What Ofsted does
Inspects and regulates services providing education, training, and childcare in England. Inspects schools, colleges, initial teacher training, and children's social care. Registers and monitors childcare providers.
Relevant for nurseries, childminders, training providers, and children's homes as a business.
Contact Ofsted
- enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
- Phone
- 0300 123 1231
Official guidance from Ofsted
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
Prepare for Ofsted inspections (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Thematic inspection of regional adoption agencies: phase 2 (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Register a children’s home: guidance for applicants (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Glossary of terms: Ofsted statistics (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Further education and skills inspection: toolkit, operating guides and information (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Independent school inspection: toolkit, operating guide and information (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Initial teacher education (ITE) inspection: toolkit, operating guide and framework (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
School inspection: toolkit, operating guides and information (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
View all 82 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)
Legal framework
Legislation that Ofsted directly enforces.
Primary legislation
Secondary legislation
… and 4 more statutory instruments.
Related legislation
Legislation connected to Ofsted’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.