This framework for early learning and childcare was planned to be launched in spring 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.

The approach to the new framework is that it sets out the elements that will inform us about the impact care and learning for all early learning and childcare settings.

The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support settings to evaluate their own performance.

How is the quality framework structured?

The framework is framed around key questions. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we introduced ‘Key question 5: How good is our care and support during the Covid-19 pandemic?’ This question has been removed from
the framework, however, elements have been retained to promote infection prevention and control.

The key questions are:
– How good is our care, play and learning?
– How good is our setting?
– How good is our leadership?
– How good is our staff team?

Purnima Tanuku OBE, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland said: “We welcome the effort that the Care Inspectorate has put into updating the quality framework following consultation that NDNA Scotland took part in along with the wider ELC sector. It is a useful support tool with additional resources for settings, which have been well put together and tested by the sector.

“It’s helpful that providers will have a few months to familiarise themselves with the new framework before they will be inspected on it.“Speaking with our members across the country, we know that nurseries are still struggling from the effect of Covid on their businesses, particularly staff absences and loss of income. We hope that inspectors will recognise the pressures our childcare providers have been under over the last two years and take that into consideration when inspecting early years settings against this framework.”