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 inspectors

• Education inspection framework (EIF)
  • 23 July 2021
  • Guidance
• Early years inspection handbook
  • 9 February 2022
  • Guidance
• Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
  • 24 August 2021
  • Guidance
• Gathering additional evidence to secure an incomplete inspection
  • 24 August 2021
  • Guidance

Guidance for providers and early years settings

• Deferring Ofsted inspections
  • 2 December 2021
  • Guidance

Childcare Register

How Ofsted regulates and inspects childcare that is only registered on the Childcare Register.

• Framework for the regulation of providers on the Childcare Register
  • 1 April 2022
  • Guidance

Guidance for parents

• Inspecting registered childcare providers: information for parents
  • 3 February 2021
  • 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.