure you are well aware that local childminders offer the same EYFS based provision as private nurseries and state school based preschools do, and 78% of them are rated good or outstanding by ofsted.

Childminders follow the same guidelines as other early years providers, complete the same paperwork on each child, tracking and guiding their early years development but do so in a home from home setting. You will be aware we complete early years profiles, complete 2 year old checks, complete learning journals - we are professional child care practitioners! We offer families more flexibility and a warm community setting where children make important key person bonds, grow, develop and have fun.

Why you felt the need to nationally discourage parents from using "the local childminder" is a question I am extremely interested to know the answer to.

Interesting questions raised, marking place.

Sit Michael, I am once again incensed by the disparaging comments mass towards childminders! Having been employed for over 40 years I have been a childminder for the last 18. My last 2 inspection results have been outstanding and I have lit hm slot of personal time and effort into providing the best care I can for young people. Childminders have had to accept so many changes since being regulated by Ofsted and seem to be continually playing catch up with the changes to rules/regulations/legislation that seem to change weekly. I have a better grade than local preschools and nurseries yet am not good enough for the you.gd people who need the best care. Too many couldn't.feed are leaving because of the enormous pressure being put on us by inconsistent ofsted inspections and endless paperwork that the government seems to think makes for netley outcomes for those very young children, when good care and play is what they need. So when are you actually going to listen to those of us that do the job, and do it well rather than guess at what we ate capable of?

As a qualified, experienced and enthusiastic childminder I am keen to understand the reasoning why the head of my governing body feels the need to express that 2 year old children are better in a school nursery than with "the local childminder" years of evidence prooves that young children and In particular disadvantaged children, fare better when in small settings with a key worker whom they can form a relationship with. Parents have absolute trust and faith in me when they leave their children in my care. Each and every childs individual needs are catered for and each child is school ready. This faith and trust, judging from previous comments is far more than parents put into ofsted. 78% of childminders and nursery's are judged good or outstanding by your judgements. what more do we need to do?

As an 'Ofsted' registered Childminder I would like to ask why you think I am not good enough to care for funded 2 year olds. Childminders offer such a different learning environment to Nurseries and Schools, neither better or worse but each family should be able to choose the style which suits their family and child. Your remarks about 'local childminders' is very unfair to our profession - who work very hard to follow your requirements and to parents who will feel that we are not a viable option.

Hello.

The "back to basics" approach has led to such a narrowing of the primary school curriculum. Where are the arts? In our village primary there is hardly any singing or music, very little in the way of art and drama... unless they are clubs, which there aren't in many small schools.
A whole generation of children for whom these are talents can go through school feeling worthless if they aren't academics, and never find out that they are talented in these other areas.
Unless there is big change in this area, the variety of candidates for jobs (many of which haven't even been invented yet with the rocket pace technology is moving at) will be as narrow as the curriculum that has my children unhappy at school.
Childhood and learning should be about so much more than academics and testing.

I think that school governors are very reluctant to manage heads, and really hold schools accountable for results .

I don't believe that schools in poor areas need to produce worse results- there are a number of schools nationally which have gone from poor to brilliant under new leadership, and with the same catchment area.

What can be done about that?

It is clear from comments you have made in recent months that you do not have a very high opinion of Childminders. Why is this?

Many experienced Childminders are now leaving the profession because of the unfair and rather random nature of Ofsted inspections, stress caused by a sea of paperwork ...and your comments (a final straw for some, sadly). This is a dreadful state of affairs and will result in a childcare crisis.

As an "Ofsted" Registered Childminder, I too, would like to know why you feel we are not worthy to take 2 year old funded children? I have seen many changes in the 20 years I've been minding and embraced them as they made me feel more professional, not just a glorified babysitter...but your comment last week really angered me. How dare you! I really hope you can explain your comment (as mentioned in previous comments).

Good points re childminders.

I was a primary teacher and then an Outstanding childminder.I'd pick a good or above childminder complimented by some good or above pre school hours at 3 every time.

The childminders in our town do an amazing job(most used by teachers too).

I gave up due to paperwork.It was getting to the stage where I was putting in almost as many hours on paperwork as I was as a teacher(and getting paid a lot less).

Wonder if he really said that or was he misquoted.Hopefully we'll find out.

I am an ofsted registered childminder. AKA just a local childminder. I have worked in early years since 1995 when I left college with a BtEC diploma in childcare and became a nanny. I spent many years working in nurseries as nursery nurse/ deputy manager and eventually manager. I have completed a level 4 qualification in early years practice and in 2013 I completed my foundation degree in early years. I became a childminder for the first time in 2004-2007 and then registered again in 2012. I have put my heart and soul into my childminding work and twice in 2014 I have had full ofsted inspections which both were graded as outstanding.
I now work alongside an assistant (who is studying for her level 3) and together we offer the funded places for 2,3 and 4 year olds. We are full with a waiting list.
Today the 6 children that attended have played with the sand making sand cakes in garden, they have had water play with funnels and jugs and we have used mashed potato as a dough to practice cutting and shapes. We have blown bubbles and caught balloons and had song time and storytime. Each child has had positive praise and attention and gone home happy.
The parents who use my service trust me and value the service I provide for them at a cost if just £3 per hour (outside of free funding). I provide two cooked meals and healthy snacks for a cost of £2.50 per day.

After reading your comments recently published I feel completely let down by you.

Pre schools in my area do not have the same grading as myself. Children are on higher staff ratios and do not get the quality of care I can offer and yet it seems I am still not good enough for you.

