Early Years National Report: Leading to excellence

Leading to excellence is the third in a series of annual reports from Ofsted, examining leadership, management and organisation in early years and childcare settings - and how these can be improved to promote positive outcomes for children. It supports the forthcoming Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Every Child Matters and will be of interest to directors of children's services, childcare providers, early years/education providers, nurseries and parents.

Using evidence gathered from 90,000 inspections between 2005-2008, Leading to Excellence finds that 97% of providers now meet national government standards, with Ofsted inspections and recommendations playing an important role in this success. However, it also concludes that there are variations across the sector; that out-of-school provision is not as good as full day-care, and that the level of inadequate childminding has risen.

The full report, along with a range of supporting information, advice and resources for early years practitioners is available on the Ofsted Leading to Excellence website.

Information and guidance relating to the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme and the Childcare strategy can also be found the following pages of this website: Early years and childcare and Local Authority Developing Practice.