- Report cards
- From 10 November 2025, Ofsted publishes report cards grading each evaluation area on a 5-point scale — Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement. There is no single-word overall judgement
- Evaluation areas (early years)
- Inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and well-being; leadership and governance
- Safeguarding
- Judged separately as met or not met
- Inspection notice
- Group providers normally receive a phone call the working day before the inspection. Childminders may receive up to 5 working days' notice. Ofsted reserves the right to inspect unannounced
- Inspection duration
- Typically 1 day for nurseries and preschools. Half a day for childminders. Can be extended if concerns arise
- Inspection cycle
- At least once within a 4-year window, introduced from April 2026 and phased in to March 2030 (previously 6 years). Frequency does not vary by grade
- Monitoring after 'needs attention'
- Monitoring or return inspection within 12 months if any evaluation area is graded 'needs attention'
- Monitoring after 'urgent improvement'
- Monitoring or return inspection within 6 months. Ofsted may suspend or cancel registration if insufficient progress
- Urgent inspections
- Triggered by safeguarding concerns, serious complaints, or significant events. No notice given. Can result in immediate suspension of registration
- Appeal process
- Providers can submit a formal complaint about the inspection process within 5 working days. If the report is factually inaccurate, request corrections before publication