Ofsted Changes November 2025 What Early Years Settings Need to Know!

Early Years Business Support Ltd
Oct 29
4 min read

From November 10th, 2025, Ofsted will introduce a new inspection framework that reshapes how early years settings are evaluated and reported on. These changes are designed to give parents clearer information, reduce stress for providers, and create a more balanced inspection process that truly reflects what it’s like to be a child in your setting.

As an Early Years Consultant, I’ve taken a close look at what’s changing — and more importantly, what it means for nurseries, preschools, and childminders preparing for their next inspection.

A New Approach to Judgements

Perhaps the biggest shift is the removal of the single overall grade (like “Good” or “Outstanding”). Instead, each inspection will produce a report card that breaks down performance across key areas, giving a more detailed and nuanced picture of a setting’s strengths and areas for improvement.

This change moves away from simple labels and towards meaningful feedback. Parents will see a clearer view of how settings perform in specific areas such as curriculum, inclusion, and leadership — rather than one broad judgement.

Introducing a Five-Point Scale

The familiar four grades are being replaced with a new five-point scale, offering greater differentiation and recognition for high-performing settings. The new categories are:

Exceptional
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
Urgent improvement

This allows Ofsted to better celebrate excellence, while identifying where targeted support is needed.

Safeguarding Takes Centre Stage

Safeguarding will now be judged separately, with a simple “met” or “not met” outcome. This means it’s no longer tied to other grades — and will stand on its own as a fundamental requirement. Providers must ensure their safeguarding culture, training, and procedures are watertight and embedded in daily practice.

New Evaluation Areas

For early years providers, the updated framework introduces several refined areas of focus:

Curriculum and teaching
Achievement
Behaviour, attitudes, and routines
Children’s welfare and well-being
Inclusion (now referred to as a “golden thread” throughout inspection)
Leadership and governance

The focus on inclusion is particularly significant. Inspectors will want to see how settings meet the needs of all children including those with SEND or from disadvantaged backgrounds and how their curriculum supports belonging and equity for every child.

Inspection Frequency and Process Changes

Another key change is how often and when inspections take place. New settings will now receive their first inspection within 12 to 18 months of registration, and established settings will typically be inspected every four years instead of six.

For those judged as needing improvement or urgent improvement, inspections will happen more frequently within 12 months or sooner depending on the findings. This ensures that support and monitoring happen sooner, helping providers to make meaningful progress more quickly.

A Greater Focus on Context and Well-Being

The revised framework aims to consider each setting’s unique context recognising that nurseries and preschools operate in very different communities and circumstances. Inspectors will look at what life is like for a child in your setting, how you support their individual learning journeys, and how you foster a culture of belonging and well-being.

Importantly, Ofsted will also consider staff well-being and leadership capacity. This means the way you support your team from mental health to professional development, will play a bigger role in how leadership and governance are judged.

What These Changes Mean for You

Overall, the new framework offers an opportunity for early years settings to move beyond the anxiety of being “graded” and towards a more collaborative, evidence-based reflection of quality.

However, it also means providers need to be well-prepared across all evaluation areas — not just those typically associated with inspection. Leaders should review how they monitor inclusion, document children’s learning, and demonstrate impact.

This is a good time to carry out a self-audit, focusing on the six evaluation areas, to ensure you have strong evidence and practice in place before November arrives.

Practical Steps to Prepare

Here are a few key steps to take in preparation:

Audit your practice against the six new evaluation areas.
Review your safeguarding arrangements — aim for a strong, confident culture, not just compliance.
Ensure inclusion is visible in your curriculum, policies, and everyday routines.
Support your team’s well-being - this is now a visible part of inspection outcomes.
Communicate with parents and staff - so they understand how these changes affect inspection and reporting.

Remember, Ofsted has been clear that inspectors will not expect additional paperwork. They’ll look at what you already use to run your setting effectively not documents created “just for inspection.”

Final Thoughts

These November changes are more than just a new inspection framework, they represent a shift in culture. By focusing on context, inclusion, and well-being, Ofsted is aiming to make inspection fairer, more transparent, and more reflective of the amazing work happening in early years settings every day.

For leaders and practitioners, the key is preparation, reflection, and communication. Use this time to ensure your setting can confidently demonstrate the great practice you already do, because from November 2025, the spotlight will shine on every part of the nursery experience, not just the headline grade.