Understanding the New Ofsted Inspection Format (From November 2025)

by Rebecca Butler

Introduction

The new Ofsted early years inspection format officially began on 10th November 2025, bringing major changes to how inspections are carried out and what evidence inspectors will look for.

Whether you’re a childminder, nursery practitioner, or early years leader, this guide will help you understand exactly what’s changed and how to feel confident and prepared for your next inspection.

The New Ofsted Inspection Documents

The previous inspection handbook has now been replaced by four key documents that every early years provider needs to know about:

  1. Early Years Inspection Toolkit – Includes grade descriptors and criteria for each inspection area.

  2. Early Years Inspection Information for Providers – Explains what Ofsted will look for and how they’ll gather evidence.

  3. Early Years Inspection Operating Guide for Inspectors – The manual inspectors will use during visits.

  4. Education Inspection Framework (EIF) – Sets out how quality and standards are evaluated.

Inspectors will now use these documents in all early years inspections from November 2025 onwards.

The Seven New Inspection Areas

Ofsted has introduced seven inspection areas, including two brand new ones. These are:

  1. Safeguarding

  2. Inclusion

  3. Curriculum and Teaching

  4. Achievement

  5. Behaviour, Attitudes and Establishing Routines

  6. Children’s Welfare and Wellbeing

  7. Leadership and Governance

Each area connects to Ofsted’s core principles that underpin this new framework:

  • Every child belongs - feeling safe, valued, and included.

  • Every child learns - developing knowledge and skills through purposeful play.

  • Every child achieves - progressing at their own pace and reaching their potential.

  • Every child thrives - happy, confident, and engaged in their learning journey.

The New Ofsted Grading System

The old “Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate” grades have officially been replaced with five colour-coded categories:

Blue - Exceptional
Dark Green - Strong Standard
Light Green - Expected Standard
Orange - Needs Attention
Red - Urgent Improvement

Safeguarding is now graded separately as Met or Not Met, with any “Not Met” result triggering immediate follow-up and regulatory action within six months.

Secure Fit Evaluations Explained

Under the new model, Ofsted will make “secure fit evaluations” rather than “best fit judgements.”

This means inspectors will base their decisions on how securely you meet each statement in the expected standard sections of the toolkit supposedly reducing subjectivity and increasing consistency between inspectors.

In short: evidence matters more than ever. Make sure your policies, planning, and curriculum intent clearly show how you meet those standards.

Before the Inspection

Here’s what to expect before your inspection:

  • You’ll receive a phone call before 10am.

  • A 30-minute video call will then be arranged for later that day.

  • For childminders, inspection will happen within five days; for group settings, usually the next day.

  • During the video call, inspectors will discuss:

    • Your setting’s context and priorities.

    • Your self-evaluation and action plan.

    • Support for children with SEND or EYPP.

    • The structure of your inspection day.

Expect a greater emphasis on self-evaluation, reflection, and identifying what you’re working on next.

On the Day

Ofsted has promised that inspections will now feel more collaborative and reflective. Here’s what that means in practice:

Documents

Have essential paperwork ready - including paediatric first aid certificates, safeguarding records, and any EYFS-required policies.

Observations

Inspectors will observe how your curriculum is implemented, how children learn through play, and how staff interactions support safety, learning, and wellbeing.

Discussions

Expect professional dialogue rather than interrogation. Ofsted has promised a stronger focus on provider wellbeing and workload.

Outcome

At the end of your visit, there will be a discussion about grades, feedback, and next steps for improvement.

After the Inspection

You’ll receive your report card within around 18 days of your inspection.
It will include:

  • Your new colour-coded grades.

  • A summary of strengths and key actions for improvement.

You’ll then have five days to raise any concerns or request corrections before publication.
The final version will normally go live within 30 days.

Ofsted has said the complaints process has been simplified, and there will be tighter quality assurance to ensure fairness and consistency.

Key Takeaways

⭐ The 3 I’s (Intent, Implementation, Impact) are gone.
⭐ The old grading terms are gone too.
⭐ “Expected Standard” is now the baseline for self-evaluation and auditing.
⭐ Safeguarding is more important than ever - a “Met” grade is non-negotiable.
⭐ Inspections aim to be more consistent, evidence-based, and supportive.

Looking Ahead

From April 2026, Ofsted inspections are expected to move to a four-year cycle, with newly registered providers inspected within 12–18 months.

Upcoming developments include:

  • A new tool called “Explore an Area”, allowing providers to view local authority inspection data.

  • Nationally consistent inspector training and updated moderation processes.

  • Further blogs and updates from Ofsted as the framework embeds.

Make Preparation Easier

Keeping up with the new paperwork can feel like a full-time job in itself - which is why I now offer professionally printed and bound copies of all four new Ofsted inspection documents.

Each pack includes:
✨ All four updated documents (toolkit, framework, guidance, and operating guide)
✨ Protective front and back covers
✨ Clear, easy-to-navigate layout
✨ Professionally bound and ready to use

Available for just £30, it’s a simple way to feel organised, professional, and inspection-ready - without battling your printer!

You can order your pack at thechildcarefairy.com 

Final Thoughts

Inspections can feel daunting - but with the right preparation and a clear understanding of what Ofsted expects, you’ll walk into your next one feeling confident and calm.

You already do incredible work every day. This new format simply gives you another opportunity to show that off.

So take a deep breath, get familiar with the toolkit, and remember... you’ve got this.

With love and fairy dust,
The Childcare Fairy 
Magical resources for professionals, parents, and curious little minds.

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