The Early Years Alliance is calling for a review of Ofsted’s inspection process in a report on workforce wellbeing published this week.

Minds Still Matter makes a number of recommendations to improve sector wellbeing, after an Early Years Alliance survey found that a third of the workforce (35%) is considering leaving the sector due to stress and mental health difficulties.

Recommendations include:

• Replacing Ofsted’s single-word judgement with a narrative summary, with an emphasis on ensuring that inspections are a collaborative and positive process focused on supporting high-quality provision.
• An updated joint review of administrative requirements in the early years sector
• The consistent provision of clear, plain-English sector guidance on all new and upcoming policy and legislation changes.
• The development of guidance and resources to help improve discussions around stress and mental health in early years settings, as well as a review of the support mechanisms available for childminding professionals and other non-group-based early years providers.

The report is based on the findings of a survey of 1,910 early years practitioners which found that Ofsted is the biggest cause of stress for the early years workforce. The survey, which was published earlier this year, found 79% of respondents are stressed about Ofsted inspections “fairly” or “very” often, and more than three in five (62%) have had a negative Ofsted experience

In the past year the majority of practitioners have suffered from anxiety (67%), fatigue (65%) and loss of motivation (64%), while 14% have experienced panic attacks, and 3% reported thoughts of taking their own life.

Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said: “Going forward, the mental health and wellbeing of early educators must be a key focus both when it comes to reforming the inspection system and in developing government policy. With a third of providers actively considering leaving the workforce, this is not an issue that can be ignored. The way the sector is treated must change, not only to protect the mental health of the workforce, but the future of the entire sector.”