Do OFSTED gradings mean nothing? TWICE in 2014 (march and July) I have been graded outstanding by YOUR regulatory body and yet your recent comments suggest a 2 year old would not benefit from attending my setting and should instead attend the local pre school which is attached to the local primary with a worrying grading of inadequate (they have been given 1 month to improve before they have their privilege of providing funded places taken away from them).

I am truly hoping that you have been misquoted or just didn't think before you so dismissively called me 'just a local childminder' but sadly your silence after the bad press on this report has affected many childminders like myself a great deal. So many exceptional childminders are feeling let down and don't want to carry on jumping through hoops to be dismissed so readily by people in power. We have had to endure Liz Truss and this is just another blow for our sector.

Why as a childminder rated good and having a level 3 qualification do you feel that i am not suitable to care for children requiring a funded 2 space. Why is an inadequate school nursery better than me "the local childminder"?

Hello Sir Michael
Our primary school has recently changed its homework policy, so that my Year 2 daughter will receive 2 lots each week, plus reading, plus times-tables and spellings. I am dreading it. It appears to me that there is little (proper, academic, robust) evidence to support this policy.

What is your view about the link between homework at primary school, and academic achievement?

In Ofsted's rating of a primary school, is the setting of homework seen as important, or taken into account in any way?

Thank you!

Dear Sir Michael
Like many other hard working childminders I too would like you to explain your recent comments about childminders I feel as though yet again our profession is being targeted and not recognised for all the fabulous things we do and the effort we go to, to provide for all families to give them the opportunity to access flexible childcare options. Now I like many others work extremely long hours in a very deprived area and I find your comments completely unjustified. Also can you tell me where all these 2yr olds will be taught ?

I would also like to address the issue of the comment Sir Michael recently made regarding the value he places on childminders. As a representative of the organisation we are obliged to register with, do you not feel that your comment was disparaging and dismissive of an Early Years sector that you should, in fact, be supporting?
We provide a unique service to working parents, a value for money service, but ultimately, a loving environment for their children.
Your comment has caused a huge amount of distress to many wonderful childminders across the country. I think a public apology is in order!

Many PACEY members expressed outrage and upset at your comment to the Evening Standard about childminders.

With 76 per cent of childminders achieving good or outstanding at their last inspection, and our members demonstrating every day their commitment to providing high quality childcare, can you please explain your comment Sir Michael?

Well, where should I start - there is so much that I want to ask Sir Michael Wilshaw

So here goes

Would you like to visit my childminding setting and spend the day with me, so you can see what a 'local childminder' does?

After being so rude and inappropriate in your comments about childminders, will you apologise?

If you think the highly professional registered childminders of whom nearly 80% have a good or outstanding grade are not 'good enough' - why do you think childminder agencies will be 'good enough'

Why are 4 year old in school reception classes in this country, when all the evidence says that in the long run children who start school later do better?

Why are children leaving school without the basic level of education? (and please don't blame the early years sector - children are in school for far longer than they are in early years settings

Why are class sizes so big?

There are a lot more questions that I would like to ask Sir Wilshaw - but I am sure there will not be time to ask more.

So Sir Michael Wilshaw - will you visit my setting or invite me to attend a meeting at your office - I may me 'just' one of those 'local childminders' - but I know a lot more than you appear to about childminder and indeed early years in general. Why not take the time to listen to those who do know before expressing opinion

OFSTED REGISTERED CHILDMINDER

Mr Wilshaw I have worked as a Reg CM for 20 years now. I always received high praise during my annual Inspections with Social Services. I have always been graded Good and for the last 2 inspections Good with Outstanding aspects during my Ofsted Inspections every 3/4 years. I have a Level 3 Childcare Qualification .

My parents choose to come to me, a home setting for their children and don't want them in a Nursery. They laugh when I tell them you want them to put their children in school as young as 2. 3 is too young for them! You wouldn't want to hear what my Deputy Primary Head Teacher parent thinks!!! I think Netmums would turn pink if I told you!

Mr Wilshaw have you ever visited a working Childminder to see what the provide and do? If not, why not?

I would like to add my voice to those of other 'local childminders' on here. I was insulted by your comments in the Evening Standard which implied that not only Childminders but also all other early years providers in the Private, Voluntary & Independent Sector are incapable of providing the quality of teaching required to improve outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and so 'narrow the gap'. Having read the Ofsted Annual Report and your introduction 'Unsure Start'. I cannot see how you can make the premise that the answer is to send two-year-old children to maintained nursery schools. You maintain that it is because there are a greater percentage of these that are graded Good or Outstanding but this is inaccurate as these grades are for the whole school, as the Early Years provision was not inspected independently of the school. 75% of Childminders delivered good or outstanding care and education in 2012/13, and 78% currently hold these grades. Childminders offer the nurturing, flexible and individualised care essential for a 2-year-olds development and well-being. Surely what needs to be improved is signposting and support to existing provision rather than trying to place such young children in an environment that is totally inappropriate for them. Please justify your disrespectful and demeaning attitude towards Ofsted Registered Childminders and your misplaced desire to place 2-year-olds in school nurseries.

As a newly registered childminder, I feel your comment has played down the profession and feel that when I get my first grading it will mean nothing. Why on earth would a 2 year old be better off in a nursery setting than a childminders. A 2 year old needs a home from home setting and a rountine with a familer friendly face. I believe a child will learn alot more in that sort of enviroment. Also about School Ofsted grading do they mean anything my daughter went to an outstanding school for 2 years and then moved to a school which requires improvements and she feels the second school is better and she is learning more. She is 14 and in year 10.