Schools, early years and childcare

The new Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) – came into being on 1 April 2007. It is a non-ministerial government department that brings together the wide experience of four formerly separate inspectorates. Ofsted inspects and regulates care for children and young people, and inspects education and training for learners of all ages.

The Education and Inspections Act (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060040_en_1), which established the new Ofsted, specifically requires that in everything Ofsted does, it should:

• promote service improvement;
• ensure services focus on the interests of their users;
• see that services are efficient, effective and promote value for money.

Reports for Medway Local Authority are available from the Ofsted website (www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem).

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