The decision to fund a provider for early education places is based on the inspection judgment that they receive from Ofsted, or an Ofsted-approved inspectorate. Inspectors will consider whether adults challenge children to think and find out more by encouraging them to speculate and test ideas. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.

The teaching of creationism and evolution in nurseries was identified by respondents as an issue in the Government’s recent consultation on child minder agencies and the role of local authorities in early education and child care. The Government is considering these responses.

Registered independent schools must meet the independent school standards. These state that the curriculum must give pupils experience in

‘linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education’.

Science must therefore be included in the curriculum. Ofsted and the independent school inspectorates inspect independent schools against these standards.

The Government’s policy is that evolution should be taught in schools as an essential element of a rigorous scientific education; teaching creationism as science is incompatible with the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.

The national curriculum requires all maintained schools to teach evolution as an established scientific theory. All academies and free schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. The model funding agreements for all kinds of academies and free schools are being revised. The latest published version includes a specific requirement to teach evolution, and prohibits the teaching of creationism as an evidence-based theory.

As in all areas of education, we look to Ofsted as the best and most effective lever to ensure expected standards are being achieved. All state funded schools are subject to Ofsted inspections which are required to report on the quality of education provided in the school including the quality of teaching.

Providers in receipt of early years funding must follow clear standards to make sure children are taught the key skills they need to get a good start in life. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.

We expect the Government’s position on creationism and evolution to be supported by any learning establishment in receipt of funding from the Department for Education to support science education.