Collection

Ofsted inspections of early years and childcare providers

How Ofsted inspects childcare and early years, including the education inspection framework, deferring inspections and safeguarding.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 1 December 2014
• Last updated: 25 February 2016 — See all updates

Guidance for providers

• Being inspected as a childminder or childcare provider
• Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence
  • 5 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Early years and childcare: Ofsted's enforcement policy
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Carrying out Childcare Register compliance inspections
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance

Requirements for providers

• Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
  • 1 September 2025
  • Statutory guidance
• Childminders on the compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements
  • 10 April 2025
  • Guidance
• Childminders on the voluntary Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements
  • 1 November 2024
  • Guidance
• Nanny: Ofsted requirements
  • 7 March 2023
  • Guidance
• Daycare providers on the compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements
  • 10 April 2025
  • Guidance
• Daycare providers on the voluntary Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements
  • 10 April 2025
  • Guidance

Guidance for parents

• Inspecting registered childcare providers: information for parents
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance

Guidance for inspectors

• Education inspection framework (EIF)
  • 9 September 2025
  • Guidance
• Early years and childcare: Ofsted's enforcement policy
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Carrying out Childcare Register compliance inspections
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Principles for deciding when more than one inspector is needed for early years inspection and regulatory activity
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Principles for carrying out early years inspection and regulatory work without notice
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance

Published 1 December 2014

Last updated 25 February 2016 + show all updates

1. 25 February 2016

   Updated with safeguarding concerns guidance for inspectors.

2. 12 December 2014

   Early years annual report 2012/13 added

3. 1 December 2014

   First published.