Ofsted: nurseries to be marked down if children don't make friends Almost half lack basic social and language skills, figures show. Under the new system, nurseries will be expected to help youngsters develop communication and build up their phonic knowledge to support early reading and writing. Inspectors will take account of how children are encouraged to "learn to share and take turns," appreciate other boys" and girls" needs and "play cooperatively and make friends." The system will also assess how nurseries support children in "learning to manage their own hygiene and personal needs." Jean Humphrys, Ofsted's director of education and care, said the inspection framework would remove "unnecessary regulation" by focusing on core issues. "Ofsted is aiming to find the right level of enforcement to ensure that children are safe and well cared for," she said. Our overriding ambition is to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. In the past, Ofsted has been criticised for putting too much emphasis on bureaucracy and form-filling and failing to prioritise educational issues. It has already led to an overhaul of the system used to inspect schools. Now the watchdog is proposing a similar inspection model for nurseries and other early care providers such as childminders. The proposed framework, which will be subjected to a three-month consultation, will grade services on: the quality of children's learning, how well providers cater for their emotional development, leadership and management, children's "outcomes" such as how well they enjoy the experience and providers" overall effectiveness. Inspectors will still look at and report on other areas, such as whether children have healthy lifestyles, feel safe, enjoy learning and are developing skills for the future. But, unlike the current system, these areas will not be subjected to separate ratings in the future. Ofsted said the proposed changes would give nurseries and childminders more freedom to manage themselves and cut bureaucracy. At the same time, the inspectorate said it would be strengthening registration and measures to deal with those who do not comply with regulations.