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Ofsted Inspections - Changes to Inspections from September 2025

Ofsted inspections are changing from September for all early year’s providers.

In September 2025: Ofsted will publish its revised inspection framework and consultation response.

In November 2025: New inspections under the updated approach will begin for schools.

Early Years Sector: Changes will be phased in more gradually, with some elements - like the removal of single-word judgments - not happening immediately for early years settings. For more information you can click here to watch this video on YouTube.

Key Changes in Ofsted Early Years Inspections

Report Cards over Single-Word Judgments: While private nurseries and childminders will still receive a single overall judgment for now, state-funded nurseries and schools are moving to a "report card" system. This will replace "Outstanding," "Good," "Requires Improvement," and "Inadequate" with a more detailed 5-point color-coded scale across various evaluation areas.

New Early Years Inspection Framework: The framework is being updated to be more flexible and better aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, incorporating eight new evaluation areas, including a specific focus on curriculum, routines, and inclusion.

Increased Focus on SEND and Disadvantaged Children: Inspections will place a greater emphasis on how providers support disadvantaged children and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Two-Part Notification Call: Settings will receive a two-part notification call before an inspection to prepare them.

Inspector Training and Conduct: Ofsted is establishing an "Academy" to improve inspector training, and there are updated guidelines for inspector conduct, including considerations for the well-being of leaders and staff, and how to handle challenging feedback.

Contextual Information in Reports: Future reports will likely include more contextual information about the provider and local area, especially regarding the characteristics of children and learners, performance data, and local deprivation data.

Consultation and Phasing Out Single-Word Judgments: Ofsted is consulting on the specifics of the report card approach and plans to phase out single-word judgments for all early years settings in the future, while carefully monitoring the transition.