Issue details

Permission is being sought to commission an external organisation to deliver an Ofsted Inspection Readiness Programme for domestic childcare providers (childminders) locally. This will be done following the Invitation to Tender (ITT) on the North West Portal “The Chest” for a 1 year contract and an option to extend for a further year.
Local authorities (LA) are required by legislation to secure information, advice and training for providers in their area for:
•those registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register who are judged less than ‘good’ by Ofsted in their most recent inspection report;
•newly registered providers on the Ofsted Early Years Register who have not yet had an inspection report published;
•those on Part A (the compulsory part) of the Ofsted General Childcare Register who are assessed by Ofsted as not having met the requirements of registration or the requirements relating to their activities.
(Early education and childcare – Statutory guidance for local authorities)
Therefore, permission is being sought to approve the decision to commission an external organisation to deliver an Ofsted Inspection Readiness Programme for domestic childcare providers (childminders) locally to fulfil the LA statutory duty.