Ofsted Publishes New Inspection Framework for Early Years Settings
Following last year’s Big Listen and a further 12 week consultation earlier this year, Ofsted has published its new inspection framework.
The biggest change is a new report card that will have five new gradings. These will be:
• Urgent improvement
• Needs attention
• Expected standard
• Strong standard
• Exceptional
The report card will, according to Ofsted: “Provide more nuance for parents and providers, combining at-a-glance grades with narrative summaries of strengths and areas for improvement. Following extensive feedback and user testing of February’s proposed version, the report card has been redesigned to make it more accessible, particularly on mobile devices.”
From April 2026, there will also be an increase in the frequency of routine inspections for regulated early years providers to a 4-year inspection window instead of the current 6-year cycle. For new early years providers an inspection will take place within 12 to 18 months of registering, down from the current wait of up to 30 months.
Inspectors will also evaluate whether providers are meeting a new “inclusion” area which will look specifically on how they meet needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector commented:
“Our new report cards will give parents a clearer understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement at the places where their children learn. We will work with the professionals in schools, early years and further education to help them showcase the best of what they do – and help them identify where they can improve.”
The following toolkit and information documents have been published to support the changes and explain the new system:
• Early years inspection toolkit: inspectors and early years providers use this to discuss the quality of provision on inspection.
• Operating guide for inspectors: a step-by-step guide for inspectors on how to inspect a registered early years setting. This contains information on how inspectors take into account a provider’s context, for example childminders.
• Early years inspection information for staff, leaders, parents, carers and the public.
Specific changes have been made in recognition of the unique environment that childminders work in. For example, there will now be a 30-minute planning call prior to any visit which is a chance to understand a provider’s context, strengths and areas for improvement and to develop a relationship between the inspector and providers. The day of the actual visit will also be decided between the inspector and childminder to fit a time that works for both.
The new framework has broadly been welcomed by the sector, particularly the removal of the single-word judgement. However, some say the inspection process will remain a stressful experience unless the reforms go further.
However, Ofsted has said that it is taking concerns about wellbeing and workload seriously and has published a separate report on wellbeing by Sinéad McBrearty, Chief Executive Officer at Education Support. Ofsted also emphasises how it will prioritise consistency and fairness, giving inspectors bespoke training to ensure consistency among different types of settings (including childminders) and ensuring toolkits and new operating guides are reflective of this.
Sources and more information:
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-toolkit-operating-guide-and-information/early-years-inspection-operating-guide-for-inspectors-for-use-from-november-2025
2. Ofsted Big Listen – GOV.UK
3. https://www.corampacey.org.uk/ofsted-confirms-changes-to-inspection-and-reporting-of-providers/
4. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b8762fcc8356c3c882aa4c/Independent_wellbeing_impact_assessment_of_the_revised_Ofsted_framework.pdf
5. https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/long-read-ofsted-early-years-sector-welcomes-inspection-reforms-but-raises-more-concerns
6. https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/eyfs-changes-how-inspections-for-childminders-are-moving-to-a-more-collaborative-process