Ofsted

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for children's learning, development and care from birth to five. Ofsted inspects educational institutions including registered schools and childcare settings, against the EYFS statutory framework.

From September 2024, Ofsted will no longer provide a single overall grade of effectiveness when inspecting state schools. Early years provision in maintained schools and academies for children aged 2 and above, and maintained nursery schools are included in this change.

In the future, single headline grades will be replaced, including the entirety of the Early Years Sector. Until this change is made, all early years settings registered on the Early Years Register (including childminders) will continue to receive a single headline grade of overall effectiveness alongside the graded judgements.

Education inspection framework (EIS)

Inspectors will make graded judgements in the following areas:

• The quality of education (including how well leaders use the curriculum to enhance the experience and opportunities available to children, particularly the disadvantaged to prepare them for future success – cultural capital)
• Behaviour and attitudes
• Personal development
• Leadership and management
• Early years provision (schools only) Education inspection framework (EIF) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Early years provision in schools

Early years provision in schools in the EIS framework is judged under the Schools inspection handbook, for section 5 and section 8 inspections. This covers all early years in schools, including two-year olds. 

Early years provision in settings (private, voluntary or independent)

Continued focus on safeguarding. Inspectors will judge whether safeguarding is effective or ineffective.

• Puts the curriculum at the heart of the framework.
• Puts more emphasis on the quality of education and care. Inspectors will consider children’s experiences and how their learning is being developed.
• Reduces the focus on data, particularly internal progress data, reducing unnecessary workload for childcare providers.
• Confirms there is no need for there to be a breach of a statutory requirement for provision to be judged Requires Improvement. Early years inspection handbook - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Useful online resources:

Help for early years providers : Reducing paperwork (education.gov.uk) Reducing unnecessary paperwork is a key aim of the EYFS framework, so you can spend more time engaging with the children.

Help for early years providers : Curriculum planning Find out more about how curriculum planning helps give the children a better experience, covering all areas of learning in the EYFS.

Early years FAQs for providers and practitioners - YouTube A collection of short videos answering the most common questions about inspection of early years provision and gaining an insight of what to expect.

Additional information from Ofsted:

Childcare: significant events to notify Ofsted about - GOV.UK

Registered early years providers - GOV.UK  A selection of answers to questions asked by practitioners about an Ofsted inspection.

Links to further resources

• EYFS MUSTS November 2024 Childminders
• EYFS MUSTS November 2024 Schools And Settings