The New Ofsted Inspection Framework: Your Questions Answered

Posted by EYR Team on 5th Jan 2026

Understanding the new Ofsted inspection framework can feel overwhelming for Early Years practitioners and setting leaders. With changes in what inspectors focus on and how they evaluate your provision, it’s natural to have questions: What is the new Framework? How has this changed? How can I prepare?

This guide is designed to answer the most common questions about the new Ofsted inspection framework in Early Years settings. You’ll find clear, practical advice on what inspectors are looking for, how to prepare, and how to demonstrate the quality of your provision — without drowning in paperwork. Whether you run a nursery, preschool, or EYFS classroom, this blog will help you feel informed, confident, and ready for inspection day.

Table of Contents:

What is the new Ofsted inspection framework?
What has changed for Early Years settings?
What do Ofsted inspectors look for?
What are the 3 I’s?
How should staff prepare for an inspection?
What evidence do I need to show Ofsted
How is SEND considered in inspections?
How is safeguarding assessed?
How long do inspections last?
Final tips for a positive inspection

What is the new Ofsted inspection framework?

From November 2025, schools will be given grades on a 5-point scale across a range of different areas. Parents will subsequently be given more information about their child’s education on a new report card system detailing the school’s performance.

Off the back of feedback from parents and educators, the 5 grades have been renamed to be more indicative of the follow up actions:

Urgent improvement
Needs attention
Expected standard
Strong standard
Exception (the new highest grade available)

What has changed for Early Years settings?

Key changes include:

A new inspection report card and 5-point grading scale
A wider range of evaluation areas now including a standalone “inclusion” area
Safeguarding now exempt from the 5-point grading scale to receive its own individual rating
A new ‘exceptional’ grade to identify the very best provision in the country
New inspection toolkits for grading providers
An increased focus on how schools support and promote the wellbeing of leaders and staff (considered within the leadership and governance evaluation area).
A new online insights platform: ‘Ofsted - Explore an Area’ to give parents key information about the education in their area

What do Ofsted inspectors look for?

Inspectors focus on 6-8 core areas which include:

Leadership and governance
Curriculum and teaching
Attendance and behaviour
Achievement
Personal development and wellbeing
Inclusion

If applicable, your setting will also receive a judgement for:

Early years setting within schools
Post 16 provision

What are the 3 I’s (Intent, Implementation, Impact)?

In the Ofsted framework, both previous and new for 2025, the “3 I’s” refer to Intent (what children learn), Implementation (how they learn it) and Impact (what they actually achieve).

Intent: What is your curriculum aiming to achieve? Think about knowledge, skills, and outcomes for every child.
Implementation: How is the curriculum delivered? Consider teaching methods, staff interactions, and learning environments.
Impact: How does the curriculum affect children’s progress and readiness for the next stage? Inspectors look for real evidence of learning and development.

How should staff prepare for an inspection?

As practitioners, you are not expected to do any additional work or create any new evidence to prepare for the inspection. However, it may be beneficial to review the documents replacing the traditional “school inspection handbook”:

The school inspection toolkit: gives schools and inspectors the evaluation areas that will be focused on and how they will be evaluated and graded
Information about school inspections: designed specifically for school staff, leaders and parents to offer a better understanding of the Ofsted approach

What evidence do I need to show Ofsted?

You are not required to show evidence during your inspection, however whilst the inspector is observing the children in their setting, it is an opportunity for leaders to show context and evidence across all of the toolkit evaluation areas.

How is SEND considered in inspections?

In this revised framework, Inclusion is now considered as a central measure of school effectiveness. Schools are now required to showcase how they meet the needs of children with SEND, as well as children who are disadvantaged or have other barriers to learning.

How is safeguarding assessed?

Safeguarding will be given a “met” or “not met” evaluation. This is judged separately across 6 areas, reviewing leadership, staff training, record keeping, safer recruitment, governance and the culture of vigilance and care.

How long do inspections last?

The time spent on each inspection depends on the type of setting and the size of that setting. As a guide, Ofsted have set out the following:

Childminder inspections: around 3 hours
Inspections for group providers that operate on restricted daily hours part time: around 4 hours
Inspections for group providers that operate for a full day time: around 6 hours

Final tips for a positive inspection

Keep children at the centre of everything you do.
Focus on quality interactions and real learning outcomes.
Ensure staff understand the curriculum and their role.
Maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging
Stay calm, confident, and professional — inspections are a snapshot of your everyday work, not an interrogation.