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.

Published 1 December 2014
Last updated 25 February 2016 — see all updates

• From: Ofsted

Guidance for inspectors

1. Education inspection framework (EIF)
   • 2 September 2019
   • Guidance
2. Early years inspection handbook
   • 2 September 2019
   • Guidance
3. Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
   • 2 September 2019
   • Guidance

Guidance for providers and early years settings

1. Deferring Ofsted inspections
   • 20 June 2016
   • Guidance

Early Years Register

1. Early years provider non-compliance: action by Ofsted
   • 28 March 2019
   • Guidance

Childcare Register

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

1. Inspection of services on Childcare Register
   • 2 March 2017
   • Guidance
2. Regulation of services on Childcare Register: framework
   • 6 October 2017
   • Guidance

Guidance for parents

1. Inspecting registered childcare providers: information for parents
   • 15 December 2016
   • Guidance

Childminder agencies

How Ofsted inspects childminder agencies.

1. Inspecting childminder agencies: framework
   • 29 August 2014
   • 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.