аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± to start assurance inspections in group-based settings
By Rachel Lawler
аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± has announced that it will be going ahead with ‘assurance inspections’ as planned for group-based providers, but will not be visiting childminders under new plans revealed this week.
From 18 January, inspectors will begin visiting settings that have not been visited by аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± since they first registered as well as those where there are concerns about children’s learning and development.
Childminders will not be subject to these assurance inspections.
аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± says this is in recognition of the added pressure on childminders who may be home-schooling their own children or have other family members working from home as well as the difficulty of remaining Covid-19 secure in a home setting.
Inspectors will, however, carry out regulatory visits to childminders where there are concerns.
аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± also has plans to introduce a testing programme for its inspectors to ensure that they are all tested for Covid-19 before face-to-face visits.
Inspectors will also be provided with PPE and safety guidance.
These plans will be kept under review as the situation develops.