September 17, 2025

Ofsted Early Years Inspections: Key Changes from November 2025

From 10th November 2025, Ofsted will launch a new inspection framework for nurseries, childminders and early years providers. These updates represent the most significant Ofsted early years inspection changes in recent years, and they are designed to make inspection outcomes clearer, fairer and more useful for parents, providers and practitioners.

In this guide, we’ll explain the new approach, the areas Ofsted will focus on, and how your nursery or early years setting can prepare.

Why Are Ofsted Inspections Changing in 2025?

Ofsted has confirmed that the current single overall effectiveness grade is being replaced with a report card system. This change aims to give a more nuanced picture of quality across different areas of provision, rather than reducing everything to one label.

For early years providers, the updated inspection framework means:

More focus on safeguarding and inclusion.
A chance to showcase strengths and contextual challenges.
A clearer roadmap for improvement, where needed.

Ofsted Early Years 2025 – At a Glance

Report cards replace overall judgements – each area will have its own grade.
New 5-point scale: Urgent Improvement, Needs Attention, Expected Standard, Strong Standard, Exceptional.
Safeguarding graded separately as Met / Not Met.
Inclusion becomes a core inspection area.
More frequent inspections – moving from around 6 years to a cycle closer to every 4 years.
Less emphasis on paperwork created just for inspection – inspectors will focus on real practice and professional dialogue.

What Ofsted Will Inspect in Nurseries & Early Years Settings

From November 2025, early years inspections will cover:

Safeguarding (Met / Not Met)
Inclusion (SEND, disadvantaged children, those known to social care)
Curriculum and Teaching
Achievement
Behaviour, Attitudes and Routines
Children’s Welfare and Well-being
Leadership and Governance

For nurseries, childminders and pre-schools, this means you’ll need to be inspection-ready across every area, not just teaching and learning.

Ofsted Early Years Changes vs What Stays the Same

What’s Changing in 2025:

No overall effectiveness grade.
Narrative report cards with strengths and priorities for improvement.
Greater emphasis on SEND, disadvantage and inclusion.
Clearer guidance through the Early Years inspection toolkit.
Increased frequency of inspections and capped inspection day timings.

What Remains the Same:

EYFS statutory requirements must always be met.
Safeguarding remains critical – failure here = automatic “Not Met”.
Inspectors will continue to prioritise first-hand evidence (observations, discussions, normal records).
Leadership, governance and the role of managers are still central.

How Ofsted Inspections Will Work from November 2025

Types of inspection: Full inspections, “no children on roll” checks, and childcare register compliance.
Notice period: A planning call will focus on your context and priorities.
Duration: ~4 hours for restricted-hours provision; ~6 hours for full-day provision.
Evidence collected: Observations, joint activities with leaders, staff/parent discussions, review of statutory records.
Frequency: Risk-based, but with the aim of a 4-year inspection cycle for nurseries and early years settings.

The New Grading Scale Explained

Exceptional – exemplary practice that can inspire other providers.
Strong Standard – robust practice consistently meeting high expectations.
Expected Standard – statutory and professional expectations fully met.
Needs Attention – some gaps or inconsistencies in provision.
Urgent Improvement – serious shortfalls requiring immediate action.

Preparing for Your 2025 Ofsted Early Years Inspection

Here’s a 6–8 week checklist to help nurseries and childminders get ready:

Rehearse your narrative: know your context, priorities and impact.
SEND & Inclusion: check identification, support plans, EYPP use.
Safeguarding audit: DSL training, safer recruitment, whistleblowing, DBS/LADO processes.
Curriculum review: ensure intent → implementation → impact is clear, especially for vocabulary and 2-year-olds.
Behaviour and routines: attendance, transitions, positive culture.
Welfare and well-being: key person system, medication, risk assessments.
Leadership & governance: improvement plans, staff workload/well-being, supervision.
Parent partnership: communication, feedback, support for home learning.

Timeline of Changes

Now – November 2025: Review the new framework and conduct a self-audit.
10 November 2025: New inspection framework goes live for early years settings.
Nov – Dec 2025: First inspections under the new framework begin.
January 2026: Framework expands to cover ITE and independent schools.

What Nurseries & Early Years Leaders Should Do Next

The 2025 Ofsted inspection framework offers a major opportunity to demonstrate the strengths of your provision, rather than being reduced to a single grade. The sharper focus on inclusion, safeguarding and children’s well-being reflects the real priorities of early years practice.

By starting preparation now, reviewing your provision against the new framework, and embedding good practice across all seven evaluation areas, your nursery or childminding setting will be inspection-ready when Ofsted calls.